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03-03-2018, 10:40 PM   #1
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Super wide/Fisheye advice for the K1

So I'm looking to get a super wide angle lens. I already have the Pentax 15-30, and was thinking about picking up a 14mm, but then thought...well, I think something substantially wider might be a better investment.

So, I'm sort of down to the Irix 11mm f/4, and the Rokinon 12mm f/2.8. Obviously the Irix 11 is wider, but the fast aperture on the Rokinon is really appealing to me, as I tend to enjoy astrophotography.

Obviously the Irix lens (either version really) has a better build, weather sealing, and wider than the rokinon, but again, the Rokinon is faster, and that's appealing to me.

Edit: I suppose I should also throw in the Venus Laowa 12mm f/2.8 as well, although it's substantially more money.

What say you all? Or is there another option out there that I should look at?


Last edited by motorhead9999; 03-03-2018 at 10:47 PM.
03-03-2018, 10:53 PM - 1 Like   #2
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I have the Samyang (=Rokinon) 12mm Fisheye. It is very impressive. Much better IQ on K-1 than the DA10-17 on KP. And nearly a stop faster. It's also surprisingly small except for the flare at the front.

I also have the DFA15-30 (and the FA20 if I really want to use filters), so I reckon I'm sorted for ultra-wide.
03-04-2018, 03:21 AM   #3
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What Sandy said ^^ Rokinon/Samyang 12mm is one of my favorite lenses.
03-04-2018, 05:40 AM   #4
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I have both the Rokinon fish-eye and the Laowa 12mm rectilinear. Both are excellent so decide on $ and whether you prefer rectilinear out of camera, or fish-eye distortion plus the possibility of rectilinear using PP. BTW: I did have an Irix 15mm for a while. A nice lens but very bulky. Both the Laowa and Rokinon are easier to fit into a camera bag. I think that the 11mm Irix is also rather bulky. The 11 Irix was not available when I purchased the Laowa. Given a little time I might be able to take & post a couple images taken with the Laowa and the Rokinon to compare coverage.

03-04-2018, 05:45 AM - 1 Like   #5
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I wonder when people ask about this lens or that lens

have they looked at the excellent resources available here at the forum under " lenses " above - the " In Depth Reviews " and/or the " user reviews " for different lenses
03-04-2018, 06:41 AM   #6
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I think either the Samyang 12 fisheye or a used Pentax F 17-28 might fit the bill. The fisheyes have optical differences but both are substantially wider than the Pentax 15-30 at 15. I have tried the Samyang 12 and own the 17-28 and the DA 10-17. I assume Pentax will soon release a replacement for the F 17-28 for full frame and it will probably have better coatings and better close focusing. For these types of lenses, close focus is a wonderful feature to have and is the main selling point of the 10-17.
03-04-2018, 07:44 AM - 1 Like   #7
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What are your requirements, what is you budget?

If you can cope with a K mount lens, the Zenitar 16mm fisheye F2.8 is full frame compliant and 137°*88° field of view.





03-04-2018, 07:48 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by Sandy Hancock Quote
I have the Samyang (=Rokinon) 12mm Fisheye. It is very impressive. Much better IQ on K-1 than the DA10-17 on KP. And nearly a stop faster. It's also surprisingly small except for the flare at the front.
I decided to research this lens based upon the recommendations above. The Lens Reviews page indicates that the aperture can be controlled automatically and this is reflected in the picture of the lens, while the picture and description on Adorama show a manual aperture. Is it possible that it's automatic for the Pentax mount and not automatic for other mounts? I'm trying to reconcile the differing information found.
03-04-2018, 07:58 AM - 1 Like   #9
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AFAIK, you can find the Samyang 12mm fisheye in K or KA mount.

Here you can see the "A" pin: https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/data/114/large/samyang_12mm-f2_8_fi...ide-pentax.jpg
03-04-2018, 09:33 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by motorhead9999 Quote
I already have the Pentax 15-30, and was thinking about picking up a 14mm
I have the Samyang 14mm and want to add the 15-30! The reason is the flexibility of the 15-30. Samyang is super sharp even wide open. I run into situations that I want to narrow the field of view without moving the camera. This is on some of my commercial product shoots. Right now I end up moving the camera entirely to accomplish this task. On the subject of going wider than 14mm, I have not felt the need to go any wider as the 14 is plenty wide and already has distorted corners. Having a wider lens and even more distortion is not useful, at least not for the subjects I shoot.
03-04-2018, 02:03 PM - 1 Like   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by dave2k Quote
Is it possible that it's automatic for the Pentax mount and not automatic for other mounts?
That is correct. The K mount version is, as far as I know, the only one allowing aperture control from the camera. Win.
03-05-2018, 07:54 AM   #12
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Have the Irix 11mm Blackstone, very happy with it. Weather sealing if very important for my use, which why I didn't consider the other choices.
03-05-2018, 11:36 AM   #13
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So, as you see, there are many solutions.

Now you shall sort your requirements:
KAF/KA/K mount, sharpness wide open, sharpness @F/8, lens speed, construction, optical defects, price, weather resistance & so on.

If I was you, I'd build a SWOT matrix (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats).
03-05-2018, 01:39 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by tryphon4 Quote
So, as you see, there are many solutions.

Now you shall sort your requirements:
KAF/KA/K mount, sharpness wide open, sharpness @F/8, lens speed, construction, optical defects, price, weather resistance & so on.

If I was you, I'd build a SWOT matrix (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats).
Or set up a bull's-eye target for darts. Just make sure the lens you think you really want has the biggest circle, the most expensive the smallest.
03-05-2018, 05:11 PM   #15
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The Rokinon 8mm goes on sale every so often (as low as $200US). I got it and if you don't need a FF fisheye, it's a great lens. It reaches 180 corner-to-corner and has less distortion than some fisheye lenses. You do give up some speed however since it's an f3.5 lens and it is manual focus but you hardly ever have to focus it. Good IQ in the one I got. Just another option.
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