Need advise for a good indoor lens

**TER-OR** · 04-26-2009, 06:25 PM

Hi.
I'm recently back in the SLR world. I have a K-10, and want a decent indoor lens. I'm thinking about the 10-17mm or the 12-24mm, and am willing to listen to other suggestions. Wide-angle would be nice, but I'm not looking for a fish-eye.

The 40mm pancake is really tempting, and not too expensive. Though I think 40mm is still a bit narrow field for indoor pictures. Money is an issue, but for the right lens I'm willing to pay to avoid frustration.

Wheatfield · 04-26-2009, 06:51 PM

Originally posted by TER-OR

Hi.
I'm recently back in the SLR world. I have a K-10, and want a decent indoor lens. I'm thinking about the 10-17mm or the 12-24mm, and am willing to listen to other suggestions. Wide-angle would be nice, but I'm not looking for a fish-eye.

The 40mm pancake is really tempting, and not too expensive. Though I think 40mm is still a bit narrow field for indoor pictures. Money is an issue, but for the right lens I'm willing to pay to avoid frustration.

The 12-24 is probably your best bet.
The 40LTD is nothing special anymore. The 35/2.8 macro is a much better lens if you want something in that part of the focal length range.

Stratario · 04-26-2009, 06:52 PM

You can real well indoors by getting an external flash and an inexpensive zoom, such as Pentax 16-45 or Tamron 17-50. I don't think you need wider than 16 or 17 mm for normal indoor shots, unless you want to take very large group shots. With the two zooms I mentioned you can also take nice protrait shots as well. You can also get a fast prime for the special occasion when you don't want to use a flash. You get very good value for the money with Pentax FA 50mm F1.4. Another option would be the FA 35mm F2, which is out of production but still may find a good used one.

Jewelltrail · 04-26-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

TER OR: Need advise for a good indoor lens
Hi.
I'm recently back in the SLR world. I have a K-10, and want a decent indoor lens. I'm thinking about the 10-17mm or the 12-24mm, and am willing to listen to other suggestions. Wide-angle would be nice, but I'm not looking for a fish-eye.

The 40mm pancake is really tempting, and not too expensive. Though I think 40mm is still a bit narrow field for indoor pictures. Money is an issue, but for the right lens I'm willing to pay to avoid frustration.

Welcome back. What do you want to shoot indoors, people or real estate shots? Do you really need ultra-wide angle, or can you work at 17mm? Sigma and Tamron make some f 2.8 17 & 18mm options (cost effective too) which are at the widest end of their very good zooms. The Tamron is excellent wide open, but with some barrel distortion @ 17mm which may or may not matter in your case.

If you are doing real estate shots only, you really would do great with the Pentax 12-24 f4 because speed would not be an issue. On the other hand, if you want to shoot people indoors speed becomes a larger factor. The da 14mm f 2.8 is another choice, particularly if you are shooting people.

Marc Sabatella · 04-27-2009, 01:03 AM

If you're not looking for a fisheye. then you can cross the 10-17 off your list.

I find 40mm a very useful focal length indoors - not for the indoor environment itself, but for the people in it. It's just about right for capturing a candid of one or two poeple with just enough context to establsh where they are or what they are doing. But way too long to capture the setting primarily.

**TER-OR** · 04-27-2009, 05:36 AM

That Pentax 16-45mm is also on my short list. Perhaps I'll just buy that, and see how it works. I'm not impressed with the 18-55mm kit lens, it just doesn't seem sharp to me. From what I've read the 16-45mm is a major step up from that, while covering a similar range. I guess that 16mm side would be fine indoors for people and activities. I will be buying a decent flash, too.

The 12-24 seems very nice, but quite pricey. Not that it's not worth the money, granted.

I've read mixed information about the Sigma 10-20, does anyone have personal experience with this?

Oh, the other lens I think I'll buy is the Pentax 18-250 for general outdoor type zoom work. While that FA 100mm takes very nice shots outdoors, having the zoom option is so flexible.

**blackcloudbrew** · 04-27-2009, 07:56 AM

Well, I have the DA 40 and DA*16-50, but I find that my best indoor lens is the very cheap and very fast FA 50 f1.4.

Tim

Marc Sabatella · 04-27-2009, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by TER-OR

I'm not impressed with the 18-55mm kit lens, it just doesn't seem sharp to me.

It isn't when used indoors both because it isn't very sharp wide open and because it is hard to get a fast enough shutter speed because "wide open" isn't very wide. But outdoors at f/8 or f/11, it's hard to tell the difference between it and a prime (especially the newer version of the kit lens, anyhow).

**TER-OR** · 04-27-2009, 07:14 PM

Thanks lots for the advice. I'll have to give the kit lens a better evaluation outdoors. Inside with ambient lighting and even with the built-in flash it's not very responsive. But that's why the right lens for the job is important.

res3567 · 04-27-2009, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by TER-OR

That Pentax 16-45mm is also on my short list. Perhaps I'll just buy that, and see how it works. I'm not impressed with the 18-55mm kit lens, it just doesn't seem sharp to me. From what I've read the 16-45mm is a major step up from that, while covering a similar range. I guess that 16mm side would be fine indoors for people and activities. I will be buying a decent flash, too.

The 12-24 seems very nice, but quite pricey. Not that it's not worth the money, granted.

I've read mixed information about the Sigma 10-20, does anyone have personal experience with this?

Oh, the other lens I think I'll buy is the Pentax 18-250 for general outdoor type zoom work. While that FA 100mm takes very nice shots outdoors, having the zoom option is so flexible.

I ordered the 16-45 yesterday.

When it arrives I will do the full compliment of indoor tests and will get back with you.

04-26-2009, 06:25 PM	#1
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Need advise for a good indoor lens Hi. I'm recently back in the SLR world. I have a K-10, and want a decent indoor lens. I'm thinking about the 10-17mm or the 12-24mm, and am willing to listen to other suggestions. Wide-angle would be nice, but I'm not looking for a fish-eye. The 40mm pancake is really tempting, and not too expensive. Though I think 40mm is still a bit narrow field for indoor pictures. Money is an issue, but for the right lens I'm willing to pay to avoid frustration.

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04-26-2009, 06:51 PM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by TER-OR Hi. I'm recently back in the SLR world. I have a K-10, and want a decent indoor lens. I'm thinking about the 10-17mm or the 12-24mm, and am willing to listen to other suggestions. Wide-angle would be nice, but I'm not looking for a fish-eye. The 40mm pancake is really tempting, and not too expensive. Though I think 40mm is still a bit narrow field for indoor pictures. Money is an issue, but for the right lens I'm willing to pay to avoid frustration. The 12-24 is probably your best bet. The 40LTD is nothing special anymore. The 35/2.8 macro is a much better lens if you want something in that part of the focal length range.

04-26-2009, 06:52 PM	#3
Stratario Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 366	You can real well indoors by getting an external flash and an inexpensive zoom, such as Pentax 16-45 or Tamron 17-50. I don't think you need wider than 16 or 17 mm for normal indoor shots, unless you want to take very large group shots. With the two zooms I mentioned you can also take nice protrait shots as well. You can also get a fast prime for the special occasion when you don't want to use a flash. You get very good value for the money with Pentax FA 50mm F1.4. Another option would be the FA 35mm F2, which is out of production but still may find a good used one.

04-26-2009, 10:41 PM	#4
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Quote: TER OR: Need advise for a good indoor lens Hi. I'm recently back in the SLR world. I have a K-10, and want a decent indoor lens. I'm thinking about the 10-17mm or the 12-24mm, and am willing to listen to other suggestions. Wide-angle would be nice, but I'm not looking for a fish-eye. The 40mm pancake is really tempting, and not too expensive. Though I think 40mm is still a bit narrow field for indoor pictures. Money is an issue, but for the right lens I'm willing to pay to avoid frustration. Welcome back. What do you want to shoot indoors, people or real estate shots? Do you really need ultra-wide angle, or can you work at 17mm? Sigma and Tamron make some f 2.8 17 & 18mm options (cost effective too) which are at the widest end of their very good zooms. The Tamron is excellent wide open, but with some barrel distortion @ 17mm which may or may not matter in your case. If you are doing real estate shots only, you really would do great with the Pentax 12-24 f4 because speed would not be an issue. On the other hand, if you want to shoot people indoors speed becomes a larger factor. The da 14mm f 2.8 is another choice, particularly if you are shooting people.

04-27-2009, 01:03 AM	#5
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	If you're not looking for a fisheye. then you can cross the 10-17 off your list. I find 40mm a very useful focal length indoors - not for the indoor environment itself, but for the people in it. It's just about right for capturing a candid of one or two poeple with just enough context to establsh where they are or what they are doing. But way too long to capture the setting primarily.

04-27-2009, 05:36 AM	#6
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699 Original Poster	That Pentax 16-45mm is also on my short list. Perhaps I'll just buy that, and see how it works. I'm not impressed with the 18-55mm kit lens, it just doesn't seem sharp to me. From what I've read the 16-45mm is a major step up from that, while covering a similar range. I guess that 16mm side would be fine indoors for people and activities. I will be buying a decent flash, too. The 12-24 seems very nice, but quite pricey. Not that it's not worth the money, granted. I've read mixed information about the Sigma 10-20, does anyone have personal experience with this? Oh, the other lens I think I'll buy is the Pentax 18-250 for general outdoor type zoom work. While that FA 100mm takes very nice shots outdoors, having the zoom option is so flexible.

04-27-2009, 07:56 AM	#7
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Well, I have the DA 40 and DA*16-50, but I find that my best indoor lens is the very cheap and very fast FA 50 f1.4. Tim

04-27-2009, 10:09 AM	#8
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by TER-OR I'm not impressed with the 18-55mm kit lens, it just doesn't seem sharp to me. It isn't when used indoors both because it isn't very sharp wide open and because it is hard to get a fast enough shutter speed because "wide open" isn't very wide. But outdoors at f/8 or f/11, it's hard to tell the difference between it and a prime (especially the newer version of the kit lens, anyhow).

04-27-2009, 07:14 PM	#9
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699 Original Poster	Thanks lots for the advice. I'll have to give the kit lens a better evaluation outdoors. Inside with ambient lighting and even with the built-in flash it's not very responsive. But that's why the right lens for the job is important.

04-27-2009, 09:08 PM	#10
res3567 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Houston Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,876	Originally posted by TER-OR That Pentax 16-45mm is also on my short list. Perhaps I'll just buy that, and see how it works. I'm not impressed with the 18-55mm kit lens, it just doesn't seem sharp to me. From what I've read the 16-45mm is a major step up from that, while covering a similar range. I guess that 16mm side would be fine indoors for people and activities. I will be buying a decent flash, too. The 12-24 seems very nice, but quite pricey. Not that it's not worth the money, granted. I've read mixed information about the Sigma 10-20, does anyone have personal experience with this? Oh, the other lens I think I'll buy is the Pentax 18-250 for general outdoor type zoom work. While that FA 100mm takes very nice shots outdoors, having the zoom option is so flexible. I ordered the 16-45 yesterday. When it arrives I will do the full compliment of indoor tests and will get back with you.