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04-05-2019, 11:46 AM   #1
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Feedback on Lenses to Purchase for a Trip in December 2019

I am new to photography. I recently purchased a KP with the 18mm-135mm kit lens.

We are taking a trip in December to Petrified Forest/Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley, Arches NP and Canyonlands NP.

We have private tours lined up for Canyon de Chelly, Hunts Mesa for sunset, and Monument Valley for sunrise.

I am thinking about buying either the Sigma 8mm-16mm at $649 or the Sigma 10mm-20mm for $399. Is the extra $250 for the 8mm-16mm really worth it? I don't want to cheap out if the 8mm-16mm is going to be a better fit for this trip. I think the new Pentax 11mm-18mm is a bit too pricey for me at this time. That will be on my wish list.

In addition, I am considering the Pentax SMC DA 18mm-270mm at $446 or the Sigma 18mm-300mm for $399. I know the Pentax is weather sealed, but will I miss the extra 30mm I would get from the Sigma? In Arches NP, we will probably be a distance from many arches. I have a crappy knee, and will probably just do some of the shorter hikes, and then get close to the ones I can manage.

We are considering getting up WAAAAY early to make it to Mesa Arch in Canyonlands to see and photograph Mesa Arch at sunrise.

Will I need to get a polarized filter for my lenses since many tours are at sunrise and sunset?

Thanks for your help and input!!

04-05-2019, 12:23 PM   #2
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I'd consider less wide angle and go for an FA* 24mm 2.0 or D FA 24-70mm 2.8.
04-05-2019, 12:30 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by angerdan Quote
I'd consider less wide angle and go for an FA* 24mm 2.0 or D FA 24-70mm 2.8.
Can you tell me why less wide angle? Thanks!
04-05-2019, 12:50 PM   #4
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Why not a Samyang 14mm or 24mm. It's not like you need autofocus for sunrises and sunsets. ;-)

04-05-2019, 12:57 PM - 1 Like   #5
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I would certainly go for the DA 55-300 rather than the 18-270, either the PLM or non-PLM version. It is optically a much better lens.

Are you sure that such extreme wide angles will be necessary, and suit your style?
04-05-2019, 01:08 PM - 1 Like   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Paul the Sunman Quote
I would certainly go for the DA 55-300 rather than the 18-270, either the PLM
That' what I'd do, but with emphasis on the PLM. It's the only lens so far that allows the KP to continuously focus while shooting video. (video may be irrelevant for this trip, but it's a nice feature for other events)
04-05-2019, 01:34 PM - 1 Like   #7
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The 8-16 is REALLY WIDE. You can’t really appreciate how wide it is without experiencing it. It is difficult to use for landscapes, at least at 8-10mm, because of this. It is best for exaggerated perspective, with a very close foreground object, and for tight spaces. The 10-20/3.5 would be a better choice generally. Slot canyons might be tight enough for 8mm, but I think you’d be OK with the 10-20. Also, the 8-16 does not take filters, but I think the 10-20 does.

I also concur with the recommendation for the 55-300 over either super zoom. The DA* 60-250 is even better, but much bigger, heavier and pricey-er.

04-05-2019, 01:38 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by limestonecowboy Quote
Why not a Samyang 14mm or 24mm. It's not like you need autofocus for sunrises and sunsets. ;-)
Without going into detail...I really need autofocus...
04-05-2019, 01:45 PM   #9
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I have a Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 that I am very happy with. I can confirm that it takes 82mm filters. I also have a Samyang 8mm fisheye to supplement it. The extra angle of view that the 8-16mm will give you just might be worth the bigger price. I would compare them at a retailer or read up some reviews at least. These ultra wides are specialized and require a bit of care in composition.

I have never been convinced by the ultra zooms like the ones you mention.To get a ten plus zoom ratio, the lens designers have to make compromises. Something like the 55-300mm would definitely be better. A 300mm prime would be better still, as well as cheaper, lighter or faster (you get to pick two but not all three).
04-05-2019, 01:46 PM   #10
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Personally, I think the 18-135mm will suit you for most locations. It is a great lens, and WR is nice to have in changing weather and blowing dust
In those wide open places, I rarely wish for more telephoto, I want wider angles. Remember the crop factor, slot canyons are narrow but tall, so an 8mm is likely a good choice.

Another thing to consider is shooting preference and environment. Are you hiking a lot, how much gear do you want to carry? Are you solo, can you stiop in one location long enough to try several lenses out, or are you in a group and have limited time at each location? Do you want to risk changing lenses outdoors?

Enjoy the trip, I've been to a few of those places, they really offer incredible opportunities for photos.
04-05-2019, 01:49 PM   #11
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I own both the 8-16 and 18-300 and enjoy them both. I joke with friends that the 8-16 will make a linen closet look like a master bedroom.
04-05-2019, 04:29 PM   #12
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Depending on how much you want to carry at a time...

18-135 is a good lens - a great lens around 24mm.

55-300 PLM seems like a great match for this - light, fast focus, and good optical quality. I prefer this combo over the superzoom unless you are in a situation where lens changes are a problem.

DA 15 pairs nicely with the 18-135 for those gotta go wider moments. BUT it may not be wide enough for you. Look to the DA 12-24 for another wide lens option. The new DA* 11-18 is bound to make some people jettison the 12-24. The 12-24 is lighter (f4) and smaller than some alternatives. Another option might be the DA 10-17 which is fisheye but can be defished to a degree.

Not a sigma fan here so I can't help with the 8-16 other than to echo that 8mm is very very wide even on APSC.
04-05-2019, 04:49 PM   #13
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Having a serious camera like the KP, I am assuming that you care a lot about image quality in your landscapes.

The KP does great pixel shift. If you are serious about getting the best IQ from your landscapes, shooting what ever lens you choose in pixel shift mode is just as important as the lens you are using. I've done pixel shift tests with "average" lenses that I didn't much care for, and found that when used in the pixel shift mode the lens became a "Sharpness Monster"!

Also, I don't care for any lens with a full frame equivalent of wider than about 28mm. Why? Wide angle lenses distort the image and that bothers me. Instead, for my wide angle creations, I make stitched panos with either my 35mm or 50mm prime lenses. Making stitched panos, you'll get no distortion, better overall IQ, AND a huge image files that you can print really big if you choose. Pentax has a number of terrific 35mm and 50mm lenses that are light weight and relatively inexpensive.

Want much better color, shoot brackets and use HDR in post. For better DOF, try focus stacking.

The stuff you will be shooting doesn't move much - perfect candidates for Pixel Shift, HDR, Focus stacking, and/or Stitched Panos. Better yet, for your most important shots, consider employing two or more of these techniques on the same image.



P.S. Dont forget to practice with your new lens and these capture techniques before you depart.
.

Last edited by Fenwoodian; 04-05-2019 at 05:31 PM.
04-05-2019, 05:12 PM   #14
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I was very happy with my Sigma 10-20 before I switched to full-frame. I also used the Sigma 8-16 for years. As stated before, the 8-16 is very wide. 2 MM at the wide end is significant. However, I used the 10-20 much more frequently. The 8-16 is larger and heavier and it does not take traditional filters. In my case, I think the 10-20 had a little better IQ. I actually didn't use the 8-16 much until my main lens became the Sigma 17-50 and the 8-16 was a nice complement in focal length. Anyway, I don't think you could go wrong with the 10-20. The filter size is actually 77 mm, which is not too bad for filter cost. I think it's ideal for many landscapes.

Regarding the longer focal length I'd recommend the 55-300 also. I think the IQ of the really wide range zooms results in a loss of IQ. I had the Tamron 18-250 and while it was a good lens, I think a lens with less focal length range would have better IQ. I think it's almost impossible to have such a wide range of focal lengths and provide good IQ. It's just too much of a compromise. Good luck!
04-05-2019, 06:00 PM   #15
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Thanks for all the good info. I might try renting a few different lenses to try them out. See what I like. 😊
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