Wide angle lense for K-30

Markovo · 01-07-2017, 03:23 AM

Happy new year everyone!

I am using Tamron 17-50 on my K-30 for two years now, but i want it wider. From some post and articles I found that the Pentax DA15 is a good lens and i certainly consider it. Is there anything better though? In terms of IQ and mainly sharpness. I know a prime will be the better choice, so I am only looking for primes. The wider, the better.

**clackers** · 01-07-2017, 03:52 AM - **1 Like**

The Sigma 8-16, 10-20 and Pentax 12-24 are worth looking at

Alnjpn · 01-07-2017, 04:52 AM

The Samyang 14mm 2.8 (also badged as Rokinon and Bower) Quirky but fun. It is manual focus but you can pretty much leave it at infinity as it has a wide hyperfocal distance. Soft until f4, great at 5.6 and fantastic sharpness and resolution at f8 - in fact probably the sharpest lens I own here. Can be very contrasty almost clinical when stopped down - it lacks the soft colour rendition of pentax lenses. However, it is cheap, well made and very wide. It has a bulbous front element - filters are a problem and it flares easily. I have been using mine on a k30 and k3 for astrophotography and the inside of buildings. For me it would be a toss up between this and the DA15 which is about he same price secondhand I think.

D1N0 · 01-07-2017, 05:15 AM

There is also the Samyang 10mm F2.8 (aps-c lens). https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/samyang-10mm-f28-ed-as-ncs-cs.html

or the 8mm fish eye: https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/samyang-8mm-f3-5-fisheye-cs.html

Last edited by D1N0; 01-07-2017 at 08:19 AM.

grispie · 01-07-2017, 05:19 AM

I have both DA 15 and DA 12 24.
If i were to buy one of them, i'd go for the 12 24.. Both are sharp, the 12 24 offering more versatility and easier to use with a filterholder if/when you go that route..

**WPRESTO** · 01-07-2017, 06:05 AM - **1 Like**

SFL lenses generally have better IQ, zooms have more versatility. The 15mm Pentax is good enough to have a near cult following, and it is incredibly tiny. The 14mm Samyang is a real bargain, but a little bulky. The 8-16 Sigma is really, really wide - the left-right coverage is only a tiny bit less than what I get with a 10~17 Pentax fish-eye - but like the 14mm Samyang, it is bulky, and it is pretty expensive. I think that by a wide margin the 10-20mm Sigma is the real bargain. IQ in either the original or latest version is excellent, by most reports the original (variable aperture when zoomed) has a slight edge.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Look up images posted by kengoh. He uses a SIgma 10-20 on a K1, probably the original version with removable hood. If those don't convince you how good this zoom is, nothing will. Second-hand copies of the original version of the 10-20 can be purchased for under $300, sometimes down to $200. That is an outstanding bargain for an excellent ultra-wide zoom.

FOLLOWUP: I just went onto EBAY and found a Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 (=original version) for Pentax in what appears to be excellent condition with case, instructions and original box, for $249 from MD. That is a near-steal for a really excellent ultra-wide zoom.

hcc · 01-07-2017, 07:23 AM

DA15mm Ltd. An incredible lens in my opinion. It would complement nicely your 17-50mm in my opinion, plus a great IQ, and a solid (metallic) body.

This is no brainer IMHO.

**boriscleto** · 01-07-2017, 08:13 AM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

FOLLOWUP: I just went onto EBAY and found a Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 (=original version) for Pentax in what appears to be excellent condition with case, instructions and original box, for $249 from MD. That is a near-steal for a really excellent ultra-wide zoom.

But the OP is from Bulgaria. That will certainly affect price...

I have a Sigma 10-20/3.5 that I purchased used from B&H. I chose it over the Tamron 10-24 mainly because of the images posted here and because the Pentax 12-24 is insanely over priced.

**WPRESTO** · 01-07-2017, 08:19 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

But the OP is from Bulgaria. That will certainly affect price...

Had not noticed that. Alas, that will impact his cost whatever lens he selects, unless he gets an old Russian Jupiter. I think that several Pentaxians like the Russian-made FF fish eye, which I think is a 16mm f2.8 just like the discontinued Pentax SMCA. I don't think the Russians have been making lenses for APS-C format.

Driline · 01-07-2017, 09:36 AM - **1 Like**

No love for the DA 14?

wissink · 01-07-2017, 10:19 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by WPRESTO

Look up images posted by kengoh. He uses a SIgma 10-20 on a K1, probably the original version with removable hood.

I've seen his images of the 10-20 on the K1 in a few places on the net.. instantly recognizable and of high quality. I'd love to see more though or at least read about his and others impressions in more depth.

gm4life · 01-07-2017, 11:31 PM

I love my DA 15 Limited, I was in a similar place with my 16-85 and wanted something just a tad wider and still relatively compact for my bag. Although people sing praises of the 12-24mm as well.

Markovo · 01-09-2017, 12:34 AM

There is a promotion now in one of our local photography equipment stores here in Bulgaria. It's a set with the K-3II + DA* 16-50mm + DA 50mm for ~ 1700 euros and now I am thinking: "Is the 16-50 a good lens", because the K-3II has all the advantages over K-30... My greatest pain is the sharpness. Nothing is ever sharp for me... I like the sharpness of my DFA 100mm though

Driline · 01-09-2017, 08:30 AM

Originally posted by Markovo

There is a promotion now in one of our local photography equipment stores here in Bulgaria. It's a set with the K-3II + DA* 16-50mm + DA 50mm for ~ 1700 euros and now I am thinking: "Is the 16-50 a good lens", because the K-3II has all the advantages over K-30... My greatest pain is the sharpness. Nothing is ever sharp for me... I like the sharpness of my DFA 100mm though

I've had the DA 16-50. Although a very nice zoom it does not compare in sharpness to the FA limiteds or the DFA 100mm that you like. So you probably will not like it. My FA 43 was one of the sharpest lenses I've ever owned. I just never used it much because I couldn't bond with the focal length. My sharpest lens is the FA 100 macro, then the FA 43 and then my F*300.

gm4life · 01-09-2017, 09:41 AM

Originally posted by Markovo

There is a promotion now in one of our local photography equipment stores here in Bulgaria. It's a set with the K-3II + DA* 16-50mm + DA 50mm for ~ 1700 euros and now I am thinking: "Is the 16-50 a good lens", because the K-3II has all the advantages over K-30... My greatest pain is the sharpness. Nothing is ever sharp for me... I like the sharpness of my DFA 100mm though

I guess what are you going for a new body or just a good wide angle lens?

I mean the K3II although a better built camera with the same lens as the K30 optically speaking should perform very similar. Get the 15 Limited or something like the 14 etc. that should take care of the "sharpness" in my honest opinion.

I really don't think the camera body is the issue but rather the glass/optics which means a new lens.

01-07-2017, 03:23 AM	#1
Markovo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Bulgaria Posts: 149	Wide angle lense for K-30 Happy new year everyone! I am using Tamron 17-50 on my K-30 for two years now, but i want it wider. From some post and articles I found that the Pentax DA15 is a good lens and i certainly consider it. Is there anything better though? In terms of IQ and mainly sharpness. I know a prime will be the better choice, so I am only looking for primes. The wider, the better.

01-07-2017, 04:52 AM	#3
Alnjpn Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Osaka Posts: 158	The Samyang 14mm 2.8 (also badged as Rokinon and Bower) Quirky but fun. It is manual focus but you can pretty much leave it at infinity as it has a wide hyperfocal distance. Soft until f4, great at 5.6 and fantastic sharpness and resolution at f8 - in fact probably the sharpest lens I own here. Can be very contrasty almost clinical when stopped down - it lacks the soft colour rendition of pentax lenses. However, it is cheap, well made and very wide. It has a bulbous front element - filters are a problem and it flares easily. I have been using mine on a k30 and k3 for astrophotography and the inside of buildings. For me it would be a toss up between this and the DA15 which is about he same price secondhand I think. Last edited by Alnjpn; 01-07-2017 at 05:56 AM.

01-07-2017, 06:05 AM - 1 Like	#6
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,103	SFL lenses generally have better IQ, zooms have more versatility. The 15mm Pentax is good enough to have a near cult following, and it is incredibly tiny. The 14mm Samyang is a real bargain, but a little bulky. The 8-16 Sigma is really, really wide - the left-right coverage is only a tiny bit less than what I get with a 10~17 Pentax fish-eye - but like the 14mm Samyang, it is bulky, and it is pretty expensive. I think that by a wide margin the 10-20mm Sigma is the real bargain. IQ in either the original or latest version is excellent, by most reports the original (variable aperture when zoomed) has a slight edge. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Look up images posted by kengoh. He uses a SIgma 10-20 on a K1, probably the original version with removable hood. If those don't convince you how good this zoom is, nothing will. Second-hand copies of the original version of the 10-20 can be purchased for under $300, sometimes down to $200. That is an outstanding bargain for an excellent ultra-wide zoom. FOLLOWUP: I just went onto EBAY and found a Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 (=original version) for Pentax in what appears to be excellent condition with case, instructions and original box, for $249 from MD. That is a near-steal for a really excellent ultra-wide zoom. Last edited by WPRESTO; 01-07-2017 at 06:13 AM.

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01-07-2017, 03:52 AM - 1 Like	#2
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	The Sigma 8-16, 10-20 and Pentax 12-24 are worth looking at

01-07-2017, 05:15 AM	#4
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	There is also the Samyang 10mm F2.8 (aps-c lens). https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/samyang-10mm-f28-ed-as-ncs-cs.html or the 8mm fish eye: https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/samyang-8mm-f3-5-fisheye-cs.html Last edited by D1N0; 01-07-2017 at 08:19 AM.

01-07-2017, 05:19 AM	#5
grispie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1,199	I have both DA 15 and DA 12 24. If i were to buy one of them, i'd go for the 12 24.. Both are sharp, the 12 24 offering more versatility and easier to use with a filterholder if/when you go that route..

01-07-2017, 07:23 AM	#7
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,001	DA15mm Ltd. An incredible lens in my opinion. It would complement nicely your 17-50mm in my opinion, plus a great IQ, and a solid (metallic) body. This is no brainer IMHO.

01-07-2017, 08:13 AM	#8
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by WPRESTO FOLLOWUP: I just went onto EBAY and found a Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 (=original version) for Pentax in what appears to be excellent condition with case, instructions and original box, for $249 from MD. That is a near-steal for a really excellent ultra-wide zoom. But the OP is from Bulgaria. That will certainly affect price... I have a Sigma 10-20/3.5 that I purchased used from B&H. I chose it over the Tamron 10-24 mainly because of the images posted here and because the Pentax 12-24 is insanely over priced.

01-07-2017, 08:19 AM	#9
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,103	Originally posted by boriscleto But the OP is from Bulgaria. That will certainly affect price... Had not noticed that. Alas, that will impact his cost whatever lens he selects, unless he gets an old Russian Jupiter. I think that several Pentaxians like the Russian-made FF fish eye, which I think is a 16mm f2.8 just like the discontinued Pentax SMCA. I don't think the Russians have been making lenses for APS-C format.

01-07-2017, 09:36 AM - 1 Like	#10
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,695	No love for the DA 14?

01-07-2017, 10:19 AM - 1 Like	#11
wissink Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: S-ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 609	Originally posted by WPRESTO Look up images posted by kengoh. He uses a SIgma 10-20 on a K1, probably the original version with removable hood. I've seen his images of the 10-20 on the K1 in a few places on the net.. instantly recognizable and of high quality. I'd love to see more though or at least read about his and others impressions in more depth.

01-07-2017, 11:31 PM	#12
gm4life Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 602	I love my DA 15 Limited, I was in a similar place with my 16-85 and wanted something just a tad wider and still relatively compact for my bag. Although people sing praises of the 12-24mm as well.

01-09-2017, 12:34 AM	#13
Markovo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Bulgaria Posts: 149 Original Poster	There is a promotion now in one of our local photography equipment stores here in Bulgaria. It's a set with the K-3II + DA* 16-50mm + DA 50mm for ~ 1700 euros and now I am thinking: "Is the 16-50 a good lens", because the K-3II has all the advantages over K-30... My greatest pain is the sharpness. Nothing is ever sharp for me... I like the sharpness of my DFA 100mm though

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01-09-2017, 08:30 AM	#14
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,695	Originally posted by Markovo There is a promotion now in one of our local photography equipment stores here in Bulgaria. It's a set with the K-3II + DA* 16-50mm + DA 50mm for ~ 1700 euros and now I am thinking: "Is the 16-50 a good lens", because the K-3II has all the advantages over K-30... My greatest pain is the sharpness. Nothing is ever sharp for me... I like the sharpness of my DFA 100mm though I've had the DA 16-50. Although a very nice zoom it does not compare in sharpness to the FA limiteds or the DFA 100mm that you like. So you probably will not like it. My FA 43 was one of the sharpest lenses I've ever owned. I just never used it much because I couldn't bond with the focal length. My sharpest lens is the FA 100 macro, then the FA 43 and then my F*300.

01-09-2017, 09:41 AM	#15
gm4life Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 602	Originally posted by Markovo There is a promotion now in one of our local photography equipment stores here in Bulgaria. It's a set with the K-3II + DA* 16-50mm + DA 50mm for ~ 1700 euros and now I am thinking: "Is the 16-50 a good lens", because the K-3II has all the advantages over K-30... My greatest pain is the sharpness. Nothing is ever sharp for me... I like the sharpness of my DFA 100mm though I guess what are you going for a new body or just a good wide angle lens? I mean the K3II although a better built camera with the same lens as the K30 optically speaking should perform very similar. Get the 15 Limited or something like the 14 etc. that should take care of the "sharpness" in my honest opinion. I really don't think the camera body is the issue but rather the glass/optics which means a new lens.