Hi,
I've been thinking about getting an ultra-wide angle supplement to my lenses (DA 17-70, DA 55-300, DA*55, DFA 100 Macro WR) for quite a while. But instead of wanting a DA 15 limited (mind-controlling coolness!) or DA 12-24 zoom (convenience, great picture quality!) like practically everyone else these days I feel strangely attracted to the almost-forgotten (it seems) DA 14/2.8. So I guess there must be something wrong with me, as I honestly don't even see the need for a 2.8 aperture at this focal length...
Why do I want the DA 14?
The DA 15 has very lively colours and rendering, but I feel that its over-the-top contrast might be too extreme or downright garish in some situations (e.g. in already contrasty light or with people in the picture); in the sample pictures I've seen, the DA 14 rendering seems more subdued and balanced. Also, I found the bokeh of the DA 15 spectacularly harsh in some pictures I've seen, almost as bad as a mirror lens. The DA 14 seems to have a lot smoother bokeh (important to me). Finally, I feel that 15mm is too close to the 17mm end of my DA 17-70 to justify buying (and carrying) another lens in that range as I would not gain that much in creative possibilities. The DA 14 might be just enough removed from the DA 17-70 to make a clear visible difference and open up new perspectives, but not so removed to be a specialty lens usable only in few situations.
the DA 12-24 has colors and contrast I really like from the sample pictures I've seen, very vibrant without being over-the-top (like the DA 15 sometimes seems to me). It might be used as a single lens for some projects as it offers a convenient range from ultra-wide to almost normal perspective. I am not bothered at all by the slower f4 aperture. The thing that
does bother me is the minimum focus distance of 30 cm. With wide angle pictures, I always strive for a strong foreground, so getting close to objects would be a great plus. The DA 14 has a much better MFD of 17 cm. What is more, although the two lenses are about equally heavy, the DA 14 is somewhat smaller and would take up less space in the camera bag (I realize that the DA 15 would be a lot smaller still).
Maybe it is just that I read that the DA 14 was designed by Jun Hirakawa (He of the FA 43, 77 and DA*55 fame, among others...) that makes me want it
So what do you think, does this make any sense to you or should I have my head checked before I spend a lot of money on a lens that nobody else seems to consider these days?
Thank you for your thoughts!