Wide angle recommendation

**Aristophanes** · 06-03-2010, 10:58 PM

Originally posted by SashasMom

Thanks for all that replied. A 10mm would be fab. Considering the 1.5x anything greater than 25mm wouldn't really be wide anymore. I need something that is sharp, sharp, sharp, and not soft wide open. It seems there are several issues with soft when wide open. And I do need autofocus. I have the DA* 16mm - 50mm, but its not as sharp as I would like at f2.8!!

It's almost a paradox to say "sharp, sharp, sharp and not soft wide open" at the 2.8 aperture, especially sub 18mm. If the 16-50 is not sharp enough for you at 2.8, then you're going to need a tripod and a very calm day. Handheld will simply not do.

It's just the inherent nature of wider angles to be softer (especially towards the edges) when at the widest aperture. The closest you will come in Pentaxland is the DA 14 at 2.8, and this will be true of pretty much any brand or the equivalent save the Zeiss or similar MF options. To get sharp, you need to stop down for centre optic resolution with the quality you imply.

Tokina makes an 11-16/2.8 but not in the Pentax mount. However, that lens too needed to be stopped down to 5.6 at least at the 11mm to get decent sharpness.

fractal · 06-03-2010, 11:28 PM

Originally posted by Aristophanes

Tokina makes an 11-16/2.8 but not in the Pentax mount. However, that lens too needed to be stopped down to 5.6 at least at the 11mm to get decent sharpness

Unfortunate really. This lens is reportedly super sharp.

I don't really understand why we don't hear/see much of the DA14 on the forums. I'd love to have one of these.

Alex00 · 06-04-2010, 12:21 AM

this thread may help you https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/103217-sharpest-wide-angle.html

Russell-Evans · 06-04-2010, 12:55 AM

Originally posted by Aristophanes

Tokina makes an 11-16/2.8 but not in the Pentax mount. However, that lens too needed to be stopped down to 5.6 at least at the 11mm to get decent sharpness.

Tokina AF 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX (Canon) - Review / Lens Test Report - Analysis

The Tokina 11-16mm at 11mm and f2.8; excellent in the center and very good at the edges

Compare to the DA 12-24mm at 12mm and f4; excellent in the center and very good at the edges

Compare to the Sigma 12-24mm at 12mm and f4.5; excellent in the center and very good at the edges

Compare to Sigma 10-20mm f3.5mm at 10mm and f3.5; excellent in the center, very good at the edge, and poor at the extreme edge

Compare to the Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 at 10mm and f4; excellent in the center, very good at the edge, and fair at the extreme edge.

The new Sigma 8-16mm f4.5-5.6 at 8mm and f4.5; excellent in the center , very good at the edges.

Compare to the DA 14mm at f2.8; very good at the center, and good at the edges.

Compare to the Tamron 14mm at f2.8; very good at the center, fair at the edge, poor and the extreme edge.

Thank you
Russell

Pentaxor · 06-04-2010, 01:52 AM

for someone who still doesn't have an UW lens, I believe the Sigma 8-16 would be the best choice.

**interested_observer** · 06-04-2010, 04:07 AM

Have you considered stitching? If so then the 31/1.8 might help, as its almost 1.5 stops faster and significantly sharper than the 16-50 at f2.8.

Just a thought....

Pentaxor · 06-04-2010, 06:26 AM

Originally posted by interested_observer

Have you considered stitching? If so then the 31/1.8 might help, as its almost 1.5 stops faster and significantly sharper than the 16-50 at f2.8.

Just a thought....

stitching is a good alternative but can also be a bother. also it would be an incovenience for group photos or anything to do with moving objects.

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06-03-2010, 10:58 PM	#16
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	Originally posted by SashasMom Thanks for all that replied. A 10mm would be fab. Considering the 1.5x anything greater than 25mm wouldn't really be wide anymore. I need something that is sharp, sharp, sharp, and not soft wide open. It seems there are several issues with soft when wide open. And I do need autofocus. I have the DA* 16mm - 50mm, but its not as sharp as I would like at f2.8!! It's almost a paradox to say "sharp, sharp, sharp and not soft wide open" at the 2.8 aperture, especially sub 18mm. If the 16-50 is not sharp enough for you at 2.8, then you're going to need a tripod and a very calm day. Handheld will simply not do. It's just the inherent nature of wider angles to be softer (especially towards the edges) when at the widest aperture. The closest you will come in Pentaxland is the DA 14 at 2.8, and this will be true of pretty much any brand or the equivalent save the Zeiss or similar MF options. To get sharp, you need to stop down for centre optic resolution with the quality you imply. Tokina makes an 11-16/2.8 but not in the Pentax mount. However, that lens too needed to be stopped down to 5.6 at least at the 11mm to get decent sharpness.

06-03-2010, 11:28 PM	#17
fractal Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,547	Originally posted by Aristophanes Tokina makes an 11-16/2.8 but not in the Pentax mount. However, that lens too needed to be stopped down to 5.6 at least at the 11mm to get decent sharpness Unfortunate really. This lens is reportedly super sharp. I don't really understand why we don't hear/see much of the DA14 on the forums. I'd love to have one of these.

06-04-2010, 12:21 AM	#18
Alex00 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 294	this thread may help you https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/103217-sharpest-wide-angle.html

06-04-2010, 12:55 AM	#19
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553	Originally posted by Aristophanes Tokina makes an 11-16/2.8 but not in the Pentax mount. However, that lens too needed to be stopped down to 5.6 at least at the 11mm to get decent sharpness. Tokina AF 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX (Canon) - Review / Lens Test Report - Analysis The Tokina 11-16mm at 11mm and f2.8; excellent in the center and very good at the edges Compare to the DA 12-24mm at 12mm and f4; excellent in the center and very good at the edges Compare to the Sigma 12-24mm at 12mm and f4.5; excellent in the center and very good at the edges Compare to Sigma 10-20mm f3.5mm at 10mm and f3.5; excellent in the center, very good at the edge, and poor at the extreme edge Compare to the Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 at 10mm and f4; excellent in the center, very good at the edge, and fair at the extreme edge. The new Sigma 8-16mm f4.5-5.6 at 8mm and f4.5; excellent in the center , very good at the edges. Compare to the DA 14mm at f2.8; very good at the center, and good at the edges. Compare to the Tamron 14mm at f2.8; very good at the center, fair at the edge, poor and the extreme edge. Thank you Russell

06-04-2010, 01:52 AM	#20
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	for someone who still doesn't have an UW lens, I believe the Sigma 8-16 would be the best choice.

06-04-2010, 04:07 AM	#21
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Have you considered stitching? If so then the 31/1.8 might help, as its almost 1.5 stops faster and significantly sharper than the 16-50 at f2.8. Just a thought....

06-04-2010, 06:26 AM	#22
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by interested_observer Have you considered stitching? If so then the 31/1.8 might help, as its almost 1.5 stops faster and significantly sharper than the 16-50 at f2.8. Just a thought.... stitching is a good alternative but can also be a bother. also it would be an incovenience for group photos or anything to do with moving objects.