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Conqueror · 12-08-2011, 02:30 PM

I've just got a K-7 (first pentax - probably selling my m43 stuff) and am already thinking about getting a wide angle lens

Pentax 14mm, Pentax 15mm
Sigma 8-16mm

are some of the lenses I've found

I'm interested in using it in urban environments, any comments welcome

Adam · 12-08-2011, 02:35 PM

One of the best lenses is the 12-24mm:
Pentax-DA 12-24mm F4 ED AL [IF] Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Still on backorder,though: Pentax SMCP-DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL Autofocus Lens 21577 B&H Photo

JinDesu · 12-08-2011, 02:43 PM

Reviews put the 8-16 as the sharpest of the Sigma bunch, so that could be helpful. It's also the widest of the Sigmas.

hcc · 12-08-2011, 02:47 PM

An interesting lens is the DA10-17mm FE. The lens is a fisheye lens at 10mm and a wide angle at 14-17mm. Compact, equipped with Quickshift, the lens is a worthwhile alternative in compact settings incl. urban environments.

Hope that the suggestion may help.

Docrwm · 12-08-2011, 02:49 PM

I looked at the same range last year about this time and went with the Tamron 10-24.

Tamron 10-24mm F3.5-4.5 Di II Lens Reviews - Tamron Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

RioRico · 12-08-2011, 04:23 PM

The DA10-17 is the lens that drove me to Pentax. It is very fishy at the short end, somewhat fishy at the long end. It's technically awesome and great fun but rather specialized. My other real wide-a$$ is the Tamron 10-24, good for tight spaces at the short end and for 'scapes etc at the long end. I chose it over the Sigma offerings because of price, warranty, and Sigma's QC issues. The lowest-priced decent wide lens is the Zenitar-K2 16/2.8 (K2 means it's a PK-M mount). This is slightly fishy, same as the DA10-17 @16mm, but considerably faster -- the 10-17 is only f/4.5 @16mm. I use the 10-17 and the Zenitar less since I got that Tamron, but they're still essential tools in my kit.

**interested_observer** · 12-08-2011, 07:33 PM

I have both the 10-17FE and the 12-24, from Pentax. Both are excellent, and complement each other. The 10-17 fisheye is definitely a specialty lens. I have used it for several of my best shots. The 12-24 is - what I would call a moderate wide angle. Its not as wide as the Sigma 8-16 or the 10-20 or 10-24s, but in moderating the low end, it controls the distortion quite well. The wider the lens, the more distortion it needs to have, in order to pull in the scene from the edges. It's all a compromise. You have some excellent choices from which to choose from.

Conqueror · 12-09-2011, 01:52 PM

thanks for the inut

I quite like the images I've seen with the Panasonic 7-14mm (m43) thats a crop factor of 2... meaning 14-28mm

IIRC k7 has 1.5...

so something similar would be 9/10mm wide end?

the pentax 12-24mm seems to be highly regarded... and may be worth spending the extra for... the tamron also looks a good option

eddie1960 · 12-09-2011, 02:00 PM

If it ever get's in stock the new Sigma 12-24 is splashproof (their WR) a little cheaper than the Pentax but not much

RioRico · 12-09-2011, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by Conqueror

thanks for the inut

No Inuits around here and I could use one, it's COLD out there!

Quote:

so something similar would be 9/10mm wide end?

Forget about crap.factors. Think in terms of AOV (angle of view). For the rectilinear Tamron 10-24 @10mm or the fisheye DA10-17 @17mm, that's about 100 degrees, corner-to-corner diagonal (which is how AOV is measured). For the DA10-17 @10mm, that's almost 180 degrees. A Kenko 180 Degree Fisheye adapter mounted on a lens around 40mm gives a 180 degree full-circle image. Most fisheyes are less extreme but still bend the edges, while rectilinears stretch the edges. You have a choice of distortions.

K206 · 12-09-2011, 06:59 PM

I love my DA 15mm. Not sure if it would be wide enough for you, as the zooms obviously offer wider focal lengths.

But the compactness, build quality, and image quality are excellent in my opinion -- great for urban environments and travel.

Check out the infamous DA 15 "controls my mind" thread if you are interested...

abacus07 · 12-11-2011, 12:18 AM

First you need to choose between howwide/size/aperture/zoomvsprime/MFvsAF/filter size.

Cost is also a factor but they are all expensive except the MF (a non-factor for me) Zenitar and Samyang ($380). However there is currently a rebate on the Tamron at $429 total.

Based on photos that I've seen and personal reviews/comps, all of the below lenses are outstanding IQ wise (the Zenitar might be a step below but not much). I ultimately chose a DA15 two days ago and it wasn't even close. The compact size and the common filter size with the rest of the pentax prime lineup made it a landslide. the only thing that held me back for so long was the $509 price. I might get a WA zoom someday but it's pretty low on my want list.

Here is the list that I posted in another thread.

Primes
Pentax DA14/2.8 - it's fast but it's also the size of a zoom
Pentax DA15/4 - this is an excellent lens and it's compact for hiking
Samyang/Rokinon/Bower/etc - 14mm/2.8 (IIRC) - MF and fast and big
Zenitar 16mm - MF fisheye (can be defished) and the cheapest

Zooms
Pentax 10-17 fisheye
sigma 10-20
Tamron 10-24
Pentax 12-24
Sigma 8-16

Conqueror · 12-13-2011, 03:46 PM

After reading posts on here and various reviews I think the choice is between the 10-17, 12-24 and the sigma 8-16mm now... however I've just seen the pentax 35mm 2.8 macro and it looks real good ... I may end up getting that and waiting a while before getting the WA

Docrwm · 12-13-2011, 05:42 PM

Interesting, 35 is not particularly wide these days. Good luck.

RioRico · 12-13-2011, 07:26 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

Interesting, 35 is not particularly wide these days.

In fact, 35mm is long-normal or short-tele on APS-C -- FOV-equivalent to 50-55mm on FF/135 film cams, good for in-camera crops. Normal on APS-C is 28-30mm; 24mm and shorter are wide. The cheapest decent wide lens is the humble | underrated DA18-55.

12-08-2011, 02:30 PM	#1
Conqueror Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: UK Posts: 440	wide angle I've just got a K-7 (first pentax - probably selling my m43 stuff) and am already thinking about getting a wide angle lens Pentax 14mm, Pentax 15mm Sigma 8-16mm are some of the lenses I've found I'm interested in using it in urban environments, any comments welcome

12-08-2011, 02:35 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	One of the best lenses is the 12-24mm: Pentax-DA 12-24mm F4 ED AL [IF] Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Still on backorder,though: Pentax SMCP-DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL Autofocus Lens 21577 B&H Photo 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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12-08-2011, 02:43 PM	#3
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Reviews put the 8-16 as the sharpest of the Sigma bunch, so that could be helpful. It's also the widest of the Sigmas.

12-08-2011, 02:47 PM	#4
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	An interesting lens is the DA10-17mm FE. The lens is a fisheye lens at 10mm and a wide angle at 14-17mm. Compact, equipped with Quickshift, the lens is a worthwhile alternative in compact settings incl. urban environments. Hope that the suggestion may help.

12-08-2011, 02:49 PM	#5
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	I looked at the same range last year about this time and went with the Tamron 10-24. Tamron 10-24mm F3.5-4.5 Di II Lens Reviews - Tamron Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

12-08-2011, 04:23 PM	#6
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	The DA10-17 is the lens that drove me to Pentax. It is very fishy at the short end, somewhat fishy at the long end. It's technically awesome and great fun but rather specialized. My other real wide-a$$ is the Tamron 10-24, good for tight spaces at the short end and for 'scapes etc at the long end. I chose it over the Sigma offerings because of price, warranty, and Sigma's QC issues. The lowest-priced decent wide lens is the Zenitar-K2 16/2.8 (K2 means it's a PK-M mount). This is slightly fishy, same as the DA10-17 @16mm, but considerably faster -- the 10-17 is only f/4.5 @16mm. I use the 10-17 and the Zenitar less since I got that Tamron, but they're still essential tools in my kit.

12-08-2011, 07:33 PM	#7
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	I have both the 10-17FE and the 12-24, from Pentax. Both are excellent, and complement each other. The 10-17 fisheye is definitely a specialty lens. I have used it for several of my best shots. The 12-24 is - what I would call a moderate wide angle. Its not as wide as the Sigma 8-16 or the 10-20 or 10-24s, but in moderating the low end, it controls the distortion quite well. The wider the lens, the more distortion it needs to have, in order to pull in the scene from the edges. It's all a compromise. You have some excellent choices from which to choose from.

12-09-2011, 01:52 PM	#8
Conqueror Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: UK Posts: 440 Original Poster	thanks for the inut I quite like the images I've seen with the Panasonic 7-14mm (m43) thats a crop factor of 2... meaning 14-28mm IIRC k7 has 1.5... so something similar would be 9/10mm wide end? the pentax 12-24mm seems to be highly regarded... and may be worth spending the extra for... the tamron also looks a good option

12-09-2011, 02:00 PM	#9
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	If it ever get's in stock the new Sigma 12-24 is splashproof (their WR) a little cheaper than the Pentax but not much

12-09-2011, 03:08 PM	#10
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Conqueror thanks for the inut No Inuits around here and I could use one, it's COLD out there! Quote: so something similar would be 9/10mm wide end? Forget about crap.factors. Think in terms of AOV (angle of view). For the rectilinear Tamron 10-24 @10mm or the fisheye DA10-17 @17mm, that's about 100 degrees, corner-to-corner diagonal (which is how AOV is measured). For the DA10-17 @10mm, that's almost 180 degrees. A Kenko 180 Degree Fisheye adapter mounted on a lens around 40mm gives a 180 degree full-circle image. Most fisheyes are less extreme but still bend the edges, while rectilinears stretch the edges. You have a choice of distortions.

12-09-2011, 06:59 PM	#11
K206 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 71	I love my DA 15mm. Not sure if it would be wide enough for you, as the zooms obviously offer wider focal lengths. But the compactness, build quality, and image quality are excellent in my opinion -- great for urban environments and travel. Check out the infamous DA 15 "controls my mind" thread if you are interested...

12-11-2011, 12:18 AM	#12
abacus07 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Taiwan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,075	First you need to choose between howwide/size/aperture/zoomvsprime/MFvsAF/filter size. Cost is also a factor but they are all expensive except the MF (a non-factor for me) Zenitar and Samyang ($380). However there is currently a rebate on the Tamron at $429 total. Based on photos that I've seen and personal reviews/comps, all of the below lenses are outstanding IQ wise (the Zenitar might be a step below but not much). I ultimately chose a DA15 two days ago and it wasn't even close. The compact size and the common filter size with the rest of the pentax prime lineup made it a landslide. the only thing that held me back for so long was the $509 price. I might get a WA zoom someday but it's pretty low on my want list. Here is the list that I posted in another thread. Primes Pentax DA14/2.8 - it's fast but it's also the size of a zoom Pentax DA15/4 - this is an excellent lens and it's compact for hiking Samyang/Rokinon/Bower/etc - 14mm/2.8 (IIRC) - MF and fast and big Zenitar 16mm - MF fisheye (can be defished) and the cheapest Zooms Pentax 10-17 fisheye sigma 10-20 Tamron 10-24 Pentax 12-24 Sigma 8-16

12-13-2011, 03:46 PM	#13
Conqueror Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: UK Posts: 440 Original Poster	After reading posts on here and various reviews I think the choice is between the 10-17, 12-24 and the sigma 8-16mm now... however I've just seen the pentax 35mm 2.8 macro and it looks real good ... I may end up getting that and waiting a while before getting the WA

12-13-2011, 05:42 PM	#14
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Interesting, 35 is not particularly wide these days. Good luck.

12-13-2011, 07:26 PM	#15
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Docrwm Interesting, 35 is not particularly wide these days. In fact, 35mm is long-normal or short-tele on APS-C -- FOV-equivalent to 50-55mm on FF/135 film cams, good for in-camera crops. Normal on APS-C is 28-30mm; 24mm and shorter are wide. The cheapest decent wide lens is the humble \| underrated DA18-55.