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What should I get - fast and wide

timbo
Posted 26/08/2010 - 08:03 Link
Its a big '0' birthday for me in around 6 weeks time, so I may be getting a new lens as a present.

I do quite a few shoots with models in available light where its pretty dark - 1/50s at f2.8 1600 iso is pretty normal for me.

Now the lens I use 80% of the time is a Tamron 17-50mm/2.8, but I was thinking of getting a prime so that I can take pictures when it gets even darker

I already have a 50mm/1.4 which I bought before the prices zoomed up around 18 months ago, so I'm looking for something wider than the 50, and around f1.4 if possible. I don't buy many lenses so don't know whats available.

Any suggestions welcome.
thoughton
Posted 26/08/2010 - 08:14 Link
Well, having seen your fab photos you might as well start at the top and look for a legendary Pentax 31mm f1.8 Be warned, it's pricey!

I suppose other options would be a FA 35 f2, or possibly a 24 f2 (relatively rare).
Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
Edited by thoughton: 26/08/2010 - 08:16
Snootchies
Posted 26/08/2010 - 08:27 Link
thoughton wrote:
Well, having seen your fab photos you might as well start at the top and look for a legendary Pentax 31mm f1.8 Be warned, it's pricey!

I suppose other options would be a FA 35 f2, or possibly a 24 f2 (relatively rare).

I can vouch for the 35mm f2 - it's a superb performer; but I think Tim is looking for something a wee bit faster.

Your only real option then would arguably be the Sigma 30mm f1.4

And by the way Tim - superb pics you have - I love the Scotland/bench shot; but they are all just amazing.
Bob

My website (Hadfield Photography)

Pentax Gallery Artist page:link

Flickr Photostream: link
Edited by Snootchies: 26/08/2010 - 08:29
pentaxian450
Posted 26/08/2010 - 10:13 Link
You can look at the Sigma 30 f:1.4. I tried it, and found it pretty good.
Yves (another one of those crazy Canucks)
Edited by pentaxian450: 26/08/2010 - 10:14
timbo
Posted 26/08/2010 - 10:44 Link
Thanks for the ideas, anyone used the sigma 20/1.8 and 24/1.8 as my style is changing so that my models are getting smaller in the frame!!
Anvh
Posted 26/08/2010 - 17:21 Link
If you want something in that range there is also the FA*24mm f/2 to consider but you probably will be unable to get it new.
Stefan
Comment Image

K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
thoughton
Posted 26/08/2010 - 17:57 Link
Oho Stefan, you recently posted a rude comment about me here. Now I get to throw it back in your face
Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
Edited by thoughton: 26/08/2010 - 17:58
Anvh
Posted 26/08/2010 - 18:15 Link
What do you mean Tim?
I know what you mean but what did I miss?
Stefan
Comment Image

K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
Edited by Anvh: 26/08/2010 - 18:15
robbie_d
Posted 26/08/2010 - 18:42 Link
Anvh wrote:
What do you mean Tim?
I know what you mean but what did I miss?

I'm guessing the fact that Tim already mentioned it.

And to a lesser degree the OP wanted something around f1.4.

And to an even lesser degree the OP did say "new" lens, although this could have meant new to him.
If you can't say something nice about Pentax, you won't say anything at all.

Apparently.
Anvh
Posted 26/08/2010 - 19:44 Link
robbie_d wrote:
I'm guessing the fact that Tim already mentioned it.

You mean where Tim said 24 f2, didn't connected that to the FA*24

Quote:
And to a lesser degree the OP wanted something around f1.4.

Indeed but the OP mentioned two f/1,8 lenses and that is 2/3th slower than f/1,4 so thought he wouldn't mind to go a full stop slower. Also the suggestion of the FA*24 was as an alternative for those, not much to do with the first comment.

Quote:
And to an even lesser degree the OP did say "new" lens, although this could have meant new to him.

I did commented that you probably will not find it as new so I did thought about it.

I've explained myself so lets get back to the thread.

@Tim if you want new lenses that fast and wide than the Sigma you mentioned are the only option.
Pentax make nothing like that any more although they did mention a DA*30 lens but that was 2 or 3 years ago and we are still waiting, also Tamron has no lenses either.

If you don't mind going manual focus and f/2 than some other options might be open.
Voigtlδnder Ultron 40mm f/2
Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 28 f/2
Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 35 f/2

They are all hard to come by but not impossible here at least, some shops should be able to order them for you.

Edit: several spelling mistakes
Stefan
Comment Image

K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
Edited by Anvh: 26/08/2010 - 19:50
dougf8
Posted 26/08/2010 - 19:52 Link
Robert White has the Zeiss glass in K mount and also Voigtlander too. Prices are less VAT. A T* 85mm sent quite reasonably on ebay recently.
Lurking is shirking.!
Pwynnej
Posted 26/08/2010 - 21:33 Link
thoughton wrote:
Oho Stefan, you recently posted a rude comment about me here. Now I get to throw it back in your face

Stefan is Dutch....they're all Direct

Z-1p, K-1, P50
F50 1.7. SMC-FAs 24, 35, 50 1.4, 85, 135. HD-FA15-30, DFA24-70, D-FA*70-200. The SMC-FA Limited Trinity.
Metz 45 CL-4, AF500FTZ. AF540FGZ.
Some Mamiya and some Nikon
Pwynnej
Posted 26/08/2010 - 21:35 Link
timbo wrote:
Thanks for the ideas, anyone used the sigma 20/1.8 and 24/1.8 as my style is changing so that my models are getting smaller in the frame!!

I have the Sigma 20mm f1.8, great but I don't use mine much, no fault of the lens, the 12-24 and the FA primes tend to get favoured....
Z-1p, K-1, P50
F50 1.7. SMC-FAs 24, 35, 50 1.4, 85, 135. HD-FA15-30, DFA24-70, D-FA*70-200. The SMC-FA Limited Trinity.
Metz 45 CL-4, AF500FTZ. AF540FGZ.
Some Mamiya and some Nikon
timbo
Posted 26/08/2010 - 22:32 Link
Thanks for all the ideas and spirited discussion, I now feel I have a better grasp of what is available.

I think I want quality over speed, but then again every lens I have bought seems to produce good quality at A3 print size, I'm not a pixel peeper.

I think I understand this LBA thing now, as I now want 2 lenses the sigma 30/1.4 for when it's really dark, and something wider when I want a smaller model in the frame oh dear, decisions decisions!!!
Smeggypants
Posted 27/08/2010 - 13:39 Link
Pwynnej wrote:
thoughton wrote:
Oho Stefan, you recently posted a rude comment about me here. Now I get to throw it back in your face

Stefan is Dutch....they're all Direct


And, very luckily, have a Showarma Shop not so far away.
[i]Bodies: 1x K-5IIs, 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283

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