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07-01-2008, 07:12 AM   #1
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car show, wide angle

Hello,

I am going to a car show in a couple of weeks. I would like to buy a wide angle lens for this event so I can take close pictures of the cars and prevent the risk of having people walking in front of my camera all the time. What would you recommend?

Right now I have a k10d and an Ist*-D. The lens I have is a 18-55mm DA.

Thanks for your help.

07-01-2008, 08:00 AM   #2
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For starters, you need to determine what your budget is. That will determine what lenses you put on your buy list.

Then you need to figure out how much wider than 18mm you need (want) to go, that will further sort your list. For example, on eBay you can get the Pentax DA 12-24mm lens for anywhere from $650-700 or you can get the Pentax DA 14mm for $520. Check B&H and BuyDig.com for pricing also. At the inexpensive (read, cheap!!) end, you can add a wide filter to your current lens.

It all comes back to your budget.
07-01-2008, 09:14 AM   #3
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I thought I could get something for around $300 (my original budget). Do you think I can put a fish eye to my 18-55mm ? would it be cheaper ?

If I spend $600 on a DA 14mm, would I be happy with the result?? Do you have this lens?

Thanks.
07-01-2008, 09:26 AM   #4
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The DA 14 is a fine lens, but nobody can know if you'll be happy with it. I tried it and found it very sharp, but I wouldn't trade my 12-24 for one. The practicality of the zoom (for me) is worth more than the prime. But I'm also thinking about adding the 14mm to my stable due to it's sharpness. You can also look for Sigma and Tamron lenses. They have some lenses that could be more affordable and could also satisfy your needs.

07-01-2008, 09:57 AM   #5
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I'd be careful about getting a superwide lens for cars - Yes, it lets you avoid having to deal with people walking in front of you, but will result in pretty funky perspective. Sometimes this is desirable, but other times you'll be wishing for a "flatter" perspective.

If it is an outdoor show there is one thing you absolutely want - get a circular polarizer! And make sure whatever lens you use does not rotate the front element when focusing. (The kit lens does not, and also the hood has a little tab you can pull out for adjusting a CP - the kit lens works very well with CPs for this reason.)
07-01-2008, 10:24 AM   #6
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Hi enrod666

Nothing special, simply taken with my Tamron 18-250mm towards the wider end. Just click on the link below....

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/85055-post8.html

1st image: F/L - 25mm = 37.5mm (35mm equivalent)
2nd image: F/L - 25mm = 37.5mm (35mm equivalent) A polarizer would've removed the reflections !
3rd image: F/L - 47.5mm = 72mm (35mm equivalent)
4th image: F/L - 35mm = 52.5mm (35mm equivalent)

Not really all THAT wide, are they ?

Best regards
richard

Last edited by Confused; 07-01-2008 at 02:04 PM.
07-01-2008, 12:22 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by Entropy Quote
If it is an outdoor show there is one thing you absolutely want - get a circular polarizer!

Why do you say this?

Why is a polarizer good for shooting cars in daylight?


Thanks.... I have a car show coming up that I want to make sure I get really good shots at.

D.

07-01-2008, 01:19 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by Gadget_Guy Quote
Why do you say this?

Why is a polarizer good for shooting cars in daylight?


Thanks.... I have a car show coming up that I want to make sure I get really good shots at.

D.
Because the glass will reflect the sky. With the polarizer, you'll be able to remove the the reflections. It won't do anything about specular reflections off metal though.
07-01-2008, 06:55 PM   #9
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Glassless cars look so odd.
07-01-2008, 09:30 PM   #10
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The 12-24 is handy at car shows, and elsewhere.
07-01-2008, 10:10 PM   #11
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Here is a link to my blogsite, if you haven't visited it before. I had a post about photographying cars. Here goes:

Pentax DSLRs: Some suggestions on photographing local car shows with your Pentax DSLR
07-01-2008, 10:22 PM   #12
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18mm is more than wide enough for a car show
07-01-2008, 10:26 PM   #13
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QuoteQuote:
enrod666 car show, wide angle

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello,

I am going to a car show in a couple of weeks. I would like to buy a wide angle lens for this event so I can take close pictures of the cars and prevent the risk of having people walking in front of my camera all the time. What would you recommend?

Right now I have a k10d and an Ist*-D. The lens I have is a 18-55mm DA.

Thanks for your help

I use the Tamron 17-50mm and am happy with its performance throughout its range. For about $440, sometimes less, the lens is, I believe, an incredible value. It is already sharp even at f 2.8. Two big thumbs up from this camp.

Regards,

Ernest
07-02-2008, 12:37 AM   #14
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ohter suggested that 18 is wide enough. I don't know as I've never been to car show since I got my pentax. Anyway, it all depends how wide you want to go. I'd say close to your budget (sorry but I'm not sure about US prices) you have two options:
1 - DA16-45 basicaly replacement for you kit lens (it's sharper and generaly considered better lens). Don't be missled here, 2mm on wide end can make all the difference.
2 - Sigma 10-20, rectalinear ultrawide. And lenghtwise it complements nicely to DA18-55. Great lens and the FOV is fantastic... but to get even polarization... I wouldn't even try it...
07-02-2008, 07:37 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by alohadave Quote
Because the glass will reflect the sky. With the polarizer, you'll be able to remove the the reflections. It won't do anything about specular reflections off metal though.
Unless you're shooting a DeLorean or cars with heavily metallicized paint, you won't have too much metal. Having specular highlights off of chrome, etc. can actually be quite nice, but a CP will definately get rid of specular reflections off of most automotive paints. The car's paint job will look far more saturated and colorful.
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