Hi all,
I'm about to spend some money on a new wide angle lens for my K200D but I find so hard to make a choice between the Pentax' gems available.
At the moment my preferred "wide" is the M 28/3.5 which is always attached on my camera. I like to go really closer to my subject while having the rest of the frame filled with the surroundings. On the other side, when shooting landscapes, I like how distortion look like in my 28mm... looks like the "distortion" you get when stitching panoramas.
Last, I like fixed focal optics cause they fit in my way to take photos.
So, for me, fast aperture is not mandatory... short minimal focusing distance is.
I would avoid that wide angle effect that looks like the scene is stretched inside a cone (I tried the 12-24 and this effect is really visible)... at the same time I don't like the FishEye distortion (the 10-17 is a wonderful lens, but I find its use really limited).
After thinking a lot (and asking also in the italian Pentax forum) I end up with 3 possible candidates.
The DA 14/2.8 is interesting for its wide field (unreachable by my current set up), very close minimal focusing distance (nearly 1:5), a sort of distortion which is "not so cone-like".
The DA 15/4 Limited is interesting for the field of view but I can't figure how much it can go close to the subject: I need some example shot. Its small size is also interesting.
The DA 21/3.2 Limited would be a quality choice in the wide field covered by the 18-55. It's field of view is wonderful and the distortion nearly looks like the one achieved in panoramas. But like the 15/4 I don't know how much it go in close focus: again some shot needed.
What's your opionion?... I would end up in a choice... I'm still confused
.
Thanks.
Bye
Jenner