Setting myself a challenge

Thanks for all your kind comments.

Before leaving for Valencia I had thought that it was perhaps a mistake to limit myself to only one lens, albeit a short zoom, and that I'd miss a lot of shots.

Not so, I don't think I saw any missed opportunities and I can recommend it, just be sensible with your choice of lens given your intended destination. For city trips in the future I'll probably take the same kit again.

I also thought that the 12-24mm was the wrong lens to be using in the confines of a glass tunneled aquarium but again I was wrong, it did a very good job as you'll see when I post the remaining images.

The only criticism that I could make of the kit I took is that I could have used a f2.8 lens rather than the f4 max aperture of the 12-24mm. For that reason, I might use only the DA* 16-50mm lens next time.

I love the blue effect you have on the night shots, gives them a very etherral look.

I took just my DA 17-70 and missed a couple of shots at the wide end but was very thankful of the 70mm long end, just about long enough in most cases. In hindsight I could also have taken my Sigma 70-300 and at least left it back at base most of the time.

I'm not sure if an extra stop is that important now that you pick your ISO for each shot easily and comparing DoF characteristics between the two lenses doesn't necessarily work.

I'm looking for a wider lens and had really decided on the 10-17 (purely because I want to have as wide a view as possible for those otherwise 'impossible' situations) but your shots have propmted me to re-think this, now considering the 12-24.

John.

Thanks Johnha, I'm not sure that I've been an inspiration to anybody in the past but there's always a first time and you could be 'the one'

I may have overdone the WB/Hue customization because the original images are predominantly orange from the street lighting. I always, always, always use daylight WB unless using flash, which the camera changes automatically (custom setting).

The Pentax smc 12-24mm lens is truly superb but if cost is an issue, have a look at the two available versions of Sigma's 10-20mm lens. Others on here, and most other forums, swear by them. Wider than the Pentax at the short end but not as wide at the long end, you might find it better suits your needs/desires.

I should have added that all images are processed in Lightroom 4.x, some with a significant amount of perspective correction to make verticals . . . err . . . vertical.

excellent results.amazing how adaptable a lens can be. i think next time forget the zoom take 1 prime,1 cpl filter, camera, no bag.

Interesting idea Joe, but I doubt I could leave the bag at home.

Looking at the focal lengths I used in these 70+ shots, 30 were taken at 12mm, 11 at 14mm, 14 at 24mm, and the rest in between.

My widest prime is an old 28mm smcp-M lens and the next is a 31mm Limited so maybe I need a 14 Ltd

no too big, 15mm f4, keep it lightweight.

Do you think the image quality would be significantly improved though? I'm not certain that it would be.

not much difference between them from what i gather when it has been discussed on here, just the size difference, which could make a difference to what,who,where you shoot. i stood in the mddle of Gloucester in the Saturday afternoon shoppers snapping away with the K5/15 combo and nobody batted an eye, not sure it would have been the same with a large lens on. not sure i would have been so comfortable either.
i have started to use this lens more, still learning it, so i do take just the kit i listed so i am not side tracked into using something else, also quite often on dog walk so changing lens not an easy option.

Very good work and presentation Peter.

Best regards