DA15 for hiking?

**ThorSanchez** · 11-28-2018, 08:22 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by kiwi_jono

I find the DA-15 (with DA40-xs thrown in pretty much for free weight / size wise) and a K-01 is a great combination when walking or travelling very light.
But yes the DA-15 (I have SMC version), while not perfect (what is?), is a very capable lens for hiking.

I'm a big fan of the 15 and one of the 40s as a great lightweight and compact kit. The only downside is they're not weather resistant, so I've rented a 16-85 and thought about the 20-40 to complement them.

Dan Paris · 11-28-2018, 09:32 AM - **1 Like**

For hiking with my K3, I take only the Ltd 20-40 if I need to be light. FOV is narrower than the DA 15 but it shares some of its attributes (contrast, colors, flare resistance) and you get WR as a bonus.

When extra weight is less an issue, as other said the 3 limiteds kit 15, 20-40 and 70 is perfect. Sometimes I replace the latter with the Macro 100.

Dan

**Pentax Syntax** · 11-28-2018, 10:33 AM - **1 Like**

Lots of great responses to this already but let me add my two cents as an avid hiker. I use the 16-85/K-3 combo for most travel but when a hike to a view is involved I take either the DA14 or 15 limited instead. I started doing this when I noted in the analysis of my photos from EXIF info I was shooting at 16 on 80% of those shots. Either of the wide primes beats the 16-85 in both FOV and distortions.

DeadJohn · 11-28-2018, 11:07 AM - **3 Likes**

I have both the Ricoh GR and DA 15. They are both good for hiking. If bringing a single camera+lens I prefer the GR because 18mm is a more generally useful focal length than 15mm(*). When 15mm works, though, it works very well.

The DA 15 offers better color and flare resistance than the GR. That's not to say the GR is bad, it's just that the DA 15 is even better.

The GR offers better sharpness. GR corners are very sharp even at f2.8. The DA 15 corners are weaker, but acceptable especially considering that most landscapes are stopped down a bit.

(*) 15mm is significantly wider than 18mm. It's only 3mm but you can be surprised by how much that matters at the wide end. Note that I avoided converting to the oft-cited and oft-confused "35mm equivalence" because your GR and K-3 are both APS-C sensors.

DA 15 Example (mounted on K-5)

Ricoh GR Example

**mattb123** · 11-28-2018, 11:14 AM - **1 Like**

I have hiked many miles with my DA15 along. Great hiking lens with the one drawback you have with any prime, possible incursion of dust or moisture when changing lenses.

mikeSF · 11-28-2018, 11:25 AM - **1 Like**

I used to keep the DA 15 and DA 21 in each of my top shirt pockets, they are so dang portable.

Cambo · 11-28-2018, 12:52 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Alnjpn

Hello any walkers or hikers out there.

I have been using my Ricoh GR for hiking and climbing. It's great but I want to start using my K3 more regularly and am looking for a small, light lens solution. Most of the hiking I do is on mountains so weight is an issue. I have used the sigma 17-50 and 10-20 but both of these are fairly large and weighty. I like to shoot wide forest scenes and of course the mountain views. The focal length on the GR is just about right although wider would be better which is why I am thinking of the DA15. Is this the best option? Thanks.

...keep the 15, and slip the 21 and 40 into your spare pocket an off you go. You'll get the best images you have ever made. Get th 70 as well if you've got room.

On a recent trip to Mexico, I did 90% of my shooting with the 21, 5% with the 15, and very little with the other lenses I took (10-17, 40, 50-200).

Cheers,
Cameron

Marcel K · 11-28-2018, 12:57 PM - **1 Like**

Guess what you’re intending to shoot. My da15mm I often take as one lens option walkaround/hikes for vistas, land- and city scapes, street, but also close-ups with some surrounding background blur. Works a treat.

**mikesbike** · 11-28-2018, 04:36 PM - **1 Like**

My mode of operation for both biking and hiking is thus: I've been using a holster-type camera/lens cross-shoulder strap+belt-loop case through numerous models and lenses. The combo of belt loop and shoulder strap prevents swinging, providing stabilization and yet is convenient for compact carrying. My current favorite kit is the KP with the DA 20-40mm LTD, and believe it or not, the DA 15mm LTD can quite well fit into the front accessory pocket of the holster carrier! I have the newer HD version and I love it, but either version is fine. I put a piece of small bubble wrap as barrier in front of the lens as extra protection. Not only that, there is still room for the extra battery and other smaller items like an extra SD card or two. And this is not the larger size of such carriers! In fact, one of the smaller ones. Additionally, depending on possible needs, I may take a longer lens in either a pocket or in a separate belt case, which one depending. The two smaller being either the DA 70mm or FA 77mm LTDs in case I may want to isolate something from a scene needing a FL beyond 40mm and/or for low light situations.

Even If i should want a tele zoom lens instead as my longer extension, in a separate belt case either my DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 or DA HD 55-300mm still make for an easy-carrying ensemble. If you want to go wider in a small, very portable lens, the DA 15mm LTD is marvelous. In this kind of a pack, I am not aware of its presence until I have need for it.

Mountain Vision · 11-29-2018, 08:53 PM - **1 Like**

It's a shame pentax never updated the HD limiteds to WR status. I'd have loved a WR 15 and 21mm.

DA15 can be a little wide as your walk-around lens but you can learn how to use it and the perspective you get can make your shots stand out.

I had the DA limiteds in my canoe tripping kit because they were small and I could fit the whole kit into a hardigg stormcase (pelican box). This was more a space benefit than a weight benefit, although it was both on trips with portages. When shooting on canoe trips I was mostly shooting planned shots from camp in early morning, sunset or at night. So lens changes were never an issue.

For hiking I often use the DA 21mm as my walk-around lens. On a k-7/5/3 body it's a nice light compact combo and the 15mm isn't really that much bigger.

Aside from the weight and bulk, I think Pentax best APS lens for adventuring in the mountains is the DA 16-85. Unfortunately it's significantly heavier than the limiteds.

The DA 15, DA 21 or 35 macro and a 55-300 would make a great kit.

Garthgoyle · 11-19-2019, 11:03 PM

For the last two years I've been working as a mountain guide in Mt Fuji and the lens that's most of the time in my bag (along with all my med. kits, layers and other tools), is still the Limited 15mm. The days if I don't bring it to the mountain, I bring the 100mm Macro for flower, mushrooms and moss shots.

dcpropilot · 11-25-2019, 08:09 PM

I love the 15 limited for hiking.

Sandy Hancock · 11-25-2019, 08:29 PM

20-40 on a WR body and the 15 Limited (and maybe the 70 as well) in the bag. Win.

dcpropilot · 11-26-2019, 07:33 AM

Perfect setup right there.

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

20-40 on a WR body and the 15 Limited (and maybe the 70 as well) in the bag. Win.

**UncleVanya** · 11-26-2019, 07:44 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

20-40 on a WR body and the 15 Limited (and maybe the 70 as well) in the bag. Win.

I might toss the DFA 100 and the HD DA 1.4x in my bag since macro can be fun while on a hike and a 140mm f4 isn't a bad compact telephoto on APSC.

11-28-2018, 12:52 PM - 1 Like	#22
Cambo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,016	The limiteds... Originally posted by Alnjpn Hello any walkers or hikers out there. I have been using my Ricoh GR for hiking and climbing. It's great but I want to start using my K3 more regularly and am looking for a small, light lens solution. Most of the hiking I do is on mountains so weight is an issue. I have used the sigma 17-50 and 10-20 but both of these are fairly large and weighty. I like to shoot wide forest scenes and of course the mountain views. The focal length on the GR is just about right although wider would be better which is why I am thinking of the DA15. Is this the best option? Thanks. ...keep the 15, and slip the 21 and 40 into your spare pocket an off you go. You'll get the best images you have ever made. Get th 70 as well if you've got room. On a recent trip to Mexico, I did 90% of my shooting with the 21, 5% with the 15, and very little with the other lenses I took (10-17, 40, 50-200). Cheers, Cameron

11-19-2019, 11:03 PM	#26
Garthgoyle Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 30	For the last two years I've been working as a mountain guide in Mt Fuji and the lens that's most of the time in my bag (along with all my med. kits, layers and other tools), is still the Limited 15mm. The days if I don't bring it to the mountain, I bring the 100mm Macro for flower, mushrooms and moss shots. Last edited by Garthgoyle; 11-26-2019 at 11:37 PM.

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11-28-2018, 08:22 AM - 1 Like	#16
ThorSanchez Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,806	Originally posted by kiwi_jono I find the DA-15 (with DA40-xs thrown in pretty much for free weight / size wise) and a K-01 is a great combination when walking or travelling very light. But yes the DA-15 (I have SMC version), while not perfect (what is?), is a very capable lens for hiking. I'm a big fan of the 15 and one of the 40s as a great lightweight and compact kit. The only downside is they're not weather resistant, so I've rented a 16-85 and thought about the 20-40 to complement them.

11-28-2018, 09:32 AM - 1 Like	#17
Dan Paris Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 505	For hiking with my K3, I take only the Ltd 20-40 if I need to be light. FOV is narrower than the DA 15 but it shares some of its attributes (contrast, colors, flare resistance) and you get WR as a bonus. When extra weight is less an issue, as other said the 3 limiteds kit 15, 20-40 and 70 is perfect. Sometimes I replace the latter with the Macro 100. Dan

11-28-2018, 10:33 AM - 1 Like	#18
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	Lots of great responses to this already but let me add my two cents as an avid hiker. I use the 16-85/K-3 combo for most travel but when a hike to a view is involved I take either the DA14 or 15 limited instead. I started doing this when I noted in the analysis of my photos from EXIF info I was shooting at 16 on 80% of those shots. Either of the wide primes beats the 16-85 in both FOV and distortions.

11-28-2018, 11:07 AM - 3 Likes	#19
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	I have both the Ricoh GR and DA 15. They are both good for hiking. If bringing a single camera+lens I prefer the GR because 18mm is a more generally useful focal length than 15mm(). When 15mm works, though, it works very well. The DA 15 offers better color and flare resistance than the GR. That's not to say the GR is bad, it's just that the DA 15 is even better. The GR offers better sharpness. GR corners are very sharp even at f2.8. The DA 15 corners are weaker, but acceptable especially considering that most landscapes are stopped down a bit. () 15mm is significantly wider than 18mm. It's only 3mm but you can be surprised by how much that matters at the wide end. Note that I avoided converting to the oft-cited and oft-confused "35mm equivalence" because your GR and K-3 are both APS-C sensors. DA 15 Example (mounted on K-5) Ricoh GR Example

11-28-2018, 11:14 AM - 1 Like	#20
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	I have hiked many miles with my DA15 along. Great hiking lens with the one drawback you have with any prime, possible incursion of dust or moisture when changing lenses.

11-28-2018, 11:25 AM - 1 Like	#21
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	I used to keep the DA 15 and DA 21 in each of my top shirt pockets, they are so dang portable.

11-28-2018, 12:57 PM - 1 Like	#23
Marcel K Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 82	Guess what you’re intending to shoot. My da15mm I often take as one lens option walkaround/hikes for vistas, land- and city scapes, street, but also close-ups with some surrounding background blur. Works a treat.

11-28-2018, 04:36 PM - 1 Like	#24
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,549	My mode of operation for both biking and hiking is thus: I've been using a holster-type camera/lens cross-shoulder strap+belt-loop case through numerous models and lenses. The combo of belt loop and shoulder strap prevents swinging, providing stabilization and yet is convenient for compact carrying. My current favorite kit is the KP with the DA 20-40mm LTD, and believe it or not, the DA 15mm LTD can quite well fit into the front accessory pocket of the holster carrier! I have the newer HD version and I love it, but either version is fine. I put a piece of small bubble wrap as barrier in front of the lens as extra protection. Not only that, there is still room for the extra battery and other smaller items like an extra SD card or two. And this is not the larger size of such carriers! In fact, one of the smaller ones. Additionally, depending on possible needs, I may take a longer lens in either a pocket or in a separate belt case, which one depending. The two smaller being either the DA 70mm or FA 77mm LTDs in case I may want to isolate something from a scene needing a FL beyond 40mm and/or for low light situations. Even If i should want a tele zoom lens instead as my longer extension, in a separate belt case either my DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 or DA HD 55-300mm still make for an easy-carrying ensemble. If you want to go wider in a small, very portable lens, the DA 15mm LTD is marvelous. In this kind of a pack, I am not aware of its presence until I have need for it.

11-29-2018, 08:53 PM - 1 Like	#25
Mountain Vision Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: America's First Wilderness Posts: 529	It's a shame pentax never updated the HD limiteds to WR status. I'd have loved a WR 15 and 21mm. DA15 can be a little wide as your walk-around lens but you can learn how to use it and the perspective you get can make your shots stand out. I had the DA limiteds in my canoe tripping kit because they were small and I could fit the whole kit into a hardigg stormcase (pelican box). This was more a space benefit than a weight benefit, although it was both on trips with portages. When shooting on canoe trips I was mostly shooting planned shots from camp in early morning, sunset or at night. So lens changes were never an issue. For hiking I often use the DA 21mm as my walk-around lens. On a k-7/5/3 body it's a nice light compact combo and the 15mm isn't really that much bigger. Aside from the weight and bulk, I think Pentax best APS lens for adventuring in the mountains is the DA 16-85. Unfortunately it's significantly heavier than the limiteds. The DA 15, DA 21 or 35 macro and a 55-300 would make a great kit.

11-25-2019, 08:09 PM	#27
dcpropilot Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vermont Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 941	I love the 15 limited for hiking.

11-25-2019, 08:29 PM	#28
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	20-40 on a WR body and the 15 Limited (and maybe the 70 as well) in the bag. Win.

11-26-2019, 07:33 AM	#29
dcpropilot Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vermont Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 941	Perfect setup right there. Originally posted by Sandy Hancock 20-40 on a WR body and the 15 Limited (and maybe the 70 as well) in the bag. Win.

11-26-2019, 07:44 AM - 1 Like	#30
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,400	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock 20-40 on a WR body and the 15 Limited (and maybe the 70 as well) in the bag. Win. I might toss the DFA 100 and the HD DA 1.4x in my bag since macro can be fun while on a hike and a 140mm f4 isn't a bad compact telephoto on APSC.

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