I need a wide angle for my trip, which one?

Deiberson · 01-31-2012, 01:25 PM

I'm renting a lens tonight for a trip. Not sure which one I'm going with. I've rented the sig 10-20 before. I was surprised at how large it was. Is the Pentax 12-14 as big, and what are its results comparatively?
Heading to British Columbia for a ski trip and want something to take into bars, street shots, and some wide angle landscapes /skiing.

SpecialK · 01-31-2012, 01:40 PM

12-24 is one of the most useful ranges. The lens is not large, but the hood is.

Mareket · 01-31-2012, 01:41 PM

Why not try a 14mm f/2.8 if you're going for wide and small? Or the 21 or 15 Limited (though I couldn't recommend the latter based on the one I had). I think the 12-24 is pretty big, especially with the lens hood attached.

Then there's always the 8-16, but it's a bit of a lump. Fine lens though.

**blackcloudbrew** · 01-31-2012, 02:40 PM

As I recall, the 12-24 is perhaps a long as the Sigma 10-20 but thinner. The hood on the 12-24 makes it appear big. The DA14 would be a nice lens for indoors as it's f2.8 but it bigger than that 12-24 and heavier than the sigma. If you want small go with the DA15 or DA21. Personally, the 12-24 is my favorite but it's a bit slow indoors. The thing is, I really don't consider any of these lenses large say compared to a 70-200 or something like that. My choice would be the 12-24 as it's going to give you the most range in wide angle as any of these with it being just a bit slow indoors.

westmill · 01-31-2012, 02:45 PM

The Pentax 12 to 24 f4 is a corker and prob best in class. Its biggest flaw is very high Chromatic aberarations.
They can be got rid of easily enough if you shoot raw. Actually, because its pentax it can do it automaticly in camera shooting Jpgs if your using K5 !

twitch · 01-31-2012, 02:51 PM

DA12-24 would suit, although the hood is a PITA as it's huge. IQ is good, or rather it is sharp, but compared to the DA15 it's bad on flare resistance and CA.

I've just picked up a FA*24 which would be better suited than a DA12-24 for shots in bars, and it's kind of wide angle. Along with the FA31, it's one of the best general purpose lenses due to it's speed and FOV.

If you are actually skiiing with the camera I'd be taking a DA15 as it's so small, but f/4 is a struggle indoors.

I think on balance, hiring just one lens, then get 12-24.

If I was going I wouldn't take mine though (mostly because I have a hate/love/hate relationship with my 12-24), I'd far rather have along my DA15, FA*24 & FA31..... that's not an inexpensive kit though (to hire or buy).

RioRico · 01-31-2012, 07:05 PM

I use the Tamron 10-24. I find it sharp, with an excellent focal range, and not especially large, except that its hood makes it impressive. I usually carry in my not-huge sling bag the Tammy, DA10-17, DA18-250, FA50/1.4, and Raynox DCR-250 -- or rather, one of those AFs is on the K20D, the rest are in my bag. They make an admirable minimal kit.

Ubuntu_user · 01-31-2012, 07:31 PM

I'd say the DA 15mm. It's small, light, and inconspicuous.

Marc Sabatella · 01-31-2012, 08:48 PM

Originally posted by twitch

If you are actually skiiing with the camera I'd be taking a DA15 as it's so small, but f/4 is a struggle indoors.

Not really. Shutter speeds at 15mm can be quite slow and still get a good shot. I think the DA15 is the no-brainer choice if you are looking for a wide angle lens with an emphasis on small size and/or image quality. The only question is whether you'd rather have the extra flexibility of the zoom - the option to go wider or longer

ozlizard · 01-31-2012, 08:56 PM

My Sigma 10-20 consistently gives great results and I certainly don't find it too large. Good value for money, don't hire one just buy it!

Deiberson · 02-01-2012, 03:44 AM

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the 16-50. @2.8 I'd get the zoom and the wide angle.

I've been around long enough to know there really isn't a one quiver lens, but I wanted to hear your thoughts. So going indoors......the speed of the 14 might be my best option. I have other lenses to take in the back country for ski shots.
Does the IQ of the 14 match that of the 15?

Deiberson · 02-01-2012, 09:13 AM

I went with the 12-24. I have a 35 and a 50 if i need the speed inside.

01-31-2012, 01:25 PM	#1
Deiberson Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 734	I need a wide angle for my trip, which one? I'm renting a lens tonight for a trip. Not sure which one I'm going with. I've rented the sig 10-20 before. I was surprised at how large it was. Is the Pentax 12-14 as big, and what are its results comparatively? Heading to British Columbia for a ski trip and want something to take into bars, street shots, and some wide angle landscapes /skiing.

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01-31-2012, 01:40 PM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	12-24 is one of the most useful ranges. The lens is not large, but the hood is.

01-31-2012, 01:41 PM	#3
Mareket Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chester Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 719	Why not try a 14mm f/2.8 if you're going for wide and small? Or the 21 or 15 Limited (though I couldn't recommend the latter based on the one I had). I think the 12-24 is pretty big, especially with the lens hood attached. Then there's always the 8-16, but it's a bit of a lump. Fine lens though.

01-31-2012, 02:40 PM	#4
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	As I recall, the 12-24 is perhaps a long as the Sigma 10-20 but thinner. The hood on the 12-24 makes it appear big. The DA14 would be a nice lens for indoors as it's f2.8 but it bigger than that 12-24 and heavier than the sigma. If you want small go with the DA15 or DA21. Personally, the 12-24 is my favorite but it's a bit slow indoors. The thing is, I really don't consider any of these lenses large say compared to a 70-200 or something like that. My choice would be the 12-24 as it's going to give you the most range in wide angle as any of these with it being just a bit slow indoors.

01-31-2012, 02:45 PM	#5
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	The Pentax 12 to 24 f4 is a corker and prob best in class. Its biggest flaw is very high Chromatic aberarations. They can be got rid of easily enough if you shoot raw. Actually, because its pentax it can do it automaticly in camera shooting Jpgs if your using K5 !

01-31-2012, 02:51 PM	#6
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	DA12-24 would suit, although the hood is a PITA as it's huge. IQ is good, or rather it is sharp, but compared to the DA15 it's bad on flare resistance and CA. I've just picked up a FA24 which would be better suited than a DA12-24 for shots in bars, and it's kind of wide angle. Along with the FA31, it's one of the best general purpose lenses due to it's speed and FOV. If you are actually skiiing with the camera I'd be taking a DA15 as it's so small, but f/4 is a struggle indoors. I think on balance, hiring just one lens, then get 12-24. If I was going I wouldn't take mine though (mostly because I have a hate/love/hate relationship with my 12-24), I'd far rather have along my DA15, FA24 & FA31..... that's not an inexpensive kit though (to hire or buy).

01-31-2012, 07:05 PM	#7
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	I use the Tamron 10-24. I find it sharp, with an excellent focal range, and not especially large, except that its hood makes it impressive. I usually carry in my not-huge sling bag the Tammy, DA10-17, DA18-250, FA50/1.4, and Raynox DCR-250 -- or rather, one of those AFs is on the K20D, the rest are in my bag. They make an admirable minimal kit.

01-31-2012, 07:31 PM	#8
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	I'd say the DA 15mm. It's small, light, and inconspicuous.

01-31-2012, 08:48 PM	#9
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by twitch If you are actually skiiing with the camera I'd be taking a DA15 as it's so small, but f/4 is a struggle indoors. Not really. Shutter speeds at 15mm can be quite slow and still get a good shot. I think the DA15 is the no-brainer choice if you are looking for a wide angle lens with an emphasis on small size and/or image quality. The only question is whether you'd rather have the extra flexibility of the zoom - the option to go wider or longer

01-31-2012, 08:56 PM	#10
ozlizard Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bridgetown West Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 903	My Sigma 10-20 consistently gives great results and I certainly don't find it too large. Good value for money, don't hire one just buy it!

02-01-2012, 03:44 AM	#11
Deiberson Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 734 Original Poster	I'm surprised no one has mentioned the 16-50. @2.8 I'd get the zoom and the wide angle. I've been around long enough to know there really isn't a one quiver lens, but I wanted to hear your thoughts. So going indoors......the speed of the 14 might be my best option. I have other lenses to take in the back country for ski shots. Does the IQ of the 14 match that of the 15?

02-01-2012, 09:13 AM	#12
Deiberson Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 734 Original Poster	I went with the 12-24. I have a 35 and a 50 if i need the speed inside.