Lens Decisions!

rainwilds · 08-07-2011, 05:29 AM

It is finally time to upgrade. I'll be getting the K-5 and starting my collection of good quality lenses. Would prefer not to get anything "the will do"; would rather invest that money on better gear. I will have about $1500 to spend on lenses:

Either the FA 31mm Limited or the Zeiss Distagon 35mm f2
To accompany one of these the DA 15mm Limited for landscape shooting.

I like shooting landscape and lifestyle.

Your thoughts?

Thanks

adr1an · 08-07-2011, 05:34 AM

Don't rule out the Tamron 28-75/2.8 - I know its NOT a Prime, and its NOT a Limited - but occasionally I imagine shooting "lifestyle" having a bit of Focal Length to play with could be handy... But for a "fast" zoom, its a very very nice lens particularly for the $370 it can be had for. Some sample pics: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/31955-tammy-club-6.html

rainwilds · 08-07-2011, 05:47 AM

Thanks adr1an. I will take a look at it now.

wlachan · 08-07-2011, 11:27 AM

It's rather subjective but I would highly recommend the FA31 in the past. However, my opinion has changed after repairing my own FA31 recently. Optical misalignment might be an issue due to the way it was built. For 1.5k budget, I would spread it a little and opt for a few primes like DA21, DA40 & DA70 instead of a single 31 or 35. However, I have no idea how much they cost in Australia. Personally, I am not a big fan of Tamron lenses due to poor built quality, and much less so for their zooms. In fact, I feel there is no high quality standard zoom for Pentax system right now. If that's what you want, consider the Canon EF-S 17-55/2.8 instead. Not Pentax I know but you haven't gotten the K-5 yet so it might still be an option. I am just saying.

hcc · 08-07-2011, 02:43 PM

It is difficult to give you the best advice without more details on your existing lens(es).

If you have the kit lens(es), I assume that you are after quality lens(es). Then the following my apply.

The FA31mm f1.8 is definitely a great lens. The IQ is outstanding. The focal length is almost ideal (not too long, not too short). The lens is fast. I got mine new from B&H during a special (for less than US$1,000).

A few more suggestions:
-If you are interested in portrait, you could consider some lens between 50 and 100 mm.
-Are you prepared for the challenge of MF lens? See https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-beginners-corner-q/146443-manual-f...we-afraid.html
-Have you considered second hand lenses? There are ample choices incl. quality lenses at the PF marketplace.

From my own experience, and in addition to the FA31mm, my second recommendation would be my 2nd favorite prime: Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4. A fast prime with superb IQ, MF, very solid.

Food for thoughts...

twitch · 08-07-2011, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by rainwilds

It is finally time to upgrade. I'll be getting the K-5 and starting my collection of good quality lenses. Would prefer not to get anything "the will do"; would rather invest that money on better gear. I will have about $1500 to spend on lenses:

Either the FA 31mm Limited or the Zeiss Distagon 35mm f2
To accompany one of these the DA 15mm Limited for landscape shooting.

I like shooting landscape and lifestyle.

Your thoughts?

Thanks

My favourite lens kit is the DA15 + FA31 + FA77 or DA70 so I'd highly recommend getting the DA15 & FA31. Most of my shooting is with those 2 lenses.

The Zeiss has no auto focus and is not auto aperture that would rule it out for me when the cost is similair to the FA31.

rainwilds · 08-07-2011, 07:21 PM

Originally posted by twitch

My favourite lens kit is the DA15 + FA31 + FA77 or DA70 so I'd highly recommend getting the DA15 & FA31. Most of my shooting is with those 2 lenses.

The Zeiss has no auto focus and is not auto aperture that would rule it out for me when the cost is similair to the FA31.

Thank you for your suggestions. I like the idea of the DA 15 and FA 31; gives you both landscape work and street. Are you certain that the Zeiss does not have auto aperture, I thought I read that it does?

twitch · 08-07-2011, 07:49 PM

Originally posted by rainwilds

Thank you for your suggestions. I like the idea of the DA 15 and FA 31; gives you both landscape work and street. Are you certain that the Zeiss does not have auto aperture, I thought I read that it does?

No I'm not certain, I'm going off my very fuzzy memory, it might have been the 28 f/2.8.

rainwilds · 08-07-2011, 07:58 PM

Originally posted by twitch

No I'm not certain, I'm going off my very fuzzy memory, it might have been the 28 f/2.8.

Sounds like my memory at times!

Blue · 08-07-2011, 09:16 PM

I can say about the Aussie market but here I could get a DA 15 and DA 35mm ltd macro for not much more than what an FA 31 ltd would cost.

cats_five · 08-08-2011, 12:40 AM

Have you 'explored' your current digital images to see what focal lengths you are using most?

ExposurePlot (former Focalplot)

rainwilds · 08-08-2011, 01:25 AM

Originally posted by Blue

I can say about the Aussie market but here I could get a DA 15 and DA 35mm ltd macro for not much more than what an FA 31 ltd would cost.

Yeah, and I hear that the 35mm macro is really nice, with a pretty good bokeh.

rainwilds · 08-08-2011, 01:28 AM

Originally posted by cats_five

Have you 'explored' your current digital images to see what focal lengths you are using most?

ExposurePlot (former Focalplot)

That program looks awesome! Does not look like it works with RAW though. Maybe if I export my photos as JEPGs first? I use Lightroom and it can filter through focal length but does not produces sexy graphs like this!

rainwilds · 08-08-2011, 02:48 AM

Originally posted by cats_five

Have you 'explored' your current digital images to see what focal lengths you are using most?

ExposurePlot (former Focalplot)

Looks like my three main focal lengths with roughly the same amount of shots at the 35mm equivalent are:

27mm = 18mm APS-C
80mm = 50mm APS-C
450mm = 300mm APS-C

Based on this it looks like something like the following would be ideal; taking into account the good suggestions above:

14mm DA Limited
31mm Limited or Zeiss Distagon 35mm f2
Existing kit Sigma 70-300mm until I can afford the Sigma 50-500mm

Great software really helps you narrow your selection. Thanks again!

cats_five · 08-08-2011, 03:59 AM

I'm confused as to how you are getting to your final selection of lenses, bar the long one.

08-07-2011, 05:29 AM	#1
rainwilds Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Queensland Posts: 35	Lens Decisions! It is finally time to upgrade. I'll be getting the K-5 and starting my collection of good quality lenses. Would prefer not to get anything "the will do"; would rather invest that money on better gear. I will have about $1500 to spend on lenses: Either the FA 31mm Limited or the Zeiss Distagon 35mm f2 To accompany one of these the DA 15mm Limited for landscape shooting. I like shooting landscape and lifestyle. Your thoughts? Thanks

08-07-2011, 02:43 PM	#5
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	It is difficult to give you the best advice without more details on your existing lens(es). If you have the kit lens(es), I assume that you are after quality lens(es). Then the following my apply. The FA31mm f1.8 is definitely a great lens. The IQ is outstanding. The focal length is almost ideal (not too long, not too short). The lens is fast. I got mine new from B&H during a special (for less than US$1,000). A few more suggestions: -If you are interested in portrait, you could consider some lens between 50 and 100 mm. -Are you prepared for the challenge of MF lens? See https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-beginners-corner-q/146443-manual-f...we-afraid.html -Have you considered second hand lenses? There are ample choices incl. quality lenses at the PF marketplace. From my own experience, and in addition to the FA31mm, my second recommendation would be my 2nd favorite prime: Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4. A fast prime with superb IQ, MF, very solid. Food for thoughts... Last edited by hcc; 08-07-2011 at 05:33 PM.

08-07-2011, 05:02 PM	#6
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by rainwilds It is finally time to upgrade. I'll be getting the K-5 and starting my collection of good quality lenses. Would prefer not to get anything "the will do"; would rather invest that money on better gear. I will have about $1500 to spend on lenses: Either the FA 31mm Limited or the Zeiss Distagon 35mm f2 To accompany one of these the DA 15mm Limited for landscape shooting. I like shooting landscape and lifestyle. Your thoughts? Thanks My favourite lens kit is the DA15 + FA31 + FA77 or DA70 so I'd highly recommend getting the DA15 & FA31. Most of my shooting is with those 2 lenses. The Zeiss has no auto focus and is not auto aperture that would rule it out for me when the cost is similair to the FA31.

08-08-2011, 02:48 AM	#14
rainwilds Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Queensland Posts: 35 Original Poster	Originally posted by cats_five Have you 'explored' your current digital images to see what focal lengths you are using most? ExposurePlot (former Focalplot) Looks like my three main focal lengths with roughly the same amount of shots at the 35mm equivalent are: 27mm = 18mm APS-C 80mm = 50mm APS-C 450mm = 300mm APS-C Based on this it looks like something like the following would be ideal; taking into account the good suggestions above: 14mm DA Limited 31mm Limited or Zeiss Distagon 35mm f2 Existing kit Sigma 70-300mm until I can afford the Sigma 50-500mm Great software really helps you narrow your selection. Thanks again!

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08-07-2011, 05:34 AM	#2
adr1an Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 739	Don't rule out the Tamron 28-75/2.8 - I know its NOT a Prime, and its NOT a Limited - but occasionally I imagine shooting "lifestyle" having a bit of Focal Length to play with could be handy... But for a "fast" zoom, its a very very nice lens particularly for the $370 it can be had for. Some sample pics: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/31955-tammy-club-6.html

08-07-2011, 05:47 AM	#3
rainwilds Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Queensland Posts: 35 Original Poster	Thanks adr1an. I will take a look at it now.

08-07-2011, 11:27 AM	#4
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	It's rather subjective but I would highly recommend the FA31 in the past. However, my opinion has changed after repairing my own FA31 recently. Optical misalignment might be an issue due to the way it was built. For 1.5k budget, I would spread it a little and opt for a few primes like DA21, DA40 & DA70 instead of a single 31 or 35. However, I have no idea how much they cost in Australia. Personally, I am not a big fan of Tamron lenses due to poor built quality, and much less so for their zooms. In fact, I feel there is no high quality standard zoom for Pentax system right now. If that's what you want, consider the Canon EF-S 17-55/2.8 instead. Not Pentax I know but you haven't gotten the K-5 yet so it might still be an option. I am just saying.

08-07-2011, 07:21 PM	#7
rainwilds Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Queensland Posts: 35 Original Poster	Originally posted by twitch My favourite lens kit is the DA15 + FA31 + FA77 or DA70 so I'd highly recommend getting the DA15 & FA31. Most of my shooting is with those 2 lenses. The Zeiss has no auto focus and is not auto aperture that would rule it out for me when the cost is similair to the FA31. Thank you for your suggestions. I like the idea of the DA 15 and FA 31; gives you both landscape work and street. Are you certain that the Zeiss does not have auto aperture, I thought I read that it does?

08-07-2011, 07:49 PM	#8
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by rainwilds Thank you for your suggestions. I like the idea of the DA 15 and FA 31; gives you both landscape work and street. Are you certain that the Zeiss does not have auto aperture, I thought I read that it does? No I'm not certain, I'm going off my very fuzzy memory, it might have been the 28 f/2.8.

08-07-2011, 07:58 PM	#9
rainwilds Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Queensland Posts: 35 Original Poster	Originally posted by twitch No I'm not certain, I'm going off my very fuzzy memory, it might have been the 28 f/2.8. Sounds like my memory at times!

08-07-2011, 09:16 PM	#10
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	I can say about the Aussie market but here I could get a DA 15 and DA 35mm ltd macro for not much more than what an FA 31 ltd would cost.

08-08-2011, 12:40 AM	#11
cats_five Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 835	Have you 'explored' your current digital images to see what focal lengths you are using most? ExposurePlot (former Focalplot)

08-08-2011, 01:25 AM	#12
rainwilds Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Queensland Posts: 35 Original Poster	Originally posted by Blue I can say about the Aussie market but here I could get a DA 15 and DA 35mm ltd macro for not much more than what an FA 31 ltd would cost. Yeah, and I hear that the 35mm macro is really nice, with a pretty good bokeh.

08-08-2011, 01:28 AM	#13
rainwilds Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Queensland Posts: 35 Original Poster	Originally posted by cats_five Have you 'explored' your current digital images to see what focal lengths you are using most? ExposurePlot (former Focalplot) That program looks awesome! Does not look like it works with RAW though. Maybe if I export my photos as JEPGs first? I use Lightroom and it can filter through focal length but does not produces sexy graphs like this!

08-08-2011, 03:59 AM	#15
cats_five Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 835	I'm confused as to how you are getting to your final selection of lenses, bar the long one.