[Docrwm]

Ok, I have had a significant need recently to shoot Ultra-Wide at robotics events and have purchased a few lenses. Now that I have both the K5IIs and K-1 I've got too many UW lenses and need to thin the herd. Ultimately I think 1 Zoom and 1 MF Prime, but I'm open to arguments. Thanks.

Current Lenses:
Samyang 8mm FE - APS-C Only
Sigma DC 8-16 - APS-C Only
Sigma DG 12-24 - FF
Pentax DA 12-24 - Mostly APS-C with some FF utility at 16mm+
Pentax FAJ 18-35 - FF
Tokina 17/3.5 MF - FF
Vivitar 19/3.8 MF - FF

[ChatMechant]

The aps-c lenses and the sigma would be worth a fair amount on the used market. I'd sell those, keep the 18-35 and either the 17 or 19. I've been really enjoying the little M series 20mm on FF lately.

[photoptimist]

I like the Sigma 12-24 because it's really really wide and very nicely rectilinear. It does a great job on both APS-C and FF. The only downsides are that it is quite heavy and can be prone to flare.

I'd definitely keep the Sigma 12-24 but whether you sell the others depends on your own evaluation of YOUR copies of these lenses (UWA seem more prone to decentering and copy variations).

[stevebrot]

This should be easy...keep the lenses you use, regardless of format.


Steve

[Docrwm]

This should be easy...keep the lenses you use, regardless of format.


Steve

Steve,
If it were that simple I wouldn't have posted this question.

Most are too new, as is the FF, to know.

[bdery]

Are you able to run a few comparison tests? Side-by-side? Which handle best for you?

I am not inspired by the reputation of the FA-J lenses, but don't know this particular one very well.

If I was starting from scratch and wanted ultra-wide, I'd pick the Laowa 12mm without hesitating. Compact, sturdy, superb IQ. But I'm not really helping, now am I?

Samyang 8mm FE - APS-C Only
Sigma DC 8-16 - APS-C Only
Sigma DG 12-24 - FF
Pentax DA 12-24 - Mostly APS-C with some FF utility at 16mm+
Pentax FAJ 18-35 - FF
Tokina 17/3.5 MF - FF
Vivitar 19/3.8 MF - FF

I think the Sigma 12-24 is a no-brainer. The Pentax 12-24 is fully redundant so I'd let it go. Same for the FA-J, you can crop the Sigma is you need a tighter frame.

Without having used them I have a hard time comparing the Sigma 8-16 and the Samyang 8mm but I'd guess the Samyang is probably more compact? Compare the IQ and decide, I'd keep one of the two.

The Tokina and Vivitar are mostly redundant, the Tokina being faster and wider. This suggests it should stay, but maybe the Vivitar is better? I'd compare their performances also.

In short if it was my desision, I'd keep

Samyang 8 or Sigma 8-16
Sigma 12-24
Tokina or Vivitar (or none if the Sigma 12-24 is really superb)

A 2 or 3 lenses kit, istead of 7.

[mikesbike]

Now that you have the very fine K-5 IIs, it would be unseemly to sell off the APS-C lenses, especially since you have some that are outstanding. Nothing wrong with having both a FF kit and APS-C kit. APS-C with high quality lenses and high quality body is a lighter weight, more compact alternative if you sometimes need that. In addition, the DA 12-24mm is one of the best-performing WA zoom lenses period. Between 15-20mm, you can get beautiful low-distortion results, even for architecture shots.

For the FF kit, the FAJ lens would be good for weight reduction with your K-1, but then that Sigma 12-24mm FF lens is very highly regarded. The next thought is what matchup do you have for the FL upwards to go with these lenses.

[stevebrot]

Steve,
If it were that simple I wouldn't have posted this question.

Most are too new, as is the FF, to know.

Sorry for stating the obvious.

If it were me, I would ask myself how much I want or need a fisheye and whether I would be happy enough having such for APS/FF only. Depending on the answers, there might be a FF fisheye purchase* in your future. The DA 12-24 is redundant to the FF Sigma 12-24 and should probably go unless you use filters. Your review of the Sigma 8-16 was fairly glowing. It appears you like that lens. Unless you really like the FAJ 18-35, I would let it go. I will post the gist of these comments to your poll.


Steve

* I would truly like a Sigma 15/2.8 EX DG Fisheye...(drool)...

[Docrwm]

Sorry for stating the obvious.

If it were me, I would ask myself how much I want or need a fisheye and whether I would be happy enough having such for APS/FF only. Depending on the answers, there might be a FF fisheye purchase* in your future. The DA 12-24 is redundant to the FF Sigma 12-24 and should probably go unless you use filters. Your review of the Sigma 8-16 was fairly glowing. It appears you like that lens. Unless you really like the FAJ 18-35, I would let it go. I will post the gist of these comments to your poll.


Steve

* I would truly like a Sigma 15/2.8 EX DG Fisheye...(drool)...

Thanks. The 8-16 is the hardest decision for me. So far my thoughts are mirrored generally here. The DA12-24 is redundant IF the Sigma 12-24 copy proves out. I picked it up today, in person, from KEH for a gig this week where the aisles will be NARROW and I will also be doing a LOT of group shots of teams of up to 50. I really need UWA on FF for these events. I used the Viv19/3.8 for the last one and it was ok but frankly there were times when I wished I had the K5 + 8-16. That is what prompted me to use the KEH 10% coupon and get the Sigma DG (FF) 12-24 because its functionally the equivalent perspective of the 8-16 on the APS-C sensor.

[Roadboat24]

I have the Rokinon version of the 8mm. I'd keep it. Love it on APS-C.
I use a Rokinon 20mm on FF so I'd say keep the Sigma 12-24.

[krazykat]

I had a Sigma 8-16, sold it when I went to FF & got a Sigma 12-24. After using the 12-24 for a while I purchased another 8-16 - it's simply a better lens even though it doesn't fully cover the sensor. The 8-16 also comes close to covering a FF sensor near the long end of its range too.

[Docrwm]

Thanks folks, but I've hit a snag. The Sigma 12-24DG has an intermittent fault. It shows up as a MF lens then suddenly is AF, then its MF, and so forth. No manipulation results in reliable AF/f control by the body. I've tried it on the K-1, K-5IIs, and K-01 with the same results. I then tried several other AF lenses, including Sigma lenses, on each and they all worked as they should. Now I will find out how friendly KEH is when there is a problem (never had one with them before). I was really hoping to use this lens this weekend at an event. Ah well, the FA-J 18-35 it is then.

[cmohr]

I know, sometimes this can happen with Sigma lenses, just double check that the contacts are clean and working, could just be a sticky ballbearing in the contact loosing connection.

[Docrwm]

I know, sometimes this can happen with Sigma lenses, just double check that the contacts are clean and working, could just be a sticky ballbearing in the contact loosing connection.

Thanks. I've cleaned them with no improvement. One seems set deeper than the others but pushing it in and rolling it doesn't seem to help. Probably a weak spring but that isn't something I am comfortable fixing on a Sigma lens as they has a plastic fitting for the ball bearings that I am unsure how to remove/adjust.

[cmohr]

Thanks. I've cleaned them with no improvement. One seems set deeper than the others but pushing it in and rolling it doesn't seem to help. Probably a weak spring but that isn't something I am comfortable fixing on a Sigma lens as they has a plastic fitting for the ball bearings that I am unsure how to remove/adjust.

Bugger! That's a shame,, hopefully they can sort it out without much too-do.