Wide angle decision

niblue · 04-27-2020, 12:57 AM - **1 Like**

Back in my film days the FA* 24mm F2 was one of my most used lenses. I sold it when I went APS-C (and regret it now that I have a K1) but eventually got one of the Sigma 24mm F1.8's, which is a nice lens although a lot bigger than the FA*.

I don't tend to carry that 24mm much though, as my main lens on the K1 is a 24-70mm F2.8 zoom. While the prime is faster and a little bit sharper the zoom is good at 24mm. Instead of carrying the 24mm I tend to carry either a wide angle zoom (I have a few of those including a Tokina ATX-Pro 18-28mm F2.8 that I thankfully did keep from my film days) or an ultra-wide prime (usually the Samyang 14mm).

I am keeping my eye out for another FA* 24mm though, and if I do get one it'd be fun going out with an old school 3 lens prime set-up and the K1.

ivki_com · 12-14-2021, 04:41 AM

Originally posted by bikehead90

I have been pining over the DFA 15-30 for awhile and will be getting it by the end of the year. However, the prices of the fa* 24mm/2 are acting as the siren’s song, luring me away from the ultimate prize. While it’s not as wide as the 15-30, would the 24mm be a satisfying alternative?

VERY satisfied with 15-30, but I do not give up trying to find a sigma 12-24 DG in very good condition.
24 2 is already a compromise

Lev · 12-14-2021, 05:45 AM

Originally posted by bikehead90

I have been pining over the DFA 15-30 for awhile and will be getting it by the end of the year. However, the prices of the fa* 24mm/2 are acting as the siren’s song, luring me away from the ultimate prize. While it’s not as wide as the 15-30, would the 24mm be a satisfying alternative?

I would give my soul for D FA* 24mm f1.4

I'm also looking for wide angle, but leaning towards a prime lens. 15-30 is a great lens though.

jab2980 · 12-14-2021, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by bikehead90

I have been pining over the DFA 15-30 for awhile and will be getting it by the end of the year. However, the prices of the fa* 24mm/2 are acting as the siren’s song, luring me away from the ultimate prize. While it’s not as wide as the 15-30, would the 24mm be a satisfying alternative?

I debated for a long time on whether or not to get the 15-30. I tried the 12-24 on my K-1 in the "usable" focal lengths and it was garbage (despite being one of my top lenses on the K-5II). I was fairly happy with a Tokina 20-35 and got some great results out of it. I'm honestly not sure any more why I sold it... it might have been because the front element rotated when focusing and that was annoying when paired with a polarizer. I got a Rokinon 20mm that I got great results with, but then came across a deal on a 15-30 that I couldn't pass up. It's an incredible lens and I couldn't be happier with the results I've gotten with it. In addition to landscape photography, it has worked out well for weddings and around the home photos as well.

**Wheatridger** · 12-14-2021, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by ivki_com

VERY satisfied with 15-30, but I do not give up trying to find a sigma 12-24 DG in very good condition.
24 2 is already a compromise

Yes, my EX DG is very sharp and virtually distortion-free. Don't pay too much for one, though. When they break, they can't be repaired.

---------- Post added 12-14-21 at 02:01 PM ----------

Originally posted by TerryL

An alternative would be the Irix 15. I have the Blackstone version, and love it. I have the 15-30, and would sell it in a heartbeat.

My 15mm Blackstone, purchased here from a PF member, is sharper than other UWAs, and has little vignetting. It's beautifully built. I can always crop it to 22mm-eq, and often I do.

Ken Lee · 01-21-2022, 03:59 PM - **1 Like**

Photoptimist mentioned it on the first page of this thread, but the Irix 15mm f/2.4 is a really good lens (he described it as "decently regarded"). I have one and am extremely happy with it.

It is manual focus, unlike the 15-30mm f/2.8 Pentax, just so you know. However, it does accept screw-on filters and even a drop-in gel filter.

**JoelA** · 01-26-2022, 02:27 PM - **2 Likes**

While most of this (excellent!) conversation is around wide zooms, here is a different thought on a prime solution.

Pentax SMC-M 20 f/4.0

While it does not receive a lot of love in some write ups, I've found it to be an absolute workhorse that handles street candids as well as landscapes.

It's so small and compact, and with such a great depth of field that it's easy to toss in the bag (with love so it doesn't get damaged) and also use in very unobtrusive ways on the street. For example, I'll simply turn off anything that makes noise on the camera, drop the strap down to the center of my chest, stop it down to f/8 and shoot without even having to look through the viewfinder. I did that a couple of weeks ago at Disney when having some time to kill before a meeting. Got some great candids!

Mine is a late production that was purchased new around '83 or '84.

Anyway, just another solution for those who may be so inclined!

Happy shooting!

JoelA

**Digitalis** · 01-31-2022, 12:15 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

My dad almost never shot anything wider than 28. He actively disliked 24mm - saying it was too wide for him.

My grandmother never shot anything wider than 35mm, my grandfather never went under 180mm on 8X10.

Both their eyebrows would be raised to see me working with a 12mm on 35mm format, and the widest lens I have ever used on 8X10 format was an extremely rare 75mm f/31 Goerz hypergon from the 1920s. Consider for a moment, that on 8X10 format a 300mm lens is roughly equivalent to a 50mm "normal" in 35mm terms.

**UncleVanya** · 01-31-2022, 07:12 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

My grandmother never shot anything wider than 35mm, my grandfather never went under 180mm on 8X10.

Both their eyebrows would be raised to see me working with a 12mm on 35mm format, and the widest lens I have ever used on 8X10 format was an extremely rare 75mm f/31 Goerz hypergon from the 1920s. Consider for a moment, that a 300mm lens is roughly equivalent to a 50mm "normal" in 35mm terms.

Times have changed for certain. What bugs me is the high number of shots with leaning buildings (due to the very wide angle lenses used, and the angle involved) in shots. I myself am guilty of this as well, but it sometimes disturbs me that this is “normal” now.

**SalvoDo** · 03-10-2023, 08:14 AM

I have the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 since a while now and with the K1ii i do like the results, though I have to admit the corners are what they are. Just got the Pentax 24-70 f/2.8 mostly to have a more versatile lens for travels and hikes where you don't know what will popup and a zoom lens might be more usable (+ benefit of 82mm filters without any filter mount, as opposite to the Rokinon). Got the 24-70 2 days ago and will test during yhe weekend.

Was also looking at the pentax 20-35, but it's hard to find a good used lense for a decent price, so pivoted to the 24-70

01-31-2022, 12:15 AM	#53
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by UncleVanya My dad almost never shot anything wider than 28. He actively disliked 24mm - saying it was too wide for him. My grandmother never shot anything wider than 35mm, my grandfather never went under 180mm on 8X10. Both their eyebrows would be raised to see me working with a 12mm on 35mm format, and the widest lens I have ever used on 8X10 format was an extremely rare 75mm f/31 Goerz hypergon from the 1920s. Consider for a moment, that on 8X10 format a 300mm lens is roughly equivalent to a 50mm "normal" in 35mm terms. Last edited by Digitalis; 01-31-2022 at 08:02 AM.

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04-27-2020, 12:57 AM - 1 Like	#46
niblue Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 181	Back in my film days the FA* 24mm F2 was one of my most used lenses. I sold it when I went APS-C (and regret it now that I have a K1) but eventually got one of the Sigma 24mm F1.8's, which is a nice lens although a lot bigger than the FA. I don't tend to carry that 24mm much though, as my main lens on the K1 is a 24-70mm F2.8 zoom. While the prime is faster and a little bit sharper the zoom is good at 24mm. Instead of carrying the 24mm I tend to carry either a wide angle zoom (I have a few of those including a Tokina ATX-Pro 18-28mm F2.8 that I thankfully did keep from my film days) or an ultra-wide prime (usually the Samyang 14mm). I am keeping my eye out for another FA 24mm though, and if I do get one it'd be fun going out with an old school 3 lens prime set-up and the K1.

12-14-2021, 04:41 AM	#47
ivki_com Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Moscow Photos: Gallery Posts: 176	Originally posted by bikehead90 I have been pining over the DFA 15-30 for awhile and will be getting it by the end of the year. However, the prices of the fa* 24mm/2 are acting as the siren’s song, luring me away from the ultimate prize. While it’s not as wide as the 15-30, would the 24mm be a satisfying alternative? VERY satisfied with 15-30, but I do not give up trying to find a sigma 12-24 DG in very good condition. 24 2 is already a compromise

12-14-2021, 05:45 AM	#48
Lev Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia Posts: 1,197	Originally posted by bikehead90 I have been pining over the DFA 15-30 for awhile and will be getting it by the end of the year. However, the prices of the fa* 24mm/2 are acting as the siren’s song, luring me away from the ultimate prize. While it’s not as wide as the 15-30, would the 24mm be a satisfying alternative? I would give my soul for D FA* 24mm f1.4 I'm also looking for wide angle, but leaning towards a prime lens. 15-30 is a great lens though.

12-14-2021, 11:09 AM	#49
jab2980 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Albums Posts: 578	Originally posted by bikehead90 I have been pining over the DFA 15-30 for awhile and will be getting it by the end of the year. However, the prices of the fa* 24mm/2 are acting as the siren’s song, luring me away from the ultimate prize. While it’s not as wide as the 15-30, would the 24mm be a satisfying alternative? I debated for a long time on whether or not to get the 15-30. I tried the 12-24 on my K-1 in the "usable" focal lengths and it was garbage (despite being one of my top lenses on the K-5II). I was fairly happy with a Tokina 20-35 and got some great results out of it. I'm honestly not sure any more why I sold it... it might have been because the front element rotated when focusing and that was annoying when paired with a polarizer. I got a Rokinon 20mm that I got great results with, but then came across a deal on a 15-30 that I couldn't pass up. It's an incredible lens and I couldn't be happier with the results I've gotten with it. In addition to landscape photography, it has worked out well for weddings and around the home photos as well.

12-14-2021, 01:58 PM	#50
Wheatridger Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Colorado Front Range Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 644	Originally posted by ivki_com VERY satisfied with 15-30, but I do not give up trying to find a sigma 12-24 DG in very good condition. 24 2 is already a compromise Yes, my EX DG is very sharp and virtually distortion-free. Don't pay too much for one, though. When they break, they can't be repaired. ---------- Post added 12-14-21 at 02:01 PM ---------- Originally posted by TerryL An alternative would be the Irix 15. I have the Blackstone version, and love it. I have the 15-30, and would sell it in a heartbeat. My 15mm Blackstone, purchased here from a PF member, is sharper than other UWAs, and has little vignetting. It's beautifully built. I can always crop it to 22mm-eq, and often I do.

01-21-2022, 03:59 PM - 1 Like	#51
Ken Lee Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 648	Photoptimist mentioned it on the first page of this thread, but the Irix 15mm f/2.4 is a really good lens (he described it as "decently regarded"). I have one and am extremely happy with it. It is manual focus, unlike the 15-30mm f/2.8 Pentax, just so you know. However, it does accept screw-on filters and even a drop-in gel filter.

01-26-2022, 02:27 PM - 2 Likes	#52
JoelA Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 187	While most of this (excellent!) conversation is around wide zooms, here is a different thought on a prime solution. Pentax SMC-M 20 f/4.0 While it does not receive a lot of love in some write ups, I've found it to be an absolute workhorse that handles street candids as well as landscapes. It's so small and compact, and with such a great depth of field that it's easy to toss in the bag (with love so it doesn't get damaged) and also use in very unobtrusive ways on the street. For example, I'll simply turn off anything that makes noise on the camera, drop the strap down to the center of my chest, stop it down to f/8 and shoot without even having to look through the viewfinder. I did that a couple of weeks ago at Disney when having some time to kill before a meeting. Got some great candids! Mine is a late production that was purchased new around '83 or '84. Anyway, just another solution for those who may be so inclined! Happy shooting! JoelA

01-31-2022, 07:12 AM	#54
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,403	Originally posted by Digitalis My grandmother never shot anything wider than 35mm, my grandfather never went under 180mm on 8X10. Both their eyebrows would be raised to see me working with a 12mm on 35mm format, and the widest lens I have ever used on 8X10 format was an extremely rare 75mm f/31 Goerz hypergon from the 1920s. Consider for a moment, that a 300mm lens is roughly equivalent to a 50mm "normal" in 35mm terms. Times have changed for certain. What bugs me is the high number of shots with leaning buildings (due to the very wide angle lenses used, and the angle involved) in shots. I myself am guilty of this as well, but it sometimes disturbs me that this is “normal” now.

03-10-2023, 08:14 AM	#55
SalvoDo Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 14	I have the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 since a while now and with the K1ii i do like the results, though I have to admit the corners are what they are. Just got the Pentax 24-70 f/2.8 mostly to have a more versatile lens for travels and hikes where you don't know what will popup and a zoom lens might be more usable (+ benefit of 82mm filters without any filter mount, as opposite to the Rokinon). Got the 24-70 2 days ago and will test during yhe weekend. Was also looking at the pentax 20-35, but it's hard to find a good used lense for a decent price, so pivoted to the 24-70