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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-19-2011, 02:52 PM
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I did briefly. I read a lot of good things about this lens. However, my 18-55 WR is quite acceptable over that range for now. Maybe later. :)
I actually considered the A 35-105mm f/3.5. But I heard it is difficult to use SR with a manual zoom lens.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-19-2011, 01:32 PM
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I heard somewhere that the 17-50mm has a better build than the 28-75mm. Is this true? Or perhaps the lower weight (with the same material) gives a better impression of quality?
How does the build quality of the Tamron compare to that of the WR kit lens? If they are similar, it is probably good enough for me.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-15-2011, 11:08 AM
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Wow, that says a lot.
To me, the main attraction of using a wide angle prime is the DOF scale. But I guess I can learn to focus on an object near the hyperfocal distance.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-14-2011, 06:25 PM
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Perhaps I may get the FA 31mm someday... for now it will be in my dreams.
My skill level does not justify paying $1000+ for a normal-ish prime lens (for APS-C) at this point.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-14-2011, 05:43 PM
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More choices?
Would you recommend the the 17-50mm over the 28-75mm? I heard that both are very good. But if I get one that starts at 28mm I will have an excuse to buy a 21mm Limited. Just to fill a "gap" you know. :)
But if I get a 17-50mm I will have a reason to buy the excellent 70mm Limited.
Hmm...
Would you say the 70mm is more "special" than the 21mm? Is this line of thinking an early sign of LBA?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-12-2011, 11:49 PM
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Is it fair to say that the 21mm is the least good of all DA Limited lenses? Even so, I am sure it is still very fine. I really do like to have the DOF scale for wide-angle shots. I use that to manual-focus (hyperfocal) my 15mm all the time.
The f/2.8 maximum aperture on the Tamron is really tempting. From what I have read it is highly usable wide open. I heard the focusing throw is short, but from 28mm on I am going to auto-focus on a subject anyway.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-11-2011, 03:42 PM
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I am not so sure about selling the 15mm. Somehow it makes me smile. :)
I seriously considered the 12-24mm before buying the wide Limited. I may still end up getting it sometime in the future. Probably not now.
I think Lightroom automatically corrects all Pentax Limited lenses, so the barrel distortion should not bother me.
So my options are:
DA 18-135mm (~$500)
DA 17-70mm (~$500)
DA 21mm + Tamron 28-75mm (~$1000)
Sigma 17-70mm (~$450)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-11-2011, 02:56 PM
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Thanks for your help so far.
I do like my DA 15mm very much, but it is useful only with an interesting foreground. (Or it will need some major cropping.)
The Tamron 28-75mm is promising, but I use the 20-22mm FL frequently. (Perhaps I should get the 21mm Limited?)
The Sigma 24-70mm takes 82mm filters, right? It is too bulky for me.
The DA 18-135mm and DA 17-70mm both look good. But they both have a focusing motor. I heard a lot about SDM failures. Perhaps the reliability is good enough. Or I can just buy an extended warranty.
I will look into the Sigma 17-70mm.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-11-2011, 11:50 AM
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I currently have a K-7, a DA 15mm Limited, and the WR kit lens. I do mostly landscape photography.
My kit zoom is quite decent from 25mm to 45mm but I cannot get sharp picture above 50mm even at f8-f11 with tripod/remote/MLU.
It seems that my choices are limited: DA 18-135mm, DA 17-70mm, Sigma 17-70mm, and a few other super-zooms.
I would like to hear your opinion before I upgrade my 18-55 WR.
Thanks in advance!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-09-2011, 08:43 PM
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IIRC, the 18-135 does not have a distance scale and the 17-70 has a short throw. Do you guys find hyperfocal focusing difficult with either of these?
I am interested in replacing my 18-55mm with something sharper in the 20-70mm range. The kit zoom is really bad from 55mm on...
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-07-2010, 09:22 AM
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I am looking at bags too. LOL.
I want a laptop/camera bag and the choices are now down to Crumpler and Tenba messenger bags. I love (hate) how Crumpler name their bags.
Yes. Form = Function. :)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-06-2010, 11:12 PM
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Bad news. After using the 15mm for two weeks, I cannot stand the 18-55 WR anymore. The Limited lens is sharp with excellent contrast but the kit lens is now just decent. I should have thought twice before buying the 15mm. It is like opening a can of worms but in a good way.
I heard the new 18-135 is good. Do any of you know if it is comparable to the DA Limited series?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-22-2010, 12:54 PM
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Head says 12-24. Heart says 15. Ordered what the heart desires at BH. Thanks for your help.
I will going to hold off prime purchases until I hear more about the performance of the new 18-135.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-22-2010, 12:38 PM
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Without distance scale and quick shift, how would you focus at the hyperfocal distance? Not that it cannot be done, but such features are there for your convenience.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-21-2010, 05:29 PM
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Yes, a review please. I may get the 55-300 soon because the kit lens is not long enough. But if the 18-135 is good I may get that instead.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-21-2010, 03:27 PM
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I do want something wider than the kit lens, so I was thinking about the 16-50 or the 15. Now it seems 12-24 may serve my needs better because it covers a very useful range for landscape.
I heard the 70 is amazing, so I will look at that later.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-21-2010, 12:16 PM
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Is SDM really that bad? They are putting it in the new 55mm 645 lens.
If I am to buy an SDM lens, I may get some kind of extended service plan.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-20-2010, 01:45 PM
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Hmm... the 12-24 is looking more attractive.
Is the front element exposed and prone to scratches? Do you guys use a UV filter?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-20-2010, 11:33 AM
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Oh no. One more lens to consider. The 12-24 appears to be highly acclaimed in other threads. It certainly covers the 15 and the 21. It is not as large/heavy as the 16-50 but its not weather-proofed either.
I have never used something with 100 degrees FOV. Perhaps it will be fun and addictive.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-19-2010, 11:44 PM
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NeverSatisfied, do you find the chromatic aberration of the 16-50 at 16 objectionable? I guess it can be easily corrected in LR, right?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-19-2010, 08:34 PM
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I heard good things about the DA 40. Is the lens cap unusual and difficult to work with?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-19-2010, 03:39 PM
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I guess weather sealing is not really that important to me because my body is not weather resistant anyway. :)
I am probably going to get the 15mm next and rely on the kit lens unit I decide what to do with my normal-wide requirements. I shoot wide-angle stopped well down but I do want something faster in the 30-50mm range. So my choices will be:
* 21mm / 35mm DA Limited combo
* 31mm FA Limited (costs as much as 21/35 combined)
* Tammy 17-50mm
I may get a macro lens at some point, but I am setting my sight on the 100mm WR. I will think about that later.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-17-2010, 09:35 AM
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Thank you all for the well-reasoned inputs.
Pentax likes to confuse its fans in a good way. Every lens purchase is both intellectually and emotionally stimulating. :) So many choices.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-17-2010, 01:10 AM
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Which option would you choose?
Option 1: DA* 16-50mm SDM
Option 2: DA 15mm Limited + DA 21mm Limited + DA 35mm Limited
The zoom weighs about the same as the prime trio yet it costs only half as much as the combination. Besides, it is faster at all focal lengths. However, the 35mm Limited is probably much sharper wide open.
On the other hand, although DA Limited lenses are not weather-proof, they are crafted like jewels and they have supposedly magical qualities.
There are a lot of threads on SDM failures in this forum. In fact, there are so many opinions that I am confused whether newer productions are still prone so such problem. Primes have fewer moving parts and these particular ones do not have/need AF motors.
Both Canon and Nikon have 2.8 standard zooms, but it seems that premium pancake-(ish) primes are unique to Pentax. (One would be remiss if he/she does not own some of these fine creations?)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-16-2010, 05:02 PM
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Can the 15mm even take rectangular grad ND filters? On the other hand, can you use HDR and forgo the need for filters?
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