What's your favorite wide-angle prime lens for a K-1?

**SunDance** · 08-31-2021, 07:46 AM

I've got a Rokonon 20 mm but am looking for something wider. Must be full-frame, of course. Your thoughts and recommendations? Thanks in advance for weighing in...

dlhawes · 08-31-2021, 07:54 AM - **2 Likes**

Irix 11mm Blackstone & 15mm Blackstone. Sharp, cheap, excellent distortion control.

**MossyRocks** · 08-31-2021, 08:03 AM - **1 Like**

Sounds like you are looking for an ultrawide. I have the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D and I really like it and it is a full frame lens even if I only use it on my K-3 or K-3ii. For an ultrawide you would be hard pressed to find one with lower distortion and it is a really good astro lens so if you like ultrawide lenses during the day it should even be a great performer then. I mostly use it at night but I have used it a few times during the day.

dmach47 · 08-31-2021, 08:27 AM

I have the Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 ED fisheye lens for my K-1ii. It's a manual focus, but I've not had trouble getting the shots I want with it. I have a lot of fun with it. I just have to remember to keep my feet and fingers out of the FOV.

Here's an example of a shot. Those trees are almost overhead. Hopefully, you can't see my fingers or feet (or belly).

Attached Images

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**blackcloudbrew** · 08-31-2021, 09:13 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by MossyRocks

Sounds like you are looking for an ultrawide. I have the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D and I really like it and it is a full frame lens even if I only use it on my K-3 or K-3ii. For an ultrawide you would be hard pressed to find one with lower distortion and it is a really good astro lens so if you like ultrawide lenses during the day it should even be a great performer then. I mostly use it at night but I have used it a few times during the day.

I'd echo the above. The Laowa is a very good lens (they could make the lens cap fit a bit tighter though..lost one over a deep canyon...shown below] and for landscapes it's almost too wide, but for the size and weight, I be hard pressed to find one better.

pschlute · 08-31-2021, 09:28 AM - **7 Likes**

Not cheap but the HD DFA 15-30 is a cracker of a lens

texandrews · 08-31-2021, 09:45 AM

I had the Irix 15, and sold it after I got a great deal on the 15-30. But these are kind of "emergency" lenses for me---only use them if I've got no other choice.

Waiting for the new 21 to come along, see how that looks. For true naturalism, I feel like a 28 is as wide as one can go, so I like the 31. Outdoors I make that FL (28) work for me. Indoors, I try, but sometimes you just need the "emergency" lens. Always felt 35's were sort of insipid, but I've warmed up to them now that I'm older.

biz-engineer · 08-31-2021, 10:21 AM

The HD FA 35 f2. Looks like people confuse wide angle and ultra wide. 20mm on FF is UWA.

Ronald Oakes · 08-31-2021, 10:45 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pschlute

not cheap but the da 15-30 is a cracker of a lens

DA 15-30 ???
Whatever lens you used those images are SHARP !!!

Roadboat24 · 08-31-2021, 11:07 AM

Might take a look through this.

Full Frame Third Party Lenses | PentaxForums.com

If you want screw on front lens filters the options are limited.

pschlute · 08-31-2021, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by Ronald Oakes

DA 15-30 ???

Apologies.... HD DFA 15-30

**jatrax** · 08-31-2021, 12:02 PM - **1 Like**

I'll second the DFA 15-30. Not a prime but as good as any of the primes in that range (just my opinion).

texandrews · 08-31-2021, 12:11 PM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

The HD FA 35 f2. Looks like people confuse wide angle and ultra wide. 20mm on FF is UWA.

Actually, I think there's been some drift on this point. Decades ago, a 20 was indeed UWA. Nowadays I think that bar has been pushed down into the teens, and 35's are almost normals. And it may be that you are technically 100% correct, but usage I think is what ultimately sets the bar, as in language.

dmach47 · 08-31-2021, 12:33 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

I'll second the DFA 15-30.

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.

normhead · 08-31-2021, 12:38 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by texandrews

Actually, I think there's been some drift on this point. Decades ago, a 20 was indeed UWA. Nowadays I think that bar has been pushed down into the teens, and 35's are almost normals. And it may be that you are technically 100% correct, but usage I think is what ultimately sets the bar, as in language.

Even 50 years ago when I was in school 35mm was considered the bottom end of normal..

My current kit consists of D-FA 28-105, Sigma 24 macro, and Rokinon 14 2.8.
I'm happy with all of them.

08-31-2021, 07:46 AM	#1
SunDance Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts Posts: 8	What's your favorite wide-angle prime lens for a K-1? I've got a Rokonon 20 mm but am looking for something wider. Must be full-frame, of course. Your thoughts and recommendations? Thanks in advance for weighing in...

08-31-2021, 09:28 AM - 7 Likes	#6
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,192	Not cheap but the HD DFA 15-30 is a cracker of a lens Last edited by pschlute; 08-31-2021 at 12:00 PM.

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08-31-2021, 07:54 AM - 2 Likes	#2
dlhawes Guest	Irix 11mm Blackstone & 15mm Blackstone. Sharp, cheap, excellent distortion control.

08-31-2021, 08:03 AM - 1 Like	#3
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Sounds like you are looking for an ultrawide. I have the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D and I really like it and it is a full frame lens even if I only use it on my K-3 or K-3ii. For an ultrawide you would be hard pressed to find one with lower distortion and it is a really good astro lens so if you like ultrawide lenses during the day it should even be a great performer then. I mostly use it at night but I have used it a few times during the day.

08-31-2021, 09:13 AM - 2 Likes	#5
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Originally posted by MossyRocks Sounds like you are looking for an ultrawide. I have the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D and I really like it and it is a full frame lens even if I only use it on my K-3 or K-3ii. For an ultrawide you would be hard pressed to find one with lower distortion and it is a really good astro lens so if you like ultrawide lenses during the day it should even be a great performer then. I mostly use it at night but I have used it a few times during the day. I'd echo the above. The Laowa is a very good lens (they could make the lens cap fit a bit tighter though..lost one over a deep canyon...shown below] and for landscapes it's almost too wide, but for the size and weight, I be hard pressed to find one better.

08-31-2021, 09:45 AM	#7
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,390	I had the Irix 15, and sold it after I got a great deal on the 15-30. But these are kind of "emergency" lenses for me---only use them if I've got no other choice. Waiting for the new 21 to come along, see how that looks. For true naturalism, I feel like a 28 is as wide as one can go, so I like the 31. Outdoors I make that FL (28) work for me. Indoors, I try, but sometimes you just need the "emergency" lens. Always felt 35's were sort of insipid, but I've warmed up to them now that I'm older.

08-31-2021, 10:21 AM	#8
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,225	The HD FA 35 f2. Looks like people confuse wide angle and ultra wide. 20mm on FF is UWA.

08-31-2021, 10:45 AM - 1 Like	#9
Ronald Oakes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,582	Originally posted by pschlute not cheap but the da 15-30 is a cracker of a lens DA 15-30 ??? Whatever lens you used those images are SHARP !!!

08-31-2021, 11:07 AM	#10
Roadboat24 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 486	Might take a look through this. Full Frame Third Party Lenses \| PentaxForums.com If you want screw on front lens filters the options are limited.

08-31-2021, 11:58 AM	#11
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,192	Originally posted by Ronald Oakes DA 15-30 ??? Apologies.... HD DFA 15-30

08-31-2021, 12:02 PM - 1 Like	#12
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I'll second the DFA 15-30. Not a prime but as good as any of the primes in that range (just my opinion).

08-31-2021, 12:11 PM	#13
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,390	Originally posted by biz-engineer The HD FA 35 f2. Looks like people confuse wide angle and ultra wide. 20mm on FF is UWA. Actually, I think there's been some drift on this point. Decades ago, a 20 was indeed UWA. Nowadays I think that bar has been pushed down into the teens, and 35's are almost normals. And it may be that you are technically 100% correct, but usage I think is what ultimately sets the bar, as in language.

08-31-2021, 12:33 PM	#14
dmach47 Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 130	Originally posted by jatrax I'll second the DFA 15-30. 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.

08-31-2021, 12:38 PM - 1 Like	#15
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by texandrews Actually, I think there's been some drift on this point. Decades ago, a 20 was indeed UWA. Nowadays I think that bar has been pushed down into the teens, and 35's are almost normals. And it may be that you are technically 100% correct, but usage I think is what ultimately sets the bar, as in language. Even 50 years ago when I was in school 35mm was considered the bottom end of normal.. My current kit consists of D-FA 28-105, Sigma 24 macro, and Rokinon 14 2.8. I'm happy with all of them.

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