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Good Evening,
I like the wide angle end of photography, in particular landscapes and based on my time available, I usually shoot in the late afternoon and early evening / night. So overall, I do not have the best lighting, but I go for the lighting effects - sunsets, etc. I essentially completed my lens acquisition with the DA 12-24 over a year ago (~ the LBA is pretty well in check). I like it very much - its my primary lens. I also have the DA 16-45. I will admit, as I am currently packing for another business trip on Monday, that these two lenses are not among the smallest and lightest. I have usually been on the year plan - one lens a year (rounding out my 4 main lenses DA 10-17 FE and DA 55-300). Lately, I have been thinking of acquiring a prime. I have stuck with Pentax glass - one of the reasons why I went with Pentax in the first place (along with in body SR).
Also, the thread on
40 mm got me thinking about other quality glass other than Pentax. I also came across this
20mm thread on Vogtlander.
So the question. If Pentax ever comes out with the 11-16/2.8 (from Tokina) I might be interested, but it would certainly not any size/weight reduction. Essentially, I have been thinking of primes. The DA 15/4, I would probably bypass, as it is not any faster than the 12-24 and I am finding that 20mm is somewhat of a draw in the images I have been taking.
What is the current thinking on the following lenses?
- Pentax 21mm F/3.2 AL Limited
- Voigtlander Color Skopar 20mm f/3.5 SL-II
- Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 ZK Distagon T*
- CZJ Flektogon 20/2.8 (M42)
- Sigma EX Wide-angle lens 20 mm f1.8
I do have to admit that I have serious doubts about parting with $1,500 for the Zeiss - my wife would probably have me institutionalized for metal defect, plus its not the smallest lens around - given the massive front element.
I mainly ask this because, I have not seen a lot of discussion other that the one thread on other 20mm WA lenses. I usually (like always) go for a very deep depth of field, so manual focusing should not be that large of issue. IQ, sharpness, richness in color, wonderful contrast are what I am interested in. I know the Pentax 21 is held in very high regard. Is there anything that is better - the Voigtlander? Does anyone have any experience with these, especially to compare and contrast? I am thinking that it essentially comes down to the Pentax and the Voigtlander...
Thanks!