Which existing lens for landscape photography

pinholecam · 08-11-2015, 06:54 PM

My current picks :

Samyang 14/2.8
M20/4
K28/3.5
FA31ltd

I'd say a 'No' to the FA*24 for now based on the A7 (as a landscape lens on a camera with thick sensor stack).

osv · 08-12-2015, 11:16 AM

the fa*24 wasn't exceptional on the sides even in the old takinami resolution tests, and it was weaker in the center than the k24... i'd say sell it if you own one, and are going 36mp or higher on a pentax ff camera, but what does pentax have that's better at 24mm?

step up to 28mm, and the game changes completely, pentax dominates there.

on the a7r, i went through one 14mm samsung and four of the 35/1.4 korean lenses, they were all defective; two had decentering that was visible at all apertures, and the other three had oof areas from a step above wide open all the way through f/4... basically just a bunch of junk, with horrible q.c.

**Kerrowdown** · 08-12-2015, 03:22 PM

Originally posted by Mattox

Which existing lens for landscape photography

Either my “Mistress" (SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5) or my "Good Lady” (SMC Pentax-A 20mm F2.8) would do a fine job here.

zeitlos · 08-13-2015, 01:52 AM

What about the old Sigma 12-24? Will it be a good pick for FF?
Or would you rather recommend the 15-30?
Will there be a wide-angle option for the upcomming FF Pentax that resembles the 15mm Limited as far as weight is concerned? What is a good solution when looking for an easy to carry wide angle lens?

Sandy Hancock · 08-13-2015, 02:13 AM

I have the DA10-17 (which covers FF from 14-17), FA*24, and FA31. I have been very happy with all three on APS-C, so I will give them a good workout on the FF before I consider any more lens purchases.

pinholecam · 08-13-2015, 05:05 AM

Originally posted by zeitlos

What about the old Sigma 12-24? Will it be a good pick for FF?
Or would you rather recommend the 15-30?
Will there be a wide-angle option for the upcomming FF Pentax that resembles the 15mm Limited as far as weight is concerned? What is a good solution when looking for an easy to carry wide angle lens?

Sigma 12-24, that Tamron 15-30 and all other such 3rd party options already exist for FF from other brands.
So I don't expect performance to be different.

No wide angle prime listed on the Pentax roadmap, yet.
For the legacy options, the 20/4 is hard to beat.
Only the last bit of the corners are not good, the edges are no issues at all.
Better than most of the faster 20mm options which struggle more on the edges even.

I would hope Pentax think out of the box for a small UWA prime.
Maybe a non-retrofocus lens that when attached disallows camera operation unless its in liveview mode.
When I shoot landscapes, I am usually on liveview anyway.
Neither does a LV only special use UWA really take away any of the usability of a camera. (its just an additional option)

bossa · 08-13-2015, 05:21 AM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

Either my “Mistress" (SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5) or my "Good Lady” (SMC Pentax-A 20mm F2.8) would do a fine job here.

Back in the late 70's I had the K Aspheric version of that lens (15/3.5) and I just saw one on eBay for over AU$4 grand. When I think of what I sold mine for...

Last edited by bossa; 08-13-2015 at 05:45 AM.

zeitlos · 08-13-2015, 06:05 AM - **1 Like**

I've just bought a Pentax FA J 18-35. Hope, this will do.

**wtlwdwgn** · 08-13-2015, 06:33 AM

One can use any lens for landscapes. The problems with super WA is they 'throw' the background way out in the distance and often do not render a flat field. I think they are more useful close in. I like to use medium wide or even normal lenses. I've been shooting multiple image panos with better results than a super WA. Super WAs are nice indoors, for architecture, and tight street scenes. Just my $0.02.

**Kerrowdown** · 08-13-2015, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by bossa

I had the K Aspheric version of that lens (15/3.5)

Aye, the Aspherical Element (AL) version was only produced in very limited numbers, I think a few were possibly made in the A series too, but only few of these lenses are around now.

**mwilky55** · 08-13-2015, 03:48 PM

Originally posted by Mattox

Not knowing what the line up of wide angle lenses will be and when they will be released, for those of you who plan to go FF, what current lens would you apply. I have a 35 FA 2, which should be quite exciting to use but not exactly wide enough for my liking, so maybe if Pentax doesn't bring anything out immediately I'd consider a FA 20mm which you can get for a great price on the used market. What are your thoughts?

I was going through a similar thought process - I have some very good FF primes, but wanted a wide angle zoom that is full frame compatible.
I was able to pick up the FA20-35 from a Japanese friend.
Going a little longer, I like the F35-70 (great value) and the Tamron 28-75 which is an f2.8 and very good.

At some point, I would like to get something wider than 20mm, but no hurry since I have no idea when/if I'll get the FF.

rawr · 08-13-2015, 03:48 PM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

I think a few were possibly made in the A series too, but only few of these lenses are around now.

That's a very famous lens. They used to advertise the limited availability [ie small production run] of the 15mm f3.5 lens as a kind of positive for Pentax.

Conqueror · 08-14-2015, 04:02 AM

crop DA 20-40mm would be nice
FF of current offerings FA 31/35

**skunktail** · 08-17-2015, 11:01 PM

I'll also use the FA 20-35mm and the F 28mm, that should do to start with.

**grahamcoad** · 08-18-2015, 07:50 AM

SMC Pentax-FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited..............

08-13-2015, 05:05 AM	#21
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,709	Originally posted by zeitlos What about the old Sigma 12-24? Will it be a good pick for FF? Or would you rather recommend the 15-30? Will there be a wide-angle option for the upcomming FF Pentax that resembles the 15mm Limited as far as weight is concerned? What is a good solution when looking for an easy to carry wide angle lens? Sigma 12-24, that Tamron 15-30 and all other such 3rd party options already exist for FF from other brands. So I don't expect performance to be different. No wide angle prime listed on the Pentax roadmap, yet. For the legacy options, the 20/4 is hard to beat. Only the last bit of the corners are not good, the edges are no issues at all. Better than most of the faster 20mm options which struggle more on the edges even. I would hope Pentax think out of the box for a small UWA prime. Maybe a non-retrofocus lens that when attached disallows camera operation unless its in liveview mode. When I shoot landscapes, I am usually on liveview anyway. Neither does a LV only special use UWA really take away any of the usability of a camera. (its just an additional option) Last edited by pinholecam; 08-13-2015 at 05:56 AM.

08-18-2015, 07:50 AM	#30
grahamcoad Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: West Cornwall Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 128	SMC Pentax-FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited.............. Last edited by grahamcoad; 08-18-2015 at 07:57 AM. Reason: add image

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Which lens for landscape AND milky way photography	Carpethediem	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	29	03-23-2015 09:33 AM
Recommend a lens for landscape/urban landscape photography	a96agli	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	23	01-22-2015 10:26 AM
Lens choices for landscape photography	insanoff	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	23	03-11-2010 12:54 PM
Which Lens for Landscape Pics?	harv3589	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	16	11-06-2008 11:23 PM
lens for landscape photography	seymop	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	20	09-01-2008 07:05 AM

08-11-2015, 06:54 PM	#16
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,709	My current picks : Samyang 14/2.8 M20/4 K28/3.5 FA31ltd I'd say a 'No' to the FA*24 for now based on the A7 (as a landscape lens on a camera with thick sensor stack).

08-12-2015, 11:16 AM	#17
osv Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,080	the fa*24 wasn't exceptional on the sides even in the old takinami resolution tests, and it was weaker in the center than the k24... i'd say sell it if you own one, and are going 36mp or higher on a pentax ff camera, but what does pentax have that's better at 24mm? step up to 28mm, and the game changes completely, pentax dominates there. on the a7r, i went through one 14mm samsung and four of the 35/1.4 korean lenses, they were all defective; two had decentering that was visible at all apertures, and the other three had oof areas from a step above wide open all the way through f/4... basically just a bunch of junk, with horrible q.c.

08-12-2015, 03:22 PM	#18
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,863	Originally posted by Mattox Which existing lens for landscape photography Either my “Mistress" (SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5) or my "Good Lady” (SMC Pentax-A 20mm F2.8) would do a fine job here.

08-13-2015, 01:52 AM	#19
zeitlos Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: In the middle of Bavaria - Germany Posts: 282	What about the old Sigma 12-24? Will it be a good pick for FF? Or would you rather recommend the 15-30? Will there be a wide-angle option for the upcomming FF Pentax that resembles the 15mm Limited as far as weight is concerned? What is a good solution when looking for an easy to carry wide angle lens?

08-13-2015, 02:13 AM	#20
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	I have the DA10-17 (which covers FF from 14-17), FA*24, and FA31. I have been very happy with all three on APS-C, so I will give them a good workout on the FF before I consider any more lens purchases.

08-13-2015, 05:21 AM	#22
bossa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,546	Originally posted by Kerrowdown Either my “Mistress" (SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5) or my "Good Lady” (SMC Pentax-A 20mm F2.8) would do a fine job here. Back in the late 70's I had the K Aspheric version of that lens (15/3.5) and I just saw one on eBay for over AU$4 grand. When I think of what I sold mine for... Last edited by bossa; 08-13-2015 at 05:45 AM.

08-13-2015, 06:05 AM - 1 Like	#23
zeitlos Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: In the middle of Bavaria - Germany Posts: 282	I've just bought a Pentax FA J 18-35. Hope, this will do.

08-13-2015, 06:33 AM	#24
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,853	One can use any lens for landscapes. The problems with super WA is they 'throw' the background way out in the distance and often do not render a flat field. I think they are more useful close in. I like to use medium wide or even normal lenses. I've been shooting multiple image panos with better results than a super WA. Super WAs are nice indoors, for architecture, and tight street scenes. Just my $0.02.

08-13-2015, 02:21 PM	#25
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,863	Originally posted by bossa I had the K Aspheric version of that lens (15/3.5) Aye, the Aspherical Element (AL) version was only produced in very limited numbers, I think a few were possibly made in the A series too, but only few of these lenses are around now.

08-13-2015, 03:48 PM	#26
mwilky55 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southeastern Connecticut Photos: Albums Posts: 816	Originally posted by Mattox Not knowing what the line up of wide angle lenses will be and when they will be released, for those of you who plan to go FF, what current lens would you apply. I have a 35 FA 2, which should be quite exciting to use but not exactly wide enough for my liking, so maybe if Pentax doesn't bring anything out immediately I'd consider a FA 20mm which you can get for a great price on the used market. What are your thoughts? I was going through a similar thought process - I have some very good FF primes, but wanted a wide angle zoom that is full frame compatible. I was able to pick up the FA20-35 from a Japanese friend. Going a little longer, I like the F35-70 (great value) and the Tamron 28-75 which is an f2.8 and very good. At some point, I would like to get something wider than 20mm, but no hurry since I have no idea when/if I'll get the FF.

08-13-2015, 03:48 PM	#27
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Kerrowdown I think a few were possibly made in the A series too, but only few of these lenses are around now. That's a very famous lens. They used to advertise the limited availability [ie small production run] of the 15mm f3.5 lens as a kind of positive for Pentax.

08-14-2015, 04:02 AM	#28
Conqueror Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: UK Posts: 440	crop DA 20-40mm would be nice FF of current offerings FA 31/35

08-17-2015, 11:01 PM	#29
skunktail Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Sydney, NSW Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 287	I'll also use the FA 20-35mm and the F 28mm, that should do to start with.