DA 15mm and 21mm or just DA 12-24mm

metungnasi · 03-21-2011, 09:16 PM

Hi guys need help. I am torn between getting two wide angle primes 15 & 21, or just get a wide 12-24 zoom that will cover both.

v5planet · 03-21-2011, 09:21 PM

Cover both and then some. If it's the range that matters to you rather than the unique properties of those limiteds in particular, then I think the reputedly excellent 12-24 or similar is your ticket.

Adam · 03-21-2011, 09:24 PM

Yeah I'd go for the zoom as well, no point in have 2 primes that close.

Emacs · 03-21-2011, 11:07 PM

Originally posted by metungnasi

Hi guys need help. I am torn between getting two wide angle primes 15 & 21, or just get a wide 12-24 zoom that will cover both.

The 12-24 doesn't have something special that 15Ltd has. The 21 isn't that good as 15 is. My choice is 15 + Sigma 8-16 or Sigma 10-20, but not 12-24.

sajah · 03-22-2011, 03:08 AM

I prefer to have both DA 15 and DA 12-24. DA15 when I need its compact size and its magic (i.e. starburst and flare resistant), and 12-24 when I really need ultra wide (e.g. architecture shot) or I need the zoom flexibility.

I must say that most of the time I bring DA15 with me, but 12-24 really delivers when it's needed.

twitch · 03-22-2011, 04:11 AM

I'm no help at all because I have all 3 :/

hoanpham · 03-22-2011, 04:23 AM

DA12-24
then sigma 8-16,
then 15...

bdery · 03-22-2011, 04:45 AM

I'll answer with a question : how/where/when do you plan on using the lenses, and what do you plan to photograph?

Does a really small package help your style, or will the convenience of a zoom with less lens swapping be more helpful?

The primes have the edge on IQ, but the zoom is still excellent. It could be that the zoom is too large for your use (walking around with just the 21 is a fantastic experience) but maybe you're fine with the larger lens. I for one can't decide for you.

RBellavance · 03-22-2011, 04:50 AM

IMHO, bdery has the right approach to this.

For the record, I have both the 12-24 and the 21, and I wouldn't part with either.

creampuff · 03-22-2011, 04:59 AM

Originally posted by RBellavance

IMHO, bdery has the right approach to this.

For the record, I have both the 12-24 and the 21, and I wouldn't part with either.

+1 to this.
I too won't let go of my 12-24 and 21.

SylBer · 03-22-2011, 07:09 AM

I too hesitated a long time before buying. After reading all the reviews on the web, I finally decided to go with the 12-24. Of course, I can't compare it to the two other lens since I never tried them, but I can tell you I am very satisfied with the IQ of the 12-24 and appreciate it's great range.

sterretje · 03-22-2011, 07:52 AM

Originally posted by Adam

Yeah I'd go for the zoom as well, [b]no point in have 2 primes that close.[b]

Originally posted by twitch

I'm no help at all because I have all 3 :/

twitch, I think you should educate Adam

v5planet · 03-22-2011, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by sterretje

twitch, I think you should educate Adam

Haha, I was waiting for twitch to chime in on this. I still think that unless the OP wants the 15 because it's the 15 and wants the 21 because it's the 21, that the best choice really is the 12-24 zoom.

rustynail925 · 03-22-2011, 09:31 AM

Get the 12-24.. its like a 15 and 21 combined

SpecialK · 03-22-2011, 09:37 AM

Originally posted by metungnasi

Hi guys need help. I am torn between getting two wide angle primes 15 & 21, or just get a wide 12-24 zoom that will cover both.

Quote:

Cover both and then some. If it's the range that matters to you rather than the unique properties of those limiteds in particular, then I think the reputedly excellent 12-24 or similar is your ticket.

I would start with the 12-24. Even when you get primes, you will likely keep this.

Quote:

Yeah I'd go for the zoom as well, no point in have 2 primes that close.

At these short focal lengths, there is quite a difference.

The 12-24 is a very versatile range with excellent IQ. It is a bit larger than both those primes together. The hood makes it look larger than it really is, though.

03-21-2011, 09:16 PM	#1
metungnasi Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 82	DA 15mm and 21mm or just DA 12-24mm Hi guys need help. I am torn between getting two wide angle primes 15 & 21, or just get a wide 12-24 zoom that will cover both.

03-21-2011, 09:24 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Yeah I'd go for the zoom as well, no point in have 2 primes that close. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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03-21-2011, 09:21 PM	#2
v5planet Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 1,915	Cover both and then some. If it's the range that matters to you rather than the unique properties of those limiteds in particular, then I think the reputedly excellent 12-24 or similar is your ticket.

03-21-2011, 11:07 PM	#4
Emacs Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Moscow Posts: 1,223	Originally posted by metungnasi Hi guys need help. I am torn between getting two wide angle primes 15 & 21, or just get a wide 12-24 zoom that will cover both. The 12-24 doesn't have something special that 15Ltd has. The 21 isn't that good as 15 is. My choice is 15 + Sigma 8-16 or Sigma 10-20, but not 12-24.

03-22-2011, 03:08 AM	#5
sajah Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Korea Photos: Gallery Posts: 275	I prefer to have both DA 15 and DA 12-24. DA15 when I need its compact size and its magic (i.e. starburst and flare resistant), and 12-24 when I really need ultra wide (e.g. architecture shot) or I need the zoom flexibility. I must say that most of the time I bring DA15 with me, but 12-24 really delivers when it's needed.

03-22-2011, 04:11 AM	#6
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	I'm no help at all because I have all 3 :/

03-22-2011, 04:23 AM	#7
hoanpham Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Strand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,366	DA12-24 then sigma 8-16, then 15...

03-22-2011, 04:45 AM	#8
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	I'll answer with a question : how/where/when do you plan on using the lenses, and what do you plan to photograph? Does a really small package help your style, or will the convenience of a zoom with less lens swapping be more helpful? The primes have the edge on IQ, but the zoom is still excellent. It could be that the zoom is too large for your use (walking around with just the 21 is a fantastic experience) but maybe you're fine with the larger lens. I for one can't decide for you.

03-22-2011, 04:50 AM	#9
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	IMHO, bdery has the right approach to this. For the record, I have both the 12-24 and the 21, and I wouldn't part with either.

03-22-2011, 04:59 AM	#10
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Originally posted by RBellavance IMHO, bdery has the right approach to this. For the record, I have both the 12-24 and the 21, and I wouldn't part with either. +1 to this. I too won't let go of my 12-24 and 21.

03-22-2011, 07:09 AM	#11
SylBer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Quebec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 210	I too hesitated a long time before buying. After reading all the reviews on the web, I finally decided to go with the 12-24. Of course, I can't compare it to the two other lens since I never tried them, but I can tell you I am very satisfied with the IQ of the 12-24 and appreciate it's great range.

03-22-2011, 07:52 AM	#12
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by Adam Yeah I'd go for the zoom as well, [b]no point in have 2 primes that close.[b] Originally posted by twitch I'm no help at all because I have all 3 :/ twitch, I think you should educate Adam

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03-22-2011, 08:57 AM	#13
v5planet Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 1,915	Originally posted by sterretje twitch, I think you should educate Adam Haha, I was waiting for twitch to chime in on this. I still think that unless the OP wants the 15 because it's the 15 and wants the 21 because it's the 21, that the best choice really is the 12-24 zoom.

03-22-2011, 09:31 AM	#14
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551	Get the 12-24.. its like a 15 and 21 combined

03-22-2011, 09:37 AM	#15
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Originally posted by metungnasi Hi guys need help. I am torn between getting two wide angle primes 15 & 21, or just get a wide 12-24 zoom that will cover both. Quote: Cover both and then some. If it's the range that matters to you rather than the unique properties of those limiteds in particular, then I think the reputedly excellent 12-24 or similar is your ticket. I would start with the 12-24. Even when you get primes, you will likely keep this. Quote: Yeah I'd go for the zoom as well, no point in have 2 primes that close. At these short focal lengths, there is quite a difference. The 12-24 is a very versatile range with excellent IQ. It is a bit larger than both those primes together. The hood makes it look larger than it really is, though.