HD DA 15 Image Quality

don_park · 03-20-2016, 08:04 PM - **1 Like**

Recently I bought Pentax K-3-2 and two Pentax lenses, i.e. HD DA 15 f/4 L & FA 77 f/1.8. My primary interest is landscape photography. Although the 15mm shows a perfect field of view, I am disappointed with the image quality, esp acuteness(sharpness). I could have chosen the 12-24mm zoom instead, but I wanted a prime Limited lens. Do I need to consider selling my new HD DA 15 for smc DA 12-24 for better lens performance? In the meantime, I'vd added a Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 Art to make up for the wide angle gap. Will appreciate valuable advices from Pentaxians.

Adam · 03-20-2016, 08:10 PM

Bad copy perhaps?

**bpv_UW** · 03-20-2016, 08:11 PM

I think we need a little more info to help you. Is it not sharp across the whole frame, or just on the edges/corners? Can you post any full resolution examples along with camera settings? How are you focusing - MF, AF, live view or viewfinder? There are many around here who will chime in with advice once we know a bit more about your situation/issues.

-Brandon

MadMathMind · 03-20-2016, 08:43 PM

The DA15 only shines if you stop it down past f/8. Below that it's ok but not stellar if you pixel peep.

The Sigma 18-35 is great if you can get the focus to work. But it will randomly miss in broad daylight at f/6.3.

Sandy Hancock · 03-20-2016, 09:10 PM

Without some images to illustrate the problem our input is speculative.

It is a specialised lens with a definite learning curve. It definitely needs stopping down to shine for landscapes; take some time before you write it off. Mind you, my first copy was de-centred.

There are THOUSANDS of inspiring images HERE

Some of my less pathetic landscape efforts:

**Tas** · 03-20-2016, 10:31 PM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

There are THOUSANDS of inspiring images HERE

Not using that link.

npc · 03-20-2016, 10:41 PM

Maybe you should check chrisfer's raw files here:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/315433-supe...5mm-ltd-4.html

Apparently his copy is as good as it gets.
If yours is obviously worse, then I guess yours is just another bad copy . If it is as good or better and you still don't like it ... well, sell it and check the 12-24

don_park · 03-20-2016, 10:55 PM

Maybe my expectation of the Pentax Limited lens would be unreasonably high. In addition, I did compare HD DA 15 with FA 77. As a result, I seem to have a prejudice on 15 Limited. I'll take time to see if how I get along with it.
Thanks for every advice!

Sandy Hancock · 03-20-2016, 11:30 PM

Originally posted by Tas

Not using that link.

Oops. Fixed.

Davidparis · 03-20-2016, 11:40 PM

Originally posted by don_park

Recently I bought Pentax K-3-2 and two Pentax lenses, i.e. HD DA 15 f/4 L & FA 77 f/1.8. My primary interest is landscape photography. Although the 15mm shows a perfect field of view, I am disappointed with the image quality, esp acuteness(sharpness). I could have chosen the 12-24mm zoom instead, but I wanted a prime Limited lens. Do I need to consider selling my new HD DA 15 for smc DA 12-24 for better lens performance? In the meantime, I'vd added a Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 Art to make up for the wide angle gap. Will appreciate valuable advices from Pentaxians.

Indeed, perhaps a bad copy. But without photos, hard to analyze. Last 2 cents, as an owner of the DA12-24, I'd try and test it before purchase to verify that it works for you. It's been a bit of a disappointment for me, but YMMV.

**forest_bear59** · 03-21-2016, 01:41 AM

The 15mm limited is "famous" for soft edges. If you practise landscape photography and sharpness until the edges of the frame and rich detail are what you desire .... then maybe the 2.8/14mm from Walimex/Samyang/Rokinon ist the way to go. And it is ready for full-frame, too ... but a bit heavy.

I like my copy of the 15mm limited, but if you want to squeeze every detail out of the motive it falls back behind other glasses ...

slip · 03-24-2016, 10:55 AM

What would the purpose be using F4 in landscape, anyways?

Cheers

Randy

christiandre · 03-24-2016, 11:46 AM

I tried the 15mm and I found it much less efficient for the landscape, the DA 21mm... don't know, something diffuse in the results... I tried to tune the AF without success .... maybe a bad copy... Finally I sold the 15mm to keep the 21mm ltd that offers more qualitative images IMO

Nicolas06 · 03-25-2016, 12:39 AM

Originally posted by don_park

Recently I bought Pentax K-3-2 and two Pentax lenses, i.e. HD DA 15 f/4 L & FA 77 f/1.8. My primary interest is landscape photography. Although the 15mm shows a perfect field of view, I am disappointed with the image quality, esp acuteness(sharpness). I could have chosen the 12-24mm zoom instead, but I wanted a prime Limited lens. Do I need to consider selling my new HD DA 15 for smc DA 12-24 for better lens performance? In the meantime, I'vd added a Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 Art to make up for the wide angle gap. Will appreciate valuable advices from Pentaxians.

To be clear: the technology to make small and perfect 15mm on K mount or any equivalent mount (Canon, Nikon) doesn't exist. The registration distance is too long compared to the focal length.

So there basically 2 solutions, you'll make a small/light lens like the DA15, this lens will have great constrast, flare resistance and will be light in the bag. The max apperture will be soso and the performance not perfect, for sure. In case of DA15, borders are ok at f/8.

Or you make a much bigger lens with lot of glass. Flare will not be well controlled at all, contrast reduced, but you'll get a large max apperture and more sharpness, in particular on borders. That for example the Samyang 16mm. This kind of lenses are huge.

Last alternative, make it a zoom. You'll get flexibility, something big/heavy but loose basically the large apperture. Example Sigma 8-16.

So the question are what are your priorities.

DA15 handle contra light and flare like no other and has exceptionnal contrast control. It does fantastics shoots in practice, but has limited border sharpness. It is very small/light meaning you can always have it in the bag while a huge UWA zoom/prime will often stay at home.

If you prefer to get something sharper and able to zoom, what I got is that the 8-16 is the sharpest ultra wide angle lens in K-mount. DA12-24 is great, but not as sharp. Good thing of 12-24 is it is still smaller.

For a prime, is size is no concern, I'd think of some Samyang lenses like the 14mm f/2.8 or 16mm f2. They are different so you should choose depending of your priorities.

Now a few DA15 pictures... You can click to zoom...

kh1234567890 · 03-25-2016, 02:48 AM

Originally posted by don_park

Recently I bought Pentax K-3-2 and two Pentax lenses, i.e. HD DA 15 f/4 L & FA 77 f/1.8. My primary interest is landscape photography. Although the 15mm shows a perfect field of view, I am disappointed with the image quality, esp acuteness(sharpness). I could have chosen the 12-24mm zoom instead, but I wanted a prime Limited lens. Do I need to consider selling my new HD DA 15 for smc DA 12-24 for better lens performance? In the meantime, I'vd added a Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 Art to make up for the wide angle gap. Will appreciate valuable advices from Pentaxians.

If you didn't have the Sigma I'd say sell it and get a cheapo DA16-45. At 16mm this is actually useable at all apertures and there is not a great deal in it as far as field of view goes. Or get a DA21. UWA lenses are over-rated anyhow. Especially the DA15 - unless you habitually shoot into the sun ...

03-20-2016, 08:04 PM - 1 Like	#1
don_park New Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 7	HD DA 15 Image Quality Recently I bought Pentax K-3-2 and two Pentax lenses, i.e. HD DA 15 f/4 L & FA 77 f/1.8. My primary interest is landscape photography. Although the 15mm shows a perfect field of view, I am disappointed with the image quality, esp acuteness(sharpness). I could have chosen the 12-24mm zoom instead, but I wanted a prime Limited lens. Do I need to consider selling my new HD DA 15 for smc DA 12-24 for better lens performance? In the meantime, I'vd added a Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 Art to make up for the wide angle gap. Will appreciate valuable advices from Pentaxians.

03-20-2016, 08:10 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	Bad copy perhaps? Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

03-20-2016, 09:10 PM	#5
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,267	Without some images to illustrate the problem our input is speculative. It is a specialised lens with a definite learning curve. It definitely needs stopping down to shine for landscapes; take some time before you write it off. Mind you, my first copy was de-centred. There are THOUSANDS of inspiring images HERE Some of my less pathetic landscape efforts: Last edited by Sandy Hancock; 03-20-2016 at 11:30 PM.

03-20-2016, 10:31 PM	#6
Tas Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Brisbane, QLD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,202	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock There are THOUSANDS of inspiring images HERE Not using that link. Last edited by Tas; 03-20-2016 at 10:32 PM. Reason: Forgot a smiley face.

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03-20-2016, 08:11 PM	#3
bpv_UW Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 765	I think we need a little more info to help you. Is it not sharp across the whole frame, or just on the edges/corners? Can you post any full resolution examples along with camera settings? How are you focusing - MF, AF, live view or viewfinder? There are many around here who will chime in with advice once we know a bit more about your situation/issues. -Brandon

03-20-2016, 08:43 PM	#4
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	The DA15 only shines if you stop it down past f/8. Below that it's ok but not stellar if you pixel peep. The Sigma 18-35 is great if you can get the focus to work. But it will randomly miss in broad daylight at f/6.3.

03-20-2016, 10:41 PM	#7
npc Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 313	Maybe you should check chrisfer's raw files here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/315433-supe...5mm-ltd-4.html Apparently his copy is as good as it gets. If yours is obviously worse, then I guess yours is just another bad copy . If it is as good or better and you still don't like it ... well, sell it and check the 12-24

03-20-2016, 10:55 PM	#8
don_park New Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 7 Original Poster	Maybe my expectation of the Pentax Limited lens would be unreasonably high. In addition, I did compare HD DA 15 with FA 77. As a result, I seem to have a prejudice on 15 Limited. I'll take time to see if how I get along with it. Thanks for every advice!

03-20-2016, 11:30 PM	#9
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,267	Originally posted by Tas Not using that link. Oops. Fixed.

03-20-2016, 11:40 PM	#10
Davidparis Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 290	Originally posted by don_park Recently I bought Pentax K-3-2 and two Pentax lenses, i.e. HD DA 15 f/4 L & FA 77 f/1.8. My primary interest is landscape photography. Although the 15mm shows a perfect field of view, I am disappointed with the image quality, esp acuteness(sharpness). I could have chosen the 12-24mm zoom instead, but I wanted a prime Limited lens. Do I need to consider selling my new HD DA 15 for smc DA 12-24 for better lens performance? In the meantime, I'vd added a Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 Art to make up for the wide angle gap. Will appreciate valuable advices from Pentaxians. Indeed, perhaps a bad copy. But without photos, hard to analyze. Last 2 cents, as an owner of the DA12-24, I'd try and test it before purchase to verify that it works for you. It's been a bit of a disappointment for me, but YMMV.

03-21-2016, 01:41 AM	#11
forest_bear59 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Idstein (near Frankfurt - Germany) Photos: Gallery Posts: 147	The 15mm limited is "famous" for soft edges. If you practise landscape photography and sharpness until the edges of the frame and rich detail are what you desire .... then maybe the 2.8/14mm from Walimex/Samyang/Rokinon ist the way to go. And it is ready for full-frame, too ... but a bit heavy. I like my copy of the 15mm limited, but if you want to squeeze every detail out of the motive it falls back behind other glasses ...

03-24-2016, 10:55 AM	#12
slip Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,535	What would the purpose be using F4 in landscape, anyways? Cheers Randy

03-24-2016, 11:46 AM	#13
christiandre Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 157	I tried the 15mm and I found it much less efficient for the landscape, the DA 21mm... don't know, something diffuse in the results... I tried to tune the AF without success .... maybe a bad copy... Finally I sold the 15mm to keep the 21mm ltd that offers more qualitative images IMO

03-25-2016, 12:39 AM	#14
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	Originally posted by don_park Recently I bought Pentax K-3-2 and two Pentax lenses, i.e. HD DA 15 f/4 L & FA 77 f/1.8. My primary interest is landscape photography. Although the 15mm shows a perfect field of view, I am disappointed with the image quality, esp acuteness(sharpness). I could have chosen the 12-24mm zoom instead, but I wanted a prime Limited lens. Do I need to consider selling my new HD DA 15 for smc DA 12-24 for better lens performance? In the meantime, I'vd added a Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 Art to make up for the wide angle gap. Will appreciate valuable advices from Pentaxians. To be clear: the technology to make small and perfect 15mm on K mount or any equivalent mount (Canon, Nikon) doesn't exist. The registration distance is too long compared to the focal length. So there basically 2 solutions, you'll make a small/light lens like the DA15, this lens will have great constrast, flare resistance and will be light in the bag. The max apperture will be soso and the performance not perfect, for sure. In case of DA15, borders are ok at f/8. Or you make a much bigger lens with lot of glass. Flare will not be well controlled at all, contrast reduced, but you'll get a large max apperture and more sharpness, in particular on borders. That for example the Samyang 16mm. This kind of lenses are huge. Last alternative, make it a zoom. You'll get flexibility, something big/heavy but loose basically the large apperture. Example Sigma 8-16. So the question are what are your priorities. DA15 handle contra light and flare like no other and has exceptionnal contrast control. It does fantastics shoots in practice, but has limited border sharpness. It is very small/light meaning you can always have it in the bag while a huge UWA zoom/prime will often stay at home. If you prefer to get something sharper and able to zoom, what I got is that the 8-16 is the sharpest ultra wide angle lens in K-mount. DA12-24 is great, but not as sharp. Good thing of 12-24 is it is still smaller. For a prime, is size is no concern, I'd think of some Samyang lenses like the 14mm f/2.8 or 16mm f2. They are different so you should choose depending of your priorities. Now a few DA15 pictures... You can click to zoom...

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03-25-2016, 02:48 AM	#15
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by don_park Recently I bought Pentax K-3-2 and two Pentax lenses, i.e. HD DA 15 f/4 L & FA 77 f/1.8. My primary interest is landscape photography. Although the 15mm shows a perfect field of view, I am disappointed with the image quality, esp acuteness(sharpness). I could have chosen the 12-24mm zoom instead, but I wanted a prime Limited lens. Do I need to consider selling my new HD DA 15 for smc DA 12-24 for better lens performance? In the meantime, I'vd added a Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 Art to make up for the wide angle gap. Will appreciate valuable advices from Pentaxians. If you didn't have the Sigma I'd say sell it and get a cheapo DA16-45. At 16mm this is actually useable at all apertures and there is not a great deal in it as far as field of view goes. Or get a DA21. UWA lenses are over-rated anyhow. Especially the DA15 - unless you habitually shoot into the sun ...