[Hattifnatt]

Hello,

I am finally going to purchase the K-1 and I was thinking about a lens to go with it. So far I have the DA15, FA 43, FA 77 and the Sigma 35mm Art. I mostly shoot landscapes, so I think I need a wide-angle lens. I would rather go for the best option at the market right now IQ-wise instead of some old prime lens. Problem is I am not convinced by the reviews 15-30 got in the lens review section. On the other hand, 24-70 seems to have a bit better reviews and maybe better suited for a hiking trip, kinda tired to change primes all the time.

What would you choose? can you tempt me with some nice landscapes with the 15-30?

[Adam]

Optically the 15-30mm really is quite good. Wait until you compare it to a vintage lens, or even an FA-series wide prime

It looks like you the long run, you might want to add both of these lenses to your kit. Since you have the standard focal lengths covered, though, I'd start with the 15-30mm.

[Sandy Hancock]

I opted for the DFA15-30. I have the DA*16-50, and it still performs brilliantly in crop mode on the K-1, but the 15-30 brings something completely new to the table.
I'm still getting a handle on it, but until a DFA* ultra-wide prime hits the market the zoom seems like the best option.
After three weeks in the UK and Ireland I'll let you know if I have changed my mind....

[edo]

The 15-30mm seems better suited to your actual kit, as you have the normal FOV and portrait FOV covered with you FA limiteds.
It is certain that the fast 24-70mm is like the most used lens for 99% of the photogs, but you don't have the UWA covered right.
I would get both if I have the funds.

[Hattifnatt]

I opted for the DFA15-30. I have the DA*16-50, and it still performs brilliantly in crop mode on the K-1, but the 15-30 brings something completely new to the table.
I'm still getting a handle on it, but until a DFA* ultra-wide prime hits the market the zoom seems like the best option.
After three weeks in the UK and Ireland I'll let you know if I have changed my mind....

Ha When are you going to Ireland? I will also be visiting Ireland pretty often in the near future since my girlfriend works there...

On topic... it seems I'm leaning towards 15-30.

[FantasticMrFox]

You have 35, 43 and 77 mm covered with high quality FF primes, but nothing below 35 mm (the DA 15 does not cover FF), plus you want to shoot landscapes.

I think the D FA 15-30 is a no-brainer

[biz-engineer]

Hello, I am finally going to purchase the K-1 and I was thinking about a lens to go with it. So far I have the DA15, FA 43, FA 77 and the Sigma 35mm Art. I mostly shoot landscapes, so I think I need a wide-angle lens. I would rather go for the best option at the market right now IQ-wise instead of some old prime lens. Problem is I am not convinced by the reviews 15-30 got in the lens review section. On the other hand, 24-70 seems to have a bit better reviews and maybe better suited for a hiking trip, kinda tired to change primes all the time. What would you choose? can you tempt me with some nice landscapes with the 15-30?

Advice from me: DFA15-30 is not for landscape, it is a lens primarily designed for architecture (f2.8 aperture and not optimized for flare). The DFA24-70 works well for landscape, although due to DoF on FF, you could use the DFA28-105 instead.Bare in mind that the DFA24-70 min aperture if f22 , and the DFA28-105 goes beyond f22. I have purchased the DFA24-70, but if I was redoing the purchase, I'd get the DFA28-105 for landscape (cheaper, lighter, and sharp stop down how it is used for landscape) and use the money saved on the DFA28-105 to get the DFA15-30 for architecture. BTW, except regarding flare, I think the reviews of the DFA15-30 are rather unfair, especially because the reviewers use the lens not for what it's supposed to do.

[Rondec]

I guess the question in my mind is how much wider you want to go than your current 15mm lens. The 24-70 covers very similar focal lengths to the 16-50 on crop frame, meaning at its widest it is just a hair more narrow than what the DA 15 is on a crop camera. The problem is that none of these lenses is going to be flare resistant like the DA 15.

My solution has been to get the 24-70, which is the perfect walk around lens for me and is wide enough for most landscape shots and down the road, I will add a wider prime -- hopefully something in the 20mm range from Pentax that is more flare resistant than all of these zooms. If push comes to shove, I may look at the Irix 15mm which looks like a very nice lens, but a lot faster aperture than what I need for what I do.

[grispie]

You could go with your da15 for now in crop mode and await future ultra wide options, maybe nice wr prime.
The 24-70 seems a nice lens because of its versatility.. good for hiking indeed.
All depends on how much you need the ultra wide today, your wallet and other.
just saying..

[D1N0]

I would'nt pay the review section much credit, people can't have shot very long with this lens. Look on flickr (since it is a Tamron lens). https://www.flickr.com/groups/tamronsp15-30mm/ If you were to get this lens you would miss a walk around zoom lens. Easily solved with some legacy zoom of course. like the F 35-70 F3.5-4.5 or the FA 28-70 F4

[noelpolar]

I'm awaiting a wide, not too large prime...... meanwhile will play with a FA 20-35

[Hattifnatt]

I guess the question in my mind is how much wider you want to go than your current 15mm lens. The 24-70 covers very similar focal lengths to the 16-50 on crop frame, meaning at its widest it is just a hair more narrow than what the DA 15 is on a crop camera. The problem is that none of these lenses is going to be flare resistant like the DA 15.

My solution has been to get the 24-70, which is the perfect walk around lens for me and is wide enough for most landscape shots and down the road, I will add a wider prime -- hopefully something in the 20mm range from Pentax that is more flare resistant than all of these zooms. If push comes to shove, I may look at the Irix 15mm which looks like a very nice lens, but a lot faster aperture than what I need for what I do.

Yeah, this is exactly the reason I have trouble deciding - for me 15mm is wide enough and the 24-70 would be marginally narrower and a better walk-around option as compared to the primes.

[repaap]

I believe that when I can afford modern lens on my K-1, there will be same question. I have been playing around with my Tokina 20-35/2.8 and it is really wide, not ultra like Samyang 14/2.8. My choise will propably be 15-30. It is really nice to stitch 20mm shots and I presume that I could get used to 15 mm on FF too. Maybe if there will be really good 20 or 18 mm prime or that Irix will be great then my opinion will change. Good luck with the choise. BTW I think that for some shots 20 mm is not enough and 14 mm is too distorted.

[transam879]

What about the Sigma 12-24 Full Frame lens and the D FA 24-70. Combined it would be a similar price as the 15-30 alone. You just lose WR in the Sigma and maybe some sharpness, but it goes ultra-wide on FF (similar FOV as the Sigma 8-16 on crop).

[DeadJohn]

SNIPPED FOR BREVITY ... So far I have the DA15, FA 43, FA 77 and the Sigma 35mm Art ... 24-70 seems to have a bit better reviews and maybe better suited for a hiking trip ...

I suggest getting the 15-30 first because you already have the medium focal lengths covered with primes.

For hiking, consider the 28-105 instead of the 24-70 because the former is smaller and weighs less. Yes, the 28-105 isn't f2.8, but when you need that large aperture you have your primes.