Which Wide Angle - YOU Choose

ohyouloveme · 12-12-2010, 03:16 PM

I'm searching for a wide angle lens and having looked through all the beautiful pictures in each of the candidates' respective threads, i must say i am nowhere near an answer.

I have come to a conclusion that any of them would serve me equally fine. I'm not picky. But I'd still like to know, if you could choose just one, which would you choose?

So here's where you guys decide for me.

I'll just get the one that is chosen most in this poll. If i don't know where i want to go, i figure any road will do, as long as i set off on my journey.

If your choice isn't there and you insist i get that, feel free to drop a note.

redrockcoulee · 12-12-2010, 03:25 PM

The next lens for my wife will be one of those (except for the DA 15) The lens that practically lives on her K10D is the 16-45 hence 15 not enough to justify the cost of it. You did not mention what is your widest now, which may make a difference to which one would be your 'best' choice.

elho_cid · 12-12-2010, 03:29 PM

none of them. DA14 is the way. I'm very happy with it. I tried DA15 and DA12-24 before, but combination of f2.8, wide angle and close focus capability made it my choice.

Ivan Glisin · 12-12-2010, 03:30 PM

Originally posted by ohyouloveme

I'm searching for a wide angle lens

Just a quick note, DA 10-17 is a Fishe-Eye zoom and in fact the only FE lens on the list. Perhaps it does not belong there?

Personally, I would get DA 15 (voted).

**fs999** · 12-12-2010, 03:41 PM

If you really want ultra wide angle, than the Sigma 8-16 is a must, else the 12-24 is an excellent choice.
I don't know which camera you have, but with a K-5 the f:4 is not a problem...

SpecialK · 12-12-2010, 03:51 PM

The 10-17 will give fisheye results unlike other lenses. The 12-24 is highly regarded, has a very useful range, and gives flexibility at the wide end where every mm matters.

Eruditass · 12-12-2010, 03:56 PM

11-16 f2.8...

**David** · 12-12-2010, 04:16 PM

I've tried out the Pentax 14 and 15 mm lens in comparison to the Sigma 10-20 on my K20D and couldn't tell the difference even though I was trying to convince myself that I "needed" the Pentax 15mm. Ended up buying a used DA 21mm Limited off ebay which is due to arrive shortly.

A good point has been made that with the K-5, lens maximum apertures of f4 etc are not really an issue given the noiseless low ISO performance of the camera. The remaining downside being view finder brightness.

David

nanok · 12-12-2010, 04:24 PM

i know how you must feel. been there, done that. i finally made the weirdest choice you could imagine (not surprising, if you know me

): the zenitar fisheye 16/2.8. on aps-c it's a nice, distorted ultrawide. the distorsion, being a fisheye, is very regular and very easy to straighten out on aps-c. the image wuality is generally excellent. the price is good too. i had been thinking of getting an ultrawide zoom, once i have the finances (the 12-24 pentax is so unjustifiably expensive..), but after using the zenitar for a while, i just can't: it's small, it's compact, sturdy, it's perfect for my needs (outdoor/landscape mostly).

here's an example of the kind of stuff i do with it (to give you an idea, this is _not_ corrected -- can you tell?)

i guess from your list, the ltd 15 is the closest one, but it's not as wide as the zenitar (don't be fooled, 16mm fisheye is not the same as rectilinear, after straightening, this lens is closer to a 14mm rectilinear). i don't know how big it is and how it handles, either, the zenitar is tiny, and i like that a lot (that's because of the simpler fisheye design, rectilinear corrected lenses tend to always be bulkier for the same maximum aperture)

i also considered the tamron when it first came out, btw, for the price, but from what i read, tamron screwed up on the optical design with this one

. everybody has good things to say about the sigma 10-20 (and if you want proper ultra wide, it's hard to beat on price too). and last but not least, i've had my eye on the 14/2.8 from samyang: cheap, pretty good (though it has some distorsion), extremely sharp as it seems, and, like the zenitar, it can be a blast on film if you're bored one weekend

. i have the 85/1.4 from samyang, and i am quite impressed, they are to be reckoned with! but i'm not letting go of my zenitar any time soon, the combination of size, quality, etc is just perfect. i wish it was k-a instead of k-m (like the samyangs are)

good luck is all i can say (i know i didn't exactly make it easier for you

)

jephi · 12-12-2010, 05:29 PM

I like my Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 a lot and would buy it again, or rather the newer f3.5 version.
I have not tried any of the other lenses in the poll.

Find below some shots taken with this lens at 10mm & a K10D

idkjai · 12-12-2010, 06:19 PM

Voted 15mm for its starburst effect!

Trig · 12-12-2010, 06:58 PM

Simply loving my Sigma 10-20mm. I also have the Pentax 10-17mm fisheye. Both great but the Sigma 10-20mm is a more useful.

nulla · 12-12-2010, 07:09 PM

good poll... wrong forum

mel · 12-12-2010, 07:15 PM

Originally posted by nulla

good poll... wrong forum

Moved to the right forum . . .

JHD · 12-12-2010, 07:45 PM

I might have voted for the Sigma 8-16 but I have no experience with that lens, so my pick is the Sigma 10-20. I did own a DA15 and for the life of me I cannot understand why people are so infatuated with that lens. It's more bling than the real thing. Of all the lenses I have purchased, the DA15 was my biggest regret... it is too over priced and under performing. You'd be very hard pressed to see a difference in the IQ between it and the DA 16-45, which sells for less than half (at least here in Canada).

My guess is the DA15 will win the popularity contest in the same way as a brand Canon would win over Pentax. Such is the nature of blind devotion - and yes I've seen ever picture posted in the so called "mind control" thread along with plenty of my own, but as popular as the DA15 is, it's just an average lens at best with a premium price.

If you want a wide angle lens, why limit yourself to 15mm? 5mm might not sound like much but there a HUGE difference between 10mm and 15mm.

View Poll Results: If You Could Just Pick One..
Pentax DA 12-24	33	22.00%
Pentax DA 10-17	7	4.67%
Pentax DA 15	50	33.33%
Tamron 10-24	10	6.67%
Sigma 10-20	32	21.33%
Sigma 8-16	18	12.00%
Voters: 150. You may not vote on this poll

12-12-2010, 03:16 PM	#1
ohyouloveme Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 79	Which Wide Angle - YOU Choose I'm searching for a wide angle lens and having looked through all the beautiful pictures in each of the candidates' respective threads, i must say i am nowhere near an answer. I have come to a conclusion that any of them would serve me equally fine. I'm not picky. But I'd still like to know, if you could choose just one, which would you choose? So here's where you guys decide for me. I'll just get the one that is chosen most in this poll. If i don't know where i want to go, i figure any road will do, as long as i set off on my journey. If your choice isn't there and you insist i get that, feel free to drop a note.

12-12-2010, 05:29 PM	#10
jephi Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Berlin Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 103	Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 I like my Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 a lot and would buy it again, or rather the newer f3.5 version. I have not tried any of the other lenses in the poll. Find below some shots taken with this lens at 10mm & a K10D Last edited by jephi; 12-12-2010 at 06:17 PM.

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12-12-2010, 03:25 PM	#2
redrockcoulee Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Medicine Hat Posts: 2,306	The next lens for my wife will be one of those (except for the DA 15) The lens that practically lives on her K10D is the 16-45 hence 15 not enough to justify the cost of it. You did not mention what is your widest now, which may make a difference to which one would be your 'best' choice.

12-12-2010, 03:29 PM	#3
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	none of them. DA14 is the way. I'm very happy with it. I tried DA15 and DA12-24 before, but combination of f2.8, wide angle and close focus capability made it my choice.

12-12-2010, 03:30 PM	#4
Ivan Glisin Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgrade Posts: 656	Originally posted by ohyouloveme I'm searching for a wide angle lens Just a quick note, DA 10-17 is a Fishe-Eye zoom and in fact the only FE lens on the list. Perhaps it does not belong there? Personally, I would get DA 15 (voted).

12-12-2010, 03:41 PM	#5
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,639	If you really want ultra wide angle, than the Sigma 8-16 is a must, else the 12-24 is an excellent choice. I don't know which camera you have, but with a K-5 the f:4 is not a problem...

12-12-2010, 03:51 PM	#6
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	The 10-17 will give fisheye results unlike other lenses. The 12-24 is highly regarded, has a very useful range, and gives flexibility at the wide end where every mm matters.

12-12-2010, 03:56 PM	#7
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	11-16 f2.8...

12-12-2010, 04:16 PM	#8
David Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 347	I've tried out the Pentax 14 and 15 mm lens in comparison to the Sigma 10-20 on my K20D and couldn't tell the difference even though I was trying to convince myself that I "needed" the Pentax 15mm. Ended up buying a used DA 21mm Limited off ebay which is due to arrive shortly. A good point has been made that with the K-5, lens maximum apertures of f4 etc are not really an issue given the noiseless low ISO performance of the camera. The remaining downside being view finder brightness. David

12-12-2010, 04:24 PM	#9
nanok Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 969	i know how you must feel. been there, done that. i finally made the weirdest choice you could imagine (not surprising, if you know me ): the zenitar fisheye 16/2.8. on aps-c it's a nice, distorted ultrawide. the distorsion, being a fisheye, is very regular and very easy to straighten out on aps-c. the image wuality is generally excellent. the price is good too. i had been thinking of getting an ultrawide zoom, once i have the finances (the 12-24 pentax is so unjustifiably expensive..), but after using the zenitar for a while, i just can't: it's small, it's compact, sturdy, it's perfect for my needs (outdoor/landscape mostly). here's an example of the kind of stuff i do with it (to give you an idea, this is _not_ corrected -- can you tell?) i guess from your list, the ltd 15 is the closest one, but it's not as wide as the zenitar (don't be fooled, 16mm fisheye is not the same as rectilinear, after straightening, this lens is closer to a 14mm rectilinear). i don't know how big it is and how it handles, either, the zenitar is tiny, and i like that a lot (that's because of the simpler fisheye design, rectilinear corrected lenses tend to always be bulkier for the same maximum aperture) i also considered the tamron when it first came out, btw, for the price, but from what i read, tamron screwed up on the optical design with this one . everybody has good things to say about the sigma 10-20 (and if you want proper ultra wide, it's hard to beat on price too). and last but not least, i've had my eye on the 14/2.8 from samyang: cheap, pretty good (though it has some distorsion), extremely sharp as it seems, and, like the zenitar, it can be a blast on film if you're bored one weekend . i have the 85/1.4 from samyang, and i am quite impressed, they are to be reckoned with! but i'm not letting go of my zenitar any time soon, the combination of size, quality, etc is just perfect. i wish it was k-a instead of k-m (like the samyangs are) good luck is all i can say (i know i didn't exactly make it easier for you )

12-12-2010, 06:19 PM	#11
idkjai Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York, NY Posts: 104	Voted 15mm for its starburst effect!

12-12-2010, 06:58 PM	#12
Trig Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Acushnet, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 211	Simply loving my Sigma 10-20mm. I also have the Pentax 10-17mm fisheye. Both great but the Sigma 10-20mm is a more useful.

12-12-2010, 07:09 PM	#13
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	good poll... wrong forum

12-12-2010, 07:15 PM	#14
mel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,531	Originally posted by nulla good poll... wrong forum Moved to the right forum . . .

12-12-2010, 07:45 PM	#15
JHD Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,406	I might have voted for the Sigma 8-16 but I have no experience with that lens, so my pick is the Sigma 10-20. I did own a DA15 and for the life of me I cannot understand why people are so infatuated with that lens. It's more bling than the real thing. Of all the lenses I have purchased, the DA15 was my biggest regret... it is too over priced and under performing. You'd be very hard pressed to see a difference in the IQ between it and the DA 16-45, which sells for less than half (at least here in Canada). My guess is the DA15 will win the popularity contest in the same way as a brand Canon would win over Pentax. Such is the nature of blind devotion - and yes I've seen ever picture posted in the so called "mind control" thread along with plenty of my own, but as popular as the DA15 is, it's just an average lens at best with a premium price. If you want a wide angle lens, why limit yourself to 15mm? 5mm might not sound like much but there a HUGE difference between 10mm and 15mm.