Which WA to buy for my Pentax K-5?

johnyates · 11-17-2012, 09:34 AM

I sold my DA15 because of it's curvature of field. I shoot mainly landscapes and I like sharp across the frame--which the 15mm cannot deliver. I replaced it with the DA12-24 and am very happy with it. Not only does it give better image quality, but it's also more versatile.

Depends on what and how you shoot though--compared to the 15mm, the 12-24 is a honkin' big monster--I had to buy a new camera bag.

**interested_observer** · 11-17-2012, 10:49 AM

As MikeSF posted, it really comes down to personal preference. Zooms or primes, and also how much distortion you are willing to put up with. Distortion is going to be a function of width - the wider you go, the more distortion you will have. I have the 8-16, 10-17, 12-24. The 8-16 is too wide for most use, but is perfect to shoot tall square rigged ships (waterline to the top of the masts). I choose the 12-24 because of the balance between width and distortion - the distortion is well controlled. Any CA is able to be corrected in post processing, although I find very little and shoot into the sun quite a bit.

Another area of concern is availability - especially if you want new. The DA 12-24 has been unavailable for quite a while. You want to maybe consider the forum marketplace.

Rocky Lotar · 11-17-2012, 12:03 PM

Northcoastgreg - well, your last sentence is probably what I'm looking for - you have had both the Pentax 12-24mm and the DA 15 Limited. The compact size of the 15 mm is not insignificant. I tend to carry a lot of lenses with me when I shoot, and the DA* 60-250mm is pretty big and takes up a lot of room in my bag.
EarlVonTapia - yes, perhaps a new lens will come out, but this doesn't mean it will be a 'good lens' and it isn't a prime lens. I think prime lenses take better quality photos. I have a Takumar 28mm, a DA 35mm, a FA 50mm, and a DA 70mm Limited. To my eye, they seem sharper than my zooms on most photos.

msatlas · 11-19-2012, 08:21 AM

I personally had narrowed this choice down to the 15 Limited or Sigma 10-20/4-5.6. Of the various ultra-wide zooms, the Sigma seems to offer the best combination of performance and price.

The 15mm is small and light and very resistant to flare so good for outdoor landscapes where the sun is in the frame. But it's not much wider than the Tamron 17-50/2.8 (which I also own).

The Sigma 10-20 is rather more bulky and doesn't handle flare as well as the 15 Limited. But it gets me a noticeably wider angle of view than the 15.

I can't make up my mind between these two so haven't bought either!

mikeSF · 11-19-2012, 09:13 AM

solution, sell the Tamron 17-50 and buy 'em both(used of course). You'll have 15-20mm, 35, and 50 covered in that range which is plenty.

Rocky Lotar · 11-21-2012, 04:34 PM

I don't think so, Mike. I quite like the Tamron 17-50 mm - a very useful zoom lens. I bought it over the DA* 16-50mm which hasn't exactly had ringing endorsements from this community or industry reviews. Plus, I'm not keen on purchasing used lenses.

Rocky Lotar · 11-21-2012, 04:56 PM

BTW, MikeSF - just checked out your website - some REALLY beautiful shots of the Bay area. Very impressive.

mikeSF · 11-21-2012, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by Rocky Lotar

I don't think so, Mike. I quite like the Tamron 17-50 mm - a very useful zoom lens. I bought it over the DA* 16-50mm which hasn't exactly had ringing endorsements from this community or industry reviews. Plus, I'm not keen on purchasing used lenses.

well, i tried. lol. BTW, i've bought 100+ lenses and only TWO of them were purchased new. I am a big fan of buying used.

Originally posted by Rocky Lotar

BTW, MikeSF - just checked out your website - some REALLY beautiful shots of the Bay area. Very impressive.

thanks so much! it's getting better and largely with info i've learned in this very forum.

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11-17-2012, 09:34 AM	#16
johnyates Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Saskatoon, SK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,345	I sold my DA15 because of it's curvature of field. I shoot mainly landscapes and I like sharp across the frame--which the 15mm cannot deliver. I replaced it with the DA12-24 and am very happy with it. Not only does it give better image quality, but it's also more versatile. Depends on what and how you shoot though--compared to the 15mm, the 12-24 is a honkin' big monster--I had to buy a new camera bag.

11-17-2012, 10:49 AM	#17
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	As MikeSF posted, it really comes down to personal preference. Zooms or primes, and also how much distortion you are willing to put up with. Distortion is going to be a function of width - the wider you go, the more distortion you will have. I have the 8-16, 10-17, 12-24. The 8-16 is too wide for most use, but is perfect to shoot tall square rigged ships (waterline to the top of the masts). I choose the 12-24 because of the balance between width and distortion - the distortion is well controlled. Any CA is able to be corrected in post processing, although I find very little and shoot into the sun quite a bit. Another area of concern is availability - especially if you want new. The DA 12-24 has been unavailable for quite a while. You want to maybe consider the forum marketplace.

11-17-2012, 12:03 PM	#18
Rocky Lotar New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 16 Original Poster	Northcoastgreg - well, your last sentence is probably what I'm looking for - you have had both the Pentax 12-24mm and the DA 15 Limited. The compact size of the 15 mm is not insignificant. I tend to carry a lot of lenses with me when I shoot, and the DA* 60-250mm is pretty big and takes up a lot of room in my bag. EarlVonTapia - yes, perhaps a new lens will come out, but this doesn't mean it will be a 'good lens' and it isn't a prime lens. I think prime lenses take better quality photos. I have a Takumar 28mm, a DA 35mm, a FA 50mm, and a DA 70mm Limited. To my eye, they seem sharper than my zooms on most photos.

11-19-2012, 08:21 AM	#19
msatlas Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 309	I personally had narrowed this choice down to the 15 Limited or Sigma 10-20/4-5.6. Of the various ultra-wide zooms, the Sigma seems to offer the best combination of performance and price. The 15mm is small and light and very resistant to flare so good for outdoor landscapes where the sun is in the frame. But it's not much wider than the Tamron 17-50/2.8 (which I also own). The Sigma 10-20 is rather more bulky and doesn't handle flare as well as the 15 Limited. But it gets me a noticeably wider angle of view than the 15. I can't make up my mind between these two so haven't bought either!

11-19-2012, 09:13 AM	#20
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	solution, sell the Tamron 17-50 and buy 'em both(used of course). You'll have 15-20mm, 35, and 50 covered in that range which is plenty.

11-21-2012, 04:34 PM	#21
Rocky Lotar New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 16 Original Poster	I don't think so, Mike. I quite like the Tamron 17-50 mm - a very useful zoom lens. I bought it over the DA* 16-50mm which hasn't exactly had ringing endorsements from this community or industry reviews. Plus, I'm not keen on purchasing used lenses.

11-21-2012, 04:56 PM	#22
Rocky Lotar New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 16 Original Poster	BTW, MikeSF - just checked out your website - some REALLY beautiful shots of the Bay area. Very impressive.

11-21-2012, 05:08 PM	#23
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	Originally posted by Rocky Lotar I don't think so, Mike. I quite like the Tamron 17-50 mm - a very useful zoom lens. I bought it over the DA* 16-50mm which hasn't exactly had ringing endorsements from this community or industry reviews. Plus, I'm not keen on purchasing used lenses. well, i tried. lol. BTW, i've bought 100+ lenses and only TWO of them were purchased new. I am a big fan of buying used. Originally posted by Rocky Lotar BTW, MikeSF - just checked out your website - some REALLY beautiful shots of the Bay area. Very impressive. thanks so much! it's getting better and largely with info i've learned in this very forum.