Best cheap wide AF zoom for film?

deadwolfbones · 03-02-2009, 06:07 PM

Hi all,

Just won a MZ-5n and a ZX-7 on ebay as a package deal, and I'm wondering what the best cheap wide zoom is that'd be compatible for both bodies, with an emphasis on the MZ-5n. I know the FA J 18-35mm is supposed to be surprisingly good, but obviously it can't be used on the 5n due to the lack of an aperture ring.

So what's out there, and is there anything else that'll go as wide as 18mm in the same price range?

arpaagent · 03-02-2009, 06:49 PM

the SMC Pentax-F 35-70mm f3.5-4.5 is a great little zoom lens, with decent macro functionality. Although not very wide on digital, 35mm is still considered wide angle on film. It can be found pretty easily for ~$40 in good condition. It may not be as wide as you want, but it's a very nice cheap zoom.
-Jim

stevebrot · 03-02-2009, 07:33 PM

Tokina 19-35/3.5-4.5? See review here...

The Tokina has the reputation of being the value queen of wide FF AF zooms. I bought this lens for my daughter to use on her K10D and she has been very happy with it. Neither of us has shot film with it, so I can't comment about performance on the larger format.

Steve

Nick Siebers · 03-02-2009, 09:56 PM

I have an FA 20-35mm f/4 zoom that is optically great, and plenty wide on film. Maybe pricey, not sure what they go for now. The F 35-70 is great, as Jim said, and almost free, as I told my wife, but maybe you are looking for wider.

Nick Siebers · 03-04-2009, 08:10 AM

I also have an F 24-50 f/4 zoom that is nice. That one was only $120 or so. I've made some neat pictures with it on digital, and it will work on film too.

deadwolfbones · 03-04-2009, 09:15 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I'm sure I'll find something eventually. Having just PAID taxes, though (to the tune of several thousand dollars), I think I might make do with the FA50, Quantaray 100-300, and various manual primes for the time being. :ugh:

Oldschool · 03-04-2009, 10:19 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Tokina 19-35/3.5-4.5? See review here...

Steve

I'll second the 19-35. I have the Vivitar version and it's quite good for the price.

Blue · 03-04-2009, 03:21 PM

Sigma 15-30mm EX DG. It and its 20-40mm f2.8 sibling were made for both film and digital cameras.

**Clarkey** · 03-04-2009, 07:51 PM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

Hi all,

Just won a MZ-5n and a ZX-7 on ebay as a package deal, and I'm wondering what the best cheap wide zoom is that'd be compatible for both bodies, with an emphasis on the MZ-5n. I know the FA J 18-35mm is supposed to be surprisingly good, but obviously it can't be used on the 5n due to the lack of an aperture ring.

So what's out there, and is there anything else that'll go as wide as 18mm in the same price range?

Hey, you can always use the FA J on Program or Tv modes - it's just a bummer that the MZ-5N won't program shift.

troyz · 03-04-2009, 08:13 PM

FWIW, I'm satisfied with my Tokina 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 and on film I rarely wish for a wider lens.

Miserere · 03-04-2009, 08:15 PM

Originally posted by Nick Siebers

I have an FA 20-35mm f/4 zoom that is optically great, and plenty wide on film. Maybe pricey, not sure what they go for now.

I think around $300, if you can even find one.

I have a Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8-4 that is supposed to be great on film (only tried it on APS-C digital so far), with the added bonus that it has digital coatings. It's discontinued in Pentax mount, so difficult to find. It does have an aperture ring.

03-02-2009, 06:07 PM	#1
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Best cheap wide AF zoom for film? Hi all, Just won a MZ-5n and a ZX-7 on ebay as a package deal, and I'm wondering what the best cheap wide zoom is that'd be compatible for both bodies, with an emphasis on the MZ-5n. I know the FA J 18-35mm is supposed to be surprisingly good, but obviously it can't be used on the 5n due to the lack of an aperture ring. So what's out there, and is there anything else that'll go as wide as 18mm in the same price range?

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03-02-2009, 06:49 PM	#2
arpaagent Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 803	the SMC Pentax-F 35-70mm f3.5-4.5 is a great little zoom lens, with decent macro functionality. Although not very wide on digital, 35mm is still considered wide angle on film. It can be found pretty easily for ~$40 in good condition. It may not be as wide as you want, but it's a very nice cheap zoom. -Jim

03-02-2009, 07:33 PM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Tokina 19-35/3.5-4.5? See review here... The Tokina has the reputation of being the value queen of wide FF AF zooms. I bought this lens for my daughter to use on her K10D and she has been very happy with it. Neither of us has shot film with it, so I can't comment about performance on the larger format. Steve

03-02-2009, 09:56 PM	#4
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	I have an FA 20-35mm f/4 zoom that is optically great, and plenty wide on film. Maybe pricey, not sure what they go for now. The F 35-70 is great, as Jim said, and almost free, as I told my wife, but maybe you are looking for wider.

03-04-2009, 08:10 AM	#5
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	I also have an F 24-50 f/4 zoom that is nice. That one was only $120 or so. I've made some neat pictures with it on digital, and it will work on film too.

03-04-2009, 09:15 AM	#6
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450 Original Poster	Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I'm sure I'll find something eventually. Having just PAID taxes, though (to the tune of several thousand dollars), I think I might make do with the FA50, Quantaray 100-300, and various manual primes for the time being. :ugh:

03-04-2009, 10:19 AM	#7
Oldschool Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central NJ Posts: 1,278	Originally posted by stevebrot Tokina 19-35/3.5-4.5? See review here... Steve I'll second the 19-35. I have the Vivitar version and it's quite good for the price.

03-04-2009, 03:21 PM	#8
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Sigma 15-30mm EX DG. It and its 20-40mm f2.8 sibling were made for both film and digital cameras.

03-04-2009, 07:51 PM	#9
Clarkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brampton, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,456	Originally posted by deadwolfbones Hi all, Just won a MZ-5n and a ZX-7 on ebay as a package deal, and I'm wondering what the best cheap wide zoom is that'd be compatible for both bodies, with an emphasis on the MZ-5n. I know the FA J 18-35mm is supposed to be surprisingly good, but obviously it can't be used on the 5n due to the lack of an aperture ring. So what's out there, and is there anything else that'll go as wide as 18mm in the same price range? Hey, you can always use the FA J on Program or Tv modes - it's just a bummer that the MZ-5N won't program shift.

03-04-2009, 08:13 PM	#10
troyz Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 389	FWIW, I'm satisfied with my Tokina 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 and on film I rarely wish for a wider lens.

03-04-2009, 08:15 PM	#11
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	Originally posted by Nick Siebers I have an FA 20-35mm f/4 zoom that is optically great, and plenty wide on film. Maybe pricey, not sure what they go for now. I think around $300, if you can even find one. I have a Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8-4 that is supposed to be great on film (only tried it on APS-C digital so far), with the added bonus that it has digital coatings. It's discontinued in Pentax mount, so difficult to find. It does have an aperture ring.