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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-16-2015, 02:27 PM
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It is the internet, isn't it? :eek:
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-15-2015, 05:52 PM
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The question was asked if modern zooms were so good, were primes necessary. The answer is clearly that if you shoot at f5.6 or f8 all of the time, then zooms are more than adequate. I shoot my primes at f2 and f2.8 a lot and yes, they are sharper than my DA * zooms at f2.8. The Sigma 18-35 f1.8 would certainly take the place of a lot of wide-ish primes, if it weren't for the focusing issues that seem to plague it.
I am not sure about the FA *24. I've seen great shots from it, but it is often disparaged in reviews. I hope Pentax releases a new 20mm f2 prime when they release the K-1. I own the DFA 24-70 f2.8 and that is a chunk of glass... ;)
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-15-2015, 02:38 PM
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But the point is, Norm, that you chose situations that deliberately did not stress your lens. This is a FA 77 at f2.2 iso 500 and 1/100 second and I would have no difficulty at all picking it out from your 18-135 shot at 70-ish mm and f5.6 (I think that's the max aperture at 70mm).
 "Can't Quite Reach It" by Vincent1825, on Flickr
The same thing is true if you are shooting right into a bright light source with a lens like the DA 15 or DA 21.
 Dock at Patoka Lake by Vincent1825, on Flickr
I like zooms a lot and use them most of the time, but I do think we need to be honest about times when primes shine and when you want one on your camera and times when you use a zoom. Zooms are flexibility. Primes are for faster apertures, decreased flare and usually maximal sharpness.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-15-2015, 10:19 AM
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I think the answer is that primes have faster apertures (there is only one zoom with an aperture faster than f2.8 in k mount and it struggles with auto focus), they are smaller in size, usually more flare resistant, and will be sharper at wider apertures. Most lenses will be best stopped down at stop or so. That means that if you have a DA *55, it will probably have similar sharpness at f2 that your 16-85 would have at f5.6 and 55mm. If you always shoot at f5.6 or more narrow, Norm is right that you probably won't see a difference.
I use my primes for situations where I want flare resistance, or in low light situations or situations where I want more narrow depth of field. Sharpness is an added plus for a lot of apertures, but for many photos it probably isn't a deciding factor on what lens to use.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-15-2015, 04:03 AM
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Much depends on your budget. I own the DA 15, FA 31, DA 40, and DA *55 and am satisfied with all of them. Sigma 30 and DA 35 f2.4 are both considerably cheaper than the FA 31 and would be reasonable options. I don't use the DA 40 a whole lot (mainly got it for a tiny lens to mount on my K-01) and would be pretty quick to substitute the FA 43 in its place if you like a 40-ish mm prime.
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