[mattb123]

I forgot about the 20-35. Not what I thought I was looking for but intriguing!

Yeah, I might end up with the 20. Size is important since I have a big lens that covers the range already.

Anyone here try the Rokinon 20/1.8? Seems like it might be pretty big but maybe not too bad.
Rokinon 20mm f/1.8 ED AS UMC Lens for Pentax K RK20M-P B&H Photo

[bpv_UW]

Save up for the FA20 Matt. It really is an excellent lens, and remarkably compact - almost a pancake.

I'll second Sandy. I have done essentially the same thing as you - my hiking/backpacking/travel kit is Fa 20/Fa43/DFA100macro. Fits neatly in a small chest pack with my K-1, a couple extra batteries, and a few other accessories. Pair that with a compact Sirui tripod and you have a very light/small kit that can do a lot of things at a very high quality level.

I have coveted the DFA 15-30, but haven't taken the plunge yet as I enjoy the size/IQ trade-off of the Fa 20 too much. I will probably get it eventually, but doubt I'll part with the Fa 20 as I'll keep it for times when space is at a premium.

If you want to see examples of what the Fa 20 can do, all the wide images in this album from June 2016 one were taken with the Fa 20: Best Travel/Nature/Landscape Images | Flickr

Best,
Brandon

[pid]

i think the mentioned manual lenses are easy to handle. mmost times you only need to kick the focus to infinity or a little bit nearer. Hyperfocal does the rest for you. If you want to work at close distances, you will end up to focus manual anyway on nearly all UW lenses, because the AF never is as perfect as you would wish. UWs are easy to handle manual, no big deal.
One other extrem small gem is the smc Takumar 1:3.5/35 ... but Takumars are not as compfortable as newer lenses, but some of them are just genious.


(the RMC Tokina is build rock solid out of metal, small and easy to carry, and as mentioned before, you should use a hood to reduce flares. It is still a remarable cheap lens for travelling and a good alternative to the M or A 20)

[Sandy Hancock]

There's also a very nice Voigtländer 20/3.5 made in K mount. It's *tiny*

[Mallee Boy]

Hi Matt....do not overlook the Sigma EX DG 24mm f1.8. Not the smallest lens out there (similar in size to the DA 14), but its image quality is very good.

And here is a curve ball for you....Tokina ATX Pro 235. Its a 20-35mm f 2.8, again similar size to the Sigma mentioned above.


I have both and find it a difficult choice in which one not to carry. Tokina generally wins out because its got the added versatility....but the Sigma is just so sharp and has the f1.8....and will flare.


Happy hunting.

[bdery]

Do any of you have a full frame prime you like in the 20mm range? Doesn't have to be especially fast but that doesn't hurt either as long as the size is manageable.

Others have recommended it, but after searching for a long time for a FF equivalent of the DA 21, I ended up with the FA 20-35. Not larger than the 31, lighter, not as good and not as fast, but it's a good short zoom with excellent center and mid-frame sharpness, decent corners and edges, and the ability to create pleasing starbursts (again, not as good as the 21, but better than most). My prime kit with the K-1 is now the 20-35 (I know it's not a prime, but it's not a walkaround zoom either ), 43, 77 and sometimes the 100 macro WR.

I' currently testing the Laowa 12mm and that lens is fantastic. Much smaller than the Irix 11 and 15, metal all around, excellent results and it's F2.8. I'm impressed by it, it's one of the lenses that surprised me the most in recent years.

[RobA_Oz]

Save up for the FA20 Matt. It really is an excellent lens, and remarkably compact - almost a pancake.

I agree with Sandy. 20mm on the K-1 has a wider FoV than the DA15 (or even the DA14) on an APS-C body. Anything wider and you’re into specialist lens territory – I acquired an Irix 15/2.4 recently, and as much as I like it, I wouldn’t regard it as a normal travel lens, partly because of its size and weight, but also because it is a lens for particular purposes, and I don’t have a problem with stitching shots from longer FL lenses, if I need to.

The FA20 is a very good lens, which is part of the reason its price has held up in the secondhand market, even with the appearance of newer lenses in neighbouring FLs. The only criticism I have is that the lens hood is huge by comparison, to the point where I tend to leave it off much of the time, simply because it’s difficult to deal with.

[Sandy Hancock]

The only criticism I have is that the lens hood is huge by comparison, to the point where I tend to leave it off much of the time, simply because it’s difficult to deal with.

Sensei makes a petal shaped 67mm hood which works very well. The only problem is the crappy plastic thread. If there was a metal version it would be perfect.

I currently use a saucer shaped B&W rubber hood with their typically fine engineering. It's a delight, but more inconvenient to pack.

[pres589]

When I've used my Samyang 14 on my film camera I've also felt that it was past "ultra-wide" and into some further, special purposes category. A 12mm optic seems... excessive, as previously mentioned.

I wish there was something like the Laowa 12 in a 18 to 20mm format available new. Currently I'm trying to offer that guy selling the moldy M 20 f4 on ebay lower-ball offers to get him to send it to me so I can then spend money to have it cleaned or do it myself.

[UncleVanya]

Given the high cost of the fa20, can you live with 24mm for now?

Sigma AF 24mm f/2.8 macro (Pentax K) - Review / Lab Test Report

Many reports on this lens across mounts seem to give high marks.

[gofour3]

The goal of my M 20 f4 thread definitely didn't include AF as my film cameras don't have AF and I'm not interested in an AF Pentax film camera.

The K18/3.5, K20/4 or the A20/2.8 would be my choice over the M20/4 on a MF film camera.

The K18/3.5 also has built-in filters for B+W & colour film.

Phil.

[pres589]

Hey gofour3, the thread you're looking for is here; M 20 f4; prices? Alternatives? - PentaxForums.com

[Ronald Oakes]

MattB123.....This is one of the hardest focal lengths to figure out. Zoom or Prime ….. manual or autofocus......and every possible solution comes at a high cost.
I know because Im in the exact same spot after dropping my SMC-K 20mm lens last month.
After using my K 20mm lens , but only relying on images and reviews for the FA's , my thoughts in order of preference are...
#1....FA 20-35 Solid performer overall
#2....SMC-K 20mm (most likely sharpest)
#3....FA 20mm (same as A but with autofocus) Im not overall too impressed with mixed reviews and images

[gofour3]

Hey gofour3, the thread you're looking for is here; M 20 f4; prices? Alternatives? - PentaxForums.com

Ah, yes thanks for the link! Will re-post my comment in the other thread.

Phil.

[Scorpio71GR]

Your really can not go wrong with the FA20-35. I held out on this lens until the K-1. It is small enough to always found a spot in your bag.


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