“Fast and wide” for APS-C?

Athanassios · 11-04-2022, 11:38 AM

Q: I can’t find for APS-C (ie 1.54 crop) a descent “fast and wide lens” eg 16mm or 24mm at f 1.4 or even 1.2.

Pentax 50/1.2 is ancient tech, the 33/1.8 and 77/1.8 become/are standard and zoom in my cropped 📷 while the Samyang 24/1.4 is manual and bulky and low graded.

Need for town-shooting ; not Astro.

Any ideas ? I’ve got the “almost fast” limiteds 70/2.4, 35/2.8 macro and the DA* 16-50/2.8. Am I thinking wrongly? Also wanna keep the ISO not above 800. Hate grains.

Last edited by Athanassios; 11-05-2022 at 09:41 AM.

pschlute · 11-04-2022, 11:55 AM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by Athanassios

Q: I can’t find for APS-C (ie 1.54 crop) a descent “fast and wide lens” eg 16mm or 24mm at f 1.4 or even 1.2.

Irix make a 21mm 1.4 They also make a 11mm 4.0 Pentax make a very good 11-18 2.8

If you seriously want a 16mm f1.4, perhaps you can explain your reasons why ? Any such lens will certainly be a marvel to behold, but will be huge, heavy, and very expensive. It wont sell very well which is why it wont be made.

Originally posted by Athanassios

Pentax 50/1.2 is ancient tech

If you "need" f1.2 this is your only option. You may think it "old tech", but there are many on here who use it very effectively including myself.

LennyBloke · 11-04-2022, 12:19 PM - **1 Like**

You won't find it in the Pentax line up any time soon - what about the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 DC HSM, that appears to be the closest fit to your requirements

**pepperberry farm** · 11-04-2022, 12:29 PM - **2 Likes**

is the DA 14/2.8 still in production?

AfterPentax Mark II · 11-04-2022, 12:38 PM - **1 Like**

There once was: Pentax-A 2.8/16mm. Now there is the DA* 11-18mm f2.8. Both are expensive, I like my 11-18 very much, outstanding for pictures amongst the trees!

pschlute · 11-04-2022, 12:43 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II

There once was: Pentax-A 2.8/16mm

That was a FE. Very expensive.

**pres589** · 11-04-2022, 12:50 PM - **2 Likes**

Get a Sigma 18-35 f1.8. Or get into a different system.

tryphon4 · 11-04-2022, 01:17 PM - **4 Likes**

I currently own a Laowa-Venus 12mm F2.8 Zero-d which is wonderful on either aps-c and FF, but it is not super fast.

I owned a Sigma 24mm F1.8 which was wonderful but not so wide. I reselled it later but could consider buying another one because it is a really unique lens.
Here are three humble examples shot using the Sigma:

**pepperberry farm** · 11-04-2022, 01:54 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by tryphon4

I currently own a Laowa-Venus 12mm F2.8 Zero-d which is wonderful on either aps-c and FF, but it is not super fast.

I owned a Sigma 24mm F1.8 which was wonderful but not so wide. I reselled it later but could consider buying another one because it is a really unique lens.
Here are three humble examples shot using the Sigma:

I loved my copy of the Sigma EX DG 24/1.8, but it was genuinely a large, ponderous beastie....

bschriver11 · 11-04-2022, 02:06 PM - **3 Likes**

You say town shooting so i assume like city scape? You would want to close the aperture to get the best quality across the frame from an ultra wide lens anyway so why would you need an F/1.4 lens? Get a tripod and use the timer and you can shoot at the lowest ISO possible and carry a lighter less expensive lens while doing it.

**pres589** · 11-04-2022, 04:09 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by bschriver11

You say town shooting so i assume like city scape? You would want to close the aperture to get the best quality across the frame from an ultra wide lens anyway so why would you need an F/1.4 lens? Get a tripod and use the timer and you can shoot at the lowest ISO possible and carry a lighter less expensive lens while doing it.

Honestly, yeah, this is the right way. On a crop body a trio like the DA 15, F or FA 28, and DA 50 would be an excellent combo of small, light, high quality primes for something like the stated use case. $500 should get the three of them used, maybe even a little less with smart shopping.

**UncleVanya** · 11-04-2022, 05:05 PM - **3 Likes**

What body? K-70 and KP and K3iii all offer apsc with very good high iso capabilities. Also consider topaz or DXO to extend iso with low noise.

**K-Three** · 11-04-2022, 05:47 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by tryphon4

Here are three humble examples

There is nothing humble about cats!
#2 & #3 are very nice shots

Saxtonine · 11-04-2022, 06:45 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

I loved my copy of the Sigma EX DG 24/1.8, but it was genuinely a large, ponderous beastie....

And if you need to go wider there is the Sigma 20mm 1.8 EX DG as well. It's not very good wide open but I like it stopped down.

jslifoaw · 11-04-2022, 07:47 PM - **1 Like**

For fast and wide, FF is your best bet. It’s the easiest way to trade DOF for more light gathering.

The output of lenses like the DFA21/2.4, FA*24/2, or FA31/1.8 are nearly impossible to replicate in APS-C, except on mirrorless where some design constraints become relaxed because of the lack of mirror.

If you want fast and wide on APS-C, all the realistic options have already been given - there are not many options faster than f2.8. Your other option is to get a mirrorless APS-C body and a speedbooster.

11-04-2022, 11:38 AM	#1
Athanassios Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Glyfada, a southern suburb of Athens Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 208	“Fast and wide” for APS-C? Q: I can’t find for APS-C (ie 1.54 crop) a descent “fast and wide lens” eg 16mm or 24mm at f 1.4 or even 1.2. Pentax 50/1.2 is ancient tech, the 33/1.8 and 77/1.8 become/are standard and zoom in my cropped 📷 while the Samyang 24/1.4 is manual and bulky and low graded. Need for town-shooting ; not Astro. Any ideas ? I’ve got the “almost fast” limiteds 70/2.4, 35/2.8 macro and the DA* 16-50/2.8. Am I thinking wrongly? Also wanna keep the ISO not above 800. Hate grains. Last edited by Athanassios; 11-05-2022 at 09:41 AM.

11-04-2022, 01:17 PM - 4 Likes	#8
tryphon4 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Drome, France Posts: 304	I currently own a Laowa-Venus 12mm F2.8 Zero-d which is wonderful on either aps-c and FF, but it is not super fast. I owned a Sigma 24mm F1.8 which was wonderful but not so wide. I reselled it later but could consider buying another one because it is a really unique lens. Here are three humble examples shot using the Sigma: Last edited by tryphon4; 11-04-2022 at 01:32 PM.

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11-04-2022, 11:55 AM - 4 Likes	#2
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,202	Originally posted by Athanassios Q: I can’t find for APS-C (ie 1.54 crop) a descent “fast and wide lens” eg 16mm or 24mm at f 1.4 or even 1.2. Irix make a 21mm 1.4 They also make a 11mm 4.0 Pentax make a very good 11-18 2.8 If you seriously want a 16mm f1.4, perhaps you can explain your reasons why ? Any such lens will certainly be a marvel to behold, but will be huge, heavy, and very expensive. It wont sell very well which is why it wont be made. Originally posted by Athanassios Pentax 50/1.2 is ancient tech If you "need" f1.2 this is your only option. You may think it "old tech", but there are many on here who use it very effectively including myself.

11-04-2022, 12:19 PM - 1 Like	#3
LennyBloke Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Worcestershire, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 677	You won't find it in the Pentax line up any time soon - what about the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 DC HSM, that appears to be the closest fit to your requirements

11-04-2022, 12:29 PM - 2 Likes	#4
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679	is the DA 14/2.8 still in production?

11-04-2022, 12:38 PM - 1 Like	#5
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,462	There once was: Pentax-A 2.8/16mm. Now there is the DA* 11-18mm f2.8. Both are expensive, I like my 11-18 very much, outstanding for pictures amongst the trees!

11-04-2022, 12:43 PM - 1 Like	#6
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,202	Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II There once was: Pentax-A 2.8/16mm That was a FE. Very expensive.

11-04-2022, 12:50 PM - 2 Likes	#7
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Get a Sigma 18-35 f1.8. Or get into a different system.

11-04-2022, 01:54 PM - 1 Like	#9
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679	Originally posted by tryphon4 I currently own a Laowa-Venus 12mm F2.8 Zero-d which is wonderful on either aps-c and FF, but it is not super fast. I owned a Sigma 24mm F1.8 which was wonderful but not so wide. I reselled it later but could consider buying another one because it is a really unique lens. Here are three humble examples shot using the Sigma: I loved my copy of the Sigma EX DG 24/1.8, but it was genuinely a large, ponderous beastie....

11-04-2022, 02:06 PM - 3 Likes	#10
bschriver11 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 558	You say town shooting so i assume like city scape? You would want to close the aperture to get the best quality across the frame from an ultra wide lens anyway so why would you need an F/1.4 lens? Get a tripod and use the timer and you can shoot at the lowest ISO possible and carry a lighter less expensive lens while doing it.

11-04-2022, 04:09 PM - 1 Like	#11
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Originally posted by bschriver11 You say town shooting so i assume like city scape? You would want to close the aperture to get the best quality across the frame from an ultra wide lens anyway so why would you need an F/1.4 lens? Get a tripod and use the timer and you can shoot at the lowest ISO possible and carry a lighter less expensive lens while doing it. Honestly, yeah, this is the right way. On a crop body a trio like the DA 15, F or FA 28, and DA 50 would be an excellent combo of small, light, high quality primes for something like the stated use case. $500 should get the three of them used, maybe even a little less with smart shopping.

11-04-2022, 05:05 PM - 3 Likes	#12
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,409	What body? K-70 and KP and K3iii all offer apsc with very good high iso capabilities. Also consider topaz or DXO to extend iso with low noise.

11-04-2022, 05:47 PM - 2 Likes	#13
K-Three Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pugetopolis, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 938	Originally posted by tryphon4 Here are three humble examples There is nothing humble about cats! #2 & #3 are very nice shots

11-04-2022, 06:45 PM - 2 Likes	#14
Saxtonine Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 54	Originally posted by pepperberry farm I loved my copy of the Sigma EX DG 24/1.8, but it was genuinely a large, ponderous beastie.... And if you need to go wider there is the Sigma 20mm 1.8 EX DG as well. It's not very good wide open but I like it stopped down.

11-04-2022, 07:47 PM - 1 Like	#15
jslifoaw Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto/Victoria Posts: 460	For fast and wide, FF is your best bet. It’s the easiest way to trade DOF for more light gathering. The output of lenses like the DFA21/2.4, FA*24/2, or FA31/1.8 are nearly impossible to replicate in APS-C, except on mirrorless where some design constraints become relaxed because of the lack of mirror. If you want fast and wide on APS-C, all the realistic options have already been given - there are not many options faster than f2.8. Your other option is to get a mirrorless APS-C body and a speedbooster.