Which 15mm lens to buy?

Pablom · 05-23-2014, 02:56 AM

I had a similar exertion recently and everything considered I chose the least expensive option because I'm cheap.

Good luck!

schnitzer79 · 05-26-2014, 11:00 PM

the lens arrived yesterday. the body is in mint condition, couldnt even tell that its been used. havent got round to trying it on the k-50 yet since i was very busy yesterday. before i call it a successful purchase i need to check the lens optically.any specific things to check? i was planning in checking sharpness at various apertures and also checking for any front/back focus issues on my printed focus chart.is that enough?

schnitzer79 · 05-27-2014, 05:42 AM

just did a quick test during my lunch break.not sure how you can test the focus on such wide angle lenses since its difficult to focus on a small number on a piece of A4 paper. There seems to be a back focus issue (tested at f4). i focused on the 0 in the 2nd column from the right. focus distance was around 1 foot. It looks like #16 is in focus. havent tried to fine adjust it in the settings since i didnt have much time.

**savoche** · 05-27-2014, 09:37 AM

It's very hard to know exactly what the camera has tried to focus on with the large focus points we have to live with (apart from the K-3, I suppose). I wouldn't really trust any result without having a big target perfectly parallel with the sensor to focus on. Of course, that would only tell you if your AF is spot on or not, but if it is there is no point in looking more into it anyway...

Edit: And a surface like that will also show if the lens is decentered.

schnitzer79 · 05-27-2014, 11:45 AM

Fine tuned it all the way to +10 and its looking good now. You think i should return it or not? Not really planning in shooting at f/4 but with a lens like that theres no room for imperfections. All my other lenses were spot on when i did the focus tests some time ago

Serpiente · 05-27-2014, 11:50 AM

I bought the HD version because I wanted the better coating and rounded aperture blades for better out of focus blur. Starbursts are not my priority.
I have some examples here: 'Close Up, Wide Angle' | RONALD ZIMMERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

**savoche** · 05-27-2014, 12:04 PM

I can only speak for myself, but if +10 did the trick I'd keep it.

Of course, if you think the fact that it isn't "perfect" will keep gnawing at your mind you should return it. How you feel about a lens is important for how you use it.

Kayaker-J · 05-27-2014, 12:08 PM

Originally posted by savoche

I can only speak for myself, but if +10 did the trick I'd keep it.

Of course, if you think the fact that it isn't "perfect" will keep gnawing at your mind you should return it. How you feel about a lens is important for how you use it.

Yep, +1 on that. Hard-won wisdom, in the case of most of us.

schnitzer79 · 05-27-2014, 12:42 PM

Originally posted by savoche

I can only speak for myself, but if +10 did the trick I'd keep it.

Of course, if you think the fact that it isn't "perfect" will keep gnawing at your mind you should return it. How you feel about a lens is important for how you use it.

Its a tough one. I got a really good deal on the lens and in the end i got away with import charges as well which wouldve added another $120-150.its just that its the first time i needed to fine tune a lens and it happens on my first ltd! Guess i got lucky with my other lenses. Ill shoot a few more distant landscape shots tomorrow and decide. After all, thats the main reason i bought the lens for

**savoche** · 05-27-2014, 12:52 PM

Originally posted by schnitzer79

Its a tough one. I got a really good deal on the lens and in the end i got away with import charges as well which wouldve added another $120-150.its just that its the first time i needed to fine tune a lens and it happens on my first ltd! Guess i got lucky with my other lenses. Ill shoot a few more distant landscape shots tomorrow and decide. After all, thats the main reason i bought the lens for

Landscapes at f/5.6-11 is a more typical task for that lens, yes. And, again, if +10 did the trick you can still do close-ups (well, as close as the 15 will go!) at f/4 if you desire. What it comes down to is if you're able to accept, forget, and enjoy.

Another way of viewing it is that you now have $150 to spend on calibrating the lens at a repair shop

**Kerrowdown** · 05-27-2014, 02:00 PM

All I'm gonna say is... my 15mm (SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5) is known as my "Mistress" and this is all for good reasons.

schnitzer79 · 05-28-2014, 05:03 AM

ok guys heres a comparison of before and after the fine tuning.you guys think that +10 did the job or would it need more?

bass3587 · 05-28-2014, 06:39 PM

I finally got a chance to really test out my SMC DA 15 lens this weekend and wow did it impress me. I haven't used the HD version but it would have to have some serious pixie dust for me to change now.

schnitzer79 · 05-29-2014, 02:54 AM

even though after the tuning I believe the 0 is sharper than the points above and below it, these same points are not equally out of focus i.e. 8 and 16 above are sharper than the ones below. test was performed at around 25 x focal length - approx. 40cm. so not sure if this is optimal. are the results acceptable enough to deem the lens a keeper?

Pablom · 05-29-2014, 06:49 AM

Originally posted by schnitzer79

are the results acceptable enough to deem the lens a keeper?

That would be for you to decide, but have in mind that you won't necessarily get the same results focusing on further objects so you may want to try it out outside.

05-27-2014, 05:42 AM	#18
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248 Original Poster	just did a quick test during my lunch break.not sure how you can test the focus on such wide angle lenses since its difficult to focus on a small number on a piece of A4 paper. There seems to be a back focus issue (tested at f4). i focused on the 0 in the 2nd column from the right. focus distance was around 1 foot. It looks like #16 is in focus. havent tried to fine adjust it in the settings since i didnt have much time. Last edited by schnitzer79; 05-28-2014 at 05:00 AM.

05-28-2014, 05:03 AM	#27
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248 Original Poster	ok guys heres a comparison of before and after the fine tuning.you guys think that +10 did the job or would it need more? Attached Images

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05-23-2014, 02:56 AM	#16
Pablom Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Usa Posts: 1,940	I had a similar exertion recently and everything considered I chose the least expensive option because I'm cheap. Good luck!

05-26-2014, 11:00 PM	#17
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248 Original Poster	the lens arrived yesterday. the body is in mint condition, couldnt even tell that its been used. havent got round to trying it on the k-50 yet since i was very busy yesterday. before i call it a successful purchase i need to check the lens optically.any specific things to check? i was planning in checking sharpness at various apertures and also checking for any front/back focus issues on my printed focus chart.is that enough?

05-27-2014, 09:37 AM	#19
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	It's very hard to know exactly what the camera has tried to focus on with the large focus points we have to live with (apart from the K-3, I suppose). I wouldn't really trust any result without having a big target perfectly parallel with the sensor to focus on. Of course, that would only tell you if your AF is spot on or not, but if it is there is no point in looking more into it anyway... Edit: And a surface like that will also show if the lens is decentered.

05-27-2014, 11:45 AM	#20
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248 Original Poster	Fine tuned it all the way to +10 and its looking good now. You think i should return it or not? Not really planning in shooting at f/4 but with a lens like that theres no room for imperfections. All my other lenses were spot on when i did the focus tests some time ago

05-27-2014, 11:50 AM	#21
Serpiente Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 154	I bought the HD version because I wanted the better coating and rounded aperture blades for better out of focus blur. Starbursts are not my priority. I have some examples here: 'Close Up, Wide Angle' \| RONALD ZIMMERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

05-27-2014, 12:04 PM	#22
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	I can only speak for myself, but if +10 did the trick I'd keep it. Of course, if you think the fact that it isn't "perfect" will keep gnawing at your mind you should return it. How you feel about a lens is important for how you use it.

05-27-2014, 12:08 PM	#23
Kayaker-J Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: N.E. Ohio Posts: 535	Originally posted by savoche I can only speak for myself, but if +10 did the trick I'd keep it. Of course, if you think the fact that it isn't "perfect" will keep gnawing at your mind you should return it. How you feel about a lens is important for how you use it. Yep, +1 on that. Hard-won wisdom, in the case of most of us.

05-27-2014, 12:42 PM	#24
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248 Original Poster	Originally posted by savoche I can only speak for myself, but if +10 did the trick I'd keep it. Of course, if you think the fact that it isn't "perfect" will keep gnawing at your mind you should return it. How you feel about a lens is important for how you use it. Its a tough one. I got a really good deal on the lens and in the end i got away with import charges as well which wouldve added another $120-150.its just that its the first time i needed to fine tune a lens and it happens on my first ltd! Guess i got lucky with my other lenses. Ill shoot a few more distant landscape shots tomorrow and decide. After all, thats the main reason i bought the lens for

05-27-2014, 12:52 PM	#25
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by schnitzer79 Its a tough one. I got a really good deal on the lens and in the end i got away with import charges as well which wouldve added another $120-150.its just that its the first time i needed to fine tune a lens and it happens on my first ltd! Guess i got lucky with my other lenses. Ill shoot a few more distant landscape shots tomorrow and decide. After all, thats the main reason i bought the lens for Landscapes at f/5.6-11 is a more typical task for that lens, yes. And, again, if +10 did the trick you can still do close-ups (well, as close as the 15 will go!) at f/4 if you desire. What it comes down to is if you're able to accept, forget, and enjoy. Another way of viewing it is that you now have $150 to spend on calibrating the lens at a repair shop

05-27-2014, 02:00 PM	#26
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	All I'm gonna say is... my 15mm (SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5) is known as my "Mistress" and this is all for good reasons.

05-28-2014, 06:39 PM	#28
bass3587 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 517	I finally got a chance to really test out my SMC DA 15 lens this weekend and wow did it impress me. I haven't used the HD version but it would have to have some serious pixie dust for me to change now.

05-29-2014, 02:54 AM	#29
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248 Original Poster	even though after the tuning I believe the 0 is sharper than the points above and below it, these same points are not equally out of focus i.e. 8 and 16 above are sharper than the ones below. test was performed at around 25 x focal length - approx. 40cm. so not sure if this is optimal. are the results acceptable enough to deem the lens a keeper?

05-29-2014, 06:49 AM	#30
Pablom Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Usa Posts: 1,940	Originally posted by schnitzer79 are the results acceptable enough to deem the lens a keeper? That would be for you to decide, but have in mind that you won't necessarily get the same results focusing on further objects so you may want to try it out outside.