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02-09-2018, 02:49 PM   #1
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15 mm f/4 limited

Hello,
I have the 15-30, and it's just too heavy. I only shoot 15mm. Do you all have any experience with the 15mm f4 limited? I still have time to return the 15-30. Thank you.
Terry

02-09-2018, 02:54 PM   #2
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Try this thread; you will probably want to get some snacks first.

The 15mm Limited controls my mind - club - PentaxForums.com

Are you using a crop body or full frame?
02-09-2018, 03:06 PM   #3
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I'm shooting with the K-1.
02-09-2018, 03:08 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by TerryL Quote
I'm shooting with the K-1.
15/4 is cropped on K-1. Save your pennies and wait for the upcoming Pentax FF ultra-wide zoom . . .

02-09-2018, 03:08 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by TerryL Quote
I'm shooting with the K-1.
The DA15/4 is a crop lens.
02-09-2018, 03:15 PM   #6
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Indeed the Pentax 15mm f/4 is a crop lens. Unless you're a big fan of massive amounts of vignetting, the DA 15mm f/4 isn't the lens you are looking for.

In my experience lenses wider than 20mm that are designed for full 35mm SLRs are seldom light or compact. Especially when the lens in question is a zoom.

to prove my point: Nikon has several zoom lenses with apertures ranging for f/2.8 to f/4 and focal lengths extending below 20mm - and even the slower ones are bricks.
02-09-2018, 03:16 PM   #7
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He can use the DA 15 in one of the crop modes on the K-1. It just won't be like the 15-30's 15mm. More like 23mm or so, if I remember right (don't own a K-1). Not really a great replacement for the 15-30.

02-09-2018, 03:16 PM   #8
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The D FA 15-30 f2.8 weights about 1,000g, while the DA 15mm f4 weights about 200g. But this lens is only an APS-C lens so you will not get full frame coverage without some/a lot of vignetting.

Another alternative is to try and find a second hand SMC Pentax 15mm f3.5 lens, either one of the two K mount versions or the KA mount version. You will probably pay $500 to $800 for these lenses if you can find them.

Otherwise you should look at third party lenses.

Regards

Chris
02-09-2018, 03:22 PM   #9
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Would this work for you: Tokina ( SL17 / RMC ) 17mm f/3.5 Lens Reviews - Tokina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database
02-09-2018, 03:53 PM   #10
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I don’t own it but Irix makes a 15mm f2.4 ff. Someone may be able to tell you about it. But I’ve read good things about it
02-09-2018, 04:10 PM   #11
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How wide do you want it? Do you need AF? Do you care about sharpness, aberrations, ect?
02-09-2018, 04:11 PM   #12
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I bought the DA 15 for my K-3, but bought the K-1 a short time later. I can’t compare it to the 15-30 in use, but I have friends who have the Tamron version on their Nikons so I’m aware of its size - it’s a MONSTER. I use the 15 on the K-1 and love it. Yes, it’s cropped, but when you’re looking at pictures you can’t tell it was taken with a crop, all you know is the pictures are beautiful. On your 15-30, do you ever use the middle of the range? That’s where the 15 will sit. I will often go out with a small kit, the DA-15, the FA-43 and the DA-70.
02-09-2018, 04:31 PM   #13
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If you don't mind manual focus there is the Samyang 14mm f2.8 (it does support auto exposure on Pentax though). Its still a bit big (especially compared to the DA 15mm Ltd!) but quite a bit smaller (and half the weight!) of the DFA 15-30.

I'm going to get a a Samyang 14 shortly as its well regarded, I don't mind manual focus and in any case at 14mm focus should not be that critical. Oh and compared to the DFA its very cheap if you want to give it a try. No weather sealing though but then the DA 15 Ltd doesn't either.
02-09-2018, 05:02 PM   #14
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Hi Wendy

Before you send back the DFA 15-30 I suggest you try one of the Optech Pro Straps which greatly lessens the negative aspects of heavy lenses. I have 15-30 and many other heavy lenses and the strap can make a huge difference.

I also own the DA 14/2.8, DA 15.4, DA12-24/4, DA 10-17 FE, and a full frame Tokina 19-35. None of these lenses come close to the IQ of the 15-30 on the K-1. Most work only in crop and the FF Tokina is also disappointing.

Last edited by Pentax Syntax; 02-09-2018 at 05:58 PM.
02-09-2018, 05:09 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by TerryL Quote
Hello,
I have the 15-30, and it's just too heavy. I only shoot 15mm. Do you all have any experience with the 15mm f4 limited? I still have time to return the 15-30. Thank you.
Terry
The 15mm F4 is a crop lens, so it's not a good match for the K-1.

There are some lighter alternatives however: the Samyang 14mm F2.8 if you want to stay ultra-wide, or the FA 20-35mm F4 if you're fine with a slightly narrower FoV but still want the zoom.

The 15-30mm currently has no competition as far as fast zoom lenses go, though, so definitely weigh that against your complaints before deciding to part with it.

Adam
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