Best wide angle lens for K-1?

**Hattifnatt** · 03-02-2016, 07:30 AM

Do you think the new 15-30 will have good flare resistance? I would have the money for it, but I tend to favor primes. If possible I would like something similar to my DA 15mm Ltd on FF. I found myself shooting into the sun quite a lot.

I was thinking of getting the FA 20mm f2.8 and then wait for Pentax to release some wide angle prime, probably in 2017.

**mattb123** · 03-02-2016, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by Hattifnatt

Do you think the new 15-30 will have good flare resistance? I would have the money for it, but I tend to favor primes. If possible I would like something similar to my DA 15mm Ltd on FF. I found myself shooting into the sun quite a lot.

I was thinking of getting the FA 20mm f2.8 and then wait for Pentax to release some wide angle prime, probably in 2017.

I'll be watching closely too. I hope the 15-30 does well for this kind of stuff!

**clackers** · 03-02-2016, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by Hattifnatt

Do you think the new 15-30 will have good flare resistance?.

Why don't you check the Canon and Nikon reviews of the lens?

Note that a zoom has more elements inside - more flare possibilities than a prime.

davido · 03-05-2016, 12:16 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

Thanks for the link!!

With the recent promotion of a certain camera body to the top of my wish list I think the K18 goes to the end of the line once again.

The 18 f 3.5 is a bit of a special optic, highly corrected to keep straight lines straight. I used to use mine a lot in the film days but not much in aps but still a great lens. Heads go very oval at the sides of groups taken with it so move the thin ones out there. For aps I have the f17-28 and it mostly lives on the camera now. A bit fragile though, I broke some internal focussing parts so got another.

Sandy Hancock · 03-05-2016, 01:29 AM

I got sick of waiting for a reasonably priced FA20, but found a very cheap FA20-35 which arrived on 1st March. At least I consider AUD350 including postage a good price

Five days into "Singling" it and it certainly seems pretty good on APS-C at least. The corners are a bit soft at f/4, but stopped down it's very good throughout the zoom range. I have put my "Wide Acquisition Program" on hold until I can try this out on the K-1 (along with my FA*24, F28, FA31 and the "long" end of my DA10-17).

**clackers** · 03-05-2016, 01:52 AM

I have the Samyang 24mm and 14mm for landscapey things, but an auto focus zoom is needed by me for events and street shooting. The 20-35 might have to be it for a few years!

Big Dawg · 03-05-2016, 04:34 AM

Got this New old stock for $177.00 on Ebay. Found mixed reviews but took a chance. Tried it on my K7 and like it. Waiting on the K1 to see how it will work on it.

Attached Images

alan_smithee_photos · 03-07-2016, 02:53 PM

I'm eager to try my Voigtlander Color Skopar 20mm 3.5 SL II as well as my K 24mm 2.8!

G and T · 03-07-2016, 10:07 PM

Originally posted by alan_smithee_photos

I'm eager to try my Voigtlander Color Skopar 20mm 3.5 SL II

I'm eager to try mine also, I bought it instead of a DA21 ltd so I could use it on my MZ-S as well as my digital bodies, it now seems I made the right decision.

Glenn

**Hattifnatt** · 03-10-2016, 09:08 AM

So it seems the 15-30 should be best regarding IQ ? how do you think it will compare with FA 20 2.8 for instance?

**clackers** · 03-10-2016, 09:35 AM

Originally posted by Hattifnatt

So it seems the 15-30 should be best regarding IQ ? how do you think it will compare with FA 20 2.8 for instance?

I would expect it to trounce the FA20 despite that being a prime, Hattifnat. Possibly the best wide angle zoom in the world.

I'd love to see what a photographer as capable as you would do with it!

D1N0 · 03-10-2016, 10:20 AM

The Sigma Super-wide II (24mm) is also a good lens. In this german test it beats all of the competition. Even brand alternatives like the Pentax A 24mm F2.8

normhead · 03-10-2016, 10:28 AM

Originally posted by D1N0

The Sigma Super-wide II (24mm) is also a good lens. In this german test it beats all of the competition. Even brand alternatives like the Pentax A 24mm F2.8

That solidifies my opinion of the Pentax FA* 24 as one of the worst * quality lenses ever made.

---------- Post added 03-10-16 at 12:33 PM ----------

Originally posted by D1N0

The Sigma Super-wide II (24mm) is also a good lens. In this german test it beats all of the competition. Even brand alternatives like the Pentax A 24mm F2.8

That solidifies my opinion of the Pentax FA* 24 as one of the worst * quality lenses ever made.

The most compelling reason for saying my 18-135 is one of the best pentax lenses ever made at 24mm, is the prime is so bad, at least on the charts. Hopefully it has other redeeming qualities.

Someone tell me it has really creamy bokeh or something.

**todd** · 03-10-2016, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by clackers

I would expect it to trounce the FA20 despite that being a prime

Originally posted by Hattifnatt

So it seems the 15-30 should be best regarding IQ ? how do you think it will compare with FA 20 2.8 for instance?

Trounce as well because it weighs 27.7 ounces more than the FA20. Solution: You need both.

ChristianRock · 03-10-2016, 03:23 PM

Originally posted by normhead

That solidifies my opinion of the Pentax FA* 24 as one of the worst * quality lenses ever made.

The most compelling reason for saying my 18-135 is one of the best pentax lenses ever made at 24mm, is the prime is so bad, at least on the charts. Hopefully it has other redeeming qualities.

Someone tell me it has really creamy bokeh or something.

Norm, I'm pretty sure the FA*24 wasn't out yet, when that 24mm comparison was published in the 80s. I'm pretty sure it was introduced in 1991.

03-05-2016, 01:29 AM	#95
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	I got sick of waiting for a reasonably priced FA20, but found a very cheap FA20-35 which arrived on 1st March. At least I consider AUD350 including postage a good price Five days into "Singling" it and it certainly seems pretty good on APS-C at least. The corners are a bit soft at f/4, but stopped down it's very good throughout the zoom range. I have put my "Wide Acquisition Program" on hold until I can try this out on the K-1 (along with my FA24, F28, FA31 and the "long" end of my DA10-17). Last edited by Sandy Hancock; 03-05-2016 at 04:51 AM.*

03-10-2016, 10:28 AM	#103
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by D1N0 The Sigma Super-wide II (24mm) is also a good lens. In this german test it beats all of the competition. Even brand alternatives like the Pentax A 24mm F2.8 That solidifies my opinion of the Pentax FA* 24 as one of the worst * quality lenses ever made. ---------- Post added 03-10-16 at 12:33 PM ---------- Originally posted by D1N0 The Sigma Super-wide II (24mm) is also a good lens. In this german test it beats all of the competition. Even brand alternatives like the Pentax A 24mm F2.8 That solidifies my opinion of the Pentax FA* 24 as one of the worst * quality lenses ever made. The most compelling reason for saying my 18-135 is one of the best pentax lenses ever made at 24mm, is the prime is so bad, at least on the charts. Hopefully it has other redeeming qualities. Someone tell me it has really creamy bokeh or something. Last edited by normhead; 03-10-2016 at 10:37 AM.

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03-02-2016, 07:30 AM	#91
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,625	Do you think the new 15-30 will have good flare resistance? I would have the money for it, but I tend to favor primes. If possible I would like something similar to my DA 15mm Ltd on FF. I found myself shooting into the sun quite a lot. I was thinking of getting the FA 20mm f2.8 and then wait for Pentax to release some wide angle prime, probably in 2017.

03-02-2016, 10:33 AM	#92
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	Originally posted by Hattifnatt Do you think the new 15-30 will have good flare resistance? I would have the money for it, but I tend to favor primes. If possible I would like something similar to my DA 15mm Ltd on FF. I found myself shooting into the sun quite a lot. I was thinking of getting the FA 20mm f2.8 and then wait for Pentax to release some wide angle prime, probably in 2017. I'll be watching closely too. I hope the 15-30 does well for this kind of stuff!

03-02-2016, 05:21 PM	#93
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Hattifnatt Do you think the new 15-30 will have good flare resistance?. Why don't you check the Canon and Nikon reviews of the lens? Note that a zoom has more elements inside - more flare possibilities than a prime.

03-05-2016, 12:16 AM	#94
davido New Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 8	Originally posted by monochrome Thanks for the link!! With the recent promotion of a certain camera body to the top of my wish list I think the K18 goes to the end of the line once again. The 18 f 3.5 is a bit of a special optic, highly corrected to keep straight lines straight. I used to use mine a lot in the film days but not much in aps but still a great lens. Heads go very oval at the sides of groups taken with it so move the thin ones out there. For aps I have the f17-28 and it mostly lives on the camera now. A bit fragile though, I broke some internal focussing parts so got another.

03-05-2016, 01:52 AM	#96
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	I have the Samyang 24mm and 14mm for landscapey things, but an auto focus zoom is needed by me for events and street shooting. The 20-35 might have to be it for a few years!

03-05-2016, 04:34 AM	#97
Big Dawg Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Thach, Alabama Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 169	Got this New old stock for $177.00 on Ebay. Found mixed reviews but took a chance. Tried it on my K7 and like it. Waiting on the K1 to see how it will work on it. Attached Images

03-07-2016, 02:53 PM	#98
alan_smithee_photos Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 844	I'm eager to try my Voigtlander Color Skopar 20mm 3.5 SL II as well as my K 24mm 2.8!

03-07-2016, 10:07 PM	#99
G and T Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Langwarrin Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 382	Originally posted by alan_smithee_photos I'm eager to try my Voigtlander Color Skopar 20mm 3.5 SL II I'm eager to try mine also, I bought it instead of a DA21 ltd so I could use it on my MZ-S as well as my digital bodies, it now seems I made the right decision. Glenn

03-10-2016, 09:08 AM	#100
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,625	So it seems the 15-30 should be best regarding IQ ? how do you think it will compare with FA 20 2.8 for instance?

03-10-2016, 09:35 AM	#101
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Hattifnatt So it seems the 15-30 should be best regarding IQ ? how do you think it will compare with FA 20 2.8 for instance? I would expect it to trounce the FA20 despite that being a prime, Hattifnat. Possibly the best wide angle zoom in the world. I'd love to see what a photographer as capable as you would do with it!

03-10-2016, 10:20 AM	#102
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	The Sigma Super-wide II (24mm) is also a good lens. In this german test it beats all of the competition. Even brand alternatives like the Pentax A 24mm F2.8

03-10-2016, 11:09 AM	#104
todd Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,791	Originally posted by clackers I would expect it to trounce the FA20 despite that being a prime Originally posted by Hattifnatt So it seems the 15-30 should be best regarding IQ ? how do you think it will compare with FA 20 2.8 for instance? Trounce as well because it weighs 27.7 ounces more than the FA20. Solution: You need both.

03-10-2016, 03:23 PM	#105
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Originally posted by normhead That solidifies my opinion of the Pentax FA* 24 as one of the worst * quality lenses ever made. The most compelling reason for saying my 18-135 is one of the best pentax lenses ever made at 24mm, is the prime is so bad, at least on the charts. Hopefully it has other redeeming qualities. Someone tell me it has really creamy bokeh or something. Norm, I'm pretty sure the FA*24 wasn't out yet, when that 24mm comparison was published in the 80s. I'm pretty sure it was introduced in 1991.