[Fat Albert]

The 21 is the only DA Limited I haven't owned. Tempting, but I usually just stick with the Sigma 17-50. I've sure seen a lot of nice shots with that 21, though

Do it! I think you'll love it. The 21 has all the positive attributes of the 15, like color rendition, diminutive size, and starbursts. However it's much easier to handle and I find the FL to be much more user-friendly/natural--someone on here described it as the perfect lens for a subject with a background. I also own the Sigma 17-50 and its pictures are an entirely different beast.

[px_pc]

Ever since I have my 15 LTD, I hardly use my Sigma 10-20. It can do almost all the Sigma can (except perhaps very wide angles, but that angle will distort all lines, which is a different area of photography. I rather bring the 15 than the 10-20 along if I am travelling!

[Rondec]

It all depends on what you want. The DA 15 is definitely a tripod lens. Nice colors, contrast, a lot less distortion than my DA 16-50, and obviously the big calling card is its resistance to flare. If you need a fast lens, this isn't it. With all of these wide angle lenses, auto focus is not a necessity. I tend to stop down to f8, set lens at hyperfocal distance and shoot away. If you don't mind a big lens, you could do the same with the Samyang 14mm f2.8.

[kh1234567890]

Just to stop this thread turning into another 'DA15 f*c*ed up my mind' thread

DA16-45 @ f4 :




And another at f4 :




And a 'teletubby land' one at f8 :




All taken with my shaky hands only ...

---

Last edited by kh1234567890; 07-27-2015 at 07:56 AM.

[MJSfoto1956]

Just to stop this thread turning into another 'DA15 f*c*ed up my mind' thread

DA16-45 @ f4

+1 for the DA 16-45, an underrated lens if ever there was.

Michael

[cali92rs]

I wouldn't say it is overrated...but it is definitely unique. It is strikingly small for such a wide angle lens. This in your pocket + an 18-135mm on your camera is pretty much all you need if you're hiking.
I don't know if I would call it an "Ultrawide"...it is definitely a wide angle but not all-in-your-face like a Sigma 8-16mm @ 8mm.
It is definitely sharp enough for my purposes. I am not a pixel peeper and I very rarely print larger than 13x19.

[Rondec]

Just to stop this thread turning into another 'DA15 f*c*ed up my mind' thread

DA16-45 @ f4 :




And another at f4 :




And a 'teletubby land' one at f8 :




All taken with my shaky hands only ...

I'm not sure why you are upset. The 16-45 is a fine lens, but a very different lens from the DA 15. Depending on what you shoot, you may gravitate towards one lens or the other. I could post some DA *16-50 shots here, but since the question was specifically about the DA 15, I will resist.

I will just say that since I learned the DA 15's strengths and weaknesses, I enjoy shooting with it and get different shots from the ones I get with my DA *16-50.

[ChristianRock]

Just to stop this thread turning into another 'DA15 f*c*ed up my mind' thread

DA16-45 @ f4 :




And another at f4 :




And a 'teletubby land' one at f8 :




All taken with my shaky hands only ...

Hey KH, I love your 16-45 pictures. Like you, I think it might make the DA 15 redundant unless you live in the 15mm FL (and some people do) and need a light, small lens.

I know this thread is not about the 21mm (and I can open a new thread if this is too off topic), but do you think the 16-45 also would make one not need the DA 21mm Limited? I'm saying IQ wise, not considering size. Granted the 21mm is a bit faster and by F4 it is probably at least as sharp as the 16-45, but do you think the 16-45 can look as good as the DA 21, or is the 21 so special that you would still want it even after getting a good copy of the 16-45?

[cxdoo]

Ok so here are a few shots with DA15HD I recently bought, literally unpacked and then packed for the trip. So no time to learn the tricks, just clicking away.

It's excellent when space is limited...



...or the extent of what you want in frame is significant...




...or if you're in closed space and you just want all of it in the frame...



...or you want a lot of (close) background for your object of interest...



...also starbursts if that's your thing...






I was wondering whether I'd prefer SMC version because of nicer starbursts but it seems they are not my thing. I mean, nice here and there but not really critical.

[hjoseph7]

Ken Rockwell had a thread about How to Shoot with Super Wide angle lenses. Actually it was pretty good if I remember correctly.

---------- Post added 07-27-15 at 03:17 PM ----------

Hey KH, I love your 16-45 pictures. Like you, I think it might make the DA 15 redundant unless you live in the 15mm FL (and some people do) and need a light, small lens.

I know this thread is not about the 21mm (and I can open a new thread if this is too off topic), but do you think the 16-45 also would make one not need the DA 21mm Limited? I'm saying IQ wise, not considering size. Granted the 21mm is a bit faster and by F4 it is probably at least as sharp as the 16-45, but do you think the 16-45 can look as good as the DA 21, or is the 21 so special that you would still want it even after getting a good copy of the 16-45?

The 15mm seems to be a different beast than the 16-45mm. The pictures the 15mm f4 produces look more like the pictures the 16-50mm f2.8 produces although again there is a small difference in focal length. On a Full frame it would be the equivalent of 22.5mm vs. 24.5mm.


I use to have a 10-22mm f4.5 which was very sharp, but I soon tired of the falling buildings, crooked lamp poles, and the distorted faces especially when taking group shots so I sold it. When I Purchased that lens I was really looking for a lens that would handle tight shots in dim lighting situations. Something that lens could not handle very well. I could not go any lower than 15-16mmm because of the extreme distortion. Maybe I was using the lens for the wrong purposes ?

[kh1234567890]

I know this thread is not about the 21mm (and I can open a new thread if this is too off topic), but do you think the 16-45 also would make one not need the DA 21mm Limited? I'm saying IQ wise, not considering size. Granted the 21mm is a bit faster and by F4 it is probably at least as sharp as the 16-45, but do you think the 16-45 can look as good as the DA 21, or is the 21 so special that you would still want it even after getting a good copy of the 16-45?

Now, that is an interesting question. IQ-wise, possibly, on a good day, but probably not if used wide open. It is hard not to take the size and 'stealth' quality of the DA21 into consideration, especially for street shots. The bulk of the DA16-45 seems to cause people to notice you whereas with the DA21 (or DA40 or even the DA70) you just get ignored.

I've had a quick look but I seem to have very few DA16-45 shots taken at 21mm or thereabouts (beside photos of wife and family which I'm under strict orders not to post or make public)

Don't get me wrong, the DA15 is a fine lens, as long as you are aware of its limitations as well as its strengths.

[ChristianRock]

KH, I understand. I'm also not posting family pics here, which makes it kind of hard because they're the majority of the pictures I take I'll take your opinion into consideration even if there's no pictures to post. In fact, in this 15mm thread, it's probably better not to look for 21mm pictures, so please don't go through the effort of finding some to post...

Also - these are all fine lenses, I'm sure But the budget (and the lens bag) is a bit... limited, if you pardon the pun

[mattt]

+1 for 21mm as a street shooters friend.

[IchabodCrane]

Ok so here are a few shots with DA15HD I recently bought, literally unpacked and then packed for the trip. So no time to learn the tricks, just clicking away.

It's excellent when space is limited...



...or the extent of what you want in frame is significant...




...or if you're in closed space and you just want all of it in the frame...



...or you want a lot of (close) background for your object of interest...



...also starbursts if that's your thing...






I was wondering whether I'd prefer SMC version because of nicer starbursts but it seems they are not my thing. I mean, nice here and there but not really critical.

Nice shots of Istanbul. A great and quite interesting place to visit.

[cxdoo]

Nice shots of Istanbul. A great and quite interesting place to visit.

Thx indeed quite fascinating place and also one where DA15 can show its strengths. Or any lens when I think about it.