Ultra wide enthusiast

TerryL · 02-18-2018, 09:33 AM

Hello,
I have a new K-1 and just ordered the Irix 15mm. I want to get more involved with shooting ultra wide. I really enjoy the fl. What would be a normal step wider than 15mm? Irix also makes an 11mm, so if I like the 15mm, I may get the 11mm. Is that a big enough difference to own both? Thank you for your opinions.
Terry

Last edited by TerryL; 02-18-2018 at 10:57 AM.

photoptimist · 02-18-2018, 10:07 AM

At the UWA end of lens characteristics, even a single mm makes a difference. 11 mm is 37% wider than 15 mm.

**pentageek** · 02-18-2018, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by photoptimist

At the UWA end of lens characteristics, even a single mm makes a difference.

Definitely - I compared Irix 15mm to 16-85@16mm and the difference was much bigger than I expected.

**jatrax** · 02-18-2018, 10:17 AM

I'm guessing that is K-1 not F-1? The F-1 is a bit older...........

As @photoptimist says at the wide end even a single mm makes a difference. However, if you do have the K-1, 15mm is going to be very, very wide already. You may indeed eventually want to go wider and the 11mm Irix might be a good choice. But I strongly suggest you get the 15mm and work with it for awhile before buying yet another lens. You might find 15mm is wide enough.

My widest FF lens is the FA 20-35 and have never seen a need for anything wider. But that is my style. YMMV

Adam · 02-18-2018, 10:30 AM

11mm is insanely wide, so I would consider it more of a specialty lens (i.e. for interiors, real estate, so on). Are you finding the 15mm to be insufficiently wide for your current type of shooting?

pschlute · 02-18-2018, 10:46 AM - **1 Like**

The trouble with ultra wide lenses for interiors and real estate usage is that although the interior is captured from wall to wall, the effect is to vastly exaggerate the size of the room/building. I know plenty of folk who have been disappointed when viewing a house after seeing online photos which bear no reality to how the room looks in real life.

**robgski** · 02-18-2018, 11:01 AM

Those of us who shot on 35mm SLRs likely remember 24mm as being very wide without curvature Or distortion. On ApS-C of course the results are different. My 17mm Takumar has an FE look on a K-1, but is almost perfect as a UWA on my K-5.

I have a hard time imagining how the 15mm will do on a FF camera, I look forward to seeing the results.

TerryL · 02-18-2018, 11:05 AM

Originally posted by Adam

11mm is insanely wide, so I would consider it more of a specialty lens (i.e. for interiors, real estate, so on). Are you finding the 15mm to be insufficiently wide for your current type of shooting?

Hi Adam,
When I had the Pentax 15-30, it stayed on 15mm, and at times I wished it was wider. My Irix 15 so I will have plenty of time to shoot with it. I guess that will answer my question.
Terry

---------- Post added 02-18-18 at 11:09 AM ----------

Originally posted by pschlute

The trouble with ultra wide lenses for interiors and real estate usage is that although the interior is captured from wall to wall, the effect is to vastly exaggerate the size of the room/building. I know plenty of folk who have been disappointed when viewing a house after seeing online photos which bear no reality to how the room looks in real life.

Hi Peter,
As alway, I appreciate your input. Have a great day.
Terry

---------- Post added 02-18-18 at 11:14 AM ----------

Rob,
15mm is beautiful on FF. BTW, I grew up in Roanoke, VA. Sound familiar? Will definitely let you know how it goes.
Terry

---------- Post added 02-18-18 at 11:18 AM ----------

Originally posted by pschlute

The trouble with ultra wide lenses for interiors and real estate usage is that although the interior is captured from wall to wall, the effect is to vastly exaggerate the size of the room/building. I know plenty of folk who have been disappointed when viewing a house after seeing online photos which bear no reality to how the room looks in real life.

Peter,
Thank you for the link. I love the 11mm on FF.
Terry

**robgski** · 02-18-2018, 11:30 AM

I live about 1.5 hours from Roanoke, and my son goes to Tech just down the road, no end of beautiful sites to see and capture.

awscreo · 02-18-2018, 12:16 PM

I hear a lot of pro real estate guys shoot with tilt shift lenses, starting with 24mm and lower. Allows to keep the proportion more realistic and still get the whole room in one shot. However, UWAs are certainly just fine for interiors.

11mm is a fun for imo, I've tried the Canon 11-24, and my friend has the 11mm irix. He likes it quite a lot, could be tricky to compose the frame with those though.

pschlute · 02-18-2018, 01:45 PM

Originally posted by TerryL

Peter,
Thank you for the link. I love the 11mm on FF.
Terry

Terry, that link was created automatically by the forum, not by me. I think it is a link to aps-c lenses, so check it out carefully.

---------- Post added 02-18-18 at 08:49 PM ----------

Originally posted by awscreo

However, UWAs are certainly just fine for interiors

i love ultra wide lenses, and agree they can be great for artistic expression, interiors included. But when used in a professional real estate environment, and they make a medium sized room look like a baronial mansion, that is just plain wrong. In my opinion the wrong tool has been chosen for the task in hand.

TerryL · 02-18-2018, 04:31 PM

Originally posted by pschlute

Terry, that link was created automatically by the forum, not by me. I think it is a link to aps-c lenses, so check it out carefully.

---------- Post added 02-18-18 at 08:49 PM ----------

i love ultra wide lenses, and agree they can be great for artistic expression, interiors included. But when used in a professional real estate environment, and they make a medium sized room look like a baronial mansion, that is just plain wrong. In my opinion the wrong tool has been chosen for the task in hand.

Peter,
I'm certainly not going to use them for real estate. Rather, agriculture and landscape.
Terry

**SteveinSLC** · 02-18-2018, 05:29 PM

There's the Laowa 12mm F2.8 if the 15-30 isn't wide enough. But I haven't seen any photos or reviews of that yet.

emergo · 02-18-2018, 10:03 PM

Originally posted by SteveinSLC

There's the Laowa 12mm F2.8 if the 15-30 isn't wide enough. But I haven't seen any photos or reviews of that yet.

Venus Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Review

**mikesbike** · 02-19-2018, 03:59 AM

The forthcoming Pentax zoom lens of 11-18mm f/2.8 may very well be a large, heavy lens also. The DA 12-24mm f/4 is a very fine WA zoom lens, and not all that heavy. It takes a 77mm filter size, but is only about 3.5 " long and weighs just under 1lb.

02-18-2018, 09:33 AM	#1
TerryL Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 850	Ultra wide enthusiast Hello, I have a new K-1 and just ordered the Irix 15mm. I want to get more involved with shooting ultra wide. I really enjoy the fl. What would be a normal step wider than 15mm? Irix also makes an 11mm, so if I like the 15mm, I may get the 11mm. Is that a big enough difference to own both? Thank you for your opinions. Terry Last edited by TerryL; 02-18-2018 at 10:57 AM.

02-18-2018, 10:30 AM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	11mm is insanely wide, so I would consider it more of a specialty lens (i.e. for interiors, real estate, so on). Are you finding the 15mm to be insufficiently wide for your current type of shooting? 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:

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02-18-2018, 10:07 AM	#2
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,123	At the UWA end of lens characteristics, even a single mm makes a difference. 11 mm is 37% wider than 15 mm.

02-18-2018, 10:15 AM	#3
pentageek Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 420	Originally posted by photoptimist At the UWA end of lens characteristics, even a single mm makes a difference. Definitely - I compared Irix 15mm to 16-85@16mm and the difference was much bigger than I expected.

02-18-2018, 10:17 AM	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I'm guessing that is K-1 not F-1? The F-1 is a bit older........... As @photoptimist says at the wide end even a single mm makes a difference. However, if you do have the K-1, 15mm is going to be very, very wide already. You may indeed eventually want to go wider and the 11mm Irix might be a good choice. But I strongly suggest you get the 15mm and work with it for awhile before buying yet another lens. You might find 15mm is wide enough. My widest FF lens is the FA 20-35 and have never seen a need for anything wider. But that is my style. YMMV

02-18-2018, 10:46 AM - 1 Like	#6
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,202	The trouble with ultra wide lenses for interiors and real estate usage is that although the interior is captured from wall to wall, the effect is to vastly exaggerate the size of the room/building. I know plenty of folk who have been disappointed when viewing a house after seeing online photos which bear no reality to how the room looks in real life.

02-18-2018, 11:01 AM	#7
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,799	Those of us who shot on 35mm SLRs likely remember 24mm as being very wide without curvature Or distortion. On ApS-C of course the results are different. My 17mm Takumar has an FE look on a K-1, but is almost perfect as a UWA on my K-5. I have a hard time imagining how the 15mm will do on a FF camera, I look forward to seeing the results.

02-18-2018, 11:05 AM	#8
TerryL Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 850 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam 11mm is insanely wide, so I would consider it more of a specialty lens (i.e. for interiors, real estate, so on). Are you finding the 15mm to be insufficiently wide for your current type of shooting? Hi Adam, When I had the Pentax 15-30, it stayed on 15mm, and at times I wished it was wider. My Irix 15 so I will have plenty of time to shoot with it. I guess that will answer my question. Terry ---------- Post added 02-18-18 at 11:09 AM ---------- Originally posted by pschlute The trouble with ultra wide lenses for interiors and real estate usage is that although the interior is captured from wall to wall, the effect is to vastly exaggerate the size of the room/building. I know plenty of folk who have been disappointed when viewing a house after seeing online photos which bear no reality to how the room looks in real life. Hi Peter, As alway, I appreciate your input. Have a great day. Terry ---------- Post added 02-18-18 at 11:14 AM ---------- Rob, 15mm is beautiful on FF. BTW, I grew up in Roanoke, VA. Sound familiar? Will definitely let you know how it goes. Terry ---------- Post added 02-18-18 at 11:18 AM ---------- Originally posted by pschlute The trouble with ultra wide lenses for interiors and real estate usage is that although the interior is captured from wall to wall, the effect is to vastly exaggerate the size of the room/building. I know plenty of folk who have been disappointed when viewing a house after seeing online photos which bear no reality to how the room looks in real life. Peter, Thank you for the link. I love the 11mm on FF. Terry

02-18-2018, 11:30 AM	#9
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,799	I live about 1.5 hours from Roanoke, and my son goes to Tech just down the road, no end of beautiful sites to see and capture.

02-18-2018, 12:16 PM	#10
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722	I hear a lot of pro real estate guys shoot with tilt shift lenses, starting with 24mm and lower. Allows to keep the proportion more realistic and still get the whole room in one shot. However, UWAs are certainly just fine for interiors. 11mm is a fun for imo, I've tried the Canon 11-24, and my friend has the 11mm irix. He likes it quite a lot, could be tricky to compose the frame with those though.

02-18-2018, 01:45 PM	#11
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,202	Originally posted by TerryL Peter, Thank you for the link. I love the 11mm on FF. Terry Terry, that link was created automatically by the forum, not by me. I think it is a link to aps-c lenses, so check it out carefully. ---------- Post added 02-18-18 at 08:49 PM ---------- Originally posted by awscreo However, UWAs are certainly just fine for interiors i love ultra wide lenses, and agree they can be great for artistic expression, interiors included. But when used in a professional real estate environment, and they make a medium sized room look like a baronial mansion, that is just plain wrong. In my opinion the wrong tool has been chosen for the task in hand.

02-18-2018, 04:31 PM	#12
TerryL Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 850 Original Poster	Originally posted by pschlute Terry, that link was created automatically by the forum, not by me. I think it is a link to aps-c lenses, so check it out carefully. ---------- Post added 02-18-18 at 08:49 PM ---------- i love ultra wide lenses, and agree they can be great for artistic expression, interiors included. But when used in a professional real estate environment, and they make a medium sized room look like a baronial mansion, that is just plain wrong. In my opinion the wrong tool has been chosen for the task in hand. Peter, I'm certainly not going to use them for real estate. Rather, agriculture and landscape. Terry

02-18-2018, 05:29 PM	#13
SteveinSLC Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 568	There's the Laowa 12mm F2.8 if the 15-30 isn't wide enough. But I haven't seen any photos or reviews of that yet.

02-18-2018, 10:03 PM	#14
emergo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coloroado Photos: Gallery Posts: 271	Originally posted by SteveinSLC There's the Laowa 12mm F2.8 if the 15-30 isn't wide enough. But I haven't seen any photos or reviews of that yet. Venus Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Review

02-19-2018, 03:59 AM	#15
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,549	The forthcoming Pentax zoom lens of 11-18mm f/2.8 may very well be a large, heavy lens also. The DA 12-24mm f/4 is a very fine WA zoom lens, and not all that heavy. It takes a 77mm filter size, but is only about 3.5 " long and weighs just under 1lb.