Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
09-08-2016, 02:52 PM   #1
Senior Member




Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Sparwood B.C. Canada.
Posts: 144
Looking for advice for a Prime lense for the K-r

Yep have the 18-55mm Lens with my K-r

But would love to buy a (Reasonably Priced) Prime lens.
Most of my pics are landscape but whee to from here is still unclear

Cheers for years
Colin

09-08-2016, 03:02 PM   #2
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
jatrax's Avatar

Join Date: May 2010
Location: Washington Cascades
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 12,991
If you want modern and auto focus then the DA 50mm f/1.8 or the DA 35mm f/2.4 would be at the top of the list.

Or if you don't mind manual focus then I suggest you look at your current image library and find out which focal length you use the most, then look in the lens database for something that fits what you want to do.
09-08-2016, 03:05 PM   #3
Inactive Account




Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Lietuva, Vilnius
Posts: 627
21mm or (and) 70mm Ltd's.

Other limiteds are probably awesome too, but I haven't used them.

21 is super versatile and fun to use and 70 is absolutely amazing lens, one of the best Pentax lenses in my opinion.
09-08-2016, 03:13 PM   #4
Pentaxian
ChristianRock's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: People's Republic of America
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 9,897
The only way you would improve on the 18-55mm with a wide angle AF prime lens would be with the FA 21 pr 15 Limiteds I think.
If that seems too pricey even used I would suggest another zoom - the DA 16-45mm f4. Only available used, I paid 120 for mine. It is a very good and affordable lens I think for that purpose.

09-08-2016, 03:14 PM   #5
Veteran Member
FantasticMrFox's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Munich
Posts: 2,339
You cannot go wrong with the aforementioned DA 35 f/2.4 and DA 50 f/1.8. Great optical quality at a ridiculously low price.

If you enjoy landscapes you might want to try ultra-wide angle. Have a look at Samyang primes, like the 14 f/2.8.
09-08-2016, 03:15 PM   #6
Administrator
Site Webmaster
Adam's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arizona
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 51,584
QuoteOriginally posted by kamicota Quote
Yep have the 18-55mm Lens with my K-r

But would love to buy a (Reasonably Priced) Prime lens.
Most of my pics are landscape but whee to from here is still unclear

Cheers for years
Colin
I'd go for the DA 35mm. It's a nice standard prime

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:
09-08-2016, 03:53 PM   #7
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
robgski's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 8,759
the 21mm LTD is a great lens

09-08-2016, 03:55 PM   #8
Digitiser of Film
Loyal Site Supporter
BigMackCam's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North East of England
Posts: 20,576
QuoteOriginally posted by Adam Quote
I'd go for the DA 35mm. It's a nice standard prime
+1. Probably my favourite lens, all things considered. Really versatile, great image quality and - considering the optical performance - a bargain...
09-08-2016, 04:10 PM   #9
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Tokyo
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,041
QuoteOriginally posted by kamicota Quote
Most of my pics are landscape but whee to from here is still unclear
Day or night landscape?
if night landscape with a lot of long exposure, you could never go wrong with a DA15. it can be used for other type of shooting as well but I really love it for night landscape and long exposure type of shooting. you can find a lot of good sample image here or sample of night photo / landscape in general from variety of lenses go here.

For general landscape, It might be a good idea to see photo taken with your zoom lens first, see what is your most comfortable focal length and buy lens bases on that particular focal length.

IMO, DA21 is a very good walk around and landscape lens, but again, you can do landscape with almost any focal length, what is your most comfortable focal length?

Last edited by pakinjapan; 09-08-2016 at 04:23 PM.
09-08-2016, 04:41 PM - 1 Like   #10
Veteran Member
Na Horuk's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Slovenia, probably
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 11,186
QuoteOriginally posted by FantasticMrFox Quote
You cannot go wrong with the aforementioned DA 35 f/2.4 and DA 50 f/1.8. Great optical quality at a ridiculously low price.

If you enjoy landscapes you might want to try ultra-wide angle. Have a look at Samyang primes, like the 14 f/2.8.
I concur. Though, unless you have K-1 or want to use the lens on film cameras, I would recommend Samyang 16mm f2 instead of the 14mm. Not as awkwardly wide, a little easier to focus, slightly faster aperture, removable lens hood.
You can also look for a DA 40mm XS. Affordable and super compact, with the "limited style" deep contrasts, but it has slightly slower aperture. Still, the K-r with DA 40mm XS is a really small package with good quality photos and fast AF.

Tl;dr: You can't go wrong with DA 35mm, DA 40mm XS, DA 50mm f1.8, Samyang 14mm, Samyang 16mm. All of these are really good and affordable, great place to start with primes. Personally, I would go with DA 35mm as an everyday lens or Samyang 16mm for significantly wide angle. My first prime after buying K-r was DA 35mm and I don't regret it. Still use it a lot today, years later

Last edited by Na Horuk; 09-08-2016 at 04:47 PM.
09-08-2016, 10:09 PM   #11
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Alex645's Avatar

Join Date: May 2015
Location: Kaneohe, HI
Photos: Albums
Posts: 3,526
QuoteOriginally posted by pakinjapan Quote
Day or night landscape?
if night landscape with a lot of long exposure, you could never go wrong with a DA15. it can be used for other type of shooting as well but I really love it for night landscape and long exposure type of shooting. you can find a lot of good sample image here or sample of night photo / landscape in general from variety of lenses go here.
The 18-55mm is an underrated zoom IMO. What is it in a prime that you feel you canʻt get from the zoom? The focal length (not wide or tele enough), the speed (for shallow d-o-f), or image quality? Depending on your reasons, the best solution is going to change. For me, I find the 18mm not quite wide enough and would opt for the DA15, so +1 on pakinjapan.
09-09-2016, 04:41 AM   #12
Senior Member
helmiczka's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2013
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 170
Find out your shooting habits (which focal lenghts you use the most): ExposurePlot jpg exif lens length analyzer for photographers
09-09-2016, 06:27 AM   #13
Veteran Member
FantasticMrFox's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Munich
Posts: 2,339
QuoteOriginally posted by Na Horuk Quote
I concur. Though, unless you have K-1 or want to use the lens on film cameras, I would recommend Samyang 16mm f2 instead of the 14mm. Not as awkwardly wide, a little easier to focus, slightly faster aperture, removable lens hood.
I particularly recommended the 14 over the alternative of the 16 because for me the difference between 16 and 18 mm isn't that great. He already has the DA L 18-55, which stopped down to f/8 delivers decent shots at 18 mm. As he's interested in landscapes I recommended something wider. To be honest, the Samyang 12 f/2 would be amazing - even a bit wider, faster and allows for filter usage, but unfortunately not available for Pentax. The 10 f/2.8, on the other hand, is seriously wide ...
09-09-2016, 08:55 AM   #14
Pentaxian
ChristianRock's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: People's Republic of America
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 9,897
QuoteOriginally posted by FantasticMrFox Quote
I particularly recommended the 14 over the alternative of the 16 because for me the difference between 16 and 18 mm isn't that great. He already has the DA L 18-55, which stopped down to f/8 delivers decent shots at 18 mm. As he's interested in landscapes I recommended something wider. To be honest, the Samyang 12 f/2 would be amazing - even a bit wider, faster and allows for filter usage, but unfortunately not available for Pentax. The 10 f/2.8, on the other hand, is seriously wide ...
But one thing to consider is that the 18-55 isn't really useful - usually - at 18mm. You need at least 20mm, better yet 22-23mm for it to be sharp, even stopped down.
09-10-2016, 02:20 PM   #15
Senior Member




Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Sparwood B.C. Canada.
Posts: 144
Original Poster
Thank you all,
You have given me food for thought on where too from here.
And also learned a few things too.
My landscapes are virtually all day time.
After some light reading that implied fixed prime always had sharper images.
Yet after the post that said he 18-55mm has sharper pics 20-23mm gives me the opportunity to see what happens there too. And I am nearly always stopped down to F8.
Now the Samyang 10 f2 seems something to explore too.

Now I am much less confused on where I have to explore to see what happens next.
Thank you all for taking the time to share your valuable experiences.

Cheers for years
Colin
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
camera, k-r, kr, lens, pentax k-r
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Help! Looking for a reliable UK service company for Pentax K-r Fire Angel Repairs and Warranty Service 12 06-15-2016 11:04 AM
Looking for a new prime lens for table top work geordieman Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 16 03-06-2015 02:30 AM
Pentax K-30: Have a prime & kit lens - Looking for upgrade pingu Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 47 01-23-2015 11:25 AM
Prime Lens - looking for advice schnitzer79 Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 19 03-26-2014 01:11 PM
Please recomend me a good prime lense for 28-50mm for k10d Asgaroth Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 14 05-22-2009 03:39 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:26 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top