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01-17-2022, 03:26 PM - 5 Likes   #31
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QuoteOriginally posted by Digitalis Quote
In my comparison between the new DFA21 and existing 20mm lenses for Pentax* the M series lenses M20 f/4 and K24 f/2.8 can't compete, optically the DFA21 is quite a bit sharper than they are.
That's to be expected. Even my DFA 28-105, which is sometimes as little more than a kit lens, out resolves many M series and K series primes (although not by a huge amount). The main issue with the DFA 21 is the price and the fact that, if you confine it mainly to landscape uses, it really is kind of super-specialist lens. For several years I tried confining all my ultra-wide landscape work to the Rokinon 10mm and the DA 15, and in the end I had to buy the DA 12-24 --- I just needed the FOV versatility that a zoom brings. My advice for the OP would be to start with zoom lenses and then add primes for specialty purposes --- and even then, mainly for focal lengths one's comfortable with. You don't want to be swiping lenses with every shot.

QuoteOriginally posted by turbo_bird Quote
I also recently got an F24-50 f4 zoom that I like.
This lens gets a lot of praise from photographers who use it, and without a doubt it produces very nice looking images. But it did not perform particularly well on resolution tests in magazines like Modern Photography and while that's not necessarily a huge issue (it's probably plenty sharp for most purposes) one should be aware of that going in. Furthermore, there's the issue of how well the lens fits with the other lenses in one's kit. For example, the 24-50 wouldn't mesh well with the DFA 28-105 for the simple reason that 24mm isn't that much wider than 28mm.

When it comes to using the k-1 as a landscape kit, it's hard to avoid the necessity of the DFA 15-30. I realizes it's big, it's heavy, and it's not filter friendly. But the flexibility of the zoom can be tremendously useful in the field. If you ever go to Horseshoe Bend, for example, 24mm is not wide enough to get that shot (you need at least 18mm). That's true of a number of iconic landscapes places across the nation.

The DFA 15-30 @15mm:



01-18-2022, 01:23 PM   #32
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I'm guessing by wide the OP means with a rectilinear image.

I'd love a DFA 15-30, but my budget won't handle it [any near death Pentaxians with this lens willing to put me in their will? ]

With a more modest budget, I tracked down the FA 20-35 f/4 - - with a hood - - from Japan. I use it mostly on my K-1 when I simply have to get a bit wider than 28mm. It works well, works even better like most lens if you can stop down a bit. The stress on the hood is buying one separately is going to nick you 25% of the cost of the lens without one. Treat it nice.

On my K-3, I use the Sigma 10-20 ... same sort of deal, works well and works better if you can spare a stop or two.
01-18-2022, 04:43 PM - 3 Likes   #33
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QuoteOriginally posted by northcoastgreg Quote
24mm is not wide enough to get that shot (you need at least 18mm).
That is only true if you photograph it the same way everyone else does!
01-18-2022, 08:17 PM - 1 Like   #34
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Irix 15mm or DFA15-30

01-18-2022, 08:24 PM - 10 Likes   #35
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QuoteOriginally posted by MegaPower Quote
Irix 15mm or DFA15-30
Why is it whenever someone mentions the word landscape people jump to some of the widest lenses available?

Normal to mid telephoto and even super-telephoto lenses are easily overlooked but excellent for landcapes.


Leica M9 - Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ISO 400 1/1000


Pentax K-7 SMCP-FA77mm f/1.8 Limited (115mm equiv)

Last edited by Digitalis; 01-30-2022 at 08:56 PM.
01-18-2022, 08:35 PM   #36
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I've been really impressed with my copy of the Sigma 20mm f/1.8 on the K1. I wrote a review of it here where I compared it to other wide lenses I've owned.

At f/1.8, it's not going to knock your socks off, but anything stopped down past f/2.4 will yield superb results. (And that's still a pretty dang wide aperture). It has AF to boot.

I got mine for a song, which is why I took a chance on a used Sigma.
01-18-2022, 08:58 PM - 2 Likes   #37
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QuoteOriginally posted by Gerbermiester Quote
I got mine for a song, which is why I took a chance on a used Sigma.
Considering Sigma's Quality control, I have to say taking a chance is an excellent way of putting it.

01-18-2022, 10:08 PM   #38
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QuoteOriginally posted by Digitalis Quote
Considering Sigma's Quality control, I have to say taking a chance is an excellent way of putting it.
My impression is that this has drastically improved with the art series and lately with the newer Motorolas lenses but that doesn’t help here.
01-19-2022, 12:47 AM - 2 Likes   #39
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QuoteOriginally posted by Digitalis Quote
Why is it whenever someone mentions the word landscape people jump to some of the widest lenses available?

Normal to mid telephoto and even super-telephoto lenses are easily overlooked but excellent for landscapes.
I am with you on this completely. I use mostly lenses in the 40-200mm range (FF terms) for landscape. Even my 28mm's rarely see much use. However once in a while I feel I really need an ultrawide. As this is so rare, I am happy with the M 20mm f4, which while not stellar is still pretty decent, is still fairly cheap to buy and has the added benefit of being very compact and can always be with me for that rare moment.
01-19-2022, 01:48 AM - 8 Likes   #40
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QuoteOriginally posted by richard0170 Quote
Even my 28mm's rarely see much use.
I have a sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 slow as hell, works on APS-C only and thus a very specialized lens. It is so absurdly wide it is a limited and very situational lens (and prone to flare) unlike the FA31 which can do pretty much everything a photographer could want.

Though I'll admit sometimes you really need superwide rectilinear lens to do this:


Pentax KP Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DC @ 8mm f/11 [hand blended HDR]
01-19-2022, 07:41 AM   #41
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QuoteOriginally posted by Digitalis Quote
I have a sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 slow as hell, works on APS-C only and thus a very specialized lens. It is so absurdly wide it is a limited and very situational lens (and prone to flare) unlike the FA31 which can do pretty much everything a photographer could want.

Though I'll admit sometimes you really need superwide rectilinear lens to do this:


Pentax KP Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DC @ 8mm f/11 [hand blended HDR]
Yes, actually my main use of UWA is for interiors or cramped spaces. In landscape now I feel like it's often "too much" or too much of a trope.
01-19-2022, 11:28 PM - 1 Like   #42
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QuoteOriginally posted by Digitalis Quote
Why is it whenever someone mentions the word landscape people jump to some of the widest lenses available?

Normal to mid telephoto and even super-telephoto lenses are easily overlooked but excellent for landcapes.


Leica M9 - Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2.8 ISO 400 1/1000


Pentax K-7 SMCP-FA77mm f/1.8 Limited (115mm equiv)
I feel about the same, pretty much my favourite lens on APSC was my 28mm. On my K1 my most used lens seems to be an old 35-105. I still keep wider stuff in my bag, but it doesn't often get used. I've used my 14 mm on my K1 a few times, but it's so wide that it's hard to exclude anything from the shot.
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01-28-2022, 05:27 AM   #43
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Hey everyone thanks so much for the input. Here is where it stands as of now:

I just found a extremely clean copy SMC K 20 F4 for $300 shipped. I am likely to get the DFA 21 down the road (my wife and I decided that we need to replace the windows in the house). In the mean time I will use the K20. The forum is kind of limited on experience with this lens on the K1 so I figured a new review would be good also.

There is just something about the K series lenses I’m in love with and have been very well pleased with my K 30 2.8.

Thank you to everyone who provided input. Many of you are not just skilled photographers but you are so knowledgeable in all this. Thanks for sharing that.

The F4 limits me from doing Astro but I think I can accomplish that through a different avenue. Next up is the FA 31 1.8.
01-30-2022, 08:30 PM - 9 Likes   #44
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Enjoy that K20/4


I like small, portable lenses and the M20/4 is a winner for me.
No chest thumping specs, but a humble practicality that makes it one of my most often used wide lenses.





01-31-2022, 07:51 AM - 1 Like   #45
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QuoteOriginally posted by pinholecam Quote
Enjoy that K20/4


I like small, portable lenses and the M20/4 is a winner for me.
No chest thumping specs, but a humble practicality that makes it one of my most often used wide lenses.





Like that first capture---clever to have the sawtooth of the steps---which mentally we know is diagonal---almost parallel the bottom border.
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