What is the purpose of the 15mm limited?

**jpzk** · 01-12-2021, 04:51 PM

That is what I use my little 15 Ltd for :
(especially for the star burst effet as in photo no.2)

kh1234567890 · 01-12-2021, 05:19 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by noelpolar

For a simple person's take...21mm is the widest I would use if likeable people are a key part of the shot.... and about the widest one can shoot with after 4 beers.

Really ?

There must be something wrong with my DA12-24 @ 12mm

The main purpose of the DA15 is to annoy you.

dbs · 01-12-2021, 05:40 PM

Originally posted by kh1234567890

Really ?

There must be something wrong with my DA12-24 @ 12mm

The main purpose of the DA15 is to annoy you.

Hi K H

You might be onto something there ..... the 15 annoyed him so much that he sold it to me , it is the HD version , I'm not complaining.

Dave

**ramseybuckeye** · 01-12-2021, 05:55 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by dbs

Hi K H
You might be onto something there ..... the 15 annoyed him so much that he sold it to me , it is the HD version , I'm not complaining.

Dave

The HD version gets a bad rap here because it supposedly can't do starbursts, it will if you make it.

dbs · 01-12-2021, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

The HD version gets a bad rap here because it supposedly can't do starbursts, it will if you make it.

Hi Tom
As you show it can be done.

If star bursts are important then I'll bring out the 21 smc, ... not as wide I know.

Dave

**PocketPixels** · 01-12-2021, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by Bertrand3000

Lucky you all are to have a Limited. I just got a Sigma 17-50 F2.8 today for many excellent and logical reasons and now I lust for a Limited. But I don't have any money left!

Don't despair! I have the Sigma 17–50 ƒ/2.8, and it makes B+ or even A- starbursts at ƒ/13 and tighter. (We're defining A+ as the 15mm and 21mm Limited starbursts) It's a very good lens, and of course far more versatile than a prime.

**Tas** · 01-12-2021, 06:27 PM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

it will if you make it.

Love that line. The smc is the version I have.

Originally posted by dbs

If star bursts are important then I'll bring out the 21 smc

The smc DA 70 LTD does awesome starbursts too.

Tas

dbs · 01-12-2021, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by Tas

Love that line. The smc is the version I have.

The smc DA 70 LTD does awesome starbursts too.

Tas

Hi Tas

You learn something new every day ...

I will have to give it a try.... thanks

Dave

**pres589** · 01-12-2021, 06:40 PM

Originally posted by Cerebum

... I have read where the 15mm renders somewhat magically, also that there are two walkaround trios, 15,35&70 & 21,40&70.

I think I'd rather have the 15, a good 28 like the Sigma EX DG, and then a fast 50 or 55. The 70 might be good here though, I've never used one.

I'm glad that I stuck to the SMC version of the 15.

**Tas** · 01-12-2021, 07:29 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by dbs

Hi Tas

You learn something new every day ...

I will have to give it a try.... thanks

Dave

Yep, the DA70 does decent stars, some sea spray helped here: Starry night | noompty | Flickr

But even when you mess up the exposure it does alright: Starry night | noompty | Flickr

Tas

**mikesbike** · 01-12-2021, 08:39 PM

The DA 15mm Ltd is absolutely amazing for such high-quality imaging, in a quality built lens of such a wide angle at such an incredibly small size! Very useful in having it so easily packed along for availability!

**jumbleview** · 01-12-2021, 08:58 PM - **1 Like**

Ok, ok. You all persuaded me! I will not sell mine.

Bertrand3000 · 01-13-2021, 12:12 AM

Originally posted by PocketPixels

Don't despair! I have the Sigma 17–50 ƒ/2.8, and it makes B+ or even A- starbursts at ƒ/13 and tighter. (We're defining A+ as the 15mm and 21mm Limited starbursts) It's a very good lens, and of course far more versatile than a prime.

Thanks for that! I will definitely try it.

**Digitalis** · 01-13-2021, 12:33 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Cerebum

Why is it so popular

The DA15mm f/4 ASPH limited is simply a delight to work with, small and unobtrusive, also practically impervious to flare. The only downside I can think of about it is the lens cap which is designed in a way to cause maximum frustration when putting it on or taking it off, for the sake of your sanity and your fingers - get a pinchie lens cap.

Pentax K10D - SMCP-DA15mm f/4 ASPH Limited.

Pentax K5IIS - SMCP-DA15mm f/4 ASPH limited.

A depiction of its svelte dimensions compared to an optically* superior lens

* as far as corner sharpness is concerned, flare resistance of the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5~5.6 pales in comparison to the DA15. IMO I can't really recall many lenses in the wide angle category that is quite as flare resistant as the DA15.

**Rondec** · 01-13-2021, 03:25 AM

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

The HD version gets a bad rap here because it supposedly can't do starbursts, it will if you make it.

It does, I just think Pentaxians were upset that Pentax rounded the aperture blades of the HD version when few people shoot their DA 15s for bokeh anyway.

01-13-2021, 12:12 AM	#88
Bertrand3000 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 2,009	Originally posted by PocketPixels Don't despair! I have the Sigma 17–50 ƒ/2.8, and it makes B+ or even A- starbursts at ƒ/13 and tighter. (We're defining A+ as the 15mm and 21mm Limited starbursts) It's a very good lens, and of course far more versatile than a prime. Thanks for that! I will definitely try it. Last edited by Bertrand3000; 01-13-2021 at 01:02 AM.

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01-12-2021, 04:51 PM	#76
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	That is what I use my little 15 Ltd for : (especially for the star burst effet as in photo no.2)

01-12-2021, 05:19 PM - 3 Likes	#77
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by noelpolar For a simple person's take...21mm is the widest I would use if likeable people are a key part of the shot.... and about the widest one can shoot with after 4 beers. Really ? There must be something wrong with my DA12-24 @ 12mm The main purpose of the DA15 is to annoy you.

01-12-2021, 05:40 PM	#78
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,563	Originally posted by kh1234567890 Really ? There must be something wrong with my DA12-24 @ 12mm The main purpose of the DA15 is to annoy you. Hi K H You might be onto something there ..... the 15 annoyed him so much that he sold it to me , it is the HD version , I'm not complaining. Dave

01-12-2021, 05:55 PM - 2 Likes	#79
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291	Originally posted by dbs Hi K H You might be onto something there ..... the 15 annoyed him so much that he sold it to me , it is the HD version , I'm not complaining. Dave The HD version gets a bad rap here because it supposedly can't do starbursts, it will if you make it.

01-12-2021, 05:59 PM	#80
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,563	Originally posted by ramseybuckeye The HD version gets a bad rap here because it supposedly can't do starbursts, it will if you make it. Hi Tom As you show it can be done. If star bursts are important then I'll bring out the 21 smc, ... not as wide I know. Dave

01-12-2021, 06:07 PM	#81
PocketPixels Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 385	Originally posted by Bertrand3000 Lucky you all are to have a Limited. I just got a Sigma 17-50 F2.8 today for many excellent and logical reasons and now I lust for a Limited. But I don't have any money left! Don't despair! I have the Sigma 17–50 ƒ/2.8, and it makes B+ or even A- starbursts at ƒ/13 and tighter. (We're defining A+ as the 15mm and 21mm Limited starbursts) It's a very good lens, and of course far more versatile than a prime.

01-12-2021, 06:27 PM - 5 Likes	#82
Tas Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Brisbane, QLD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,202	Originally posted by ramseybuckeye it will if you make it. Love that line. The smc is the version I have. Originally posted by dbs If star bursts are important then I'll bring out the 21 smc The smc DA 70 LTD does awesome starbursts too. Tas

01-12-2021, 06:33 PM	#83
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,563	Originally posted by Tas Love that line. The smc is the version I have. The smc DA 70 LTD does awesome starbursts too. Tas Hi Tas You learn something new every day ... I will have to give it a try.... thanks Dave

01-12-2021, 06:40 PM	#84
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Originally posted by Cerebum ... I have read where the 15mm renders somewhat magically, also that there are two walkaround trios, 15,35&70 & 21,40&70. I think I'd rather have the 15, a good 28 like the Sigma EX DG, and then a fast 50 or 55. The 70 might be good here though, I've never used one. I'm glad that I stuck to the SMC version of the 15.

01-12-2021, 07:29 PM - 1 Like	#85
Tas Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Brisbane, QLD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,202	Originally posted by dbs Hi Tas You learn something new every day ... I will have to give it a try.... thanks Dave Yep, the DA70 does decent stars, some sea spray helped here: Starry night \| noompty \| Flickr But even when you mess up the exposure it does alright: Starry night \| noompty \| Flickr Tas

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01-12-2021, 08:39 PM	#86
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,549	The DA 15mm Ltd is absolutely amazing for such high-quality imaging, in a quality built lens of such a wide angle at such an incredibly small size! Very useful in having it so easily packed along for availability!

01-12-2021, 08:58 PM - 1 Like	#87
jumbleview Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 1,068	Ok, ok. You all persuaded me! I will not sell mine.

01-13-2021, 12:33 AM - 1 Like	#89
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Cerebum Why is it so popular The DA15mm f/4 ASPH limited is simply a delight to work with, small and unobtrusive, also practically impervious to flare. The only downside I can think of about it is the lens cap which is designed in a way to cause maximum frustration when putting it on or taking it off, for the sake of your sanity and your fingers - get a pinchie lens cap. Pentax K10D - SMCP-DA15mm f/4 ASPH Limited. Pentax K5IIS - SMCP-DA15mm f/4 ASPH limited. A depiction of its svelte dimensions compared to an optically* superior lens * as far as corner sharpness is concerned, flare resistance of the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5~5.6 pales in comparison to the DA15. IMO I can't really recall many lenses in the wide angle category that is quite as flare resistant as the DA15.

01-13-2021, 03:25 AM	#90
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,652	Originally posted by ramseybuckeye The HD version gets a bad rap here because it supposedly can't do starbursts, it will if you make it. It does, I just think Pentaxians were upset that Pentax rounded the aperture blades of the HD version when few people shoot their DA 15s for bokeh anyway.