[Bunch]

So I purchased a K1 mk2 about a month ago. I don't plan to sell my K3, as I will still use it fairly frequently with my 300 for wildlife shots, and 100 for macro work. But I reckon the K1 will now get 99% of the landscape work. I'm now noticing the somewhat lacking options for quality AF wide angle for full frame. It seems the 15-30 is the best option, and it ain't cheap. I have the 10-17 and 20-40 limited, both of which have some usage on full frame, but when shooting I really don't want to have to remember and adjust to what focal lengths and f-stops work on the K-1 vs which are compromised. I like both the 10-17 and 20-40 quite a bit. I liked the 10-17 enough to sell my 15 limited because I found I just wasn't using it over the 10-17. I rarely leave it fish-eyed in pp, and it's pretty rectilinear on its own by 17mm. I wonder how obsolete both these lenses will become for me if I get the 15-30. I doubt i'll miss 30-40 range that much, and I have a plastic fantastic at 35mm if I need it. I'm guessing I could at least cut the price of the 15-30 in half if I sold these lenses.

[blackcloudbrew]

Get the DFA 15-30, period. I love my 15-30 for landscape work, period.

You do understand that the other lenses you listed, 20-40, 10-17, and the 35 (if I remember correctly), will only work on the K-1II in crop mode. If you really like the 10-17 on the K-3, you need to track down it's predecessor, the F 17-28, which does the exact same thing as the 10-17 on the K-3. There is not really any replacement for the 20-40 though.

[Bunch]

Get the DFA 15-30, period. I love my 15-30 for landscape work, period.

You do understand that the other lenses you listed, 20-40, 10-17, and the 35 (if I remember correctly), will only work on the K-1II in crop mode. If you really like the 10-17 on the K-3, you need to track down it's predecessor, the F 17-28, which does the exact same thing as the 10-17 on the K-3. There is not really any replacement for the 20-40 though.

The 10-17 has mediocre full frame coverage at 17mm, very poor below that. The 20-40 does a little better at the long end with high apertures. The 35 covers the full frame well at high apertures. They are all bad near the wide open end. I'm talking full frame, of course I know they could be used in crop mode, but, eh, I'd prefer to use the full frame on my full frame camera.

---------- Post added 08-25-20 at 03:42 PM ----------

Get the DFA 15-30, period. I love my 15-30 for landscape work, period.

You do understand that the other lenses you listed, 20-40, 10-17, and the 35 (if I remember correctly), will only work on the K-1II in crop mode. If you really like the 10-17 on the K-3, you need to track down it's predecessor, the F 17-28, which does the exact same thing as the 10-17 on the K-3. There is not really any replacement for the 20-40 though.

that f 17-28 does look like a nice option

[aslyfox]

this might be of interest

Full Frame Coverage of DA Lenses: Comprehensive Test
Which DA lenses cover the full 24x36 mm frame?
By PF Staff in Gear Guides on Jan 7, 2019

Read more at: Full Frame Coverage of DA Lenses: Comprehensive Test - Gear Guides | PentaxForums.com

there is another option other than D FA lenses if cost is an issue

look at " M ", " K ", " A ", " F ": and " FA " prime lenses

you might be happy what you can find

I have a Sigma 24mm F2.8 AF Super Wide II F2.8 and Kino Precision Japan Kiron 28mm F2 MC P/KA

that I am looking forward to trying on the " experienced " K 1 II I have coming

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Last edited by aslyfox; 08-27-2020 at 10:00 AM.

[ramseybuckeye]

I see your dilemma, it’s about the only way to go wide in FF for a WR lens. I don’t know much about 3rd party offerings but you may check them out, knowing the won’t have Pentax coating or WR and possibly autofocus. I’m not sure the used market is very strong now so that’s a consideration also, but perhaps that may change a little when the Knew arrives. I guess I would buy the 15-30, but be very judicious in selling the others.

[Bunch]

I've really like what I've seen from the Venus 12mm. But price wise, you're not gaining much over the 15-30, and you lose a lot of versatility in focal length, as well as autofocus.

[ChristianRock]

Yes if I was in your position, I would sell allDA lenses around 35-40mm and wider, and get the DFA 15-30mm if you're going to be doing a lot of landscape photography. The M 50 f4 Macro will actually work quite well for landscapes when you need something longer.
And the longer lenses will work well with the K3.

[aaacb]

As a less expensive alternative, I'm using a da 12-24 on the k1ii, and it indeed performs fine stopped down from 16mm up. For me the compromise is acceptable, because of the lower cost and size, I don't shoot astro. This was my wide angle solution for the k3ii, and I've kept it after replacing it with a k1ii. I pair it with the 28-105kit lens and an old 70-210

[jatrax]

So I purchased a K1 mk2 about a month ago. I don't plan to sell my K3, as I will still use it fairly frequently with my 300 for wildlife shots, and 100 for macro work. But I reckon the K1 will now get 99% of the landscape work.

That is about my situation. At first I thought I would eventually get rid of all my APS-C gear but quickly learned the K-3II has its place. I greatly reduced the number of APS-C only lenses but did keep a good kit consisting of the DA 12-24, DA 16-85, and the DA 35mm Limited. All other lenses are now FF capable.

I debated with myself about the DFA 15-30, its big, its expensive and it doesn't easily take filters. But after getting it I wholeheartedly recommend it. I use it on both K-3II and K-1II and I'm quite happy with the results. I also found a mint F 17-28 FE and can recommend it as well.

I would sell the 10-17 and depending on what other lenses you have for the K-3 keep or sell the 20-40 limited

[Bunch]

Yes if I was in your position, I would sell allDA lenses around 35-40mm and wider, and get the DFA 15-30mm if you're going to be doing a lot of landscape photography. The M 50 f4 Macro will actually work quite well for landscapes when you need something longer.
And the longer lenses will work well with the K3.

Longer than typical focal lengths for landscapes are underrated. I often used a 50 or 55 on my k-3, and I suspect i'll even use the 77 sometimes on the k1

[travelswsage]

If you don't need to use filters regularly I concur with all the other posts -- go for the 15-30 and sell the others. Hopefully the new 21mm limited won't take to much longer to be released so waiting for this might be a consideration.

[jatrax]

Longer than typical focal lengths for landscapes are underrated.

At one point my most used lens for keeper landscapes was the DA*60-250. I was a little shocked when I checked the stats in Lightroom.

[Paul the Sunman]

If you don't need to use filters regularly I concur with all the other posts -- go for the 15-30 and sell the others. Hopefully the new 21mm limited won't take to much longer to be released so waiting for this might be a consideration.

I was in a similar position to the OP a few years ago, and bought the DFA 15-30 as the best ultra-wide option for the K1. I'm not sorry that I did. However, more than weight, it's the space it takes up in the camera bag that sees me leave it at home much of the time, unless I know I'll need it (mostly for architecture).

If the DFA 21 had been on the horizon at the time, I may have waited for it and been content with that, rather than buying the zoom. It will give a similar FOV as the DA 15 on APS-C, which I was always content with.

[blackcloudbrew]

I've really like what I've seen from the Venus 12mm. But price wise, you're not gaining much over the 15-30, and you lose a lot of versatility in focal length, as well as autofocus.

This lens is another option. It's expensive as well and for me, shooting slot canyons in the American southwest, I found the Venus Optics Laowa 12 Too Wide. Used the 15-30 much more. But...when you want to go really ultra ultra wide with a K-1II the Laowa 12 is amazing.

[Bunch]

I'm not the best at keeping up to speed on rumors and announcements, so I missed the announcement of the DFA 21. That is very tempting to wait for. It will undoubtedly be much smaller and lighter than the 15-30. And a weather sealed limited lens!