Zooms or Primes

I'd still like to see something like a DA 135mm f3.5 priced at a similar level to the DA 35mm f2.4 and with similar image quality. I suspect part of the reason for the 35mm being cheap is that it reused an existing lens design, so little development was needed beyond some testing to make sure it had survived the changes. They must still have the design for the old Pentax-F 135mm which could be updated?

I guess my real wish for a cheap DA 135mm with the same physical dimensions and performance as the old M series lens is not likely to be granted!

I Think it is a case of convenience V Quality unless you have the Cash.
I started of with Pentax DA 16-45 + 50-200 Zoom. then sold these for the convenience of the DA 18-250. Then I bought a smc Pentax-A 135mm PRIME and was blown away by the difference in IQ so started to think to get good IQ you need Prime lenses. having collected a nice set of smc A and M primes I read on this forum how good the *50-135* was and managed to WIN one on eBay,
I found the IQ at 135mm matched the 135 prime and at 50mm almost matched the 50mm f1.7 Prime. It was then obvious to me that the cheap zooms are not worth putting on a K20D. In other words there are Zooms and Great Zooms, you just need to spend more cash.(or win one on eBay)

In that case I wan a plastic mounted version of the FA* 200mm macro for under £300 and I will buy a cheap hood off Ebay.

I keep being told to buy something like a Sigma/Tamron 17-50mm f2.8. Thing is, I don't actually want one. I find my 35mm f2.4 works incredibly well for normal stuff and if it's a case of spending money on something wider I'd rather have the Samyang 14mm with its ability to double as a fisheye on my film bodies. Primes are generally much smaller and lighter than zooms, both of which appeal when you're walking around a city centre.

I'm still amazed Pentax don't make a DA 28mm. It would after all have much the same field of view on an APS-C camera as the 43mm Ltd, which they decided was the correct standard lens for a 35mm film camera.

Most used for me are one zoom, Tammy 18-250, and one prime, DA-40.

I keep the tammy on my main body and use it as a walk about, holiday, general purpose lens. The range means I can get a clear shot from most distances without having to move back or forwards.

The '40 currently lives on my K110, which actually fits into my coat pocket. As a city combo this is light and unobtrusive.

Of course I'd really like 18-500 zoom so I could just sit on a bench and watch the world go by!

I have to admit that it's not mine

The thought process still needs to take place regardless of the lens used...a prime means you need to walk about more, a zoom means you need to zoom in or out more - if you fail to walk with the prime or zoom with the zoom then you'll probably end up with a poor photo in each situation.

Just my take on it

Simon

That's where most mistake happen. Most people use the zoom to frame the main subject, and completely forget what the background or foreground looks like. The zoom should never be used as a substitute for the proper point of view, unless there is no way to get to the proper point of view.

Well said that man.

Best regards

Yeah, a lot of us have been wondering about that!

I'd love a DA* 28 f/1.4 or something like that. Would be a perfect all occasions prime.

I sort of see what you're saying but it doesn't really differ from my own point which is that you need to think about composition regardless of whether you use a prime or zoom...I don't agree that one makes you think about composition more than the other

Anyway I'll be putting it to the test even more as I'm now considering selling my DA17-70 having just bought the DA35mm F2.4 & FA50mm

I think they are referring to perspective, which would differ greatly depending if one zoomed with a zoom or zoomed with their feet and a prime. Perhaps not a big issue in landscape photography due to the great distances, but very important for closer-up stuff.

but i think what simon is getting at is that you can also zoom with your feet if you have a zoom. just because you can zoom with your zoom, it doesn't mean that you have to...

How about the FA 31 ltd? Quite near to 28mm.

Hi Guys

I voted a while ago but did not get round to adding a comment so here goes.

I have 8 lenses now and only two are zooms, I personally prefer to use primes it just makes me happier with the process, the results etc but I still have a use for my zooms so whilst the answer for me is primes more than zooms, I fully understand why others will go with the zooms.

However, as the majority of my lenses tend to be in the 'not expensive' bracket I cannot comment on how DA*,F*, M* or EX zooms etc compare to their equivalent zooms but should any one wish to send me there very expensive lens collection to test over the coming years I will gladly accept this task

Perhaps then I could be in a better position to comment

Cheers



Stu.