LBA strikes again: DA 15mm temptation

**Basset** · 12-06-2011, 11:17 AM

You did not say why you wanted the 15 mm limited, versus the other limited.

I was lured into buying the 15 limited based upon comments here. Great lens, true. However, I ended up trading it for a 21 mm limited (plus some cash), which better suited my typical subject matter. I don't regret the move.

You mentioned the desire for a small prime. The DA 21 is smaller than the 15. Comparison pic here.

paperbag846 · 12-06-2011, 12:52 PM

21 better for people

15 better for scenes

**RobA_Oz** · 12-06-2011, 01:19 PM

Hmm. I thought I had this range covered, as well. I had the DA*16-50 (which some people are a bit sniffy about, but I like, for several reasons) and the DA14/2.8 (which seems a bit of an orphan because of its size, but, hell, its an f2.8) when I bought the Sigma 10-20/3.5 for even greater width. All was well until friend David lent me his DA15/4. The recent price drop, coupled with the rise in the Aussie dollar, means that a copy of this one is now spending a bit of time on my K-5! I haven't yet done a two-way comparison of the 14 against the 15, but I suspect they're suited to slightly different purposes, but until I do the comparison, I won't know just what. What I do like about the DA15 is its size, general sharpness and image colouring.

LBA is now sated, for the moment (well, after picking up an A50/1.2 - thanks, Dan!).

SpecialK · 12-06-2011, 03:55 PM

The 15 is pretty close to 16, so I would go for the 12-24 instead :-) That way you have the wide end covered. Yeah, it's big, but it is mostly hood...

selar · 12-06-2011, 07:12 PM

The 15LTD makes a very good complement to the DA*16-50, as the 16-50 is at its weakest at 16mm.

twitch · 12-06-2011, 07:31 PM

Did someone mention limiteds?

The DA15 is my favourite of the DA limiteds. Flare resistance and sharpness (in the centre) wide open is not to be sneezed at and both are strengths of the DA15, lack of flare resistance & CA is a real problem in the 12-24 for instance, and one of the things (apart from size) that makes me far prefer the DA15 over it. If I was to own only 1 DA limited it would be the DA15.

Does that help your LBA?

MegaPower · 12-06-2011, 09:14 PM

you buy what you need, not necessary LBA

**Canada_Rockies** · 12-06-2011, 09:37 PM

The DA 16-45 isn't as big as my DA* 16-50 by a long shot, and it's ALWAYS with me. That extra stop of aperture is a killer. For wider I bought the DA 12-24. I don't want to read that thread mentioned ever again. It's on my no-no list. I will not read about the 15mm I won't I won't I won...

selar · 12-06-2011, 09:59 PM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

I will not read about the 15mm I won't I won't I won...

Then the DA15LTD IS controlling your mind..... isn't it?

jsherman999 · 12-06-2011, 10:00 PM - **1 Like**

.

robgo2 · 12-06-2011, 11:01 PM

The DA15 Limited is optically quite good, as it delivers very punchy images, though its real attraction is small size and superb build. But if I were to recommend a single lens that has the small size, the build and also superb optics, it would be the FA43 Limited. So, what I'm suggesting is that you be very clear about why you are attracted to the DA15, since you don't really need it for wide angle shooting. If what you're after is a diminutive jewel, the FA43 beats it by a very wide margin. I own both (as well as the DA*16-50), and I like my DA15 very much, but it just isn't in the same league, IMO.

This is all probably irrelevant, as you have got the DA15 LBA bug, but I just wanted to give you something else to consider.

Rob

freerider · 12-07-2011, 12:06 AM

I love my DA15. I've taken some of my favorite images with it. I really appreciate the flare resistance. My 2cents as a fellow addict: If you have your mind set on it and you can afford it, go ahead and feed the beast. You can always return it or sell it if it doesn't work out for you.

12-06-2011, 10:00 PM - 1 Like	#25
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	The 15ltd has had a lot to say over the years! . .

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12-06-2011, 11:17 AM	#16
Basset Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 340	You did not say why you wanted the 15 mm limited, versus the other limited. I was lured into buying the 15 limited based upon comments here. Great lens, true. However, I ended up trading it for a 21 mm limited (plus some cash), which better suited my typical subject matter. I don't regret the move. You mentioned the desire for a small prime. The DA 21 is smaller than the 15. Comparison pic here.

12-06-2011, 12:52 PM	#17
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	21 better for people 15 better for scenes

12-06-2011, 01:19 PM	#18
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 7,857	Hmm. I thought I had this range covered, as well. I had the DA*16-50 (which some people are a bit sniffy about, but I like, for several reasons) and the DA14/2.8 (which seems a bit of an orphan because of its size, but, hell, its an f2.8) when I bought the Sigma 10-20/3.5 for even greater width. All was well until friend David lent me his DA15/4. The recent price drop, coupled with the rise in the Aussie dollar, means that a copy of this one is now spending a bit of time on my K-5! I haven't yet done a two-way comparison of the 14 against the 15, but I suspect they're suited to slightly different purposes, but until I do the comparison, I won't know just what. What I do like about the DA15 is its size, general sharpness and image colouring. LBA is now sated, for the moment (well, after picking up an A50/1.2 - thanks, Dan!).

12-06-2011, 03:55 PM	#19
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,453	The 15 is pretty close to 16, so I would go for the 12-24 instead :-) That way you have the wide end covered. Yeah, it's big, but it is mostly hood...

12-06-2011, 07:12 PM	#20
selar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,042	The 15LTD makes a very good complement to the DA*16-50, as the 16-50 is at its weakest at 16mm.

12-06-2011, 07:31 PM	#21
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Did someone mention limiteds? The DA15 is my favourite of the DA limiteds. Flare resistance and sharpness (in the centre) wide open is not to be sneezed at and both are strengths of the DA15, lack of flare resistance & CA is a real problem in the 12-24 for instance, and one of the things (apart from size) that makes me far prefer the DA15 over it. If I was to own only 1 DA limited it would be the DA15. Does that help your LBA?

12-06-2011, 09:14 PM	#22
MegaPower Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hong Kong / Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 636	you buy what you need, not necessary LBA

12-06-2011, 09:37 PM	#23
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,384	The DA 16-45 isn't as big as my DA* 16-50 by a long shot, and it's ALWAYS with me. That extra stop of aperture is a killer. For wider I bought the DA 12-24. I don't want to read that thread mentioned ever again. It's on my no-no list. I will not read about the 15mm I won't I won't I won...

12-06-2011, 09:59 PM	#24
selar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,042	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies I will not read about the 15mm I won't I won't I won... Then the DA15LTD IS controlling your mind..... isn't it?

12-06-2011, 11:01 PM	#26
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125	The DA15 Limited is optically quite good, as it delivers very punchy images, though its real attraction is small size and superb build. But if I were to recommend a single lens that has the small size, the build and also superb optics, it would be the FA43 Limited. So, what I'm suggesting is that you be very clear about why you are attracted to the DA15, since you don't really need it for wide angle shooting. If what you're after is a diminutive jewel, the FA43 beats it by a very wide margin. I own both (as well as the DA*16-50), and I like my DA15 very much, but it just isn't in the same league, IMO. This is all probably irrelevant, as you have got the DA15 LBA bug, but I just wanted to give you something else to consider. Rob

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12-07-2011, 12:06 AM	#27
freerider Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 299	I love my DA15. I've taken some of my favorite images with it. I really appreciate the flare resistance. My 2cents as a fellow addict: If you have your mind set on it and you can afford it, go ahead and feed the beast. You can always return it or sell it if it doesn't work out for you.