20+mm Prime Lenses

[airconvent]

wow..no kidding. the Pentax FA50 1/1.4 lens is really a great piece!
The image quality is actually obviously better than the 18-200 zoom even from the view finder when I take the shots. That proves the 18-200 zoom does compromise quite abit to achieve the x11 zoom. The bokeh effects are great too.
Only issue if the relatively higher magnification which means at home I have to stand 2 m away from the subject to avoid being too close.
Now I am exploring getting a similarly fast prime 20+mm lens that is closer to the typical P&S "standard" of 28mm. This will offer sufficient wide view.


SMC FA24 f/2.0
http://www.pentaximaging.com/product...5mm_wide_angle

smc FA31 f/F1.8
http://www.pentaximaging.com/product...5mm_wide_angle

Sigma 28 f/1.8
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/len...82&navigator=4

Anyone knows what is the price of the above lenses?
Also, is the image quality of the Sigma 28mm on par with the pentax primes?
Any advice is appreciated. Will make a decision after accessing performance and price.
Thanks

[airconvent]

mmm..no one here has any opinion or experience with prime lenses?
In anycase, I am also looking at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 which turns out to be around $650!
Is this another good lens?

[tiong78]

Originally Posted by airconvent mmm..no one here has any opinion or experience with prime lenses? In anycase, I am also looking at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 which turns out to be around $650! Is this another good lens?

get the 21mm.
its a gem.

[airconvent]

Hi Tiong,
I checked the Sigma catalogue...they don't seem to have a 21mm in their current lineup...Only a 20mm f/1.8.
Fengwei is recommending me to get their older manual lenses but I still want to check for an autofocus one first before deciding.
All do you mean the Pentax 21mm f/3.2?
I'm looking for a wide prime lens between 24-30 mm and f/2.0 or faster. This is supposed to offer a wider view than my 50mm f/1.4 and make the experience more closer to a standard point and shoot configuration.

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by airconvent Hi Tiong, I checked the Sigma catalogue...they don't seem to have a 21mm in their current lineup...Only a 20mm f/1.8. Fengwei is recommending me to get their older manual lenses but I still want to check for an autofocus one first before deciding. All do you mean the Pentax 21mm f/3.2? I'm looking for a wide prime lens between 24-30 mm and f/2.0 or faster. This is supposed to offer a wider view than my 50mm f/1.4 and make the experience more closer to a standard point and shoot configuration.

DA21/3.2 is an excellent lens, but abit too wide for most use. I'd suggest you to check out the Sigma 28/1.8 or 30/1.4, both are excellent, and the 28/1.8 is relatively quite cheap.

Pentax has a great FA35/2 which is a gem, and suitable for most use (about 52mm equivelent on film). You might wanna check it out. And you'll have to buy it second hand most likely. Pity you didn't look for at when you were in HK. It's available there new in some shops, and price is quite low over there.

Or best yet, get the Pentax FA31/1.8. That's the best lens money can buy (imho). I've shot three weddings and over 90% of my photos were taken by this lens alone

The Sigma 24/2.8 is a lot cheaper, a great lens. It has both MF and AF versions, although the latest version is 24/1.8 which is alot bigger and more expensive too.

Good luck.

[airconvent]

THanks Fengwei
I scoured a all the places within my range including one of their "sim lim square" (wanchai computer centre) but was not able to find any pentax or k-mount lenses...its same as here, mosty C and N stuff. I only came across on istD in one of the shops....

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by airconvent THanks Fengwei I scoured a all the places within my range including one of their "sim lim square" (wanchai computer centre) but was not able to find any pentax or k-mount lenses...its same as here, mosty C and N stuff. I only came across on istD in one of the shops....

Hmm, that is bad. I guess you'll have to try your luck on eBay then


After thought it over again, I think you'd better go w/ a Pentax FA35/2, a great performer, a bargain for its price (US$300 new), and it is instock at B&H right now:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Good luck.

[airconvent]

thanks..will think about it.

[TrailSeeker]

sample of primelens i got from fungwei..




http://trailseeker-photography.blogspot.com/

[airconvent]

Originally Posted by TrailSeeker sample of primelens i got from fungwei..

gee alvin, your shots are great! what lens did you get from feng wei.
did you use autopict, P mode or manual? what ISO? seems uncanny there is no blur inspite of the dim conditions.
I have to add that had my shots been so warm, I would have automatically set my WB to "tungsten" and the images will appear whiter and brighter...
Also, the last temple shot seems very personal. Did I mention I really liked the temple shot used as one of the mast head for Clubsnap?
It has the right combination of colours and warmth, captured the spirit of the devotees although the photographer probably had to spend some time cleaning his lens of ashes!

[phantasmal]

I am hoping the upcoming DA35 will be good and affordable.

[TrailSeeker]

airconvent

oh.. thenks... :-) Its a Takumar 1.4 .. maybe i was just lucky to took that picture..
i set my cam to A, then the WB is shade then the ISO is 400..

:-) thanks again..

[airconvent]

went to funan today. not a single <30 mm lens for the Kmount.
Alot of sigma 50mm f/2.8 and lots of pentax/pentax compatible zoom lenses, especially the 70-300 and kit 18-55mm. There were quite a few sigma 30mm f/1.4.