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11-07-2018, 12:44 PM - 4 Likes   #16
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15/21/10-17

QuoteOriginally posted by bdery Quote
On APS-C, definitely the DA 21 Limited. Gorgeous rendering, colours, sharpness. It's even better at night, creating superb starbursts.

On FF, I haven't tested as many lenses but for the moment my favourite is the FA 20-35. It lacks some of the character of the 21 but is an excellent lens in its own right.

Now if Pentax release an equivalent to the 21 on FF (think a 24 Limited maybe) I'd be al over it.
They did, YEARS ago, one of the greatest lenses of all time, regardless of brand; it's called the FA31mm Limited. A 21 on APSC is actually about a 30.5mm on FF.

I have three favourite landscape lenses, listed above. I also have the 16-85, but the images from it seem so ordinary after dealing with the limiteds, I rarely use it, although it is very highly rated for a zoom. The 10-17 fisheye gets my vote for it's whimsical nature, at times comical, at times not, and can be de-fished so well in Lightroom or Photoshop.

The Puerto Vallarta sign shot is a 10-17 shot defished. The Alberta Fall Landscape shot is with the 15. The last one is from the magnificent Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens with the 21, which is a bit long and tight for me for a landscape lens. It is more of a SUPERB street shot/travel lens, one that has convinced me that you don't really need a massive zoom. I now travel with the limiteds and a 55-200, soon to be the 55-300 folding thingy. I leave my 60-250 at home because it's just too big and heavy - I'm thinking of selling it, actually, because it's my LEAST used lens by far.

The 21 gets most of the use these days. Magnificent lens. I could easily get by with JUST that lens.

Cheers,
Cameron

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Last edited by Cambo; 11-07-2018 at 01:24 PM.
11-07-2018, 12:53 PM - 2 Likes   #17
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For primes, the DA35 macro gets the most use. It takes sharp photos with good colors, light to carry. I find it also easy to photo merge into panoramics if needed.
Second place would be either the DA15, or the DA *55mm. The DA15 is just a good wide lens and gives excellent starburst when wanted. Since getting the DA *55mm it gets a lot of use.
If I had to carry just one lens and not worried about the weather it would the DA35. If raining I would take the DA20-40.
11-07-2018, 01:01 PM   #18
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QuoteOriginally posted by csa Quote
I see two more are recommending the DA 21 limited. This is really interesting!
It's a lens that starts off really unimpressive, but grows on you over time, at least in my case.
11-07-2018, 01:12 PM - 1 Like   #19
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16-85WR
40mm Ltd.

11-07-2018, 01:13 PM - 2 Likes   #20
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I really enjoy the Pentax SMC 28/3.5 shift lens on the K-1. With it, I can point the camera level at the horizon to ensure that all the trees are nicely parallel-vertical and then use up or down shift to adjust the relative amount of foreground or sky to suit the composition. But sometimes I accentuate the perspective by pointing the camera up high and the downshifting to create an exaggerated perspective.
11-07-2018, 01:13 PM - 5 Likes   #21
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Just a tremendous percentage of my favorite landscape shots have been with the DA15 LTD.
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11-07-2018, 01:16 PM   #22
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Cameron, very impressive shots! Really love the vividness of the 15.

11-07-2018, 01:25 PM - 1 Like   #23
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SMC 28/3.5. Pretty nice sharpness, reasonably priced, and gorgeous rendering.

SMC Pentax 28mm F3.5 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
11-07-2018, 01:26 PM - 1 Like   #24
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Impressive lenses...

Thanks for the kind words. I am finally getting OK at this photography stuff; it takes a while.

Cheers,
Cameron
11-07-2018, 01:38 PM - 10 Likes   #25
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Which is your favourite child?

DA 12-24


DA 18-135 (here at 21mm)


DA 20-40 Ltd (here at 20mm)


DA 35 f2.4


FA 43 Ltd


DA 50 f1.8


FA 50 f2.8 macro


DA-L 55-300


DA 55-300 PLM (images at 70mm, stitched)


FA 77 Ltd (stitched pano)


DFA 100 macro WR


FA*300 f4.5


Sigma 400 f5.6 tele macro


As you would expect, I use the wider ones (12-24, 18-135, 20-40) the most for landscape. The 12-24 and 18-135 are both very good, although they would be better if they had HD coatings (both susceptible to purple fringing in high contrast areas, and the 12-24 to flare).

I love the Limited look from the 20-40. It is particularly good at the wide end (where it has the bonus of f2.8 for occasions when it's required). To me it's a DA 20mm f2.8 Ltd with 19 other focal length thrown in for free. It's not the absolute sharpest lens (the DA 35, for example, is sharper when I compare them at 35mm), but it is plenty sharp enough. What makes it special is that can produce images that are contrasty, have excellent colours and gorgeous overall rendering. (I haven't used the DA 21 Ltd, but I suspect it would be similar.)

All the telephoto lenses can do good landscapes, but the 100 macro is the one I enjoy the most. It produces superb colours and contrast, it's sharp at every aperture and it's sharp corner to corner from f5.6 to f11 without being boring.

Last edited by Des; 11-07-2018 at 11:02 PM.
11-07-2018, 01:40 PM - 7 Likes   #26
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QuoteOriginally posted by bdery Quote
On APS-C, definitely the DA 21 Limited. Gorgeous rendering, colours, sharpness. It's even better at night, creating superb starbursts.
I totally agree









QuoteQuote:
Now if Pentax release an equivalent to the 21 on FF (think a 24 Limited maybe) I'd be al over it.
They already have. It's called the FA31





11-07-2018, 01:42 PM - 1 Like   #27
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The 21...

MAGNIFICENT lens. Pentax NAILED the focal length. LOVE it beyond every other lens. I can shoot for weeks with it. But I've said all this before...

The lens that suprised you the most. - Page 7 - PentaxForums.com

Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited samples - Page 17 - PentaxForums.com

Just get one. I opted for the Green Ring, for it's magnificent starbursts, but I'm sure the HD if fabulous, as well.

Cheers,
Cameron
11-07-2018, 02:14 PM - 1 Like   #28
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DA 14mm f2.8 for its sharpness, contrast, color, starbursts, and ability to shoot ultra close while being ultra wide.
11-07-2018, 02:50 PM - 2 Likes   #29
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DA 40 Limited on APS-C, because it is so clean and even across the frame. It's also useable on FF, though the corners can get muddy.

As for zooms, the DA 16-85 on APS-C; the DFA 28-105 on FF. Pentax zooms, even the cheaper ones, have come a long way in recent years; these are two excellent lenses.
11-07-2018, 02:58 PM - 1 Like   #30
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QuoteOriginally posted by Alex645 Quote
Also note that in your original post, you asked what is YOUR favorite landscape lens, so I didn't know you were only interested in Pentax APS-C.
Well, this is a Pentax forum, not Nikon.
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