I know It’s late...
The alternative might be the SMC Pentax-FA 20-35mm f/4 - not commonly found but not impossible to find a good example.
See this review. At the bottom is a link to a German Mag. test.
If you can use 35mm the Pentax DA 35m f/2.4 is very good for a cheap lens and it's AF.
Better still would be the FA version.
If you can manage with a 50mm the FA 50mm f/2.8 MACRO would be your best bet.
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Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff
Algi
Can you not hang the textiles vertically on a frame and then use a tripod to shoot normally using Pixel Shift ?
The V&A is my favourite museum by the way. I used to live not too far and was a regular visitor.
My Flickr page
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Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff
Algi
The Pentax 24's are soft at the edges especially on FF. Generally the Sigma 24mm f/2.8 is about the best and only about £70.
See this review. At the bottom is a link to a German Mag. test.
If you can use 35mm the Pentax DA 35m f/2.4 is very good for a cheap lens and it's AF.
Better still would be the FA version.
If you can manage with a 50mm the FA 50mm f/2.8 MACRO would be your best bet.
Thanks for this - I have the 50mm macro which I use for some of the smaller textiles. Think I'll just hire from SRS for now, no point wasting money if none of the 24mm primes are up to task...
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This sounds like a situation where Pixel Shift would give you excellent results. Not sure how you are going to steady the camera up a set of ladders though !
Can you not hang the textiles vertically on a frame and then use a tripod to shoot normally using Pixel Shift ?
The V&A is my favourite museum by the way. I used to live not too far and was a regular visitor.
I certainly miss it, quite a place. I certainly miss the high level equipment!!
Any of the lenses listed should be sharp enough stopped down to f/8 or so.
The alternative might be the SMC Pentax-FA 20-35mm f/4 - not commonly found but not impossible to find a good example.
Yes, it's one my list although I thinkI'd rather put the £500 towards the 15-30. I hired it last month, amazing lens.
If you want to try the Sigma 24mm f2.8, I am thinking of selling mine. I'm thinking of asking £30 inc p&p. It's the manual focus version. It's not in amazing condition but still works great.
Thank you! I'll PM you...
Or, I think about a Samyang 24mm that I've just seen at a good price... argh
I have a Samyang 24mm TS and it is very sharp, BUT no Samyangs have electronic connections to the body so manual focus only.
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10 posts
5 years
Sidcup,
Kent
Only realised yesterday that there was a UK Pentax forum, been posting on the US site for a while and getting replies all through the night!
So, whilst I’m saving for the 15-30 beast, I have a shoot in a few weeks involving large African textiles. Highly detailed, and shot from above using a ladder to get over them. I need a lens and I’ve spent hours and hours pouring over reviews everywhere, but they’re often contradictory on older lens.
Auto focus is useful but not essential.
A zoom is useful, but not essential as I’m happy to go up or down a ladder rung or two.
What is essential is image quality and edge sharpness as the frame will be more or less filled - think 35mm negative with the trim around it.
Last time I did this job, a 24mm was the widest I needed to go, so I’ve narrowed it down to:
1. Any SMC 24mm lens (would like an ‘A’ but scarce.
2. 24-35mm f.3.5
3. F 24-50 f.4
Does anybody know which is the sharpest up and down, corner to corner and side to side?!
Any hands on thoughts and facts appreciated. Maybe I can get some sleep then...
Night, Jaron