15mm limited FF replacement

MadMathMind · 03-14-2016, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by enoeske

So, perhaps a D-FA DC 21mm or 22mm, f/4 or f/3.5 Limited lens should be made? Most important for me are the wide FOV, the amazing flare resistance, unique starburst of the SMC version, and also the small, easy to carry size. This lens just has that great limited rendering that is so hard to match. I don't know if these can be replicated in a new lens or if I'll just end up using the old 15mm in crop mode.

I plan to keep mine and use it in crop mode. There's some quirks about the DA15 (starbursts) that won't be easily replicated. Futhermore, UWAs really don't shine if you're just using them to capture a wide field. Well, what I mean is if you just point it and shoot it like it's a normal lens, the results are pretty lackluster. Need to make use of the perspective distortion and nonlinear magnification to really make a UWA do something cool.

And that's something that will still work in crop mode. Not as much raw resolution but you can still make the shots you want, which is the important thing.

G and T · 03-14-2016, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

the Color Skopar 20/3.5 SLII for Pentax is long sold out.

This is not quite true, Hong Kong Buy and Sell Limited still has copies of this lens for sale in K mount.

Glenn

j0n4hpk · 03-14-2016, 07:56 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by todd

I'm not a chart person so definitely a fwiw here... I've had an FA20 since November and imo it is on par with the DA15, minus the starbursts of course. I've done my own informal comparisons and had the FA20 coming out on top in some cases compared to my DA15. FA20 does have some BD, but no big deal to me. Excited to use it on the K1 and I'm pretty certain it's going to tide me over until the next new UWA Pentax prime arrives in the future. Not getting rid of my DA15 and K3 either.

All these are FA20 hand-held and brackets/composites in some cases...

Very nice samples of what an FA20 lens can do in capable hands, todd.

Nguyen Nam · 03-14-2016, 08:18 PM

I have a chance to use A 15mm f3.5 vs K-1, it's really great. The superb super wide-angle lens could be compatible FF system.

A 15mm f3.5, on Flickr

Abbazz · 03-14-2016, 08:18 PM

Originally posted by northcoastgreg

In terms of compact size the closest to the DA 15 for FF is the M 20 f4. That old lens even has 49mm filter rings! (Although beware of vignetting when using filters on FF!) However, the M 20/4 cannot quite match the flare control, the contrast, the color saturation, or the 14 pt. starbursts of the SMC 15 Ltd.

I second the nomination of the Pentax-M 20/4 as best candidate (although not a perfect replicate). Its small size and sturdy construction remind me of the DA 15.

The FA 20-35 is a good lens but it's much bulkier than the M 20 and it doesn't deliver better flare control or starbust capability. Pentax really needs to release an actualized version of the M 20 ofr the K-1 users.

Cheers!

Abbazz

Sandy Hancock · 03-14-2016, 08:32 PM

I have a FA20/2.8 on the way. From what I have seen from other users it seems more than capable of matching the DA15 on crop in many ways, but falling a little short on flare resistance and starburst quality. Anyway, I'll give it a good going over on the K-1 (along with my other FF ultra wide options) before I make a decision about the DFA15-30/2.8

I reckon I'll most likely keep my DA15 (and maybe my DA21 as well) for use during crop-only expeditions.

jeverettfine · 03-15-2016, 01:31 PM

Correction...Precision Camera does indeed have some DA Limited's in stock right now: 21, 35 macro, 40, and 70. Don't have a 15 at this time. My apologies to Precision

Last edited by jeverettfine; 03-16-2016 at 12:56 PM.

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03-14-2016, 06:05 PM	#31
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	Originally posted by enoeske So, perhaps a D-FA DC 21mm or 22mm, f/4 or f/3.5 Limited lens should be made? Most important for me are the wide FOV, the amazing flare resistance, unique starburst of the SMC version, and also the small, easy to carry size. This lens just has that great limited rendering that is so hard to match. I don't know if these can be replicated in a new lens or if I'll just end up using the old 15mm in crop mode. I plan to keep mine and use it in crop mode. There's some quirks about the DA15 (starbursts) that won't be easily replicated. Futhermore, UWAs really don't shine if you're just using them to capture a wide field. Well, what I mean is if you just point it and shoot it like it's a normal lens, the results are pretty lackluster. Need to make use of the perspective distortion and nonlinear magnification to really make a UWA do something cool. And that's something that will still work in crop mode. Not as much raw resolution but you can still make the shots you want, which is the important thing.

03-14-2016, 06:25 PM	#32
G and T Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Langwarrin Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 382	Originally posted by stevebrot the Color Skopar 20/3.5 SLII for Pentax is long sold out. This is not quite true, Hong Kong Buy and Sell Limited still has copies of this lens for sale in K mount. Glenn

03-14-2016, 07:56 PM - 1 Like	#33
j0n4hpk Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 293	Originally posted by todd I'm not a chart person so definitely a fwiw here... I've had an FA20 since November and imo it is on par with the DA15, minus the starbursts of course. I've done my own informal comparisons and had the FA20 coming out on top in some cases compared to my DA15. FA20 does have some BD, but no big deal to me. Excited to use it on the K1 and I'm pretty certain it's going to tide me over until the next new UWA Pentax prime arrives in the future. Not getting rid of my DA15 and K3 either. All these are FA20 hand-held and brackets/composites in some cases... Very nice samples of what an FA20 lens can do in capable hands, todd.

03-14-2016, 08:18 PM	#34
Nguyen Nam Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Hanoi Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 213	I have a chance to use A 15mm f3.5 vs K-1, it's really great. The superb super wide-angle lens could be compatible FF system. A 15mm f3.5, on Flickr

03-14-2016, 08:18 PM	#35
Abbazz Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 667	Originally posted by northcoastgreg In terms of compact size the closest to the DA 15 for FF is the M 20 f4. That old lens even has 49mm filter rings! (Although beware of vignetting when using filters on FF!) However, the M 20/4 cannot quite match the flare control, the contrast, the color saturation, or the 14 pt. starbursts of the SMC 15 Ltd. I second the nomination of the Pentax-M 20/4 as best candidate (although not a perfect replicate). Its small size and sturdy construction remind me of the DA 15. The FA 20-35 is a good lens but it's much bulkier than the M 20 and it doesn't deliver better flare control or starbust capability. Pentax really needs to release an actualized version of the M 20 ofr the K-1 users. Cheers! Abbazz

03-14-2016, 08:32 PM	#36
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	I have a FA20/2.8 on the way. From what I have seen from other users it seems more than capable of matching the DA15 on crop in many ways, but falling a little short on flare resistance and starburst quality. Anyway, I'll give it a good going over on the K-1 (along with my other FF ultra wide options) before I make a decision about the DFA15-30/2.8 I reckon I'll most likely keep my DA15 (and maybe my DA21 as well) for use during crop-only expeditions.

03-15-2016, 01:31 PM	#37
jeverettfine Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Austin, Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 328	Correction...Precision Camera does indeed have some DA Limited's in stock right now: 21, 35 macro, 40, and 70. Don't have a 15 at this time. My apologies to Precision Last edited by jeverettfine; 03-16-2016 at 12:56 PM.