Recommend a Good Wide Angle Lens

BradSe · 01-26-2012, 06:26 AM

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Hi,

I am new here, but I've been using my K1000 for about 8 years now. I'd like to get a decent lens capable of some wide angle shots. I was using a friends 28 to 75 mm zoom lens on his Canon and thought it would be nice for the various nature shots I like to take.

I've noticed there is a huge range in lenses out there (especially in price). I am not looking to spend very much and will most likely purchase used. Can anyone make some recommendations. Lens type? Manufacturer?

Thanks

Mareket · 01-26-2012, 07:28 AM

I hear the new version of the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 is amazing, and covers 35mm film. Not sure how much it costs. There's a 24mm f/1.4 they're releasing soon as well, along with the 35mm f/1.4. All amazing lenses that are built like tanks, at a very good price. They should work amazingly with the K1000.

**monochrome** · 01-26-2012, 08:19 AM

I'd start with the ubiquitous SMC Pentax M28/2.8. Since you have the most basic, manual Pentax camera a manual lens of similar (same) vintage is just fine!

You can get them in excellent condition on auction sites for $30 - $70, and at KEH (www.keh.com - a bit more expensive, but zero risk) for around $80.

PentaxForums Review M28/2.8

M28/2.8 @ KEH

8540tomg · 01-26-2012, 11:45 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

I'd start with the ubiquitous SMC Pentax M28/2.8. Since you have the most basic, manual Pentax camera a manual lens of similar (same) vintage is just fine!

You can get them in excellent condition on auction sites for $30 - $70, and at KEH (www.keh.com - a bit more expensive, but zero risk) for around $80.

PentaxForums Review M28/2.8

M28/2.8 @ KEH

+1 for the M 28/2.8. A great starter wide angle for film.

Personally, I prefer the K 24/2.8 for most of my wide angle work but the 28mm is a better length to start with.

Tom G

**monochrome** · 01-26-2012, 11:48 AM

Originally posted by 8540tomg

+1 for the M 28/2.8. A great starter wide angle for film.

Personally, I prefer the K 24/2.8 for most of my wide angle work but the 28mm is a better length to start with.

Tom G

Tom: I agree on the 24/2.8; I just got another in the mail today (never should have sold the first one).

I was thinking in terms of "starter cost" then upgrade if he keeps shooting.

Nesster · 01-26-2012, 12:38 PM

There are plenty of lesser-priced third-party 28's out there, most are at least decent, so if budget is a consideration, you won't go too far wrong with any. And you should be able to find them in K-A mount. Vivitar, Soligor, Focal, and on and on, there's loads of them out there. Keh seems to sell these as 'miscellaneous' brand, ie. they don't differentiate among 28/2.8's.

For 24mm, especially if you already have the Adaptall K or KA, the 01b/01bb Tamron is pretty nice (KEH sells them for a bit over $100 new). The problem is the cost of the adapter, especially the KA.

If you luck out you might find a smc-a 28/2.8 pentax - I like mine and it sure is easier to use on digital than a M lens. I found mine at a great price since it was attached to a Program Plus camera

Clay · 01-26-2012, 01:13 PM

I have a Tamron 24mm f/2.5 with an adaptall KA mount. Also a Tokina 17mm f/3.5 K mount so use it aperture priority or manual on
my Pentax Super Program.
Best regards,
/Clay

Last edited by Clay; 02-01-2012 at 08:31 PM. Reason: spelling

RioRico · 01-26-2012, 06:51 PM

My FF wide experience:

* The M28/2.8 is a good place to start. I like mine. Zillions of other decent 28/2.8's can be found, often for considerably less. My favorite at the moment is a Toyo / TOU 5-Star (Sun) in KA mount that is quite sharp. And cheap.

* I like faster 28s. In one week last year I got lucky: the Vivitar-Kiron 28/2.5 for US$20, the Tamron BBAR 28/2.5 for US$4, and the Vivitar-Komine 28/2 CFWA (close-focus) for US$18. Shipped. That last is my favorite 28 by far.

* Wider lenses usually (but not always) cost more. My Super-Paragon PMC (Cimko) 24/2.8 and Super-Albinar (Sigma) 24/2.8 averaged US$20, and I just sold a Sigma-Z 24/2.8 for US$43. Faster DOES cost more: my great Vivitar-Kiron 24/2 was US$130, and that's probably starting price for other fast 24s.

* Even wider: My Super-Lentar (Tokina) 21/3.8 is great, and can probably be had for under US$100 now. Others laveled Vivitar or Mir or whatever in the 19-20-21mm zone cost more. But the Lentar is almost married to my ZX-M or Spotmatic.

* Wider yet: The Zenitar 16/2.8 is very fishy on a FF cam, and quite sharp, and goes for around US$200. The Vemar or Spiratone or Vivitar or whatever (Sigma) 12/8 is almost full-circle fisheye on FF but it's slow and weird; cost is around US$100.

Those are a few possibilities. Good luck!

fearview · 01-26-2012, 07:33 PM

K 28 3.5 its bit slow lens.

but its so sharp.

.

BradSe · 01-26-2012, 07:41 PM

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I've been looking on Ebay for some of those lenses. Looks like I can get something in my price range.

But what about something like this:

Pentax Takumar A 28-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Z Lens with Macro - K Mount | eBay

What are the drawbacks? Am I better off with a fixed lens?

Clay · 01-26-2012, 08:54 PM

I have never tried one of those. I do have a Tokina f/4-5.3, 28-105mm macro KA mount that I use a lot on Pentax Super Program. Good for
street shooting.The zoom is handy for wandering about.
Best regards,
/Clay

**gofour3** · 01-26-2012, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by BradSe

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I've been looking on Ebay for some of those lenses. Looks like I can get something in my price range.

But what about something like this:

Pentax Takumar A 28-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Z Lens with Macro - K Mount | eBay

What are the drawbacks? Am I better off with a fixed lens?

It does not have the Pentax SMC lens coatings, best check out the reviews:

Pentax-A 28-80mm F3.5-4.5 Reviews - Non-SMC & Other Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Phil.

Alliecat · 01-26-2012, 10:10 PM

I much prefer zooms, just for the variety in composing. Maybe not always as sharp, but I'll take the tradeoff. After much prolonged searching, reading reviews, etc. & many questions on here, I wound up with a Tokina 19-35 f3.5-4.5 from someone in Japan through eBay. It was in lovely condition. Maybe not the sharpest at the wide end, & there seem to be a number of manufacturers who have more or less the same lens, but so far I have been satisfied with it. The Pentax SMCs in the same range were outside my current budget.
Hope you find something you like.

Mareket · 01-27-2012, 02:28 PM

But... But... the Saymang 14mm f/2.8

stevebrot · 01-27-2012, 09:27 PM

Just about any name-brand 28mm will be decent. The Pentax-M 28/2.8 has the advantage of SMC coatings, but was not a premium lens when new. (My Tamron 28/2.5, for example, was more than twice as much money new in 1982.) I would suggest Pentax, Tamron, Vivitar, Rikenon, Sears (usually Rikenon), or any number of 28s with decent build from the mid-1970s through the early 1980s.

If you want wider, the above-mentioned Tamron 24 is an impressive lens...

Steve

(BTW...the nicest 28 I have shot with is the 28/3.5 Super-Takumar...oldie, but goody...)

01-26-2012, 06:26 AM	#1
BradSe Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 5	Recommend a Good Wide Angle Lens Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Hi, I am new here, but I've been using my K1000 for about 8 years now. I'd like to get a decent lens capable of some wide angle shots. I was using a friends 28 to 75 mm zoom lens on his Canon and thought it would be nice for the various nature shots I like to take. I've noticed there is a huge range in lenses out there (especially in price). I am not looking to spend very much and will most likely purchase used. Can anyone make some recommendations. Lens type? Manufacturer? Thanks

01-26-2012, 08:19 AM	#3
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Wide Angle lens for K1000 I'd start with the ubiquitous SMC Pentax M28/2.8. Since you have the most basic, manual Pentax camera a manual lens of similar (same) vintage is just fine! You can get them in excellent condition on auction sites for $30 - $70, and at KEH (www.keh.com - a bit more expensive, but zero risk) for around $80. PentaxForums Review M28/2.8 M28/2.8 @ KEH

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01-26-2012, 07:28 AM	#2
Mareket Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chester Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 719	I hear the new version of the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 is amazing, and covers 35mm film. Not sure how much it costs. There's a 24mm f/1.4 they're releasing soon as well, along with the 35mm f/1.4. All amazing lenses that are built like tanks, at a very good price. They should work amazingly with the K1000.

01-26-2012, 11:45 AM	#4
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	Originally posted by monochrome I'd start with the ubiquitous SMC Pentax M28/2.8. Since you have the most basic, manual Pentax camera a manual lens of similar (same) vintage is just fine! You can get them in excellent condition on auction sites for $30 - $70, and at KEH (www.keh.com - a bit more expensive, but zero risk) for around $80. PentaxForums Review M28/2.8 M28/2.8 @ KEH +1 for the M 28/2.8. A great starter wide angle for film. Personally, I prefer the K 24/2.8 for most of my wide angle work but the 28mm is a better length to start with. Tom G

01-26-2012, 11:48 AM	#5
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by 8540tomg +1 for the M 28/2.8. A great starter wide angle for film. Personally, I prefer the K 24/2.8 for most of my wide angle work but the 28mm is a better length to start with. Tom G Tom: I agree on the 24/2.8; I just got another in the mail today (never should have sold the first one). I was thinking in terms of "starter cost" then upgrade if he keeps shooting.

01-26-2012, 12:38 PM	#6
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	There are plenty of lesser-priced third-party 28's out there, most are at least decent, so if budget is a consideration, you won't go too far wrong with any. And you should be able to find them in K-A mount. Vivitar, Soligor, Focal, and on and on, there's loads of them out there. Keh seems to sell these as 'miscellaneous' brand, ie. they don't differentiate among 28/2.8's. For 24mm, especially if you already have the Adaptall K or KA, the 01b/01bb Tamron is pretty nice (KEH sells them for a bit over $100 new). The problem is the cost of the adapter, especially the KA. If you luck out you might find a smc-a 28/2.8 pentax - I like mine and it sure is easier to use on digital than a M lens. I found mine at a great price since it was attached to a Program Plus camera

01-26-2012, 01:13 PM	#7
Clay New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Minden Hills, Ontario Posts: 24	I have a Tamron 24mm f/2.5 with an adaptall KA mount. Also a Tokina 17mm f/3.5 K mount so use it aperture priority or manual on my Pentax Super Program. Best regards, /Clay Last edited by Clay; 02-01-2012 at 08:31 PM. Reason: spelling

01-26-2012, 06:51 PM	#8
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	My FF wide experience: * The M28/2.8 is a good place to start. I like mine. Zillions of other decent 28/2.8's can be found, often for considerably less. My favorite at the moment is a Toyo / TOU 5-Star (Sun) in KA mount that is quite sharp. And cheap. * I like faster 28s. In one week last year I got lucky: the Vivitar-Kiron 28/2.5 for US$20, the Tamron BBAR 28/2.5 for US$4, and the Vivitar-Komine 28/2 CFWA (close-focus) for US$18. Shipped. That last is my favorite 28 by far. * Wider lenses usually (but not always) cost more. My Super-Paragon PMC (Cimko) 24/2.8 and Super-Albinar (Sigma) 24/2.8 averaged US$20, and I just sold a Sigma-Z 24/2.8 for US$43. Faster DOES cost more: my great Vivitar-Kiron 24/2 was US$130, and that's probably starting price for other fast 24s. * Even wider: My Super-Lentar (Tokina) 21/3.8 is great, and can probably be had for under US$100 now. Others laveled Vivitar or Mir or whatever in the 19-20-21mm zone cost more. But the Lentar is almost married to my ZX-M or Spotmatic. * Wider yet: The Zenitar 16/2.8 is very fishy on a FF cam, and quite sharp, and goes for around US$200. The Vemar or Spiratone or Vivitar or whatever (Sigma) 12/8 is almost full-circle fisheye on FF but it's slow and weird; cost is around US$100. Those are a few possibilities. Good luck!

01-26-2012, 07:33 PM	#9
fearview Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jakarta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,067	K 28 3.5 its bit slow lens. but its so sharp. .

01-26-2012, 07:41 PM	#10
BradSe Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I've been looking on Ebay for some of those lenses. Looks like I can get something in my price range. But what about something like this: Pentax Takumar A 28-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Z Lens with Macro - K Mount \| eBay What are the drawbacks? Am I better off with a fixed lens?

01-26-2012, 08:54 PM	#11
Clay New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Minden Hills, Ontario Posts: 24	I have never tried one of those. I do have a Tokina f/4-5.3, 28-105mm macro KA mount that I use a lot on Pentax Super Program. Good for street shooting.The zoom is handy for wandering about. Best regards, /Clay

01-26-2012, 09:12 PM	#12
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,089	Originally posted by BradSe Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I've been looking on Ebay for some of those lenses. Looks like I can get something in my price range. But what about something like this: Pentax Takumar A 28-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Z Lens with Macro - K Mount \| eBay What are the drawbacks? Am I better off with a fixed lens? It does not have the Pentax SMC lens coatings, best check out the reviews: Pentax-A 28-80mm F3.5-4.5 Reviews - Non-SMC & Other Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Phil.

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01-26-2012, 10:10 PM	#13
Alliecat Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East of Everywhere, Canada Posts: 740	I much prefer zooms, just for the variety in composing. Maybe not always as sharp, but I'll take the tradeoff. After much prolonged searching, reading reviews, etc. & many questions on here, I wound up with a Tokina 19-35 f3.5-4.5 from someone in Japan through eBay. It was in lovely condition. Maybe not the sharpest at the wide end, & there seem to be a number of manufacturers who have more or less the same lens, but so far I have been satisfied with it. The Pentax SMCs in the same range were outside my current budget. Hope you find something you like.

01-27-2012, 02:28 PM	#14
Mareket Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chester Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 719	But... But... the Saymang 14mm f/2.8

01-27-2012, 09:27 PM	#15
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Just about any name-brand 28mm will be decent. The Pentax-M 28/2.8 has the advantage of SMC coatings, but was not a premium lens when new. (My Tamron 28/2.5, for example, was more than twice as much money new in 1982.) I would suggest Pentax, Tamron, Vivitar, Rikenon, Sears (usually Rikenon), or any number of 28s with decent build from the mid-1970s through the early 1980s. If you want wider, the above-mentioned Tamron 24 is an impressive lens... Steve (BTW...the nicest 28 I have shot with is the 28/3.5 Super-Takumar...oldie, but goody...)