[aslyfox]

. . . The Pentax 15 takes wonderful images, but is less flexible (there's an enormous thread in the Forums about the 15 "Blows mu mind" or something similar and yes, that sentiment is real. . . . .

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

examples of the DA Limiteds can also be found here -

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/74194-da-limited-club.html

[ a good place to look for examples of photos for various lensesis - Lens Club - Linked Index - PentaxForums.com ]

[steamloco76]

I have the HD 15/4 and it always rides in my carry kit. Superbly sharp corner to corner from f5.6 to f11. Fabulous, deep color rendition and nearly no distortion. My 18-135 WR has been bumped to the shelf because of its horrible corner distortion and sharpness falloff. The replacement is a Tamron 17-50/2.8 I bought used for $120. The Tammy is sharp corner to corner and delivers nearly Pentax like colors. It’s normal companion, a 55-300 DA WR. I also use two manual focus zooms for much of my photography (with the 15/4 and Tamron 17-50/2.8). SMC-A 35-105/3.5 and 70-210/4, finding that pair especially useful when photographing trains and other moving subjects.

[mgvh]

1) As others have noted, the 16-85 is a very nice upgrade to the 18-135. For my style of travel photography, the 10-17FE and the 16-85 cover 90% of what I want to do.
2) If you want to go to small/light at times, the 40XS is a great match for the KP
3) If you want faster, the DA21, DA35, or the DA50 are all small and fun to use.

[seventysixersfan]

If you already have the DA 18-135, I think DA 12-24mm makes sense, or the DA 15mm, or Sigma 8-16 or 10-20mm zooms. But for a single all around zoom that has a nice wide angle and is very sharp, the DA 16-85 is great. I sometimes regret selling mine, though I did find it to be a bit too large, as I had gotten used to the DA 18-135 compact form factor. On the other hand, you might want to consider a fast zoom like Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8, though it is not weather resistant. Would not duplicate your existing lenses and would be a nice complement. Or if you need WR, think about the DA 20-40mm limited zoom - excellently matches your KP!!

[Des]

I have the DA 12-24, DA 15 Ltd (HD version), DA 18-135 and DA 20-40 Ltd to cover the wide-normal range.

I have a good copy of the 18-135 and have taken many very pleasing images with it. (Samples here: Pentax DA 18-135 samples - Des(Australia) - Flickr) Its centre sharpness is outstanding.


If you are dissatisfied with the sharpness of the 18-135, it suggests that you have a poor copy or that edge/corner sharpness matters more to you than centre sharpness.

The 18-135 has long been my walkaround, but like Tom (@ramseybuckeye) lately I've been using the 15 and 20-40 (with the 55-300 PLM). The 15 is such a pocketable lens that it can come along with any other combination of lenses.

What the Limited lenses offer, compared to a standard zoom (whether 12-24, 18-135 or perhaps 16-85) is an extra "wow" factor. Images from the 15 and 20-40 have a similar "look", characterised by punchy colours and excellent microcontrast. (I'm sure this is true of the 21 Ltd as well, from the images I've seen with it.) Have a look at this thread and you will get the idea: The 15mm Limited controls my mind - club - PentaxForums.com

There is a beauty about images from the Limited lenses that doesn't necessarily show in test charts, but shows in real world use.

Several people have referred to the starburst from the Limiteds - note that that is only with the older green ring SMC versions. I have the HD 15 (red ring) and while it doesn't do starbursts, the HD coatings are very good IMO - just as they are on the 55-300 PLM. Personally, I'd take the HD coatings over the starbursts (although that may be a minority view).

But if you want starbursts, the 12-24 can do them too:


A couple of posters have said that they find the 12-24 sharper than the 15. I'd qualify that by saying that it's got more even sharpness across the frame, but the 15 has more centre sharpness (and is much less prone to CA and flare). We had this discussion recently here: PENTAX-DA 12-24mm is now discontinued - PentaxForums.com

Both the 15 and the 12-24 are good lenses. If you want a rectilinear wide angle lens, get the one that is more suitable to your use case.

But the first question is whether you what you are really looking for is a wide angle lens or another wide-normal lens. If the latter, you might consider the DA 20-40 (if you can find one within budget) or the DA 21 for the Limited zing, or the 16-85 for more even sharpness across the frame.

[xmeda]

The difference between Sig8-16 and DA12-24 is such, that when I stand in front of tall building that so-so fits my image frame at portrait orientation 12mm, I can perfectly fit the same building in 8mm landscape.
Also interiors are different. With 8mm I can take picture where with 12mm I had no room to step back.

But of course the image is more distorted. DA12-24/4 can use slim 77mm filters while Sig8-16 cannot. Sig8-16 has less CA/PF and delivers very detailed images.

Balance between these two might be the Sig10-20/3.5 which is also faster than both = better low-light work. Accepts filters too. And focusing motor is silent.

[bigyinn]

The difference between Sig8-16 and DA12-24 is such, that when I stand in front of tall building that so-so fits my image frame at portrait orientation 12mm, I can perfectly fit the same building in 8mm landscape.
Also interiors are different. With 8mm I can take picture where with 12mm I had no room to step back.

But of course the image is more distorted. DA12-24/4 can use slim 77mm filters while Sig8-16 cannot. Sig8-16 has less CA/PF and delivers very detailed images.

Balance between these two might be the Sig10-20/3.5 which is also faster than both = better low-light work. Accepts filters too. And focusing motor is silent.

After some deliberation, I ended picking up a Sigma 10-20 f3.5 HSM lens for a reasonable price. Not really had a proper play with it yet, but it was in excellent condition, boxed with a pouch and filter. Its a little slow to lock focus, but given its primarily for landscape work, I don't see that as a hinderance. I got it for £180, whereas the cheapest I could find a 12-24 was £289, so I hope I've made the right choice!

[mikesbike]

After some deliberation, I ended picking up a Sigma 10-20 f3.5 HSM lens for a reasonable price. Not really had a proper play with it yet, but it was in excellent condition, boxed with a pouch and filter. Its a little slow to lock focus, but given its primarily for landscape work, I don't see that as a hinderance. I got it for £180, whereas the cheapest I could find a 12-24 was £289, so I hope I've made the right choice!

I've had the Pentax 12-24mm for years, recently also acquiring the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 and I think you've made an excellent choice. As to AF, it varies. I think when there is some delay it is because in many wide angle scenes, objects come in very small within the frame, making it difficult for the camera's AF sensor to lock onto an edge or spot of contrast. Sometimes the individual AF sensor is as large as the object or spot it seeks to differentiate! However, when this is not the case, and there is a decent spot to lock onto, AF is satisfactorily fast and sure. That has been my experience. This is a very fine lens with a very attractive price tag for its quality!

[stemked]

I have both of these lenses. I have them for different reasons though. When I use the K3 or K5iis the 15mm is a dream if you want to travel light. The 12-24 is much heavier, but ever bit as sharp. The main advantages of the 12-24 are the extra wideth on the cropped bodies and that the lens also works well on my K1from about 16mm up. Since I have been using the K1 more I use it a lot more.

[mikesbike]

I have both of these lenses. I have them for different reasons though. When I use the K3 or K5iis the 15mm is a dream if you want to travel light. The 12-24 is much heavier, but ever bit as sharp. The main advantages of the 12-24 are the extra wideth on the cropped bodies and that the lens also works well on my K1from about 16mm up. Since I have been using the K1 more I use it a lot more.

Yes, the DA 12-24mm f/4 is every bit as sharp as the DA 15mm Limited and then some. Actually, edges of the frame are better at wider apertures than with the DA 15mm. Distortion with the Limited lens is very low, especially considering its small size, yet the DA 12-24mm set at 15 mm has virtually zero distortion! That is saying a lot for a zoom lens vs. a prime lens. And yes, the DA 15mm LTD is indeed a dream when you want to travel light! Love it on my KP especially. Glad to learn the DA 12-24mm is useful with your K-1 also. All good points!

[Sandy Hancock]

I would replace your 18-135 with the 16-85. Although the former is a fine lens, most users rave about the latter, and you have the long end already covered with the excellent 55-300PLM

[mikesbike]

I would replace your 18-135 with the 16-85. Although the former is a fine lens, most users rave about the latter, and you have the long end already covered with the excellent 55-300PLM

Or since the DA 16-85mm is somewhat bulky with the KP sans battery grip, keep the still fine DA 18-135mm for times when a large zoom range is needed to avoid lens-changing, and find a good deal on the DA 20-40mm f/2.8-4 Limited. The Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5, the 20-40mm Limited zoom lens, and the DA 55-300mm PLM make for a very fine trio in a lightweight kit.

[pres589]

DA 15 SMC, F 28, and DA 70 SMC! Ultra-wide, Normal, and Short-tele in a tiny trio! Zoom with your feet! Make starbursts!