[e_nogueras]

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Pentax is an awesome lens for the wide range

[psoo]

I have a Pentax DA 12-24 mm zoom which I use infrequently. But it is sharp and I like it a lot. It also has very good reviews in this Forum. However, I'm always surprised that it seems to be a forgotten lens. It never seems to be mentioned, not even in this thread. Is there a general consensus that this lens is not worthy of consideration?

[Cambo]

I travelled with the 10 to 17 Fisheye zoom, the 15, 21, the 40, and I took a 50 to 200 zoom. But I had so much fun with the 21, I used it for 95% of my pictures. It focusses down to 6 inches, at F8 you don’t even have to focus, and it’s sharp sharp sharp and light. I would leave my battery pack at home and just stick a spare battery in my little bag and off I went. I looked like an old guy with a film camera. Small light inconvenient, and with superb optical quality. If I could only have one lens it would be that one. Zoom with your feet!

Cheers,
Cameron

Hi all,

Between getting a K3 III, my 16-50mm not working anymore and hopefully be able to travel this year, I've been seriously looking at revamping my travel kit.

Current travel kit:
16-50mm broken, need a replacement
50-135mm very happy with it
55-300mm HD version

primes depending on destination
15mm (tough rarely) / 31mm / 43mm or 50mm FA 1.4 / 70mm or 77mm
I usually take the 31mm and 50mm for walkabouts and low light situations.

Volume and weight are a factor. WR very much appreciated.

1. would it be worth it to change the 55-300mm HD to PLM version, the K3 combined with the PL making up for the slower aperture. This would be the least interesting and slowest priority " upgrade though the cheapest. Weight are about the same but the HD is slightly wider and almost an inch shorter.

2. To replace the 16-50mm with the latest 16-50mm PLM. It would be expensive and come with an increase in weight and size. Looking at pictures would the new lens take up less width due to the sun hood ? I was thinking combining the 11-18mm with the 20-40mm too. this is my main priority.

3. I've been looking at the 11-18mm 2.8, but its pretty expensive. I do have use for the wider end.

It feels like I need to decide if the 20-40mm will do the job or I just suck it up and get the 16-50mm PLM. Get the 11-18mm if budget permits or there s a sale. Keep the 55-300mm HD for now even if I can get a good deal on the PLM version.

I wish there was a 50mm 1.4 weather sealed and light.

Thanks for any help !

[cxdoo]

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Pentax is an awesome lens for the wide range

It's also 811g. From time to time I wonder why I didn't get it and then have to remember I'd want to use it in dim closed spaces and the size of it just doesn't play nice with people. Already using anything other than a phone makes everyone stiffen up.
Still, I'm thinking about it.

[estost]

For me, the 15 + 31 + 70 would take care of virtually every shooting situation I'd have while traveling, and would also be a very convenient kit to carry.

Similar to Edmunds: 15 + 40 + 70
Then sell off the zooms and get an FA 2.8/135 instead.
This kit means no weight, no volume, no extensive costs, but top notch IQ.
WR is great with the camera body, but I never had trouble with the lenses in heavy weather.

[lplade]

I had some concern about the 55-300 PLM being slower, but no regrets once I got the lens. The difference in autofocus speed is a night-and-day difference and more than makes up for a fractional stop. The RE mechanism really makes a difference for whether it gets thrown in my bag - the older model was just a little on the big side. The fully electronic focus ring is very occasionally annoying for manual focus situations (astro) - no feedback when it hits infinity.


I'm struggling more to advise on the wide zoom front. I haven't seen the new DA* PLM, and probably won't at the asking price. I can say the Sigma 17-50, although not WR and with a backwards zoom ring, is perfectly serviceable and can be had used for much less than a DA* lens.

[RICHARD L.]

Is there a general consensus that this lens is not worthy of consideration?

I'd rather say this DA 12-24 mm f/4 lens is a "yet undiscovered jewel" !!

[UncleVanya]

I have a Pentax DA 12-24 mm zoom which I use infrequently. But it is sharp and I like it a lot. It also has very good reviews in this Forum. However, I'm always surprised that it seems to be a forgotten lens. It never seems to be mentioned, not even in this thread. Is there a general consensus that this lens is not worthy of consideration?

Since the OP was looking at a travel kit and listed his original kit which wasn’t wider than 16mm and didn’t include a gap between 24 and 50mm I didn’t mention it. I also find it harder to carry than some lenses due to the very wide hood. However I love the range 12-24 is a fantastic walkabout city lens or wide landscape option. I lucked into a cheap 11-18 and currently own both. The 11-18 while thicker and heavier has a similar sized hood which makes packing it often about the same.

If I were putting a nice hiking capable kit with ultrawide high iq as a focus (and not Astro) I’d go with:

12-24/4
18-135/3.5-5.6
KP

This can be expanded or changed many ways including:

LONGER Zoom kit:
Swap out 18-135 for
20-40/2.8-4 / or HD 18-50
Add
55-300 PLM

fast primes plus wide zoom:
Swap out 18-135 for…
FA 50/1.4 or DA* 55/1.4
D FA 100/2.8 WR MACRO
HD DA1.4x

Endless ways to optimize this. The op seems to want the 50-135 along so:

12-24/4
FA 35/2
DA* 50-135/2.8
HD DA 1.4x

[psoo]

I'd rather say this DA 12-24 mm f/4 lens is a "yet undiscovered jewel" !!

Hi Richard, those are really great photos from the 12-24 mm Pentax lens. I bought mine new and am always pleased with its performance. It is a big lens with a huge lens hood. I wanted to use it as an ankle bracelet but it keeps falling off. I hope that others will "discover" this great Pentax lens and add it to their collection.

[luftfluss]

I have a Pentax DA 12-24 mm zoom which I use infrequently. But it is sharp and I like it a lot. It also has very good reviews in this Forum. However, I'm always surprised that it seems to be a forgotten lens. It never seems to be mentioned, not even in this thread. Is there a general consensus that this lens is not worthy of consideration?

It's a highly-regarded lens and is a good performer even by modern standards, but it is also rather typical - every system has something like it - and there are a coupe of Sigma lenses which are both wider and cheaper.

Also, there is the DA 15, not necessarily better but certainly unique, and that hogged the UWA spotlight, I think.

Anyway, here are a couple of photos from when I owned the DA 12-24...

[gatorguy]

I have a Pentax DA 12-24 mm zoom which I use infrequently. But it is sharp and I like it a lot. It also has very good reviews in this Forum. However, I'm always surprised that it seems to be a forgotten lens. It never seems to be mentioned, not even in this thread. Is there a general consensus that this lens is not worthy of consideration?

It's a great lens, as I rediscovered a few days ago.

[Canada_Rockies]

My lightweight kit fits in a LowePro 100 sling bag I've had for years. From widest to longest I carry these lenses and my K3 in it.

DA 12-24
FA 100 macro
DA 55-300 ED (drooling over PLM ...)
AFA 1.7x for an emergency 510.

[Urnamaster13]

Get the 55mm f/1.4, it's weather sealed, and the new 16-85 PLM,. On the ultra wide end it looks like it's not that crucial for you, so wait until you have the money for the 11-18, or go for a cheap Sigma 10-20 in the meantime.

is there a new 16-85 PLM out ?

[Gary H Perth]

I would suggest the DA 16-85 + DA 55-300 PLM. The simplest kit. It's what I use with a K70 and covers over 90% of my needs.

I took this combo on a trip to Vietnam two years ago, and used these two for about the same, 90%. The other lenses I used a few times were the Limited 21mm and 40mm, and probably twice each the 15mm and 70mm Limited. I had the 10-17 with me but never used it.

I could not have been happier. The K70 can get terrific images up to 3200ISO for indoors and night shots with the 16-85 or one of the Limiteds. The 21mm is a great street lens. The PLM at 300mm on the K70 can be cropped to about 25% x 25% for birds etc. It also works well as an alternative to carrying a macro lens (use at MFD and crop away on the jpeg).

[Jonathan Mac]

1. would it be worth it to change the 55-300mm HD to PLM version, the K3 combined with the PL making up for the slower aperture. This would be the least interesting and slowest priority " upgrade though the cheapest. Weight are about the same but the HD is slightly wider and almost an inch shorter.

2. To replace the 16-50mm with the latest 16-50mm PLM. It would be expensive and come with an increase in weight and size. Looking at pictures would the new lens take up less width due to the sun hood ? I was thinking combining the 11-18mm with the 20-40mm too. this is my main priority.

3. I've been looking at the 11-18mm 2.8, but its pretty expensive. I do have use for the wider end.

1. The PLM version is said to be superb and the size saving is considerable. If you have the extra money then change.

2. The new DA* 16-50mm is supposedly excellent, though expensive. Get it if you have the money, if not then a Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 will fill the hole and is also a superb lens, though not WR. If you really need WR then go for the new DA* or get a 16-85mm, also excellent though you lose the speed and gain in reach.

3. A Sigma 10-20mm would be a much cheaper alternative. I have the f/3.5 version and I have to say I'm very happy with it though it hasn't made it into my travel kit due to size and weight and that I so infrequently shoot that wide. I might take it with me to Valencia in a few weeks though.