Lens choice for K-1 Rental

Storm Chaser · 05-02-2017, 09:44 AM

Will be renting a K-1 end of the month for landscape and astrophotography. I have a samyang F2.8 14mm ED AS IF UMC that is super soft on my K5IIs and not usable, but may work on FF.
Also have a Pentax DA 50mm F1.8 that should work well, but really need much wider. Would like to stay with a prime but will consider a zoom and third party lens. This rental will determine if I purchase K-1 or not!

Thanks for your help!

Brian

RoccoStiglitz · 05-02-2017, 09:50 AM

Where are you renting from?

C_Jones · 05-02-2017, 10:41 AM - **3 Likes**

Pentax 24-70.

**shardulm** · 05-02-2017, 12:32 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Storm Chaser

This rental will determine if I purchase K-1 or not!

Buy the K-1 and save up the K-1 rental costs towards the D-FA 24-70/f2.8. I know you are going to buy the K-1 any way. Btw dont use a trashy lens (Samyang you mentioned). The images from DA50 will make you wonder why did I not buy K-1 sooner.
Good luck fueling your "don't buy" voice.

dave2k · 05-02-2017, 12:34 PM - **1 Like**

I expect that your 14 mm won't get any better on the K-1 unless it needs a focus adjustment.

Since you have the 50 mm you could rent the D FA 15-30 and still shoot at 50 mm when you don't need to go wide. I started with the 24-70 for landscapes and then found I had to add the 15-30 to go wide enough to meet my needs. The 15-30 is rather large and heavy though, as every reviewer will state.

biz-engineer · 05-02-2017, 12:38 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Storm Chaser

Lens choice for K-1 Rental

The K1 isn't a camera that we rent, it's a camera that we buy given the lenses we can buy or rent.

surfar · 05-02-2017, 12:44 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by C_Jones

Pentax 24-70.

Yes, that one covers plenty....But Brian if you are chasing really wide storms consider the 15/30 as well as 24/70!

Na Horuk · 05-02-2017, 01:30 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Storm Chaser

I have a samyang F2.8 14mm ED AS IF UMC that is super soft on my K5IIs and not usable, but may work on FF

I'm surprised by this. My Samyang 14mm is really sharp across the frame on my APSC cameras. I don't have a K-1, but lots of people use the Samyang 14mm on FF Nikon, Canon, and Sony cameras. With good, sharp results. Lots of photos online, on 500px, Flickr, etc. So I think you have a damaged lens or you are misfocusing. The Samyang 14mm has two problems commonly. First, the focusing scales are often miscalibrated. They might even be so bad that you can't focus to infinity. This could explain softness. You can look up some tutorials on fixing focusing ring on that lens. There is even a youtube video. The second common problem is decentering. You can diagnose this by odd blur that usually stay on one side of the frame regardless of focusing.
Didn't mean to derail this thread. Just trying to help. If possible, get the lens replaced or repaired

pschlute · 05-02-2017, 02:05 PM - **1 Like**

Brian, if there is one bit of advice please take this. Rent your k1 but before you go shooting, calibrate the autofocus with the lenses you will use. I got my k1 late last year, and despite the obvious quality i could not understand why so many shots were missing focus. After calibrating it is like night and day.

Also second the Pentax 24-70...it is a stunning lens (and I dont just mean in terms of weight or price !)

DeadJohn · 05-02-2017, 04:34 PM - **1 Like**

If you don't need f2.8, the DFA 28-105 offers similar image quality in a smaller, cheaper package for landscapes. Pair it with the 15-30 for wider landscapes and for Milky Way.

**robgski** · 05-02-2017, 05:42 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pschlute

Rent your k1 but before you go shooting, calibrate the autofocus with the lenses you will use. I

Good advice.

I have rented the K-1 several times, generally when I know I'll have enough free time to get the most use out of it, because i can go for weeks without having enough time to dedicate to photography.

Remember that the 50mm is about normal FOV to a human eye on the K-1. A 24mm (24-70 zoom?) is about as wide a FOV on the K-1 before distortion becomes noticeable.

FWIW, I use a Takumar 17mm on the K-1, and it is incredible. The K-1 really provides great results on old good quality lenses.

I look forward to seeing your pictures.

**clackers** · 05-02-2017, 06:00 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Storm Chaser

I have a samyang F2.8 14mm ED AS IF UMC that is super soft on my K5IIs and not usable, but may work on FF.

Not if it's decentred, Brian ... you can only ask for an exchange or refund to get a better copy.

ChristianRock · 05-02-2017, 06:22 PM - **1 Like**

Sometimes - not saying it's the case here - it's user error. Those manual Samyang lenses gp past infinity and people don't know that and turn the focus ring all the way. Since it is so wide and it keeps good contrast, it is hard to tell the pictures are soft until you see them on a computer...

Dericali · 05-03-2017, 12:44 AM - **1 Like**

Pentax DFA 24-70, especially since you already have a 14mm. 28-105 is a more compact and cheaper option, but you lose the 24-28mm which you may want, and f2.8.

If you're not used to big heavy camera and lens combos, then I would go with the 28-105.

Storm Chaser · 05-03-2017, 12:36 PM

I think my samyang 14mm may be decentered and is soft and far amount of distortion threw out the focus range. The reason I purchased it was many reviews commented on its sharpness, just got a bad copy I think! ( But a great paper weight!)

Will be the Pentax 15-30 or 24-70, not really which one at this point, but will calibrate the lens to that camera! Great advice on FOV going from crop to FF!

I appreciate all the comments and advice!

Brian

05-02-2017, 09:44 AM	#1
Storm Chaser Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 165	Lens choice for K-1 Rental Will be renting a K-1 end of the month for landscape and astrophotography. I have a samyang F2.8 14mm ED AS IF UMC that is super soft on my K5IIs and not usable, but may work on FF. Also have a Pentax DA 50mm F1.8 that should work well, but really need much wider. Would like to stay with a prime but will consider a zoom and third party lens. This rental will determine if I purchase K-1 or not! Thanks for your help! Brian

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05-02-2017, 09:50 AM	#2
RoccoStiglitz Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Photos: Gallery Posts: 76	Where are you renting from?

05-02-2017, 10:41 AM - 3 Likes	#3
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,084	Pentax 24-70.

05-02-2017, 12:32 PM - 1 Like	#4
shardulm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 793	Originally posted by Storm Chaser This rental will determine if I purchase K-1 or not! Buy the K-1 and save up the K-1 rental costs towards the D-FA 24-70/f2.8. I know you are going to buy the K-1 any way. Btw dont use a trashy lens (Samyang you mentioned). The images from DA50 will make you wonder why did I not buy K-1 sooner. Good luck fueling your "don't buy" voice.

05-02-2017, 12:34 PM - 1 Like	#5
dave2k Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 419	I expect that your 14 mm won't get any better on the K-1 unless it needs a focus adjustment. Since you have the 50 mm you could rent the D FA 15-30 and still shoot at 50 mm when you don't need to go wide. I started with the 24-70 for landscapes and then found I had to add the 15-30 to go wide enough to meet my needs. The 15-30 is rather large and heavy though, as every reviewer will state.

05-02-2017, 12:38 PM - 1 Like	#6
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,232	Originally posted by Storm Chaser Lens choice for K-1 Rental The K1 isn't a camera that we rent, it's a camera that we buy given the lenses we can buy or rent.

05-02-2017, 12:44 PM - 1 Like	#7
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,141	Originally posted by C_Jones Pentax 24-70. Yes, that one covers plenty....But Brian if you are chasing really wide storms consider the 15/30 as well as 24/70!

05-02-2017, 01:30 PM - 1 Like	#8
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by Storm Chaser I have a samyang F2.8 14mm ED AS IF UMC that is super soft on my K5IIs and not usable, but may work on FF I'm surprised by this. My Samyang 14mm is really sharp across the frame on my APSC cameras. I don't have a K-1, but lots of people use the Samyang 14mm on FF Nikon, Canon, and Sony cameras. With good, sharp results. Lots of photos online, on 500px, Flickr, etc. So I think you have a damaged lens or you are misfocusing. The Samyang 14mm has two problems commonly. First, the focusing scales are often miscalibrated. They might even be so bad that you can't focus to infinity. This could explain softness. You can look up some tutorials on fixing focusing ring on that lens. There is even a youtube video. The second common problem is decentering. You can diagnose this by odd blur that usually stay on one side of the frame regardless of focusing. Didn't mean to derail this thread. Just trying to help. If possible, get the lens replaced or repaired

05-02-2017, 02:05 PM - 1 Like	#9
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,198	Brian, if there is one bit of advice please take this. Rent your k1 but before you go shooting, calibrate the autofocus with the lenses you will use. I got my k1 late last year, and despite the obvious quality i could not understand why so many shots were missing focus. After calibrating it is like night and day. Also second the Pentax 24-70...it is a stunning lens (and I dont just mean in terms of weight or price !)

05-02-2017, 04:34 PM - 1 Like	#10
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	If you don't need f2.8, the DFA 28-105 offers similar image quality in a smaller, cheaper package for landscapes. Pair it with the 15-30 for wider landscapes and for Milky Way.

05-02-2017, 05:42 PM - 1 Like	#11
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,798	Originally posted by pschlute Rent your k1 but before you go shooting, calibrate the autofocus with the lenses you will use. I Good advice. I have rented the K-1 several times, generally when I know I'll have enough free time to get the most use out of it, because i can go for weeks without having enough time to dedicate to photography. Remember that the 50mm is about normal FOV to a human eye on the K-1. A 24mm (24-70 zoom?) is about as wide a FOV on the K-1 before distortion becomes noticeable. FWIW, I use a Takumar 17mm on the K-1, and it is incredible. The K-1 really provides great results on old good quality lenses. I look forward to seeing your pictures.

05-02-2017, 06:00 PM - 1 Like	#12
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Storm Chaser I have a samyang F2.8 14mm ED AS IF UMC that is super soft on my K5IIs and not usable, but may work on FF. Not if it's decentred, Brian ... you can only ask for an exchange or refund to get a better copy.

05-02-2017, 06:22 PM - 1 Like	#13
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Sometimes - not saying it's the case here - it's user error. Those manual Samyang lenses gp past infinity and people don't know that and turn the focus ring all the way. Since it is so wide and it keeps good contrast, it is hard to tell the pictures are soft until you see them on a computer...

05-03-2017, 12:44 AM - 1 Like	#14
Dericali Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Berlin Posts: 298	Pentax DFA 24-70, especially since you already have a 14mm. 28-105 is a more compact and cheaper option, but you lose the 24-28mm which you may want, and f2.8. If you're not used to big heavy camera and lens combos, then I would go with the 28-105.

05-03-2017, 12:36 PM	#15
Storm Chaser Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 165 Original Poster	I think my samyang 14mm may be decentered and is soft and far amount of distortion threw out the focus range. The reason I purchased it was many reviews commented on its sharpness, just got a bad copy I think! ( But a great paper weight!) Will be the Pentax 15-30 or 24-70, not really which one at this point, but will calibrate the lens to that camera! Great advice on FOV going from crop to FF! I appreciate all the comments and advice! Brian