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ronyzmbow · 08-10-2013, 01:34 AM

I am out for a new wide lens. The 2 lenses which made it to the top for me are
Tamron SP AF 10-24mm F3.5-4.5 Di II LD
and
Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited
I sure know they are not of the same category and I am fully aware of the differences between them.
I read a lot on the net and compare sample images - that's the best one can do in order to get information and decide.
The important factors for me are sharpness and true to life colors - and here is where I ask for advice.

When I compare full size images from DP Review - I tend to think that the Tamron lens is sharper than the Pentax.
Is it true?
How good is the Tamron lens in terms of sharpness and colors?
How do they compare?
Does anyone have any experience with both?
Samples to compare?

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/pentax_15_4_p15/

hcc · 08-10-2013, 01:46 AM

The DA15mm is very sharp and the colours are superb.

Please read more at : https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/86234-15mm-limited-controls-my-mind-club.html

I have the DA15mm and it is a stunning prime.

More the lens is a nibble and the K-7 + DA15mm is a very small neat package. An asset in crowdy area.

I hope that the comment may help.

Docrwm · 08-10-2013, 02:04 AM

I have both and they are completely different in so many ways. The colors out of the 15 are superior IMHO. The Tamron is a good lens, more versatile, less expensive, but is not are sharp as the 15 plus has more distortion.

**rayallen** · 08-10-2013, 02:22 AM

Originally posted by Docrwm

I have both and they are completely different in so many ways. The colors out of the 15 are superior IMHO. The Tamron is a good lens, more versatile, less expensive, but is not are sharp as the 15 plus has more distortion.

I have the Tamron 10-24 and I love it. I don't have the DA 15mm so can't offer a personal opinion but I would go with what the Doc says. Very difficult to compare a DA prime to a 3X wide zoom lens.

Docrwm · 08-10-2013, 02:34 AM

Originally posted by rayallen

I have the Tamron 10-24 and I love it. I don't have the DA 15mm so can't offer a personal opinion but I would go with what the Doc says. Very difficult to compare a DA prime to a 3X wide zoom lens.

Absolutely. They are very different. The Tamron goes to 10mm in rectilinear which is very wide.

ronyzmbow · 08-10-2013, 02:35 AM

Originally posted by rayallen

I have the Tamron 10-24 and I love it. I don't have the DA 15mm so can't offer a personal opinion but I would go with what the Doc says. Very difficult to compare a DA prime to a 3X wide zoom lens.

I know you cannot compare the two - I am just trying to figure out sharpness and colors in both lenses and compare just that.

Nick Siebers · 08-10-2013, 03:44 AM

For me, I have an 18-135, a 15 and a Sigma 10-20 (f4-5.6). If I am taking the 18-135 somewhere, the 15 doesn't add much, while the Sigma gives me a lot more range.

ronyzmbow · 08-10-2013, 03:47 AM

Originally posted by Nick Siebers

For me, I have an 18-135, a 15 and a Sigma 10-20 (f4-5.6). If I am taking the 18-135 somewhere, the 15 doesn't add much, while the Sigma gives me a lot more range.

Thanks, Nick!
How good is the Sigma 10-20?

edgedemon · 08-10-2013, 03:51 AM

Id never bothered reading the DPreview for the 15mm Ltd, I had no idea it considers the 12-24 F4 a sharper lens..

"The real problem for the 15mm F4, though, lies in the competition, and specifically Pentax's own 12-24mm F4 zoom. This has much in common optically with the Tokina AT-X PRO SD 12-24mm F4 (IF) ED, which we tested recently and found to be a superior performer in almost all regards. "

Goes back to looking at the FA 20mm 2.8 (should it ever appear online)

Nick Siebers · 08-10-2013, 06:10 AM

Originally posted by ronyzmbow

Thanks, Nick!
How good is the Sigma 10-20?

I've only used it for one walkabout in Chicago, and found it quite good. It doesn't handle flare as well as the 15mm, colors seem slightly different, and you can't get the great starbursts. Otherwise, IQ seemed about equal (I wasn't testing thoroughly, of course).

Docrwm · 08-10-2013, 06:49 AM

Originally posted by Nick Siebers

I've only used it for one walkabout in Chicago, and found it quite good. It doesn't handle flare as well as the 15mm, colors seem slightly different, and you can't get the great starbursts. Otherwise, IQ seemed about equal (I wasn't testing thoroughly, of course).

Depends on the focal length in my experience how good the IQ is on the Tamron or any telephoto. There are several Sigma versions of the 10-20 and there is a 12-24 as well, be careful about which one is being discussed.

08-10-2013, 01:34 AM	#1
ronyzmbow Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Denmark Posts: 50	Compare wide lenses I am out for a new wide lens. The 2 lenses which made it to the top for me are Tamron SP AF 10-24mm F3.5-4.5 Di II LD and Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited I sure know they are not of the same category and I am fully aware of the differences between them. I read a lot on the net and compare sample images - that's the best one can do in order to get information and decide. The important factors for me are sharpness and true to life colors - and here is where I ask for advice. When I compare full size images from DP Review - I tend to think that the Tamron lens is sharper than the Pentax. Is it true? How good is the Tamron lens in terms of sharpness and colors? How do they compare? Does anyone have any experience with both? Samples to compare? http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/pentax_15_4_p15/

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08-10-2013, 01:46 AM	#2
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	The DA15mm is very sharp and the colours are superb. Please read more at : https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/86234-15mm-limited-controls-my-mind-club.html I have the DA15mm and it is a stunning prime. More the lens is a nibble and the K-7 + DA15mm is a very small neat package. An asset in crowdy area. I hope that the comment may help.

08-10-2013, 02:04 AM	#3
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	I have both and they are completely different in so many ways. The colors out of the 15 are superior IMHO. The Tamron is a good lens, more versatile, less expensive, but is not are sharp as the 15 plus has more distortion.

08-10-2013, 02:22 AM	#4
rayallen Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Forresters Beach, NSW, Australia. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,014	Originally posted by Docrwm I have both and they are completely different in so many ways. The colors out of the 15 are superior IMHO. The Tamron is a good lens, more versatile, less expensive, but is not are sharp as the 15 plus has more distortion. I have the Tamron 10-24 and I love it. I don't have the DA 15mm so can't offer a personal opinion but I would go with what the Doc says. Very difficult to compare a DA prime to a 3X wide zoom lens.

08-10-2013, 02:34 AM	#5
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by rayallen I have the Tamron 10-24 and I love it. I don't have the DA 15mm so can't offer a personal opinion but I would go with what the Doc says. Very difficult to compare a DA prime to a 3X wide zoom lens. Absolutely. They are very different. The Tamron goes to 10mm in rectilinear which is very wide.

08-10-2013, 02:35 AM	#6
ronyzmbow Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Denmark Posts: 50 Original Poster	Originally posted by rayallen I have the Tamron 10-24 and I love it. I don't have the DA 15mm so can't offer a personal opinion but I would go with what the Doc says. Very difficult to compare a DA prime to a 3X wide zoom lens. I know you cannot compare the two - I am just trying to figure out sharpness and colors in both lenses and compare just that.

08-10-2013, 03:44 AM	#7
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	For me, I have an 18-135, a 15 and a Sigma 10-20 (f4-5.6). If I am taking the 18-135 somewhere, the 15 doesn't add much, while the Sigma gives me a lot more range.

08-10-2013, 03:47 AM	#8
ronyzmbow Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Denmark Posts: 50 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nick Siebers For me, I have an 18-135, a 15 and a Sigma 10-20 (f4-5.6). If I am taking the 18-135 somewhere, the 15 doesn't add much, while the Sigma gives me a lot more range. Thanks, Nick! How good is the Sigma 10-20?

08-10-2013, 03:51 AM	#9
edgedemon Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London Photos: Albums Posts: 309	Id never bothered reading the DPreview for the 15mm Ltd, I had no idea it considers the 12-24 F4 a sharper lens.. "The real problem for the 15mm F4, though, lies in the competition, and specifically Pentax's own 12-24mm F4 zoom. This has much in common optically with the Tokina AT-X PRO SD 12-24mm F4 (IF) ED, which we tested recently and found to be a superior performer in almost all regards. " Goes back to looking at the FA 20mm 2.8 (should it ever appear online)

08-10-2013, 06:10 AM	#10
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	Originally posted by ronyzmbow Thanks, Nick! How good is the Sigma 10-20? I've only used it for one walkabout in Chicago, and found it quite good. It doesn't handle flare as well as the 15mm, colors seem slightly different, and you can't get the great starbursts. Otherwise, IQ seemed about equal (I wasn't testing thoroughly, of course).

08-10-2013, 06:49 AM	#11
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Nick Siebers I've only used it for one walkabout in Chicago, and found it quite good. It doesn't handle flare as well as the 15mm, colors seem slightly different, and you can't get the great starbursts. Otherwise, IQ seemed about equal (I wasn't testing thoroughly, of course). Depends on the focal length in my experience how good the IQ is on the Tamron or any telephoto. There are several Sigma versions of the 10-20 and there is a 12-24 as well, be careful about which one is being discussed.

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