All Forum Comments
Comment by lesjacksons posted on Cathedral and a library on a budget at 31/10/2025 - 09:10
Still a bit unsure as the f4 on the 16-45 may not be fast enough and a tripod just doesn't work for me. I'm more of a see, frame, focus, shoot kind of person.
My other problem is that wide angle is new to me so it may be better to try cheap to see if i like it. But then I might get crap photos of the library etc and have missed a great opportunity.
Decisions, decisions!
So I started looking at a 37 euro lens and am now considering ones at 450 euros and above. Thanks everyone! 😃
My other problem is that wide angle is new to me so it may be better to try cheap to see if i like it. But then I might get crap photos of the library etc and have missed a great opportunity.
Decisions, decisions!
So I started looking at a 37 euro lens and am now considering ones at 450 euros and above. Thanks everyone! 😃
Comment by lesjacksons posted on Cathedral and a library on a budget at 31/10/2025 - 09:07
Simonmac wrote:
Sorry but import taxes and vat make purchasing from the UK a non-starter these days.lesjacksons wrote:
Will soon be visiting sunny Manchester and hoping to visit the cathedral and John Rylands library
Am looking for suggestions regarding best budget autofocus wide (ish) angle lens to buy to take with me for interior shots.
I am assuming low light and no flash
This will be paired with my KP but also used in the future with my K200D
Am currently looking at the DA 35mm f2.4 AL for about 75 euros
A lightweight zoom would also be acceptable
Any help greatly received
Check out my two lenses for sale. Might be of use?Will soon be visiting sunny Manchester and hoping to visit the cathedral and John Rylands library
Am looking for suggestions regarding best budget autofocus wide (ish) angle lens to buy to take with me for interior shots.
I am assuming low light and no flash
This will be paired with my KP but also used in the future with my K200D
Am currently looking at the DA 35mm f2.4 AL for about 75 euros
A lightweight zoom would also be acceptable
Any help greatly received
Comment by lesjacksons posted on Cathedral and a library on a budget at 31/10/2025 - 05:18
Lubbyman wrote:
For the KP and K200D, a 35mm lens is 'normal', not wide angle. For wide angle, I've got a soft spot for the 16-45mm f4. The difference between 16mm and the 18mm wide end of the 18-55mm is significant and it's constant f4 so no shrinking aperture as you zoom in. It's a bigger lens than the 18-55mm but quite manageable, weighs 366g (cf 18-55mm 220g). Just one quirk - the 16-45mm extends as the focal length reduces, the opposite of most zoom lenses. They seem to be going for about £90-£100 on the usual auction site, there are some for £80 - £100 at MPB, one for £79 at WEX, one for £70 at CEX.
The 10-17mm fisheye is probably out of your budget but it's an interesting lens for interiors of cathedrals etc. if you fancy being a bit creative rather than just taking record shots.
Steve
Another good, useful summaryFor the KP and K200D, a 35mm lens is 'normal', not wide angle. For wide angle, I've got a soft spot for the 16-45mm f4. The difference between 16mm and the 18mm wide end of the 18-55mm is significant and it's constant f4 so no shrinking aperture as you zoom in. It's a bigger lens than the 18-55mm but quite manageable, weighs 366g (cf 18-55mm 220g). Just one quirk - the 16-45mm extends as the focal length reduces, the opposite of most zoom lenses. They seem to be going for about £90-£100 on the usual auction site, there are some for £80 - £100 at MPB, one for £79 at WEX, one for £70 at CEX.
The 10-17mm fisheye is probably out of your budget but it's an interesting lens for interiors of cathedrals etc. if you fancy being a bit creative rather than just taking record shots.
Steve
Thanks Steve
Am looking at a couple of 16-45's at the minute
Never been a lover of fish-eye type stuff and as you say, bit out of my budget
Comment by lesjacksons posted on Cathedral and a library on a budget at 31/10/2025 - 05:16
Nice job!
How did I miss these!
How did I miss these!
Comment by lesjacksons posted on Sheffield's Industrial Past at 30/10/2025 - 12:26
rick wrote:
The kit zooms (for price) is something I've be exploring recently, had a fair few copies in and out of the door to experiment.
So a brief summary, the second version of the Pentax 18-55mm is far superior to the original, So the SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm II, SMC Pentax-DA L 18-55mm and the two WR versions of these which I believe are all optically the same are all very usable and can yield superb results.
I've had both versions of the retractable Pentax 18-50mm, SMC & HD. Enjoyed using both, I know a lot of people didn't like the retracting mechanism, but I found it to be solid and easy to use. The space saving when retracted does make a difference and both light in weight. Optically there is definitely an improvement with the HD coating, both in terms or sharpness and shooting towards bright light.
If size isn't an issue, I reckon the Pentax 16-45mm is a strong contender, since the 16mm end would be a major advantage for architecture especially within a cathedral. Only downside would be the constant f/4, may be not fast enough for keeping the ISO down hand held in a darker environment.
Nice summary thanks RickThe kit zooms (for price) is something I've be exploring recently, had a fair few copies in and out of the door to experiment.
So a brief summary, the second version of the Pentax 18-55mm is far superior to the original, So the SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm II, SMC Pentax-DA L 18-55mm and the two WR versions of these which I believe are all optically the same are all very usable and can yield superb results.
I've had both versions of the retractable Pentax 18-50mm, SMC & HD. Enjoyed using both, I know a lot of people didn't like the retracting mechanism, but I found it to be solid and easy to use. The space saving when retracted does make a difference and both light in weight. Optically there is definitely an improvement with the HD coating, both in terms or sharpness and shooting towards bright light.
If size isn't an issue, I reckon the Pentax 16-45mm is a strong contender, since the 16mm end would be a major advantage for architecture especially within a cathedral. Only downside would be the constant f/4, may be not fast enough for keeping the ISO down hand held in a darker environment.
Hadn't considered the 18-55 as i only recently got rid of 2 of them. They were however the original version. May have another look.
You didn't comment on the 35mm
Didn't i see somewhere that you were giving this a try?
Or is 35mm not going to be wide enough?
Comment by lesjacksons posted on Cathedral and a library on a budget at 30/10/2025 - 12:24
Spad wrote:
Les....
If you can stretch to this LENS
It will give you a really interesting perspective and will enable you to get really close to big wide subjects. It will also give you more scope shooting inside as well.
I have one and I bloody love it
Thanks SpadLes....
If you can stretch to this LENS
It will give you a really interesting perspective and will enable you to get really close to big wide subjects. It will also give you more scope shooting inside as well.
I have one and I bloody love it
Bit out of my budget but will see if can find one cheaper
-------------------
Just looked at this in more detail, it weighs 500g!
Bit heavy for carrying round all day
Comment by lesjacksons posted on Cathedral and a library on a budget at 30/10/2025 - 12:04
smc wrote:
Both good choices. you might even find the 18-50 for less, but ideally should have caps and hood.
Have noticed that there is also a HD version of the 18-50 and there seem to be 2 camps, one favouring the smc, the other for the hdBoth good choices. you might even find the 18-50 for less, but ideally should have caps and hood.
The HD is about 60 euros
Comment by lesjacksons posted on Cathedral and a library on a budget at 30/10/2025 - 12:02
Also found an SMC Pentax-DA L 18-50mm f/4-5.6 DC WR RE for 37 euros
But I don't know if that is a step too far down the budget route or how it would peeform in low light
PS I have read many, many reviews. Am looking for personal opinions/experience
But I don't know if that is a step too far down the budget route or how it would peeform in low light
PS I have read many, many reviews. Am looking for personal opinions/experience
Comment by lesjacksons posted on Cathedral and a library on a budget at 30/10/2025 - 09:29
Will soon be visiting sunny Manchester and hoping to visit the cathedral and John Rylands library
Am looking for suggestions regarding best budget autofocus wide (ish) angle lens to buy to take with me for interior shots.
I am assuming low light and no flash
This will be paired with my KP but also used in the future with my K200D
Am currently looking at the DA 35mm f2.4 AL for about 75 euros
A lightweight zoom would also be acceptable
Any help greatly received
Am looking for suggestions regarding best budget autofocus wide (ish) angle lens to buy to take with me for interior shots.
I am assuming low light and no flash
This will be paired with my KP but also used in the future with my K200D
Am currently looking at the DA 35mm f2.4 AL for about 75 euros
A lightweight zoom would also be acceptable
Any help greatly received
Comment by lesjacksons posted on Cathedral and a library on a budget at 30/10/2025 - 08:54
Sorry but import taxes and vat make purchasing from the UK a non-starter these days.
Steve
After taxes etc it ended up much nearer 600
Aa it happens i still believe i did ok on that deal but am very wary now