Da15 or GR?

addess765 · 04-01-2015, 07:41 AM

Greeting all..

I was an owner of k5iis and fa43,dfa100, 18-135 before I sold all of them (except 18-135) then bought a green GR..

Have the GR for about a year then I sold it because I missed ovf..

Now I have K3 with 18-135, m50 1.7 and summicron-r 50mm..

I'm so much accustomed with the GR focal length, I felt there's something missing with my current equipments..

I'm thinking to acquire an hd da15 to replace my GR-minded-brain, but the f/4 really worries me a lot (compared to f/2.8 of the GR)..

How do you think, guys? Da15 or GR?

Rimfiredude · 04-01-2015, 07:56 AM

Consider the Q. I bought one and it goes everywhere with me. Just think of all the money you can spend on lenses for it.

transam879 · 04-01-2015, 08:02 AM - **1 Like**

What about the 21 Limited at f/3.2 paired with your K-3. A nice, versatile, compact lens with excellent IQ.

drypenn · 04-01-2015, 08:08 AM

I have a 15, but I still covet the GR. The B&W rendition of GR seems special. Needless to mention, but I will anyway, there seems to be very very little compromise between size and IQ. And I definitely love the "28mm" frame

DeadJohn · 04-01-2015, 08:18 AM

I'd pick the GR. It gives you a compact 2nd body that's easy to bring places where the K-3 might be too bulky.

If it's just a focal length issue, your K-3 with 18-135 can already replicate the GR's field of view. The GR's focal length is 18.3 mm. The 18-135 combo is much bulkier and less sharp than the GR, but are those tradeoffs worth saving your money?

The DA 15 is noticeably wider than the GR. You could try the DA 21, too, but that's narrower than the GR.

The GR's f2.8 aperture is most significant if you try getting close-ups with the background blurred, or shoot in very dark conditions.

LFLee · 04-01-2015, 08:37 AM

GR is nice, I am very tempted to pick one up - I want a carry everywhere camera.

But.... for me, since the GR uses the same sensor like the K5/K5IIs, which I already have both, I hold out.

I hope to pick one up when the next iteration of GR come out, most likely it will use the K3 sensor.

Just a thought on sensor that might or might not be a consideration factor for you...

indy · 04-01-2015, 09:13 AM

I'll chime in here as I just purchased a GR. This is an amazing little camera and I am completely enamored with it. with the GR you are gaining a pocket camera and a discreet camera to shoot street or venues that disallow dslr's AND the 28mm focal length. With the DA15 you are only getting the latter. In addition, there are currently killer deals on GRs.

Groove · 04-01-2015, 09:58 AM

I have a GR and the 21mm (on K3). GR has better IQ and as other posters have said, is wider. IMO it is the perfect second camera/companion to the K3. BTW the OVF that attaches to the GR's hotshoe works really well (although of course has no display).

**UncleVanya** · 04-01-2015, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by indy

I'll chime in here as I just purchased a GR. This is an amazing little camera and I am completely enamored with it. with the GR you are gaining a pocket camera and a discreet camera to shoot street or venues that disallow dslr's AND the 28mm focal length. With the DA15 you are only getting the latter. In addition, there are currently killer deals on GRs.

There are venues that permit photography but prohibit DSLR's? Wow... I haven't run into that.

**UncleVanya** · 04-01-2015, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by Mr Bassie

I have. Went to see Gogol Bordello at the 930 Club. They looked at my Fuji X100 and asked if I could change the lenses on my camera. I said no and they let me take it in.

That's hilarious. Score one for ILC's.

maxxxx · 04-01-2015, 12:02 PM

This is an interesting thought getting a high quality compact instead of a lens. The price is probably almost the same

DeadJohn · 04-01-2015, 12:33 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

There are venues that permit photography but prohibit DSLR's? Wow... I haven't run into that.

I've seen "no removable lenses allowed" but it's not as common as the more general "no photography".

Even if I plan to honor a photography ban, I might want to take photos en route to a distant museum or performance. Security might not allow a DSLR. Imagine traveling someplace and being told they won't let you in with your camera *and* won't check it. It's easy to hide a GR or stick it in a belt loop pouch and pretend it's a cell phone.

indy · 04-01-2015, 06:31 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

There are venues that permit photography but prohibit DSLR's? Wow... I haven't run into that.

Yep...For example, I believe in 2013 or 14 the Kentucky Derby banned ILCs.

Dirtistasty2 · 04-01-2015, 07:54 PM

I have both the GR and 15mm. I am selling my 15mm (plug: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/292140-sal...ited-lens.html), as I prefer the GR's features and ability to take everywhere. That said, if you like fast autofocus and extra width, the 15mm is amazing

**UncleVanya** · 04-01-2015, 09:05 PM

Originally posted by unclevanya

there are venues that permit photography but prohibit dslr's? Wow... I haven't run into that.

Originally posted by indy

yep...for example, i believe in 2013 or 14 the kentucky derby banned ilcs.

I'm confused, ILC cameras aren't DSLRs. So you too have not seen a ban on DSLRs or did I misunderstand?

04-01-2015, 07:41 AM	#1
addess765 New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 5	Da15 or GR? Greeting all.. I was an owner of k5iis and fa43,dfa100, 18-135 before I sold all of them (except 18-135) then bought a green GR.. Have the GR for about a year then I sold it because I missed ovf.. Now I have K3 with 18-135, m50 1.7 and summicron-r 50mm.. I'm so much accustomed with the GR focal length, I felt there's something missing with my current equipments.. I'm thinking to acquire an hd da15 to replace my GR-minded-brain, but the f/4 really worries me a lot (compared to f/2.8 of the GR).. How do you think, guys? Da15 or GR?

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04-01-2015, 07:56 AM	#2
Rimfiredude Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Washington Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,176	Consider the Q. I bought one and it goes everywhere with me. Just think of all the money you can spend on lenses for it.

04-01-2015, 08:02 AM - 1 Like	#3
transam879 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 651	What about the 21 Limited at f/3.2 paired with your K-3. A nice, versatile, compact lens with excellent IQ.

04-01-2015, 08:08 AM	#4
drypenn Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 963	I have a 15, but I still covet the GR. The B&W rendition of GR seems special. Needless to mention, but I will anyway, there seems to be very very little compromise between size and IQ. And I definitely love the "28mm" frame

04-01-2015, 08:18 AM	#5
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	I'd pick the GR. It gives you a compact 2nd body that's easy to bring places where the K-3 might be too bulky. If it's just a focal length issue, your K-3 with 18-135 can already replicate the GR's field of view. The GR's focal length is 18.3 mm. The 18-135 combo is much bulkier and less sharp than the GR, but are those tradeoffs worth saving your money? The DA 15 is noticeably wider than the GR. You could try the DA 21, too, but that's narrower than the GR. The GR's f2.8 aperture is most significant if you try getting close-ups with the background blurred, or shoot in very dark conditions.

04-01-2015, 08:37 AM	#6
LFLee Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,292	GR is nice, I am very tempted to pick one up - I want a carry everywhere camera. But.... for me, since the GR uses the same sensor like the K5/K5IIs, which I already have both, I hold out. I hope to pick one up when the next iteration of GR come out, most likely it will use the K3 sensor. Just a thought on sensor that might or might not be a consideration factor for you...

04-01-2015, 09:13 AM	#7
indy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 274	I'll chime in here as I just purchased a GR. This is an amazing little camera and I am completely enamored with it. with the GR you are gaining a pocket camera and a discreet camera to shoot street or venues that disallow dslr's AND the 28mm focal length. With the DA15 you are only getting the latter. In addition, there are currently killer deals on GRs.

04-01-2015, 09:58 AM	#8
Groove New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 23	I have a GR and the 21mm (on K3). GR has better IQ and as other posters have said, is wider. IMO it is the perfect second camera/companion to the K3. BTW the OVF that attaches to the GR's hotshoe works really well (although of course has no display).

04-01-2015, 10:15 AM	#9
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	Originally posted by indy I'll chime in here as I just purchased a GR. This is an amazing little camera and I am completely enamored with it. with the GR you are gaining a pocket camera and a discreet camera to shoot street or venues that disallow dslr's AND the 28mm focal length. With the DA15 you are only getting the latter. In addition, there are currently killer deals on GRs. There are venues that permit photography but prohibit DSLR's? Wow... I haven't run into that.

04-01-2015, 11:36 AM	#10
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	Originally posted by Mr Bassie I have. Went to see Gogol Bordello at the 930 Club. They looked at my Fuji X100 and asked if I could change the lenses on my camera. I said no and they let me take it in. That's hilarious. Score one for ILC's.

04-01-2015, 12:02 PM	#11
maxxxx Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 385	This is an interesting thought getting a high quality compact instead of a lens. The price is probably almost the same

04-01-2015, 12:33 PM	#12
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Originally posted by UncleVanya There are venues that permit photography but prohibit DSLR's? Wow... I haven't run into that. I've seen "no removable lenses allowed" but it's not as common as the more general "no photography". Even if I plan to honor a photography ban, I might want to take photos en route to a distant museum or performance. Security might not allow a DSLR. Imagine traveling someplace and being told they won't let you in with your camera and won't check it. It's easy to hide a GR or stick it in a belt loop pouch and pretend it's a cell phone.

04-01-2015, 06:31 PM	#13
indy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 274	Originally posted by UncleVanya There are venues that permit photography but prohibit DSLR's? Wow... I haven't run into that. Yep...For example, I believe in 2013 or 14 the Kentucky Derby banned ILCs.

04-01-2015, 07:54 PM	#14
Dirtistasty2 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 325	I have both the GR and 15mm. I am selling my 15mm (plug: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/292140-sal...ited-lens.html), as I prefer the GR's features and ability to take everywhere. That said, if you like fast autofocus and extra width, the 15mm is amazing

04-01-2015, 09:05 PM	#15
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	Originally posted by unclevanya there are venues that permit photography but prohibit dslr's? Wow... I haven't run into that. Originally posted by indy yep...for example, i believe in 2013 or 14 the kentucky derby banned ilcs. I'm confused, ILC cameras aren't DSLRs. So you too have not seen a ban on DSLRs or did I misunderstand?