[ddexter81]

Welcome David. Where are you located. You may be able to find others in your area that might have lens to try out so you can narrow down what you are looking for.

Im from Sothern New Hampshire. Thanks

[ddexter81]

I use a Pentax 16-85 on my K-3 II for landscape, people, and other. It is excellent.

i was looking at that. Seems like a great lens. Since im new to Pentax im looking for a widish prime/ Im not new to landscape or photography/ Thanks.

---------- Post added 03-22-22 at 08:20 PM ----------

Can i adapt a tamron 17-35 f2.8 lens to pentax? Thanks

[wadge22]

Can i adapt a tamron 17-35 f2.8 lens to pentax?

No.

For a similar field of view (on the wide end, and assuming you're used to that lens on full frame), you could look at the DA 12-24 f4, the DA* 11-18 f2.8, the Sigma 10-20 f3.5, or the Tamron 10-24 f3.5-4.5 (used only for the third party lenses). Also don't neglect the DA 20-40 f2.8-4 Limited, although it doesn't go as wide.

There are not many autofocus primes that go that wide (~11-12mm on APSC, again because I assume you're using your 17-35 on FF) in K mount. The wide primes to look at from Pentax are the DA 14 f2.8, the DA 15 f4 Limited, the DA 21 f3.2 Limited, the DFA 21 f2.4 Limited, or the older FA 20mm f2.8 (used only). If you're willing to look at third party and/or manual focus, there are plenty more options.

[ddexter81]

Welcome! Any lens can be a decent landscape lens, the Limiteds are great performers there. The lenses I use most often are the DA 20-40 Ltd, next the 55-300 PLM, and the the DA 15 Ltd. The 29-40 gets the most use, the the 55-300 when I need the longer reach. The 15 is good when you want to feature something in the foreground, although it’s often too wide for many situations. I will occasionally use other lenses but these are my favorites for landscape shooting, and they are always in the bag, if the bag is along. A good heavy capacity tripod may be more important than the lens. I use a tripod whenever I can for landscapes, and it is necessary because I usually try to shoot in early morning or evening, when I can. It’s not needed on a sunny day at the beach, but that’s not when you’ll get your best landscapes.

Thanks for the info. Is the 20-40 sharp?

---------- Post added 03-23-22 at 07:11 AM ----------

No.

For a similar field of view (on the wide end, and assuming you're used to that lens on full frame), you could look at the DA 12-24 f4, the DA* 11-18 f2.8, the Sigma 10-20 f3.5, or the Tamron 10-24 f3.5-4.5 (used only for the third party lenses). Also don't neglect the DA 20-40 f2.8-4 Limited, although it doesn't go as wide.

There are not many autofocus primes that go that wide (~11-12mm on APSC, again because I assume you're using your 17-35 on FF) in K mount. The wide primes to look at from Pentax are the DA 14 f2.8, the DA 15 f4 Limited, the DA 21 f3.2 Limited, the DFA 21 f2.4 Limited, or the older FA 20mm f2.8 (used only). If you're willing to look at third party and/or manual focus, there are plenty more options.

i use it on a FF nikon Z5. Im new to pentax. giving it a go. Thanks. where can i rent Pentax lenses?

[aslyfox]

Thanks for the info. Is the 20-40 sharp? . . .

I don't own one, can't adjust to a " limited " lens that is a zoom as opposed to a prime

[ I have the FA and DA limiteds as well as the Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM and DA 16-85mm lenses. so I don't miss the DA 20-40mm ]

________________

here is useful information -

from the owners reviews section of the forums:

Sharpness 9.2 . . .

Description:
The HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR is the first zoom lens to join the Pentax lineup of ultra-compact "limited" lenses. This lens features a sleek all-metal barrel manufactured to very high standards.

This is also the first Limited series lens to feature silent DC autofocus as well as a weather-sealed design. Like the other HD Limited lenses, this lens features Pentax's latest lens coating promising less ghosting and flare.

As is standard for all premium Pentax lenses, this lens allows for full-time manual focus adjustments (Quick shift) and it is treated with Pentax's Super Protect coating to protect the front element from dust and scratches

The lens covers a wide-angle to normal focal length range, and is compatible with Pentax APS-C DSLRs. . . .

Read more at: HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

___________________________

from the forums' " In Depth Review " of the lens:

HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
Introduction . ..

Verdict

Generally-speaking, the 20-40mm is sharper at its wider focal lengths than at the tele end. Center sharpness is very good at 20mm, good at 30mm, and acceptable at 40mm; at 40mm, you will need to stop down to at least F5.6 and preferably F8 for good results.

Corner sharpness follows a similar pattern, though the corners never catch up to the center. At 20mm and 30mm, stopping down by 1.5 or 2 stops will yield acceptable corner sharpness. At 40mm, on the other hand, the corners rarely appear sharp at all.

Overall, we consider sharpness to be weakest link in the 20-40mm lens: it certainly can't compete with 35mm and 40mm Limited primes. Even though our main complaints about sharpness are all at the long end of the zoom range (40mm), we find the lack of center and especially corner sharpness to be rather disappointing, as the whole point of this lens is to give the user the flexibility to zoom in a compact package. Stopping down to F8 or F11 at the long end simply isn't acceptable when the maximum aperture is already a slow F4. This lens seemingly let us down at 40mm and it is no match for the 40mm Limited prime. . . .

HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited Review - Sharpness | PentaxForums.com Reviews

__________________________________________________________

Thanks. where can i rent Pentax lenses?

I recommend LensRentals.com

take a look at this thread

Information on Businesses that offer cameras and lenses for rent

Information on Businesses that offer cameras and lenses for rent - Page 3 - PentaxForums.com

[ramseybuckeye]

Thanks for the info. Is the 20-40 sharp?]

Yes it is, I would suggest going to the sample photos in the lens section of the forum.

Those reviews Allen quoted complaining about sharpness wide open seem to be about finding something to dislike. I seldom would shoot a landscape wide open because I want depth of field, but anyway, read reviews with a little skepticism and look at photos for real life results.

[Jonathan Mac]

I use a Pentax 16-85 on my K-3 II for landscape, people, and other. It is excellent.

I second this. The 16-85mm is better even than most primes for landscape and weather resistant to boot.

[C_Jones]

i was looking at that. Seems like a great lens. Since im new to Pentax im looking for a widish prime/ Im not new to landscape or photography/ Thanks.

---------- Post added 03-22-22 at 08:20 PM ----------

Can i adapt a tamron 17-35 f2.8 lens to pentax? Thanks

If you decide to use a zoom, the Pentax 16-85 is excellent as I said. I am not familiar with the use of a Tamron to Pentax adapter. All of my lenses are all originally made for Pentax mount.

[ddexter81]

Welcome to the Forum. Pepperberry farm got a very good point.

Personally, I found the following lenses outstanding for landscape:
DA16=5mm Ltd
FA77mm f..8 Ltd
The former is a wide angle. It is AF and metallic construction. A pancake design. Excellent IQ.
The latter is a short tele lens, AF,. Metallic construction. Relatively small. Outstanding IQ. Excellent for both landscape and portrait.
I hope that my 5 cents may help.

do you know if the 16-85 or 16-50 would work better on my camera the k70?

[Jonathan Mac]

do you know if the 16-85 or 16-50 would work better on my camera the k70?

I'm not sure what lens he is referring to. If it's a 16-50mm then there are two - the old SMC one which has a generally poor reputation, especially for reliability, and a newer one which is reputed to be fantastic, but is quite big and expensive. I wouldn't recommend the former but I would the latter, if big and expensive is up your street.

If it's the 18-50mm then it's a very compact kit lens which should provide decent image quality but nothing outstanding. There are no "pancake" zooms for Pentax, only for micro-four-thirds.

The 16-85mm does not have a wide aperture (it doesn't let that much light in) but it is sharp with great contrast and colour. For normal landscape shooting in good light, or with a tripod in poorer light, it's perfect.

[ddexter81]

Thanks for your reply. I think im leaning towards the 16-85.

[TER-OR]

A lens I really enjoy using, nicely wide-angle and quite sharp is the pancake DA-21mm Limited. It's sharp, not expensive, and it's also very useful indoors.

[MarkJerling]

Welcome from New Zealand!