Whats a good indoor/low light photo lens?

Jewelz · 11-25-2008, 01:40 AM

I'm in the market for a good, fast, indoor/low light lens for my K100d. I was looking into the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 but soon realized that my camera will not work in AF with HSM lenses. Any other lenses out there that won't break my bank?

nulla · 11-25-2008, 02:00 AM

does the FA50 1.4 suite?

quite a few threads on here if the F/L is suited that give great examples

Neil

pingflood · 11-25-2008, 05:26 AM

You will probably find the 50mm too long for indoors use.

The 30mm Sigma is _not_ HSM and will work fine. I keep seeing it sold as 'HSM' and it's probably because it is for other mounts. The Pentax version is traditional screwdrive AF though.

It's also a very, very good lens.

BBear · 11-25-2008, 05:45 AM

FA 35mm f/2

RBellavance · 11-25-2008, 06:33 AM

Originally posted by BBear

FA 35mm f/2

I second that.

bdery · 11-25-2008, 07:06 AM

Originally posted by RBellavance

I second that.

I also think the 35 f2 is the best choice for an indoors prime. In the current market, that is. There are many older 28 mm lenses that could do the trick. The 50 f1,4 can be really useful indoors but it's a bit tight for general use.

MidwestMax · 11-25-2008, 07:07 AM

Unless you plan to take big group shots of people, the FA50 1.4 is your best bet. It's one of Pentax's fastest lenses.

paolojackson · 11-25-2008, 07:13 AM

I agree with what everyone has said before me. The 50/1.4 will work good but can be hard to work with in tight spaces. The 35/2 helps with this problem. I don't have the lens but I do have an f/1.8 that works well under low light if you are to compare f/1.4 vs f/2. The 50 at f/1.4 is a tad soft.

RBellavance · 11-25-2008, 07:59 AM

The Sigma 24/1.8 and 28/1.8 should also be considered for that purpose, BTW.

Marc Sabatella · 11-25-2008, 09:57 AM

All suggestions made thus far are good. I'd like to add that focal lenght is a pretty subjective thing. 50mm is great if you like photographing specific "things" indoors, since at typical working indoor distances it will pretty much sho you that thing and nothing else (where "thing" might be a toaster, a cat, a persons head & shoulders, etc). If on the other hand you like to show a little bit more of the surroundings, it can be too narrow. I really really like 40mm, and find the DA40 a great lens indoors. Yes, it's only f/2.8, but if you don't mind using ISO 1600, that's pretty much always fast enough for subjects that aren't actively moving around. But even 40mm is stil an individual "thing" lens - just one that includes more context. If you want to photographs small groups of people, 28mm might be better. 35mm makes a decent compromise between 40 and 28, but I prefer having both - the DA40 I use most of the time, and an M28/2.8 I got for literally a song (9in trade for a CD!) just in case. If you want to show the space itself, you might prefer something 21-ish. For this reaosn, if you are having trouble deciding, you should at least consider an f/2.8 zoom like the DA*16-50 or Sigma or Tamron equivalents. Again, assuming you can accept that f/2.8 is "usually" fast enough.

Of course, if by indoors, you have in mind an auditorium with people on stage, none of this is long engough - 70, 100, 135, or 200 might be more appropriate depending on how close expect to be.

Isaac314 · 11-25-2008, 10:07 AM

I recommend the sigma 30mm 1.4

50mm will be too tight view for many purposes, especially indoor, whereas 30mm is a standard lens. The pentax mount of the sigma 30mm 1.4 is NOT HSM. The lens is also incredibly sharp near the centre of the frame.
sigma's 20, 24 and 28mm f/1.8 lenses are also pretty interesting possibilities but harder to find.

Jewelz · 11-25-2008, 01:56 PM

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm going to have to go to my local photo shop and get a handle on this 30mm. Thanks again!

fs999 · 11-25-2008, 02:46 PM

I have the K 50mm f:1.2 and shortly the Sigma 30mm and I must say the wider angle is more easy to use indoor.
It is, for me, the "near" perfect indoor lens. I can confirm that it is not HSM alas...
For that reason I will look for the DA* 30mm and hope it will be 1.4 too...

11-25-2008, 01:40 AM	#1
Jewelz New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Richmond, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 6	Whats a good indoor/low light photo lens? I'm in the market for a good, fast, indoor/low light lens for my K100d. I was looking into the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 but soon realized that my camera will not work in AF with HSM lenses. Any other lenses out there that won't break my bank?

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11-25-2008, 02:00 AM	#2
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	does the FA50 1.4 suite? quite a few threads on here if the F/L is suited that give great examples Neil

11-25-2008, 05:26 AM	#3
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,168	You will probably find the 50mm too long for indoors use. The 30mm Sigma is _not_ HSM and will work fine. I keep seeing it sold as 'HSM' and it's probably because it is for other mounts. The Pentax version is traditional screwdrive AF though. It's also a very, very good lens.

11-25-2008, 05:45 AM	#4
BBear Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CT / NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 822	FA 35mm f/2

11-25-2008, 06:33 AM	#5
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Originally posted by BBear FA 35mm f/2 I second that.

11-25-2008, 07:06 AM	#6
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,452	Originally posted by RBellavance I second that. I also think the 35 f2 is the best choice for an indoors prime. In the current market, that is. There are many older 28 mm lenses that could do the trick. The 50 f1,4 can be really useful indoors but it's a bit tight for general use.

11-25-2008, 07:07 AM	#7
MidwestMax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 199	Unless you plan to take big group shots of people, the FA50 1.4 is your best bet. It's one of Pentax's fastest lenses.

11-25-2008, 07:13 AM	#8
paolojackson Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 321	I agree with what everyone has said before me. The 50/1.4 will work good but can be hard to work with in tight spaces. The 35/2 helps with this problem. I don't have the lens but I do have an f/1.8 that works well under low light if you are to compare f/1.4 vs f/2. The 50 at f/1.4 is a tad soft.

11-25-2008, 07:59 AM	#9
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	The Sigma 24/1.8 and 28/1.8 should also be considered for that purpose, BTW.

11-25-2008, 09:57 AM	#10
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,686	All suggestions made thus far are good. I'd like to add that focal lenght is a pretty subjective thing. 50mm is great if you like photographing specific "things" indoors, since at typical working indoor distances it will pretty much sho you that thing and nothing else (where "thing" might be a toaster, a cat, a persons head & shoulders, etc). If on the other hand you like to show a little bit more of the surroundings, it can be too narrow. I really really like 40mm, and find the DA40 a great lens indoors. Yes, it's only f/2.8, but if you don't mind using ISO 1600, that's pretty much always fast enough for subjects that aren't actively moving around. But even 40mm is stil an individual "thing" lens - just one that includes more context. If you want to photographs small groups of people, 28mm might be better. 35mm makes a decent compromise between 40 and 28, but I prefer having both - the DA40 I use most of the time, and an M28/2.8 I got for literally a song (9in trade for a CD!) just in case. If you want to show the space itself, you might prefer something 21-ish. For this reaosn, if you are having trouble deciding, you should at least consider an f/2.8 zoom like the DA*16-50 or Sigma or Tamron equivalents. Again, assuming you can accept that f/2.8 is "usually" fast enough. Of course, if by indoors, you have in mind an auditorium with people on stage, none of this is long engough - 70, 100, 135, or 200 might be more appropriate depending on how close expect to be.

11-25-2008, 10:07 AM	#11
Isaac314 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London Photos: Gallery Posts: 418	I recommend the sigma 30mm 1.4 50mm will be too tight view for many purposes, especially indoor, whereas 30mm is a standard lens. The pentax mount of the sigma 30mm 1.4 is NOT HSM. The lens is also incredibly sharp near the centre of the frame. sigma's 20, 24 and 28mm f/1.8 lenses are also pretty interesting possibilities but harder to find.

11-25-2008, 01:56 PM	#12
Jewelz New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Richmond, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 6 Original Poster	Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm going to have to go to my local photo shop and get a handle on this 30mm. Thanks again!

11-25-2008, 02:46 PM	#13
fs999 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,636	I have the K 50mm f:1.2 and shortly the Sigma 30mm and I must say the wider angle is more easy to use indoor. It is, for me, the "near" perfect indoor lens. I can confirm that it is not HSM alas... For that reason I will look for the DA* 30mm and hope it will be 1.4 too...