I spent thirty years shooting with nothing but primes. For the past
couple of years I've been using the new Pentax wide zooms. I find them
to be outstanding, and generally the equal of primes in everything save
speed. So when low light isn't a problem, they are a great solution. I
referenced a couple of pis. You can find more going through the
photo.net page on which these appear. Here's a DA 16-45 pic:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3672858&size=lg
This was shot for a magazine article with the DA 12-24. Perspective
correction in Photoshop. This is at 12mm, and the lens gave me the
corner sharpness I needed to pull this off:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3924131&size=lg
On May 6, 2006, at 12:34 AM, Michael Hamilton wrote:
I've been looking to replace my DA 18-55 lately, especially since I
can get some amazing prices due to the high Canadian dollar right now
(or is it low US dollar? ;) )
I tend to prefer primes if I can, but i certainly won't limit my self
to that. I'm really looking to step up optically, but I also would
like a little wider if i can get it.
Can anyone comment on these lenses for optical and build quality?
Experience? I've found a few reviews, but they're not always helpful.
Front runners include:
Pentax 16-45mm ED AL - $409
Sigma 20mm 1.8 EX - $409 (can be used on Film also - big plus!)
Pentax 14mm ED IF - $599 (a bit more than I'd like to spend!)
Pentax 12-24mm ED AL - $599 (again, $$$)
Sigma 10-20mm - $479
I've also considered a fisheye. If I use a Full-frame fisheye on my
DS, would the crop treat it more like a regular wide-angle? ie, less
distortion outside of the center axis?
Zenitar fisheye (does this work for 35mm also?) - I'd prefer an A lens
over M, however... but it's cheap.
Pentax SCMP-DA 10-17mm - $399
Sigma 15mm 2.8 - $499
(my regular kit also includes the Pentax-A 28/2.8, Pentax-A 50/1.7,
and a Sigma 70-300 APO)
Any help is appreciated!
Michael Hamilton
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.michaelhamilton.ca
