[tux08902]

I'm considering two ultra-wide angle lenses, but they are both specialty lenses:

Pentax-DA 14mm F2.8
Pentax-DA 10-17mm F3.5-F4.5 Fisheye

I don't think the maximum aperture is really an issue given the application of the lens, but which one would be best for wide angle perspective, particularly for landscapes and such? Also, is the fisheye distortion present across the entire range or only at the wide end?

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Last edited by tux08902; 01-14-2008 at 06:59 PM.

[TomInJax]

Lba???

.

[tux08902]

No, I'm trying to build a kit for myself. Sorry, I'm not buying both of them. I'm buying one of them. I wanted advice on which one to buy.

[jmdeegan]

not sure when you got the K10D, but i think tom meant u got LBA bad....like me

i have and love the fisheye, cant comment on the other, but the fisheye is gonna be there for the most part. there is software to remove it

[tux08902]

That's the thing. I'm not shelling out for both lenses. Yes, fisheye is fun, but I never warmed up to it. I really just want a lens that I can use to kill two birds with one stone. If that's not possible, then I guess I'll stick with the DA 14/2.8, then.

By the way, I got my K10D a couple of months ago. I'm buying an A 28/2.8 and the DA 50-200 until I can afford some better lenses, although the A 28/2.8 is nothing to sneeze at.

[TomInJax]

not sure when you got the K10D, but i think tom meant u got LBA bad....like me

Yup, mine started innocently.... I just need a better zoom.... Ah, got it... Prime is better? Oh, I had better get the 50... But I really need the 35... Well I had better get that... My macro is sub par? Oh the pictures with the Voigtländer are so nice! I had better get that... Oh I need a walk-around lens... The Tamron does what, you say? Oh I need that! Etc.

I am a proud member of the LBA disorder group too. You don't have to admit it now... You will realize it eventually...

[Lowell Goudge]

I would go for either the pentax 12-24, sigma APO12-24 EX DG or the sigma APO 10-20 EX DC

you get a wider lens than the prime you indicated and cover more range.

Can't comment on the pentax, I won the sigma 10-20 but note the Sigma 12-24 gets better ratings

[Marc Langille]

I would go for either the pentax 12-24, sigma APO12-24 EX DG or the sigma APO 10-20 EX DC

you get a wider lens than the prime you indicated and cover more range.

Can't comment on the pentax, I won the sigma 10-20 but note the Sigma 12-24 gets better ratings

I have the DA 12-24 and it's fantastic. Of course the price is not cheap, and as zooms go, it's quite sharp.

Cheers,
Marc

[Lowell Goudge]

I have the DA 12-24 and it's fantastic. Of course the price is not cheap, and as zooms go, it's quite sharp.

Cheers,
Marc

It would be great to see side by side tests of all 3. I have one, you another, who has the sigma 12-24?

We could pick a subject, shooting location and each get there at some time and take our shots

[TomInJax]

That's the thing. I'm not shelling out for both lenses. Yes, fisheye is fun, but I never warmed up to it. I really just want a lens that I can use to kill two birds with one stone. If that's not possible, then I guess I'll stick with the DA 14/2.8, then.

By the way, I got my K10D a couple of months ago. I'm buying an A 28/2.8 and the DA 50-200 until I can afford some better lenses, although the A 28/2.8 is nothing to sneeze at.

Hmmm... How about something that is highly rated, extreem wide angle (on the K10D) and.... get this.... less than $200???

Mine is on order and will arrive tomorrow or the next day.... (LBA again... I keep warning you!)

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/17029-lens-still-has-cap...rprise-me.html

[tux08902]

There is no shame in LBA. I admit I have one too, but it's our hobby. It's a costly one, but the pleasure and the sense of accomplishment you get from it is like no other. Might as well do anything you can to increase that sense.

[SpecialK]

It would be great to see side by side tests of all 3. I have one, you another, who has the sigma 12-24?

We could pick a subject, shooting location and each get there at some time and take our shots

I can only help compare the Pentax 10-17 and Pentax 12-24 over the common range.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q78/KylePix/Tests/10-17vs12-24.jpg

[SicKb0y]

Hi there!


The DA14 and the DA10-17 are both great performer, but each one is some kind of special...

The DA14 ist good even unter low light conditions, see my examples below. But it's not a lightweight. It was my most used lense last year and was perfect for nearly everything
(macros, landscapes, architecture etc.)

But one day the DA10-17 arrived and everything changed, because the 10-17 ist my new love.
It's very sharp even wide open and it's fun to play with it.
One thing is important using the fisheye, you have to learn how to handle the distortion and
to use it the right way otherwise the fisheye effect gets boring. With the DA14 you can get
very close to objects, but with the 10-17 you can get even closer and that's really cool.
If you own a 16-45/16-50 you got "normal" wide angle @16mm, what should be enough at
most situations and the DA10-17 would be a nice to have. Without a good standard-lense
starting @16mm the Fisheye ist not the best idea.

btw.: I sold my DA14 some days ago


Some examples with both lenses:

DA14:










DA10-17:

[roentarre]

One is rectilinear and the other is fish eye lens with distorsion. It is really your personal preference.

Da 14mm shots

Da 14mm shots

Fish Eye 10-18

FE 10-18 shots

[Ray Pulley]

Sickboy,

Nice wide angle shots! Your images inspire me to explore the wide-side (wide-side, wild-side, get it? he-he) much more! I have the DA 14mm and like it a lot, but do not use it enough.

Thanks!

Ray