[Bob 256]

It really depends on what I'm trying to shoot but it is either my Vivitar 13mm or my Pentax 28mm. The 13mm is tack sharp and encompasses a pretty wide angle when it's needed. Sometimes, that's just too wide. The 28mm is also a great IQ performer and works when a moderate WA is needed. The 13mm has the disadvantage of manual focus but ususally it's at infinity anyway. Both are pretty fast lenses and cropping is possible due to their high IQ. Both are FF of course, and both offer insignificant vignetting under normal use. I may have gotten one of the last Vivitar Series 1 13mm lenses as it was very hard to come by at the time I purchased it but if you're looking for a lens in that range, the Rokinons serve well.

[pschlute]

The issues I have with that lens are 1) Big, 2) Heavy, and 3) Expensive. If those are not issues for you, then the 15-30 is a fantastic lens.

I agree it is all of those things. I generally use it on a tripod. I use it a lot when going out for architectural/landscape shoots.

It is the best ultra wide zoom i have ever used.

[normhead]

I agree it is all of those things. I generally use it on a tripod. I use it a lot when going out for architectural/landscape shoots.

It is the best ultra wide zoom i have ever used.

What else have you used?

[GUB]

Pentax A 28mm 2.8 is my go to lens for wide. If I need wider I just stitch composites of the 28 or my 50mm.

[pschlute]

What else have you used?

zooms
DFA 24-70
DA 10-17 FE
F17-28 FE
M 24-35
M 24-50


primes
K 15 3.5
A 16 FE
K 17 FE
K 18 3.5
M 20 4.0
K 24 2.8
K 24 3.5
FA* 24 2.0

[clickclick]

I'll also agree the DFA 15-30 is a really sweet lens. For an even wider perspective, I like my Irix 11mm quite a bit too. It is more limited in use though. It's so wide, you've got to be in the mood for that perspective. If you are though, it's hard to beat, especially for the price. I'd also look at the Laowa. I have not been hands-on with them, but they get very good reviews.

[MaineNative]

I have the Samyang / Rokinon 14/2.8 and the Pentax FA 20/2.8 for my K-1. I use the Samyang mostly for Astro but it works well in daylight too; extremely sharp if you get a good copy.

I got the FA 20 because I wanted an autofocus ultra-wide. I rented the DFA 15-30, but I wanted something lighter, so I got the FA 20. The 15-30 is a very good lens and is good for Astro.

[cooks333]

I don't have anything else to compare it to, but I've been very happy with my Irix 15mm. Fun to use, sharp, and able to produce some great colors. I never leave it home on my Arizona hiking adventures.

[pid]

I am very happy with my A 20/2.8 and waiting for complete my FA Limited series with the DFA 21 Ltd. I am sure it is a amazing lens.
I also have fun with the SMC Fisheye 1:4/17 and the old, but not so bad RMC Tokina 1:3.5/17

[fs999]

For the size I prefer my Soligor C/D 20mm F2.8



or the Pentax FA* 24mm F2 IF AL



or the Pentax FA 35mm F2 AL

[robgski]

The Laowa is a very good lens (they could make the lens cap fit a bit tighter though..lost one over a deep canyon.

I use a silicon lens cap made by Kuvrd to protect the Takumar 17mm FE on my K-1. It does the job well, I recommend them.

17mm FE on the K-1, it's a treat, and not too fishy

It allows me to take the whole scene in (I should try lens correction in postprocessing)


I would like to try a few of the UWA lenses others have mentioned above

[UncleVanya]

You might find this worthwhile...

https://youtu.be/Xk7APW1P6jA

Cheers... M

I almost wish you hadn’t posted this! I really enjoyed watching several of his videos. A bit of an Internet rabbit hole I fell into!

[bdery]

Among those I've tested (that's a lot), my favourite is the Laowa 12mm F2.8, it's almost a Limited lens.

Close second is the Pentax 15-30mm F2.8, but it's very big.

The Irix 11 and 15mm are fine also (I prefer the 15) but big and not quite as enticing as the Laowa, for me at least.

You can find in-depth reviews of all those lenses here on Pentaxforums.

[Sandy Hancock]

The DFA15-30 is excellent, but this thread is about full frame primes.

Wide angle is a term which is open to interpretation - the goalposts have been shifted in recent years. When I was a lad 35mm was the beginning of wide, 24mm was the beginning of ultra-wide, and anything below 20mm was just STUPID wide.

So in what I would call wide angle, I would say my FA31/1.8 Limited is my favourite. I have the superb Sigma Art 35/1.4 and legendary K28/2.0 (and several others in that range), but the Princess really is special.

Ultra-wide? I would give my FA*24/2.0 the edge over my FA20/2.8 for build quality, colours, bokeh, hood, starbursts, and beauty. In fact, just about everything.

STUPID wide? I would agree with Bernard; the Laowa 12/2.8 D-Dreamer Zero-D (despite its ridiculous name) is untouchable. Comparisons with the Pentax 15mm lenses (I have the SMC Takumar aspheric and the standard K series version) are embarrassing. I'm sure the Irix 15 is also excellent, but I have no experience with it.

[RICHARD L.]

I have a terrific trio of like-new FA wide-angle lenses : FA 20 mm f/2.8, FA 28 mm f/2.8 and FA 35 mm f/2. I can use them indifferently on my K1 or my K3. All are sharp, contrasty and resistant to flare.

FA 35 mm f/2 on a K3


FA 28 mm f/2.8 on a K3


FA 20 mm f/2.8 on a K1