Lens Musings

**kernos** · 08-23-2018, 06:10 PM

Really what lens will spark your creativity? Pentax's 100mm D-FA WR macro will allow a different perspective on the close but interesting stuff and is weather sealed. Not as charming for portraits as the FA 77mm but should still be serviceable.

bertwert · 08-23-2018, 09:10 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, I think I'll sell the kit lenses and replace the FE with the 15. I'll give it a few weeks to think over.

**david94903** · 08-23-2018, 09:26 PM

The DA15mm is an amazing lens. Before I bought my K-1, the DA15mm became my daily driver, replacing my DA*16-50mm lens. I found I was always shooting at 16mm, so why not loose the brick for a better lens. Additionally, I have the DA10-17 FE, which is also an amazing lens. I found having the 15 didn't impede my ability to use the 10-17. Different lenses for different situations. Since getting my K-1, the DA15 isn't getting any love. But I'm using the DA10-17 in FF mode at 17mm on the K-1. It's really interesting.

**darylk** · 08-23-2018, 09:31 PM - **1 Like**

After you get the DA15, I suggest you consider complimenting it with the 20-40 Limited. It's fairly small, well crafted, WR, silent focusing and covers a nice typical landscape focal length range.

SSGGeezer · 08-23-2018, 09:52 PM

Originally posted by darylk

After you get the DA15, I suggest you consider complimenting it with the 20-40 Limited. It's fairly small, well crafted, WR, silent focusing and covers a nice typical landscape focal length range.

The 20-40 is a very nice bit of gear but I never use it of late so am selling it. primes and longer lenses are holding the position of honor of late. Winter is when it shines! So Bert would love it!

Kozlok · 08-23-2018, 10:04 PM

Used 16-50s are cheap these days. Screwdrive convert if you must, still a nice lens.

**david94903** · 08-23-2018, 10:11 PM

My SDM died twice on my 16-50, so I was all too happy to discover the screwdrive option. Actually never felt the conversion was a downgrade in any way.

**clackers** · 08-23-2018, 10:15 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by bertwert

Thanks for the suggestions, I think I'll sell the kit lenses and replace the FE with the 15. I'll give it a few weeks to think over.

Your Pentax is great for both wildlife and landscapes, Bertwert.

400mm from an FA*300 and 1.4 TC:

DA15:

bertwert · 08-28-2018, 07:22 PM

It now leads to the question for the 15 Ltd; SMC or HD?
I guess I'll see what pops up in the marketplace...

Ronald Oakes · 08-28-2018, 07:42 PM - **1 Like**

Forgo getting different lenses for now. Invest in lens hoods , a decent CP , and a couple ND filters, Will do wonders for your images

**Just1MoreDave** · 08-28-2018, 08:56 PM

Originally posted by bertwert

It now leads to the question for the 15 Ltd; SMC or HD?
I guess I'll see what pops up in the marketplace...

There is a big difference in starbursts between these two. Check that out first.

**eyrr** · 08-29-2018, 07:24 PM

Originally posted by bertwert

It now leads to the question for the 15 Ltd; SMC or HD?
I guess I'll see what pops up in the marketplace...

I'm thinking along the same lines. I have the smc DA 15mm and often use the FA 50mm f2.8 macro as my second lens when hiking. The wide angle 15mm isn't always the best choice for landscape. Sometimes a narrower angle emphasizes a subject and makes a more pleasing composition. I like to have both options.

I now have the 55-300 plm, which is a wonderful hiking lens, but adds some weight, so I've substituted the HD DA 40mm for the FA 50. The 55-300 plm is WR; I'd suggest keeping your 18-55 WR for a while as an WR option in case you find yourself in (or want to shoot in) inclement weather . When you're absolutely sure you won't need this, or anything in its range that the 40mm doesn't cover, that's the time to let it go.

I have the smc (Starburst-making Mind Controller) 15mm. Do you want that feature? I like it, but bear in mind that it does it fairly easily even at wider apertures (f5.6, f6.3) and you can't shut it off.

ZombieArmy · 08-29-2018, 07:38 PM

Instead of going the 15 I went with the Samyang 14mm. My main reasoning was it's faster and better corrected for astro, and honestly I feel like UWA (at least to me) is boring to abuse too much so the weight never bothers me.

Plus having the option of it being on full frame is pretty cool. Even if I never get a K1 I fully intend on using it for film thanks to the rather nice aperture ring.

bertwert · 09-03-2018, 08:16 PM

I'm now considering getting the 21 Ltd and just selling the two kit lenses...

Something that could be used as a singular walk around lens, the 40 XS is too narrow for that, and also nice for landscapes on hikes.

In an ideal world I'd just get all the Limiteds and be done with it...

**eyrr** · 09-04-2018, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by bertwert

I'm now considering getting the 21 Ltd and just selling the two kit lenses...

Something that could be used as a singular walk around lens, the 40 XS is too narrow for that, and also nice for landscapes on hikes.

In an ideal world I'd just get all the Limiteds and be done with it...

The first Limited is a gateway drug...

The 21 Ltd is worth considering. I've never used it, but it seems like a less specialized, more generally useful focal length - also possibly less distortion than the 15 ltd. You could take a few shots with the 18-55 WR at 21mm and see if you'd be happy with that - or you'd really prefer wider, and you still have the 10-17FE.

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08-23-2018, 06:10 PM	#16
kernos Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 456	Really what lens will spark your creativity? Pentax's 100mm D-FA WR macro will allow a different perspective on the close but interesting stuff and is weather sealed. Not as charming for portraits as the FA 77mm but should still be serviceable.

08-23-2018, 09:10 PM	#17
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173 Original Poster	Thanks for the suggestions, I think I'll sell the kit lenses and replace the FE with the 15. I'll give it a few weeks to think over.

08-23-2018, 09:26 PM	#18
david94903 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Rafael, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 806	The DA15mm is an amazing lens. Before I bought my K-1, the DA15mm became my daily driver, replacing my DA*16-50mm lens. I found I was always shooting at 16mm, so why not loose the brick for a better lens. Additionally, I have the DA10-17 FE, which is also an amazing lens. I found having the 15 didn't impede my ability to use the 10-17. Different lenses for different situations. Since getting my K-1, the DA15 isn't getting any love. But I'm using the DA10-17 in FF mode at 17mm on the K-1. It's really interesting.

08-23-2018, 09:31 PM - 1 Like	#19
darylk Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Blue Hill, Nebraska Photos: Gallery Posts: 494	After you get the DA15, I suggest you consider complimenting it with the 20-40 Limited. It's fairly small, well crafted, WR, silent focusing and covers a nice typical landscape focal length range.

08-23-2018, 09:52 PM	#20
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by darylk After you get the DA15, I suggest you consider complimenting it with the 20-40 Limited. It's fairly small, well crafted, WR, silent focusing and covers a nice typical landscape focal length range. The 20-40 is a very nice bit of gear but I never use it of late so am selling it. primes and longer lenses are holding the position of honor of late. Winter is when it shines! So Bert would love it!

08-23-2018, 10:04 PM	#21
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Used 16-50s are cheap these days. Screwdrive convert if you must, still a nice lens.

08-23-2018, 10:11 PM	#22
david94903 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Rafael, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 806	My SDM died twice on my 16-50, so I was all too happy to discover the screwdrive option. Actually never felt the conversion was a downgrade in any way.

08-23-2018, 10:15 PM - 2 Likes	#23
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by bertwert Thanks for the suggestions, I think I'll sell the kit lenses and replace the FE with the 15. I'll give it a few weeks to think over. Your Pentax is great for both wildlife and landscapes, Bertwert. 400mm from an FA*300 and 1.4 TC: DA15:

08-28-2018, 07:22 PM	#24
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173 Original Poster	It now leads to the question for the 15 Ltd; SMC or HD? I guess I'll see what pops up in the marketplace...

08-28-2018, 07:42 PM - 1 Like	#25
Ronald Oakes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,582	Forgo getting different lenses for now. Invest in lens hoods , a decent CP , and a couple ND filters, Will do wonders for your images

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08-28-2018, 08:56 PM	#26
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by bertwert It now leads to the question for the 15 Ltd; SMC or HD? I guess I'll see what pops up in the marketplace... There is a big difference in starbursts between these two. Check that out first.

08-29-2018, 07:24 PM	#27
eyrr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 318	Originally posted by bertwert It now leads to the question for the 15 Ltd; SMC or HD? I guess I'll see what pops up in the marketplace... I'm thinking along the same lines. I have the smc DA 15mm and often use the FA 50mm f2.8 macro as my second lens when hiking. The wide angle 15mm isn't always the best choice for landscape. Sometimes a narrower angle emphasizes a subject and makes a more pleasing composition. I like to have both options. I now have the 55-300 plm, which is a wonderful hiking lens, but adds some weight, so I've substituted the HD DA 40mm for the FA 50. The 55-300 plm is WR; I'd suggest keeping your 18-55 WR for a while as an WR option in case you find yourself in (or want to shoot in) inclement weather . When you're absolutely sure you won't need this, or anything in its range that the 40mm doesn't cover, that's the time to let it go. I have the smc (Starburst-making Mind Controller) 15mm. Do you want that feature? I like it, but bear in mind that it does it fairly easily even at wider apertures (f5.6, f6.3) and you can't shut it off.

08-29-2018, 07:38 PM	#28
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	Instead of going the 15 I went with the Samyang 14mm. My main reasoning was it's faster and better corrected for astro, and honestly I feel like UWA (at least to me) is boring to abuse too much so the weight never bothers me. Plus having the option of it being on full frame is pretty cool. Even if I never get a K1 I fully intend on using it for film thanks to the rather nice aperture ring.

09-03-2018, 08:16 PM	#29
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173 Original Poster	I'm now considering getting the 21 Ltd and just selling the two kit lenses... Something that could be used as a singular walk around lens, the 40 XS is too narrow for that, and also nice for landscapes on hikes. In an ideal world I'd just get all the Limiteds and be done with it...

09-04-2018, 06:37 PM	#30
eyrr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 318	Originally posted by bertwert I'm now considering getting the 21 Ltd and just selling the two kit lenses... Something that could be used as a singular walk around lens, the 40 XS is too narrow for that, and also nice for landscapes on hikes. In an ideal world I'd just get all the Limiteds and be done with it... The first Limited is a gateway drug... The 21 Ltd is worth considering. I've never used it, but it seems like a less specialized, more generally useful focal length - also possibly less distortion than the 15 ltd. You could take a few shots with the 18-55 WR at 21mm and see if you'd be happy with that - or you'd really prefer wider, and you still have the 10-17FE.