[ryno]

Hello,
I was going to get the 12-24mm f4 as the wide end for a hiking and camping kit. But, I got a pretty good deal on the fisheye, and am rethinking my plan to use this and get the 16-45 f4. Most of the shots I've seen with the fisheye aren't typical landscapes, neat and lots of fun, but maybe not what I'm looking for.
Ryan

[tux08902]

The fisheye can be used for landscapes, but the distortion is a miss or hit with people. Some people just prefer to do landscapes with a rectilinear.

[tybeck]

I have the 10-17mm fisheye and can say that it's a very fun lens. If you don't mind some distortion, especially and close to mid-range, you are rewarded with a very wide view. From my initial playing I can provide some advice, keep your fingers back from the lens unless you want a crop the bottom of your photo anyway.

Here are some example shots. I'm still practicing and some of the shots were a bit of a challenge due to the high contrast range, but these should give you a rough idea of how the fisheye will perform for landscape work. I'm still mucking around with them and might also try some HDR methods to tweak out some more range.

[Lensvision]

I had the same a few weeks ago, having to choose between the 10-17mm and the 12-24mm.
Ended up trying both at the store I went to. The 10-17mm is a fun lens but when it comes to shooting landscapes the 12-24mm is the best option. The distortion of the fisheye just is too much for landscape shooting in my opinion.
I chose the 12-24mm and haven't regretted it since.

Good luck choosing

[Levi]

I've alway loved the look of extreme wide angle, and the 10-17 was one of my first new pentax lenses.
I would say that it is a lens that you learn to use. and while it does take a little extra effort it can yeld some dramatic images
I've tried to upload a few examples from last summers vacation

[ryno]

Thanks for the opinions and the photos. I have a feeling the 12-24 will be better for a landscape lens. I hope I'll be able to afford both.
Ryan

[m8o]

There's a member here who went a week with a fisheye only and documented the whole week. Though this isn't from that series, he came to mind after reading your post, here's one of his links with a lot of 'landscapes' in it for your reference.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/5450-april-snow-sigma-15mm-fishye.html

[ballgofar]

I see that some fisheye shots have a much greater distortion effect than do others. For example, in the "April Snow" thread to which m8o provided the link, I wouldn't have known the first picture was taken with a fisheye lens, while in third picture it is much more obvious. What causes this? And is there a way to eliminate the distortion if it is undwanted using some sort of post-porcessing method? It is just that the fisheye fits a very appealing focal range, but if that distortion can not be reduced when it is unwanted, I wouldn't want to rely on it as my only lens in that range.

[Fl_Gulfer]

Well I'm sold... I'll have my DA 10-17 fishy by Friday... Thanks for the shots and links

[Levi]

The "trick" with a fisheye is where you put the horizion, and verticles.
if you put the horizion in the center of the frame, and a major verticle in the center of the frame the image will look fairly normal.

[nostatic]

stop posting these photos...you're making me reach for my credit card.

I had a 12-24 that I used with my D70. It wasn't on the camera that much, in part I think because it didn't get wide enough to get "weird" (in a good way). It was invaluable in a couple of situations though...last month I had to try and shoot 80 people in a small amphitheater with no room. 12mm was barely enough, but it did work. Nothing longer would have been possible.

[roentarre]

A great lens to use. Can be used as a landscape shots just with careful composition.

Some sample shots here

Fish Eye 10-17mm

[barondla]

Sometimes the FE has less distortion than the rectilinear 12-24! Rectilinear lenses elongate things at the edges, unlike fisheyes. Love the 10-17. All ultrawides take care in use. Practice, practice.
thanks
barondla

[Kentax]

10-17 fisheye looks like an extremely fun lens to own. Definitely getting myself one as soon as Pentax releases a rebate for it (hopefully)!

[Tom M]

The 16-45 is a near perfect landscape lens - very low distortion, very sharp, great colors.