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07-26-2010, 08:17 PM   #1
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Big Dilemma: DA 15mm Limited or Sigma 10-20mm

I just realized these are basically the same price and now I have no clue which to choose

I'm getting a super wide because I want it to be as wide as possible, but again and again I hear praise for Pentax's primes image quality, especially the limiteds (which are the coolest lenses I have ever seen)...maybe giving up that 5mm with be worth the superior IQ????

Which would you choose?

( this thread is the result of this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-beginners-corner-q/108642-what-sho...-%24400-2.html )

07-26-2010, 08:29 PM   #2
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If you want super-wide and convenience, then sigma it is. The difference btween 15mm and 10mm is huge.

If you want portability and IQ (not saying sigma is bad), go for Pentax DA15.
07-26-2010, 08:39 PM   #3
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i am also battling with this decision

I think i'm going to get the 10-20, just because there's a chance I might get a m4/3 camera and it would be nice to still have a bit of 'width'

if money was no object the ltd would be mine
07-26-2010, 08:40 PM   #4
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If it were me, portability vs wide would be the deciding factor. You would never have an excuse not to take the DA15 somewhere.

07-26-2010, 08:41 PM   #5
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I had this problem, but I end up shooting near 15mm because at 10mm you have to be pretty much on whatever you want to take pictures of.

btw, the sigma is huge.
07-26-2010, 08:42 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by future_retro Quote
I just realized these are basically the same price and now I have no clue which to choose

I'm getting a super wide because I want it to be as wide as possible, but again and again I hear praise for Pentax's primes image quality, especially the limiteds (which are the coolest lenses I have ever seen)...maybe giving up that 5mm with be worth the superior IQ????

Which would you choose?

( this thread is the result of this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-beginners-corner-q/108642-what-sho...-%24400-2.html )
I'm always going to say get the prime (DA15 Ltd) but somehow I doubt you're going to find one for $400.

07-26-2010, 08:44 PM   #7
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The question that will help to decide is what you would like to photograph with this lens, and do you want the flexibility of zooming without your feet?

The DA 12-24 is more expensive but again beats the Sigma 10-20 (IMO) in IQ. So it too may be a consideration...

07-26-2010, 09:38 PM   #8
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Budget has been increased

QuoteOriginally posted by JeffJS Quote
I'm always going to say get the prime (DA15 Ltd) but somehow I doubt you're going to find one for $400.

I just linked that thread because thanks to it it's obvious I could use some good glass, both of these lenses are within my budget which is now ~500
07-26-2010, 09:40 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by Eruditass Quote
If it were me, portability vs wide would be the deciding factor. You would never have an excuse not to take the DA15 somewhere.
Portability isn't an issue at all, I don't care about size unless it's a 70-200 f/4 or something like that. If it fits in the Incase sling then it's coming with me no matter what.
07-26-2010, 09:58 PM   #10
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I had a similar delemma, 10-20 vs 12-24 or DA15LTD
I looked at as many photo's as i could from each lens (10-20 club, PPG, and the 15LTD controls my mind) as well as reading reviews from the forum and other sites.
And out of all the photos i looked at, i liked the images that came from the DA15LTD the best. And im a prime kind of guy, so i went with the DA15LTD.
07-26-2010, 10:06 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by Ash Quote
The question that will help to decide is what you would like to photograph with this lens, and do you want the flexibility of zooming without your feet?

The DA 12-24 is more expensive but again beats the Sigma 10-20 (IMO) in IQ. So it too may be a consideration...
Well I just started (today) photographing houses for realtors and found the 18mm to be too long. I also enjoy landscapes.

It pains me to say it because I love everything about the DA 15, but I think I need the extra wide-ness of the Sigma
07-26-2010, 10:07 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by TOUGEFC Quote
I had a similar delemma, 10-20 vs 12-24 or DA15LTD
I looked at as many photo's as i could from each lens (10-20 club, PPG, and the 15LTD controls my mind) as well as reading reviews from the forum and other sites.
And out of all the photos i looked at, i liked the images that came from the DA15LTD the best. And im a prime kind of guy, so i went with the DA15LTD.
Thank you very much for that, definitely helps alot
07-26-2010, 10:38 PM   #13
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having owned a 10-20 for a long while and not having one now...I say go 10-20, even better look at the new 8-16 then add something in the 21mm area...I found I shot most of my shots with the 10-20 at 10mm and the rest around 18-20mm which means I would likely be happy with the 8-16mm and a DA 21mm over just the 10-20...I think I would get a ton of use out of the 8-16mm and the price is not that much more than the 10-20...

BTW, as I recall the 8-16 does include an adapter to allow using filters for 10mm and above w/o vignetting or very little considering...just a thought anyway.

EDIT: oops! I am mistaken, I would have sworn there was a filter adapter tube kinda thing for this lense but apparently there is no such animal...sorry about that. Still the images I have seen from this lense are stellar so far...unless the $120 or so difference is a deal breaker it likely should be part of the conversation.

Last edited by brecklundin; 07-26-2010 at 10:49 PM.
07-26-2010, 10:58 PM   #14
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You know, we users tend to only sing praises about the lenses we own and love.
So for me it's the 12-24. 12mm is pleny wide for me to get real estate pictures (but I always bring a tripod since lighting conditions aren't always optimal for handholding). The results from this lens has impressed me beyond that of the 10-20 I've used before (but have not owned).

Also not ever owning the DA 15 I cannot even give a useful comparison, but all I can say is a 12-24 will not disappoint you in any way. Slightly above your budget, but second hand, it is the best buy you could get for an ultra-wide.
07-26-2010, 11:01 PM   #15
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Oh wow I didn't even know about the 8-16....and I really wish I didn't now!

still, I think that 200 bucks could go to a DA 40 limited or the DA* 16-50, I'm already stretching a little for the 10-20 or the DA 15, I think I have to draw a line and cap this one at $500 (+/- $50)
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