DA 14mm f2.8, or DA 12-24mm? which one will you keep?

metungnasi · 06-22-2010, 09:55 AM

I have both of these lens, but I'll let go one of them. I need an advice which is the better wide angle lens? I just need every ones opinion regarding these 2 lenses from recent or previous owners. Thanks in adavance!!!!!!

SpecialK · 06-22-2010, 10:12 AM

There is no "better".
Which one works for your type of shooting?
Do you want the flexibility of a zoom where the different focal length makes a noticeable difference, or IQ of a prime?

RBellavance · 06-22-2010, 10:46 AM - **1 Like**

Disclaimer: I own the DA12-24, and have no experience with the DA14. I've never even seen the latter "in the flesh".

I think the "IQ of a prime" advantage is not so clear in this case. Looking at the Photozone results, it looks like the 12-24 is at least as good as the 14 (extrapolating the 12-24 between 12 and 18mm, because 14mm was not tested directly).

The DA14 has the following advantages over the DA12-24:
- f/2.8 aperture
- closer minimum focus distance (and therefore higher reproduction ratio)

The DA12-24 has the following advantages over the DA14:
- more versatile focal range
- more even resolution/sharpness across the frame

I would say that unless you need the f/2.8 and/or the close-focusing of the DA14, the DA12-24 is a better choice.

Marc Sabatella · 06-22-2010, 10:52 AM - **1 Like**

12-24 all the way. Main advantage of a prime would be if it were significantly smaller as the and the DA14 isn't (DA15 is, though!). IQ-wise, the zoom is at least as good as any prime by all accounts, and the speed difference between f/2.8 and f/4 just isn't very relevant at that focal length. Why give up the flexibility of the zoom if you're gaining esentially nothing in return?

metungnasi · 06-22-2010, 06:12 PM

I guess, I have to let go with the DA14mm. I was weighing between the low f stop at 2.8, or take advantage of the zoom. I will keep the DA12-24, It has better reviews too. I will go with the zoom, I think that gives me more flexibility. Thanks for all your advice.

frank · 06-22-2010, 06:18 PM

Had both, but sold both for a DA15

JeffJS · 06-22-2010, 07:52 PM

Originally posted by metungnasi

I have both of these lens, but I'll let go one of them. I need an advice which is the better wide angle lens? I just need every ones opinion regarding these 2 lenses from recent or previous owners. Thanks in adavance!!!!!!

I sold the 14 to help pay for the 12-24

SylBer · 06-23-2010, 07:36 AM

I went through a similar dilema recently (DA15Ltd vs DA12-24) and decided to go with the 12-24. So far, I don't regret it. The 12-24 is not as big and heavy as some say it is. Of course, if you compare it to the DA15, the difference is huge. However, it is not the case with the DA14. IQ is terrific and slow aperture (f4) has not been a problem so far. I took pictures of my daughter's Pre-K3 graduation inside in a badly lit environment last week and the results are very good. Pictures were sharp and show very little blurr due to lack of speed.

clawhammer · 06-23-2010, 07:58 PM - **1 Like**

keep the 14/2.8 and give me the 12-24 so I can replace my 14/2.8

Seriously, with a good body, the 1-stop range advantage of the 14/2.8 is negligible.

raider · 06-23-2010, 09:35 PM - **1 Like**

I have been using my DA14 for abt 3 years now.

The first time i tried it on (was during one of the pentax gathering i went to), i was truly amazed at its quality. Without thinking too much, I placed the order thru a friend....have been using this lens on so many occassions and i am surprised to find that this is my most used lens...even though i thought it was my Tamron 28-75 that get used most.

3 years ago there is no DA15. Had DA15 been released 3 years ago, i would think that i will end up with DA15 instead (mainly because of its size and of its smaller filter thread - less expensive filters). The DA14 is 77mm and ND400 on 77mm is expensive.

But having said all these, unless i have a windfall of cash, i prolly will still keep my DA14 and not replace it with the DA15. It is not a bad lens but i agree that the F2.8 is not really that much useful in most shooting situation. I always stop the lens down to F5.6 or F8 for most of my shots.

lesmore49 · 06-23-2010, 10:01 PM - **1 Like**

I don't have the 14, but do have the 12-24. I take vintage car shots with 2 Pentax bodies (K10D, KM)...sometimes use my 10-17 fisheye, always use my 12-24, sometimes 16-45, sometimes 50 Macro F 2.8, or 50 F 1.4 normal.

My 12-24 is the sharpest of my zooms....in fact I find it difficult to tell the difference in sharpness between the 12-24, 50 F 1.4 normal or 50 F 2.8 Macro primes.

My 55-300 which I never use for car shots is also very sharp.

06-22-2010, 09:55 AM	#1
metungnasi Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 82	DA 14mm f2.8, or DA 12-24mm? which one will you keep? I have both of these lens, but I'll let go one of them. I need an advice which is the better wide angle lens? I just need every ones opinion regarding these 2 lenses from recent or previous owners. Thanks in adavance!!!!!!

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06-22-2010, 10:12 AM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	There is no "better". Which one works for your type of shooting? Do you want the flexibility of a zoom where the different focal length makes a noticeable difference, or IQ of a prime?

06-22-2010, 10:46 AM - 1 Like	#3
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Disclaimer: I own the DA12-24, and have no experience with the DA14. I've never even seen the latter "in the flesh". I think the "IQ of a prime" advantage is not so clear in this case. Looking at the Photozone results, it looks like the 12-24 is at least as good as the 14 (extrapolating the 12-24 between 12 and 18mm, because 14mm was not tested directly). The DA14 has the following advantages over the DA12-24: - f/2.8 aperture - closer minimum focus distance (and therefore higher reproduction ratio) The DA12-24 has the following advantages over the DA14: - more versatile focal range - more even resolution/sharpness across the frame I would say that unless you need the f/2.8 and/or the close-focusing of the DA14, the DA12-24 is a better choice.

06-22-2010, 10:52 AM - 1 Like	#4
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	12-24 all the way. Main advantage of a prime would be if it were significantly smaller as the and the DA14 isn't (DA15 is, though!). IQ-wise, the zoom is at least as good as any prime by all accounts, and the speed difference between f/2.8 and f/4 just isn't very relevant at that focal length. Why give up the flexibility of the zoom if you're gaining esentially nothing in return?

06-22-2010, 06:12 PM	#5
metungnasi Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 82 Original Poster	I guess, I have to let go with the DA14mm. I was weighing between the low f stop at 2.8, or take advantage of the zoom. I will keep the DA12-24, It has better reviews too. I will go with the zoom, I think that gives me more flexibility. Thanks for all your advice.

06-22-2010, 06:18 PM	#6
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Had both, but sold both for a DA15

06-22-2010, 07:52 PM	#7
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by metungnasi I have both of these lens, but I'll let go one of them. I need an advice which is the better wide angle lens? I just need every ones opinion regarding these 2 lenses from recent or previous owners. Thanks in adavance!!!!!! I sold the 14 to help pay for the 12-24

06-23-2010, 07:36 AM	#8
SylBer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Quebec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 210	I went through a similar dilema recently (DA15Ltd vs DA12-24) and decided to go with the 12-24. So far, I don't regret it. The 12-24 is not as big and heavy as some say it is. Of course, if you compare it to the DA15, the difference is huge. However, it is not the case with the DA14. IQ is terrific and slow aperture (f4) has not been a problem so far. I took pictures of my daughter's Pre-K3 graduation inside in a badly lit environment last week and the results are very good. Pictures were sharp and show very little blurr due to lack of speed.

06-23-2010, 07:58 PM - 1 Like	#9
clawhammer Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Logan, Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 971	keep the 14/2.8 and give me the 12-24 so I can replace my 14/2.8 Seriously, with a good body, the 1-stop range advantage of the 14/2.8 is negligible.

06-23-2010, 09:35 PM - 1 Like	#10
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989	I have been using my DA14 for abt 3 years now. The first time i tried it on (was during one of the pentax gathering i went to), i was truly amazed at its quality. Without thinking too much, I placed the order thru a friend....have been using this lens on so many occassions and i am surprised to find that this is my most used lens...even though i thought it was my Tamron 28-75 that get used most. 3 years ago there is no DA15. Had DA15 been released 3 years ago, i would think that i will end up with DA15 instead (mainly because of its size and of its smaller filter thread - less expensive filters). The DA14 is 77mm and ND400 on 77mm is expensive. But having said all these, unless i have a windfall of cash, i prolly will still keep my DA14 and not replace it with the DA15. It is not a bad lens but i agree that the F2.8 is not really that much useful in most shooting situation. I always stop the lens down to F5.6 or F8 for most of my shots.

06-23-2010, 10:01 PM - 1 Like	#11
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,342	I don't have the 14, but do have the 12-24. I take vintage car shots with 2 Pentax bodies (K10D, KM)...sometimes use my 10-17 fisheye, always use my 12-24, sometimes 16-45, sometimes 50 Macro F 2.8, or 50 F 1.4 normal. My 12-24 is the sharpest of my zooms....in fact I find it difficult to tell the difference in sharpness between the 12-24, 50 F 1.4 normal or 50 F 2.8 Macro primes. My 55-300 which I never use for car shots is also very sharp.