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11-15-2009, 10:58 AM   #1
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Landscape Lens options

Considering a switch from Olympus to Pentax as I have seen excellent reviews of the K7 and its weatherproofing would be ideal for outdoors shooting.
I am a little confused by the different type of lenses however and I was just wondering what everyone here uses for wide angle shooting and also as a general walk around lens?

11-15-2009, 11:05 AM   #2
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Pentax DA 15 Limited
Pentax DA 21 Limited
Pentax DA 14 f/2.8
Pentax DA 12-24 f/4
Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6
Sigma 10-20 f/3.5
Pentax DA* 16-50 f/2.8
Pentax DA* 16-45 f/4

You have a lot of choices, I've only owned the 12-24 and the 21 LTD before, and I really like the 12-24 because of it's 12mm. But I've heard of many great things about other lenses too.
11-15-2009, 11:14 AM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by chrism_scotland Quote
wide angle shooting and also as a general walk around lens?
Welcome to the forum.

I reciently got the Sigma 10-20mm 4-5.6 and I LOVE it. For walk around I have the Pentax DA16 - 45 f4 or the Sigme 28-70 f2.8 depending wnat I am doing.

Bill
11-15-2009, 11:16 AM   #4
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I switched from Olympus to Pentax. I miss the Olympus zooms (14-54, 11-22, 50-200), but the Limited primes make up for it. I have not received my K-7 yet, but I expect it to be my 2009 E-1 (still have the original - what a camera!).

My 'kit' so to speak is in my signature.

For landscape, I'd use the following:

DA15 - (extreme wide angle, low distortion)
M28 F3.5 - (sharp, contrasty, low cost prime - manual focus)
FA43 or DA40 - (great 'normal' prime, both are very sharp)

For walk around zoom, get the 18-55 WR. Good quality zoom with weather sealing to match the K-7. Not prime sharp by any means and a little slow, but still an outstanding cheap solution.

Since you didn't mention any kind of budget, these are my suggestions. This is essentially what I use and my budget is somewhat limited. And I like to travel light. Couldn't do that with my Olympus gear.

11-15-2009, 11:16 AM   #5
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Second the Pentax 12-24... Love it. Too bad the prices just went through the roof.

These guys at Microglobe seem to have the least expensive out here in UK:
Pentax 12-24mm f4 SMC P-DA AL IF AF Zoom Lens F/4: London UK

This guy on PentaxUser.co.uk has one hes looking to trade for a DA* 16-50 F2.8
Trade my 12-24 plus cash for your 16-50
11-15-2009, 11:45 AM   #6
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Cheers guys will take a look, you's are right though all seem very expensive unfortunately!
11-15-2009, 01:00 PM   #7
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You can find the DA 16-45/4 in the Marketplace once in awhile for under 280 USD.

11-15-2009, 01:02 PM   #8
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You won't find a cheap ultra-wide zoom or prime, so if price is important, the 16-45 would be the way to go, or venture to a Tamron 17-50.
11-15-2009, 01:21 PM   #9
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What would be the cheapest options for a walk around lens, wide angle and maybe a prime like a 50mm.
Also I see that older lenses can be used are there any old gems I should keep my eye out for?
11-15-2009, 01:27 PM   #10
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I don't know much of old lenses so I can't say much about them. But for the cheap side of AF lenses, I would have to say the 18-55 kit lens is decent walk-around lens. But if you want more IQ than just the kit lens, then there would be the Pentax DA 16-45/4 which is probably the cheapest for IQ, then there comes the Tamron 28-75/2.8 and the Tamron 17-50/2.8. For wide-angle there isn't much cheap on there, but the cheapest would probably be the Sigma 10-20/4-5.6. For a cheap prime, I would have to say if you can find a 50/1.7 they normally go for 200-260 in the marketplace if you can find one. But for a rightly available one, there's also the 50/1.4 which I see a couple is on sale at the marketplace for around 250-290 right now.
11-15-2009, 02:33 PM   #11
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I take mostly landscape photos with my K10D and have been using the Pentax 18-250mm lens exclusively for a couple of years. It may not be as wide as you want and it's not water resistant, but it's very good quality glass (I compared it to the 16-45 and 16-50 Pentax lenses and didn't see enough difference to spend the extra money). They apparently don't make the Pentax version anymore, but it's a re-badged Tamron lens anyway and Tamron still sells it for $500 US.
11-15-2009, 03:11 PM   #12
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How about the Sigma 10-20? Lots of people love them, and Park is selling at under 400 quid:

Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX DC HSM - Pentax Fit - Only £389.99 - Park Cameras Online
11-15-2009, 03:21 PM   #13
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Do you insist on AF, or are you willing to try MF too? If so, the world is lying at your feet, and it won't cost you very much. There are so many great MF lenses out there for virtually nothing... In the end that is what Pentax makes a great brand: their backward compatibility combined with in-body SR!
11-15-2009, 03:23 PM   #14
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The Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5 is a popular walkaround lens, under $400 USD.

The Pentax 16-45 f/4 is available for ~ $300 USD

If you get the K7 kit, I think you'll find the 18-55 AL II is a very impressive performer for a kit lens, and may do well holding you over until you decide which "step up" lens you'd like.

If you check under the "Review" tab on this forum, you'll get a chance to read end-user thoughts on the various lenses.
11-15-2009, 03:24 PM   #15
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I like landscapes. I started out with the kit lenses - 18-55 and the 50-200. For what they are, they are wonderful. I have seen wonderful images taken with them. Scoot down to the lens forum and take a look at the kit pictures. thread

I wanted something wider and sharper so I next picked up the 16-45 and 10-17FE with plans on defishing. Both of these lenses I like. The 16-45 is much better than the kit, but its range is shorter. I have had these lenses for 4 years now. The 16-45 is actually coming down in price - especially with the 16-50/2.8 out there.

Last year I picked up the 12-24. It is a wonderfully sharp lens (and yes its large - larger than the 16-45). Some say it has CA, but I have never really encountered it, and it is able to be removed with software. There is a bit of distortion around the edge - but I have to look to find it. This is the lens that stays on my K20 most of the time. I use the K100 with the kit lens because it is small and light. So I just keep it in the truck.

While typing this, I ordered the DA 21 yesterday thinking that this would be a smaller and lighter replacement for the 12-24 when I need to travel very light (but still want to take a SLR), but am starting to re-consider.
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