Budget Wide Zoom or Prime

[chegr]

What would be a good "budget" (~$600-800) wide zoom or prime?

Pentax 12-24mm f/4 is quite expensive (~$1K), which is quite unfortunate since Tokina is selling the same lens for much cheaper in Nikon/Canon mount.
Another option is Pentax 14mm f/2.8 or Sigma 10-20mm.

I'm leaning towards the 14mm fixed as I have a kit lens that covers 18mm and above.

TIA

[flowerpot]

Originally Posted by chegr What would be a good "budget" (~$600-800) wide zoom or prime? Pentax 12-24mm f/4 is quite expensive (~$1K), which is quite unfortunate since Tokina is selling the same lens for much cheaper in Nikon/Canon mount. Another option is Pentax 14mm f/2.8 or Sigma 10-20mm. I'm leaning towards the 14mm fixed as I have a kit lens that covers 18mm and above. TIA

It would be a best to try out and see how wide u need or prefer and what kind of stuff u shoot with cos the max aperture is also difference...once u noe how wide u need than go for it...personally i would go for the Sigma... but finding 1 is another matter

[fengwei]

The DA14 is an excellent lens, much better built than the DA1224. Optically it's excellent too. Another feature I like about the DA14 is its 17cm minimum focus distance (1224 is 30cm), very fun to use.

The Sigma 1020 is a very decent lens too. If you don't mind its slow speed and not-being a Pentax, it's a good option

Anther option is a Zenitar 16mm F2.8 fisheye lens. It cost around $200 SGD, and it's as wide as the DA14 on a digital camera. You can defish it very easily if you don't like the FE effect.

Anyways, DA14, DA1224, Sigma 1020 are all good lenses. You can't go wrong w/ either one

[chegr]

Originally Posted by flowerpot It would be a best to try out and see how wide u need or prefer and what kind of stuff u shoot with cos the max aperture is also difference...once u noe how wide u need than go for it...personally i would go for the Sigma... but finding 1 is another matter

When I had a Nikon 12-24 before, I like to shoot around 12-16mm.
That's why the 14mm is quite attractive and considering it's a prime lens at f2.8, it is actually reasonably priced (compared to Nikon or Canon).

[Simplytimo]

I just got the Sigma 10-20 recently. Its excellent. The FOV is more than 100 degree. which is good enough for most people.

Min distance is about 24cm but honestly you don't shoot alot of stuff using a wide angle lens nearer than that.


See picts I took with my 10-20 on K10D Jpeg.
Buildings:




Face:

This was taken at about 10cm. Even though it is shorter than the min focal range you can see that it is still not too out of focus.

All the pics are not cropped....as taken. Only resized.

It is 890+ GST in most shops in Singapore with warranty.. Only OP is cheaper at 750 but the filter is 77mm...can be quite expensive.

[night86mare]

i am..obviously a strong advocate of the 10-20, reason being that if one wants to go wide, that few mm makes a world of difference, taking crop factor into account.

like fengwei has said.. it is a slow lens.. but you would be using it for landscape shots most of the time. if you are a serious landscape shooter, then you will have a tripod. anti-shake also helps. so it is not an issue i would think, unless you are using it for other purposes.

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by night86mare i am..obviously a strong advocate of the 10-20, reason being that if one wants to go wide, that few mm makes a world of difference, taking crop factor into account. like fengwei has said.. it is a slow lens.. but you would be using it for landscape shots most of the time. if you are a serious landscape shooter, then you will have a tripod. anti-shake also helps. so it is not an issue i would think, unless you are using it for other purposes.

I think many here have been affected by those excellent photos from your Sgima 1020

BTW, you changed your phone number? Please check your pm

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by chegr That's why the 14mm is quite attractive and considering it's a prime lens at f2.8, it is actually reasonably priced (compared to Nikon or Canon).

And you are so right about this one!

Pentax DA14/2.8 ED: $579.95USD at B&H
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...e_SMCP_DA.html

Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II: $2,049USD at B&H
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...f_2_8L_II.html

Nikon 14mm f2.8D ED: $1,339.95USD at B&H
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Angle_AF.html

Yeah, I know the Pentax DA14 is a cropped lens, while the other two are for full frame. But still, the price difference is there ...

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by fengwei I think many here have been affected by those excellent photos from your Sgima 1020 BTW, you changed your phone number? Please check your pm

heh, well most ultra wide angles give good photographs, the quality across the board is good. i don't quite remember ever seeing a horrible review of anything in the 10-20, 12-24, 11-18 bunch.. individual companies with variance like the 14-24 (? not sure, should be, nikon la) or 10-22 are also great. the main deciding factor is just how wide you want to go, how fast your lens needs to be, and of course price.

yes i did, just msged ya.

[chegr]

How much is the Sigma 10-20mm new? (dunno how recent the price list sticky is)
Used one goes about $600-$700 on BnS forum.

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by chegr How much is the Sigma 10-20mm new? (dunno how recent the price list sticky is) Used one goes about $600-$700 on BnS forum.

New one is about 750 grey set from OP. Or else over 800 from other shops.

If you are looking for a budget DA14, please pm me

[scorpioh]

Wait for the da15 limited!

[istDeS]

Originally Posted by scorpioh Wait for the da15 limited!

That gonna be a long wait.

[hjbyeo]

I have been asking about that lens since Feb... It'll be a LONG LONG Wait.

[scorpioh]

Originally Posted by hjbyeo I have been asking about that lens since Feb... It'll be a LONG LONG Wait.

I also tempted to get a WA prime. How long is long? 2 years? I can wait. LOL.

[hjbyeo]

15mm limited in a small package is definitely something worth considering. Hey... 1 thing though... the DA 14mm is already very very good. Just hope this limited would be as good.

[Gengh]

Never tried the Sigma 10-20 or the DA12-24, but I'll just say that the DA14mm is built like a tank, and delivers solid pictures. Too bad I've already sold mine, but for sample pics by the DA14 you can still look at my old WTS post here: http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=372075

[hjbyeo]

Originally Posted by Gengh Never tried the Sigma 10-20 or the DA12-24, but I'll just say that the DA14mm is built like a tank, and delivers solid pictures. Too bad I've already sold mine, but for sample pics by the DA14 you can still look at my old WTS post here: http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=372075

Yes, the feel of it is really good. Not tiny like the limiteds but very handy package.

I would have gotten it if it's for the typical wides I take. But ended up with the 10-20mm as it's like to be for travel. Quite short and light package (very surprised).