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04-03-2015, 05:00 PM   #1
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Wide angle best bang for the buck?

Hello,

This may have been discussed a million times so here is another one......
I like primes. My most used lenses are the F50f1.7 and DA35. I would like to do a bit more landscape type photography but I don't really have much time to go out and enjoy. I have an old manual Vivitar 28mm f2.8. I'm working on a detailed review but let's just say it is nothing to write home about. So I started looking at wide angle primes. I have been searching and reading about wide and ultrawide lenses in the forum. As much as I'd like to have a DA15 or a DA21, I can't really justify them based on the little use they will see. I don't have a problem with manual focusing or aperture but I'm fully aware that there is no such thing as a cheap good wide angle prime.
I'm interested in around 15mm to 25mm range. Definitely below 28mm. I know there is a huge difference between 15mm and 25mm but I don't have a clue as to what I want or need
Speed is always important but I don't think it is critical since I don't associate wide angle with narrow DOF.
Based on all of this, What options are there in the best bang for the buck category? Any sleepers or underestimated designs out there?
I'd like to hear your comments.

Thanks,

04-03-2015, 05:05 PM   #2
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Perhaps Samyang/Bower/Opteka 14, 16 or 24.

I think you will now need to specify cropped or FF coverage, regardless of what you currently have.
04-03-2015, 05:11 PM   #3
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I still like my Zenitar 16/2.8 Fisheye as a general-use wide angle on APS-C. Strangely it is quite up to being used on my K-3.


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04-03-2015, 05:17 PM   #4
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Thanks! Forgot to mention, cropped is ok (But I still use film every once in a while) and I prefer rectilinear to fisheye. But I don't mind correcting distortion in pp.

04-03-2015, 05:29 PM   #5
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The Samyang/Bower/etc. 14mm
04-03-2015, 05:36 PM   #6
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A good thread from last month

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/290528-any-old-c...ngle-lens.html
04-03-2015, 05:57 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by ismaelg Quote
Thanks! Forgot to mention, cropped is ok (But I still use film every once in a while) and I prefer rectilinear to fisheye. But I don't mind correcting distortion in pp.
Then the Samyang 16mm is out ! Its a APS-C design. However the Samyang 14mm or 24mm are top performers for me and work on FF or cropped sensor.
Also any of the SMC-A or SMC-K 24mm lenses are really good too.

04-03-2015, 06:25 PM   #8
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The Sigma Superwide II 24mm f/2.8 is always mentioned as one of the best wide options (there's manual focus and autofocus versions). They're not expensive. But they're wide, not ultra-wide, on APS-C cameras.
04-03-2015, 07:03 PM   #9
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Your DA35 is no slouch for landscapes !...You can always do 2-3 frame Panos and stitch in Microsoft Ice ?
04-03-2015, 08:05 PM   #10
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when I get me some dollars getting a 14/2.8 prolly the bower version and I currently use a sears 28/2.8 with satisfactory results to me
04-03-2015, 08:49 PM   #11
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Samyang 14mm.
04-03-2015, 09:36 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Aaron28 Quote
when I get me some dollars getting a 14/2.8 prolly the bower version and I currently use a sears 28/2.8 with satisfactory results to me
I have the Bower 14mm. Its one sweet lens. Had to calibrate the oo hard stop which for me was no easy feat. But once I got it right and dialed in with marks between the distance scale its a little beast all in its own right. It was $259 from B&H and best money I ever spent on a lens so far.
Best bang for the buck may be a Ricoh Rikenon XR 28mm......costs about $45-$100 but it is quite good also.
04-03-2015, 09:40 PM   #13
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cool...that's the one I want! don't know how I will fair with the 'calibration'.....
04-03-2015, 10:38 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by Dlanor Sekao Quote
Had to calibrate the oo hard stop
How did you manage to do that? I'd be interested.
04-03-2015, 10:44 PM - 1 Like   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Aaron28 Quote
cool...that's the one I want! don't know how I will fair with the 'calibration'.....
Feel free to PM me and I will walk you through it.
It was worth the effort.. Taped a Scale just for this lens to the barrel so I don't even use focus most of the time. Just shoot off the distance scale a lot of the time. For landscapes I can really "Bang em Out" without a lot of thought other than composition and exposure.
Here is a pict of the little monster , Its on a newer K30 I just got a couple days ago as my old one is getting up in mileage. .......Taken with a cheap PS Samsung.
If you notice I drilled little marks on the scale between the factory scale marks (Silver marks). It makes life a lot easier. I also have my own translation of the scale with the numbers to the far right being a very sharp deviation in inches for sharp focus at a given distance ( Depth of field that is amazingly sharp). This lens also does amazing Video that is very forgiving. It has incredible sharpness and a very steep learing curve , but once you get a good copy , get it dialed in it really starts to shine. Its very forgiving to a large degree , but focus has to be nailed to show its impressive results.
This lens is quickly becoming a money maker for me shooting custom Motorcycles , and landscapes.
Well.....its one of them and the other being a 500mm telephoto for insurance fraud investigation that has put over 50 ,000 clicks on my old K30 !
This lens easily can do 36"-40" prints from the K30 and on the K3....Bigger.....much bigger if needed !

Last edited by Dlanor Sekao; 04-22-2015 at 09:18 AM.
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