DA 35mm 2.4 or 50 1.8 for first non kit lens and concert/bar band photography

liaztraht · 10-04-2018, 09:20 PM - **1 Like**

After some internal debate, research, checking photo data, wallet checking, and of course everyone's input... I decided to go with the DA 50. It allowed some budget for replacing the cleaning supplies I had.

I would have had a harder time without the help of people that know cameras. Thank you!

I look forward to sharing my work after I get it.

bladerunner6 · 10-05-2018, 02:41 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by liaztraht

After some internal debate, research, checking photo data, wallet checking, and of course everyone's input... I decided to go with the DA 50. It allowed some budget for replacing the cleaning supplies I had.

I would have had a harder time without the help of people that know cameras. Thank you!

I look forward to sharing my work after I get it.

Congratulations!

As Optical Limits (photozone.de) says it is a lot of bang for the buck.

I look forward to seeing your work.

liaztraht · 10-09-2018, 03:14 PM - **1 Like**

Just got my lens today. Only had a few minutes to test it out, but significantly brighter and sharper than the kit at the same settings, only changing the aperture.

F1.8 may be too wide to have a guitarist plus the whole guitar in focus, but even at 2.8, the isolation and brightness is much better.

I will give ot a thorough test on Saturday.

**jbondo** · 10-09-2018, 04:22 PM - **1 Like**

Fellow Musician (I play in two bands) here.

At smaller / mid sized club venues, and for 3+ member bands

The 35 will have a lot more utility than the 50.

They both have similar light gathering power (even though the 35 is slower, it has a much wider angle of view)
the 35 will be a little more forgiving with focus / DOF

For larger venues (or where you cannot be close to shoot) or smaller 1-2 member bands:
The 50 may be a little better.

Also the 50 can also be better if your subjects are really still and don't move much, you can go for shallow DOF.

Here's a sample vid with 7 camera angles of which 3 are Pentax: K-1(31/1.8) K-1(DAF50/1.4) K-01(8/4 fisheye (de-fished))

liaztraht · 10-09-2018, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by jbondo

At smaller / mid sized club venues, and for 3+ member bands

The 35 will have a lot more utility than the 50.

While I agree on this, with my kit lens, I was mostly at the 55 mm end of the zoom, and found the view to be just about right at a venue that is about average size for around here. I will probably pick up the 35 as well at a later date. Though I really enjoyed the kit lens at the 18 mm end for full band shots, as that took up the second largest portion of shots. It was almost bright enough wide open, if a little soft.

I do seem to go for more half body and three quarter body portrait type shots, which is why I ultimately decided on the 50.

**shardulm** · 10-09-2018, 05:45 PM

Originally posted by liaztraht

While I agree on this, with my kit lens, I was mostly at the 55 mm end of the zoom, and found the view to be just about right at a venue that is about average size for around here. I will probably pick up the 35 as well at a later date. Though I really enjoyed the kit lens at the 18 mm end for full band shots, as that took up the second largest portion of shots. It was almost bright enough wide open, if a little soft.

I do seem to go for more half body and three quarter body portrait type shots, which is why I ultimately decided on the 50.

It almost sounds like you need that Tamron on 17-50/f2.8 than the da50/1.8. Da50/1.8 is a great lens though.

liaztraht · 10-09-2018, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by shardulm

It almost sounds like you need that Tamron on 17-50/f2.8 than the da50/1.8. Da50/1.8 is a great lens though.

That wasn't in the cards for me yet, but the wife is already trying to discuss what I want for xmas...
So maybe in a couple months!

I do need more glass though.... There will be bigger venues in the future. Options, options, options

**pres589** · 10-09-2018, 06:29 PM - **1 Like**

A used Sigma 30mm f1.4 that's known to work well on your camera* would be really useful here.

* - AF issues are known and seems somewhat sample to sample in how well or not well things work out.

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10-04-2018, 09:20 PM - 1 Like	#31
liaztraht New Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 21 Original Poster	After some internal debate, research, checking photo data, wallet checking, and of course everyone's input... I decided to go with the DA 50. It allowed some budget for replacing the cleaning supplies I had. I would have had a harder time without the help of people that know cameras. Thank you! I look forward to sharing my work after I get it.

10-05-2018, 02:41 AM - 1 Like	#32
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,080	Originally posted by liaztraht After some internal debate, research, checking photo data, wallet checking, and of course everyone's input... I decided to go with the DA 50. It allowed some budget for replacing the cleaning supplies I had. I would have had a harder time without the help of people that know cameras. Thank you! I look forward to sharing my work after I get it. Congratulations! As Optical Limits (photozone.de) says it is a lot of bang for the buck. I look forward to seeing your work.

10-09-2018, 03:14 PM - 1 Like	#33
liaztraht New Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 21 Original Poster	Just got my lens today. Only had a few minutes to test it out, but significantly brighter and sharper than the kit at the same settings, only changing the aperture. F1.8 may be too wide to have a guitarist plus the whole guitar in focus, but even at 2.8, the isolation and brightness is much better. I will give ot a thorough test on Saturday.

10-09-2018, 04:22 PM - 1 Like	#34
jbondo Loyal Site Supportaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 503	Fellow Musician (I play in two bands) here. At smaller / mid sized club venues, and for 3+ member bands The 35 will have a lot more utility than the 50. They both have similar light gathering power (even though the 35 is slower, it has a much wider angle of view) the 35 will be a little more forgiving with focus / DOF For larger venues (or where you cannot be close to shoot) or smaller 1-2 member bands: The 50 may be a little better. Also the 50 can also be better if your subjects are really still and don't move much, you can go for shallow DOF. Here's a sample vid with 7 camera angles of which 3 are Pentax: K-1(31/1.8) K-1(DAF50/1.4) K-01(8/4 fisheye (de-fished))

10-09-2018, 04:44 PM	#35
liaztraht New Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 21 Original Poster	Originally posted by jbondo At smaller / mid sized club venues, and for 3+ member bands The 35 will have a lot more utility than the 50. While I agree on this, with my kit lens, I was mostly at the 55 mm end of the zoom, and found the view to be just about right at a venue that is about average size for around here. I will probably pick up the 35 as well at a later date. Though I really enjoyed the kit lens at the 18 mm end for full band shots, as that took up the second largest portion of shots. It was almost bright enough wide open, if a little soft. I do seem to go for more half body and three quarter body portrait type shots, which is why I ultimately decided on the 50.

10-09-2018, 05:45 PM	#36
shardulm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 793	Originally posted by liaztraht While I agree on this, with my kit lens, I was mostly at the 55 mm end of the zoom, and found the view to be just about right at a venue that is about average size for around here. I will probably pick up the 35 as well at a later date. Though I really enjoyed the kit lens at the 18 mm end for full band shots, as that took up the second largest portion of shots. It was almost bright enough wide open, if a little soft. I do seem to go for more half body and three quarter body portrait type shots, which is why I ultimately decided on the 50. It almost sounds like you need that Tamron on 17-50/f2.8 than the da50/1.8. Da50/1.8 is a great lens though.

10-09-2018, 06:22 PM	#37
liaztraht New Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 21 Original Poster	Originally posted by shardulm It almost sounds like you need that Tamron on 17-50/f2.8 than the da50/1.8. Da50/1.8 is a great lens though. That wasn't in the cards for me yet, but the wife is already trying to discuss what I want for xmas... So maybe in a couple months! I do need more glass though.... There will be bigger venues in the future. Options, options, options

10-09-2018, 06:29 PM - 1 Like	#38
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	A used Sigma 30mm f1.4 that's known to work well on your camera* would be really useful here. * - AF issues are known and seems somewhat sample to sample in how well or not well things work out.