Wide angle question

OK, I know this is going to be a daft question, but it's been bugging me, so here goes.

I have just purchased a used K-1 and I love it! I have a good selection of adequate lenses but there's one issue that is bothering me. Basically, is getting a 24mm wide angle 'prime'. worth any extra over an equivalent quality 28mm lens? I've seen assorted comparison images, all over the internet, but they don't seem to convey the 'feel' that comes with experience.

I use Pentax-F 28mm. Quite well thought of on this forum. Good results on K1, K3ii and K70. Can be difficult to find one however. Good luck. John.

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Just passing thru

Well... Back in the days of film, I bought my first wide-angle prime for a trip to Iceland. It was a 24mm. It took shots that I doubt would have been possible with a 28mm. But that was Iceland with huge and spectacular scenery, some of which you couldn't fit in a 28mm by stepping backwards (or you'd fall down a chasm or into a puslating pool of boiling, evil-smalling water). Perhaps it's that experience of having a 24mm rather than a 28mm, but when APS-C digital came along I've always preferred zooms that start at 16mm (equivalent FOV to 24mm for a K1) rather than 18mm (equivalant FOV to about 28mm for a K1). That difference does matter for me. So if I were in your shoes, looking for primes for a K1, it would be a 24mm first then ask whether there would be any benefit in getting a 28mm.

But that's just me. Only you can decide whether a 24mm would be worthwile for you. If you sometimes feel constrained by 28mm and wish you could go a bit wider, get the 24mm. Or just get a 24mm anyway and see whether it will give you something you didn't know you were missing. And you can always crop a 24mm picture to 28mm, but you can't crop a 28mm to 24mm .

Steve

Well it is not a daft question. My daft answer however is of course is it is worth 4mm

Seriously though, you have had some good answers, but I will add a general point. The wider you go with lenses the more each millimetre has a noticeable effect. So 28 to 24 mm is a much larger jump in angle of view than 32 to 28mm. At the end of the day, it will be only you who can answer the question, depending on your typical needs. But I can say for my needs, a 21mm or 18mm or even a 15mm is a more valuable addition to a 28 than a 24

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Peter



My Flickr page

Thanks to all for the input. Much appreciated.

Good point and info, Peter.

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Be well, stay safe.

24mm has taken over from 28mm as the standard wide-angle of primes and also starting focal length of zooms. Before that, long ago, it was 35mm. Both are fine if they meet your needs, and that will be something you'll need to decide, with the easiest way being to get a zoom that covers both, even if it's a cheapie, and try out the focal length by using the zoom as if it were a prime.

If you do decide on a 24mm then you'll struggle to find an AF one if that's what you want. The only ones I'm aware of are the FA* 24/2 and the Sigma 24/2.8 super-wide (which is also available as a manual focus version).

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Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses

Of course, you could always cover your bases with a Sigma EX DG Aspherical 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 link (and link to the 'In Depth Lens Review' contained therein).

If this option appeals, I have one in tip-top condition which I purchased in the belief, mistaken as it turned out, that my life would not be complete without greater coverage at the wide end. In practice, my photographic interests don't really allow for a lens of this type and neither do I own a FF body on which to exploit its full potential. They are not that common in KAF mount, although two are being offered for sale on fleabay at the moment. The starting bid for one is £330.00 link and the other with a ridiculous (IMO) BIN price of £580.00 link

PM me if you're interested.

Jon

If you take my approach then you'll buy anything you want (within reason and not above market value of course) give it a try - then if you like it you keep it, if not you sell it on here, on ebay or part-exchange it. You might lose a bit of money, but generally speaking you'll get back similar to what you paid and will have had the experience of using that lens - Hope that helps

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LennyBloke