[micromacro]

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I have to admit that I'm prime shooter, love it, and will not give it up. But I'd like to have the basic set of zooms to cover all the "working" range with only 3 lenses.
I have tamron 28-75mm f2.8, and it's surprisenly good for portraits and acceptable for landscape, but I'm not in love with that lens anyway.

My plan is eventually to buy Pentax D-FA 24-70mm, and Tamron 70-200mm. I opted out Sigma and Pentax D-FA 70-200mm because of weight and price.
I believe that combo will give a decent coverage from 24 to 200, and will not kill me with weight.

Now, when I'm thinking about range from 15/16/17/18 to 30 or so, my mind puzzles. The newer Pentax 15-30 is pricey and heavy. And I can't find any other zoom to substitute that lens.
Am I missing something? Any ideas please?

[blackcloudbrew]

How this all works so depends on you and your likes and dislikes, as well as, your ability to fund your habit. I was remarking to a fellow pentaxian on a shoot this morning that - IMHO - the K-1 with the DFA 15-30, 24-70, DFA*70-200 make an awesome triple set of lenses for most occasions. I own the Tammy 70-200 and have had it for a long time. Also IMHO, the DFA*70-200 is that much better a lens that justifies it over the Tammy. I have a lot of primes too (including the three amigos) and so far have not fallen back in love with them over the zooms on my K-1. If there is a negative here, I wish that the DFA 24-70 was a DFA 24-105. The 70mm end just isn't long enough all too often for me. YMMV

[micromacro]

Also IMHO, the DFA*70-200 is that much better a lens that justifies it over the Tammy.

Yes, I understand, but my weight limit for hand held is DA*300mm with TC. Anything heavier is a problem. And the range of 70-200mm should be walk around lens for me. That's why I will go with Tamron. 600g lighter and $1000 cheaper

[Alex645]

My plan is eventually to buy Pentax D-FA 24-70mm, and Tamron 70-200mm. I opted out Sigma and Pentax D-FA 70-200mm because of weight and price.
Now, when I'm thinking about range from 15/16/17/18 to 30 or so, my mind puzzles. The newer Pentax 15-30 is pricey and heavy. And I can't find any other zoom to substitute that lens.

I think your plan is good, and if the Pentax 15-30mm is too pricey and heavy, I'd suggest either the IRIX 15mm f/2.4 Firefly prime
IRIX 15mm f/2.4 Firefly Lens for Pentax K IL-15FF-PK B&H Photo

or the Rokinon 20mm f/1.8 ED AS UMC prime
Rokinon 20mm f/1.8 ED AS UMC Lens for Pentax K RK20M-P B&H Photo

Both are half the weight and 1/3-1/2 the price and manual focus.

When I've used a 10-24mm zoom on APS-C, I find invariably I'm always at the widest focal length, which is around 15mm on FF. On FF, one of my favorite primes is the AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED (I use two systems).

If you go with a Irix/Rokinon/Samyang etc, I'd recommend running tests asap and pixel peeping. They seem to have a greater range in sample variation IQ and it's not uncommon to get an underachiever that you'll want to return. Take note of the serial number so if it is sent back to you, you'll know it.

[micromacro]

Alex645, I do have DA 15mm ltd, and I love that lens so much, use it with K-1 on cropped format, but I was thinking about covering that range with FF zoom, and leave 15mm for K-5iis only. I also have Vivitar 20mm f 3.8 if I remember correctly, with 82mm filter thread.
I don't see any zoom substitute for DFA 15-30mm so far. Tamron, perhaps, 10-24? Oh, it's for cropped cameras. Again.

[stevebrot]

I have shot FF 35mm film for the last 35 years using a fairly limited kit (28mm, 50mm, and 70-150 zoom). To be honest, I never felt a strong need for zoom at the wide end and almost never felt the need for 20mm or shorter focal length. (24mm is so close to 28mm that it is silly to have both, even though I do.) Of course, that is just me. If I ever manage to acquire a K-1, I will likely follow a similar pattern.


Steve

[micromacro]

Steve, the plan is to replace Tamron 28-75mm with Pentax 24-70, not to keep both. As for wide zoom, I believe it very practical for urban shooting, and narrow streets, and with prime only I can miss some interesting images.

[Alex645]

Alex645, I do have DA 15mm ltd, and I love that lens so much, use it with K-1 on cropped format, but I was thinking about covering that range with FF zoom, and leave 15mm for K-5iis only. I also have Vivitar 20mm f 3.8 if I remember correctly, with 82mm filter thread.
I don't see any zoom substitute for DFA 15-30mm so far. Tamron, perhaps, 10-24? Oh, it's for cropped cameras. Again.

Lana, the Irix 15mm I listed earlier is for FF, but if you really want zoom, then the only solution I can think of is finding a used Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG IF HSM Aspherical. Sigma made one for Pentax mount, but discontinued it.

Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical HSM: Digital Photography Review

[micromacro]

Alex645, yes it seems like that Sigma is the only zoom solution. And that's the one I strongly dislike. Hard to explain, but those images make me dizzy, and not in good way.
So, seems like DA 15ltd is forever for now I don't see any reason to replace it. If only Pentax would make the same lens for FF...

[Bob 256]

How about this guy?

Tokina AF 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 (193) Lens Reviews - Tokina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

TOKINA AF 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 Zoom Lens for PENTAX K [EXCELLENT++] k1834 | eBay

[micromacro]

How about this guy?

Tokina AF 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 (193) Lens Reviews - Tokina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

TOKINA AF 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 Zoom Lens for PENTAX K [EXCELLENT++] k1834 | eBay

I searched that lens before on flickr, and honestly I was not impressed, plus I noticed it's not flare resistant.

[Sandy Hancock]

If you're happy with the Tamron 28-75, I reckon you'd be better off spending your money on the DFA15-30 rather than the 24-70. It really is superb and uniquely useful.

And if weight is an issue the Tamron 70-200 is clearly a better option than the Pentax. I am still re-considering the wisdom of keeping my DFA*70-200 despite being gob-smacked with its output. My DA*50-135 on a crop body feels like a toy by comparison.

[blackcloudbrew]

If you're happy with the Tamron 28-75, I reckon you'd be better off spending your money on the DFA15-30 rather than the 24-70. It really is superb and uniquely useful.

And if weight is an issue the Tamron 70-200 is clearly a better option than the Pentax. I am still re-considering the wisdom of keeping my DFA*70-200 despite being gob-smacked with its output. My DA*50-135 on a crop body feels like a toy by comparison.

I must admit, that Sandy was my model for K-1 gear. His thoughts have great weight IMHO.

[jatrax]

With the 24-70 as your base you have a lot already covered. 24mm is already quite wide so you need to consider how often you would use those focal lengths. I picked up a very nice FA 20-35 f/4 and could not be happier with it. Only 245g and 58mm filter threads. If Pentax comes out with something similar I might upgrade but for now this has me well covered.

Instead of the Tamron 70-200 how about the DA*60-250 f/4? Unless you need the f/2.8 of course.

[UncleVanya]

The DA 15 on crop is not much wider than the DFA 24-70 @24mm. Even in 1:1 crop that's a lot narrower than 15mm full frame. I think Sandy makes a good point, the 15-30 plus the 28-75 and 70-200 covers it all.