What should I get - fast and wide

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.

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.

You can look at the Sigma 30 f:1.4. I tried it, and found it pretty good.

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!!

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.

Oho Stefan, you recently posted a rude comment about me here. Now I get to throw it back in your face

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.

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

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.

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.
Voigtländer 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

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.

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

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....

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!!!

And, very luckily, have a Showarma Shop not so far away.