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Theov39 · 02-25-2018, 09:34 AM

Here's a classic first world problem but is it worth getting the Pentax 15mm HD if you have the Pentax 21mm lens already? I love the 21mm but in many situations it is just not wide enough.

Last edited by Theov39; 02-25-2018 at 09:41 AM.

**jatrax** · 02-25-2018, 09:38 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Theov39

I love the 21 mm but in many situations it is just not wide enough.

I think you just answered your own question.

I had both and used both but the 15mm was my clear favorite. Wish they made one for FF.

normhead · 02-25-2018, 09:38 AM - **1 Like**

My conclusion since I have an 18-135 which is very strong at 21mm, is i should have bought the DA 15 instead of the 21 ltd. But now that I'm using a K-1 for landscape, my 21 isn't getting used and neither would the 15 if I'd purchased it. But, no, owning a 21 doesn't get you out of owning the DA 15 ltd.

In my case I eventually went for the Sigma 8-16. Now there's a UWA lens.

**Pentax Syntax** · 02-25-2018, 10:33 AM - **1 Like**

I have both and love both lenses. They are really quite different beasts. The DA 15 is right at the boundary of wide-ultra wide. You will turn to it for landscapes and shots into the sun and sunsets. It is nicely flare-resistant. The 21 is a wonderful all-purpose wide angle. Colors are excellent with the 21. I think the 15 and 21 make a decent small prime combo if lens speed is not a consideration.

**pepperberry farm** · 02-25-2018, 11:14 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Theov39

Here's a classic first world problem but is it worth getting the Pentax 15mm HD if you have the Pentax 21mm lens already? I love the 21mm but in many situations it is just not wide enough.

if you are shooting on an APS-C body, also consider the DA14/2.8....

Adam · 02-25-2018, 12:03 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Theov39

Here's a classic first world problem but is it worth getting the Pentax 15mm HD if you have the Pentax 21mm lens already? I love the 21mm but in many situations it is just not wide enough.

IMO, definitely!

Wasp · 02-25-2018, 12:03 PM - **1 Like**

I say go for it. The extra angle of view is really noticeable on full frame and on crop frame. More so on crop frame, a 21mm is not ultra wide but a 15mm is.

**Bob 256** · 02-25-2018, 12:29 PM - **1 Like**

Ditto. I've used 19mm & 21mm lenses and the 15mm would give substantially wider view. The Pentax is a great lens IQ wise but you might also consider the Irix lenses which come close to 15mm. Rokinon has a 14mm in the K mount as well and is a sharp lens if you get a good copy. Reviews of all are in this forum's lens compendium (top bar).

**Scorpio71GR** · 02-25-2018, 12:58 PM - **1 Like**

The DA21 does not have the flare resistance of the DA15. That is one of the strongest points of the DA15.

Saltwater Images · 02-25-2018, 12:58 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Theov39

Here's a classic first world problem but is it worth getting the Pentax 15mm HD if you have the Pentax 21mm lens already? I love the 21mm but in many situations it is just not wide enough.

I have both, love both. In my bag they fulfill different roles. The 21 is a wide normal (true normal on APS-C would be 28 mm). The 15 is a wide.

The 21 is an awesome street lens for walk around that handles landscapes as well. Things appear normal through the 21. The 15 add drama to landscapes. It pulls the foreground forward and pushes the background further back. This is typical of ultra wides.

I use both and believe that you would miss capturing some dazzling perspectives without the HD DA 15. Looking at the few photos in my Pentax Forums gallery - it’s a HD DA 15 shot that gets the most views.

**clackers** · 02-25-2018, 12:58 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Bob 256

Ditto. I've used 19mm & 21mm lenses and the 15mm would give substantially wider view. The Pentax is a great lens IQ wise but you might also consider the Irix lenses which come close to 15mm. Rokinon has a 14mm in the K mount as well and is a sharp lens if you get a good copy. Reviews of all are in this forum's lens compendium (top bar).

Plenty of people have both, Theo.

A good trio is the 15, 21 and 70.

Saltwater Images · 02-25-2018, 01:02 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by clackers

Plenty of people have both, Theo.

A good trio is the 15, 21 and 70.

I would that suggest ideal trios would be 15/35/70 or 21/40/70 although I usually carry 15/21/40/70 quad because they’re small and don’t take up a lot of space.

gm4life · 02-25-2018, 02:06 PM - **1 Like**

In a word... Yes! The 15 is one of my favorites!

Although the 20-40 is my favorite Limited lens. At the long end I have my 55* which I love as well. I have this instead of the 70 Limited.

When the new DFA 85 comes out and if priced relatively reasonably I will put it in my bag along with the new DA 11-18!

jddwoods · 02-25-2018, 02:08 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Saltwater Images

I would that ideal trios would be 15/35/70 or 21/40/70 although I usually carry 15/21/40/70 because they’re small and don’t take up a lot of space.

This underscores what really is needed, is the ideal quad, the 15, 21 40 (or 35 macro) and the 70 Limiteds. Back to the OP original question and the difference between the 15 and 21 limiteds, through the viewfinder, is quite a bit more than the numbers would indicate. I have both and use both extensively. The 15 is my ultra wide, especially indoors and the 21 is my close up and wide-normal street lens.

SSGGeezer · 02-25-2018, 02:09 PM - **1 Like**

Since I have the DA15 does this thread mean I have to acquire a DA 21?

02-25-2018, 09:34 AM	#1
Theov39 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Sydney Posts: 594	Worth getting the Pentax 15mm HD if you have the Pentax 21MM lens already? Here's a classic first world problem but is it worth getting the Pentax 15mm HD if you have the Pentax 21mm lens already? I love the 21mm but in many situations it is just not wide enough. Last edited by Theov39; 02-25-2018 at 09:41 AM.

02-25-2018, 12:03 PM - 1 Like	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by Theov39 Here's a classic first world problem but is it worth getting the Pentax 15mm HD if you have the Pentax 21mm lens already? I love the 21mm but in many situations it is just not wide enough. IMO, definitely! 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:

02-25-2018, 12:29 PM - 1 Like	#8
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,378	Ditto. I've used 19mm & 21mm lenses and the 15mm would give substantially wider view. The Pentax is a great lens IQ wise but you might also consider the Irix lenses which come close to 15mm. Rokinon has a 14mm in the K mount as well and is a sharp lens if you get a good copy. Reviews of all are in this forum's lens compendium (top bar). Last edited by Bob 256; 02-25-2018 at 12:42 PM.

02-25-2018, 01:02 PM - 1 Like	#12
Saltwater Images Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Newfoundland Photos: Gallery Posts: 501	Originally posted by clackers Plenty of people have both, Theo. A good trio is the 15, 21 and 70. I would that suggest ideal trios would be 15/35/70 or 21/40/70 although I usually carry 15/21/40/70 quad because they’re small and don’t take up a lot of space. Last edited by Saltwater Images; 02-25-2018 at 03:58 PM.

02-25-2018, 02:06 PM - 1 Like	#13
gm4life Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 602	In a word... Yes! The 15 is one of my favorites! Although the 20-40 is my favorite Limited lens. At the long end I have my 55* which I love as well. I have this instead of the 70 Limited. When the new DFA 85 comes out and if priced relatively reasonably I will put it in my bag along with the new DA 11-18! Last edited by gm4life; 02-25-2018 at 04:04 PM.

02-25-2018, 09:38 AM - 2 Likes	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by Theov39 I love the 21 mm but in many situations it is just not wide enough. I think you just answered your own question. I had both and used both but the 15mm was my clear favorite. Wish they made one for FF.

02-25-2018, 09:38 AM - 1 Like	#3
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	My conclusion since I have an 18-135 which is very strong at 21mm, is i should have bought the DA 15 instead of the 21 ltd. But now that I'm using a K-1 for landscape, my 21 isn't getting used and neither would the 15 if I'd purchased it. But, no, owning a 21 doesn't get you out of owning the DA 15 ltd. In my case I eventually went for the Sigma 8-16. Now there's a UWA lens.

02-25-2018, 10:33 AM - 1 Like	#4
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	I have both and love both lenses. They are really quite different beasts. The DA 15 is right at the boundary of wide-ultra wide. You will turn to it for landscapes and shots into the sun and sunsets. It is nicely flare-resistant. The 21 is a wonderful all-purpose wide angle. Colors are excellent with the 21. I think the 15 and 21 make a decent small prime combo if lens speed is not a consideration.

02-25-2018, 11:14 AM - 1 Like	#5
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766	Originally posted by Theov39 Here's a classic first world problem but is it worth getting the Pentax 15mm HD if you have the Pentax 21mm lens already? I love the 21mm but in many situations it is just not wide enough. if you are shooting on an APS-C body, also consider the DA14/2.8....

02-25-2018, 12:03 PM - 1 Like	#7
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	I say go for it. The extra angle of view is really noticeable on full frame and on crop frame. More so on crop frame, a 21mm is not ultra wide but a 15mm is.

02-25-2018, 12:58 PM - 1 Like	#9
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,023	The DA21 does not have the flare resistance of the DA15. That is one of the strongest points of the DA15.

02-25-2018, 12:58 PM - 1 Like	#10
Saltwater Images Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Newfoundland Photos: Gallery Posts: 501	Originally posted by Theov39 Here's a classic first world problem but is it worth getting the Pentax 15mm HD if you have the Pentax 21mm lens already? I love the 21mm but in many situations it is just not wide enough. I have both, love both. In my bag they fulfill different roles. The 21 is a wide normal (true normal on APS-C would be 28 mm). The 15 is a wide. The 21 is an awesome street lens for walk around that handles landscapes as well. Things appear normal through the 21. The 15 add drama to landscapes. It pulls the foreground forward and pushes the background further back. This is typical of ultra wides. I use both and believe that you would miss capturing some dazzling perspectives without the HD DA 15. Looking at the few photos in my Pentax Forums gallery - it’s a HD DA 15 shot that gets the most views.

02-25-2018, 12:58 PM - 1 Like	#11
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Bob 256 Ditto. I've used 19mm & 21mm lenses and the 15mm would give substantially wider view. The Pentax is a great lens IQ wise but you might also consider the Irix lenses which come close to 15mm. Rokinon has a 14mm in the K mount as well and is a sharp lens if you get a good copy. Reviews of all are in this forum's lens compendium (top bar). Plenty of people have both, Theo. A good trio is the 15, 21 and 70.

02-25-2018, 02:08 PM - 1 Like	#14
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	Originally posted by Saltwater Images I would that ideal trios would be 15/35/70 or 21/40/70 although I usually carry 15/21/40/70 because they’re small and don’t take up a lot of space. This underscores what really is needed, is the ideal quad, the 15, 21 40 (or 35 macro) and the 70 Limiteds. Back to the OP original question and the difference between the 15 and 21 limiteds, through the viewfinder, is quite a bit more than the numbers would indicate. I have both and use both extensively. The 15 is my ultra wide, especially indoors and the 21 is my close up and wide-normal street lens.

02-25-2018, 02:09 PM - 1 Like	#15
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Since I have the DA15 does this thread mean I have to acquire a DA 21?

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Worth getting the Pentax 15mm HD if you have the Pentax 21MM lens already?

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