[axl]

Hi everybody,
earlier this month I sold my Sigma 24/2.8 SWII AF. I loved the FOV but not the lens itself. The color rendition wasn't what I wanted.
Now I have Sigma 10-20/4-5.6 and the next stop is 31ltd. These two are not too far away, but I did really like 24mm. What are the options?:
FA*24/2 - mixed reviews, expensive (£300-350 heavily used, £450 and up for EX), very hard to come by
A/K24/2.8 - there is copy of each in town right now, A for £285 (looks EX++) K for £99 (EX) optically they are OK (according to reports) but not the best in the corners. My MF is not the best with wide angles
Tokina 20-35/2.8 ATX PRO - this one is in town too. Mint for £299 (I think I could push the price down since it's been sitting in that shop for couple of months now. It has VERY mixed reviews. People here seem to like it, but Canikons are putting it down as soft until mid f stops and prone to flare, nearly unusable for long night exposures due to flare.... so I don't know

other than these there are various 17-35/19-35s but I'd like to have constant f2.8
any other suggestions?

BR
Peter

[Mike Cash]

I'd like to have constant f2.8
any other suggestions?
BR
Peter

Have you looked at the Tamron 17-50/2.8?

[artemapei]

da 21 -------&?

[axl]

Have you looked at the Tamron 17-50/2.8?

It's not really what I want. I have 31ltd, 40ltd and F50/1.7, and I'm really happy with these. So covering it all up with one consumer zoom... well not really, plus the Tammy doesn't cover FF (you know, just in case... ) and I doubt it's built quality is anywhere near to those I have/listed above.

BR
Peter

[axl]

da 21 -------&?

This one is stuck in the back of my mind too but it's just too close to 10-20. I'd like to bridge the 20-31 gap or, case of prime to have it in the "middle"

BR
Peter

[artemapei]

This one is stuck in the back of my mind too but it's just too close to 10-20. I'd like to bridge the 20-31 gap or, case of prime to have it in the "middle"
BR
Peter

you may change your 10-20 for something like 10\12-24... there is 25\2.8 manual zeiss - it's big, expensive, and I'm not sure it exist for K-mount by now...

[artemapei]

yes there're 2 distagons by zeiss to suit u (k-mount): 25/2.8 and 28\2. both are perfect and big, but the second one is more...
Welcome to Carl Zeiss Camera Lenses

[Pentaxor]

the FA* seems to be the more ideal choice even if it's expensive. for an autofocus lens, it's worth it's price. another alternative is getting the FA20-35.

[axl]

the FA* seems to be the more ideal choice even if it's expensive. for an autofocus lens, it's worth it's price. another alternative is getting the FA20-35.

True, but the FA20-35 is f4 "only". And f4 doesn't really cut it in dim(ish) light. I'm really after f2.8 (or faster) since right now the widest "available light lens" I own is 31ltd, and let's be honest on APSC it's not all that wide...

[roentarre]

Have you looked at the Tamron 17-50/2.8?

Ditto. The best affordable zoom ever produced.

[roentarre]

True, but the FA20-35 is f4 "only". And f4 doesn't really cut it in dim(ish) light. I'm really after f2.8 (or faster) since right now the widest "available light lens" I own is 31ltd, and let's be honest on APSC it's not all that wide...

I just got that lens for 70 US on ebay yesterday

[roentarre]

Seriously, there is really no need to fill that gap. After all, the choices are limited and the difference in perspective from 30mm to 20mm on a crop sensor is rather small.

Fa 31mm is the best ever lens produced comparing to its competitions (not that many counterparts in its league anyway).

Da 21mm is a little joke for optical performance but it is light and handy to use in tough outdoor environment.

Fa* 24mm f2 is a terrible lens. Though good on films, it is horrific on sensor with the expectation of * quality. Good thing about it is that a lot of people are gullible enough to fall for this lens. Yes, good to have so many artists around.

[Pentaxor]

I just got that lens for 70 US on ebay yesterday

as long as it is in mint, no fungus , significant dents and perfectly working AF, then you got a great bargain. lucky for you I wasn't browsing eBay yesterday. otherwise that lens would had been long gone by now.

[Pentaxor]

Seriously, there is really no need to fill that gap. After all, the choices are limited and the difference in perspective from 30mm to 20mm on a crop sensor is rather small.
Fa 31mm is the best ever lens produced comparing to its competitions (not that many counterparts in its league anyway).
Da 21mm is a little joke for optical performance but it is light and handy to use in tough outdoor environment.
Fa* 24mm f2 is a terrible lens. Though good on films, it is horrific on sensor with the expectation of * quality. Good thing about it is that a lot of people are gullible enough to fall for this lens. Yes, good to have so many artists around.

20-30 has a significant gap, you need something in the middle. believe me !

FA31, no doubt. but the K28/3.5 and K30/2.8 are closely behind. at same aperture speed, they are completely equal optically speaking. clear advantage of the FA31 is fast aperture and AF.

DA21 is not a joke. the optical sharpness and contrast is outstanding all over the frame once you reach f5.6. is a great lens even at wide open if you use it for center isolation shots because it's very sharp at the center. I think you haven't really used nor tested this lens.

I don't think the FA24/2 is terrible. I believe it is just not worth it's value right now. I think it's cheaper K24 predecessor performs a lot better than it though.

[axl]

20-30 has a significant gap, you need something in the middle. believe me !
FA31, no doubt. but the K28/3.5 and K30/2.8 are closely behind. at same aperture speed, they are completely equal optically speaking. clear advantage of the FA31 is fast aperture and AF.
DA21 is not a joke. the optical sharpness and contrast is outstanding all over the frame once you reach f5.6. is a great lens even at wide open if you use it for center isolation shots because it's very sharp at the center. I think you haven't really used nor tested this lens.
I don't think the FA24/2 is terrible. I believe it is just not worth it's value right now. I think it's cheaper K24 predecessor performs a lot better than it though.

Definitely agree on the gap.
from 20 to 31 it's quite a step IMHO. It's like 31mm compared to 50mm on FF/film. It's manageable and well spaced gap but it IS a gap. Add to it that my version of 10-20 only does f5.6 at 20mm and it leaves me with nothing wider than 31mm for available light (and this is probably bigger reason behind my drive to get something to bridge this gap, than the mm difference itself!)
I can't comment on 21ltd as I never had it, but I'm not planning to purchase it anyway, I saw FA20/2.8 on sale in marketplace though, I may think of that one... but anyway, many lenses are sharp when stopped down to f5.6! I'm not doubting the qualities of 21ltd, I know there is many people who like this lens, it just never caught my attention seriously enough....
And as far as SMC xx 24s go FA*24 is really pricey but more than that it's practically unavailable in UK!!!
Now to this story of K24 (and to my understanding A24 is the same optically) being better. How good is K24??? I did give it a go but my MF skills are not the best, is it worth second look? It is for decent price from reputable seller and it is in good condition for 30odd years old lens...
AND: anybody has experiences with the Tokina 20-35/2.8 is it worth £300 in mint condition???

TIA
Peter