[rpriedhorsky]

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[Note: I'm building this list with an eye towards submitting it as an "Article", so your contributions and corrections are appreciated.]

If you're interested in a lens with less than 18mm focal length for your Pentax DSLR, here are your options, as of February 2009.

Links go to the appropriate entry in the lens review database. Prices and lens ratings are also from the lens review database, but they aren't rigorously updated and so may be out of date.

Fully manual (no auto aperture stopdown, manual focus only):

Primes:

1. SMC Takumar 15mm F3.5 (M42)
2. SMC Pentax 15mm F3.5 (K), ~$500, 8.2
3. Zenitar 16mm f2.8 Fisheye, $130, 7.8
4. SMC Fish-Eye-Takumar 17mm F4 (M42), ~$300, 8.75
5. Tokina RMC 17 f3.5 (not in lens review database)
6. Tamron SP 51B 17mm f/3.5, 5.0
7. SMC Pentax 17mm F4 Fish-Eye (K), ~$120???, 9.0
8. Tokina 17mm ATX-Pro (not in lens review database)
9. SMC Pentax 18mm F3.5 (K), $400, 8.5

(No zooms in this category)

Auto aperture stopdown, but manual focus only:

Primes:

1. SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5, ~$900???, 9.0
2. SMC Pentax-A 16mm F2.8 Fish-Eye, $500, 8.3

(No zooms in this category)

Fully automatic:

Primes:

1. SMC Pentax-DA 14mm F2.8, $550, 9.2
2. Tamron SP AF 14mm F/2.8 Aspherical [IF]
3. Sigma 15mm F2.8 EX DG DIAGONAL Fisheye (AF Lens), $350, 10.0

Zooms with small range:

1. SMC Pentax-DA 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 Fish-Eye ED [IF], $350, 9.0
2. Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM, $500, 9.3
3. SMC Pentax-DA 12-24mm F4 ED AL [IF], $600, 9.0
4. Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG ASPHERICAL HSM, $500, 8.3
5. Sigma 15-30mm F3.5-4.5 EX DG ASPHERICAL
6. SMC Pentax-F 17-28mm F3.5-4.5 Fish-Eye, $325, 8.0
7. Tamron SP AF 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical [IF], $550, 8.0

Zooms with large range:

1. SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4, $350, 8.5
2. SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF], $800, 8.5

(Note: large-range zooms that go only to 17mm are not included in this list.)

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Last edited by rpriedhorsky; 01-31-2009 at 07:29 PM. Reason: reorganize for greater utility

[audiobomber]

Since you aren't in a hurry, there's a DA 15mm F4 Ltd due for release in Spring 09.

I can understand wanting a wide angle with an 18-250, but unless my main interest was architecture, my next purchase would be a low light star like the 50mm F1.4 or 35mm F2.

[rpriedhorsky]

I can understand wanting a wide angle with an 18-250, but unless my main interest was architecture, my next purchase would be a low light star like the 50mm F1.4 or 35mm F2.

Oh, I should have specified the full stable:

• Pentax DA 18-250
• SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4 (M42)
• Vivitar 28mm f/2.8 (M42)
• Vivitar 85-205 f/3.8 (M42)

I've used the Takumar to great result, but I must confess that I find the manual M42 lenses too fiddly (they don't even have automatic aperture stopdown), and I really like the automaticness and zoominess of the DA superzoom. However, it seems odd to get another fast fifty since I already have one.

I can only imagine the LBA insanity if I were rich. "I'll have one of those, and one of those, and one of those... hell, just give me one of everything!"

[Ole]

You missed the smc Pentax-F 17-28mm Fish Eye zoom.

[SpecialK]

Not sure if it helps or matters, but the 10-17 is now $356 and the 12-24 is $615 (less than I paid with $100 rebate...)

Those are the 2 ultrawides I have. Love the fisheye, and the 12-24 is an extremely useful FL.

[Magnus W]

You missed the smc Pentax-F 17-28mm Fish Eye zoom.

... and the smc Pentax 18/3.5

edit: oh, you said sub 18.

-- MW

[kibipod]

Two of my choices :

Pentax 12-24mm and Sigma 10-20mm. I have the Pentax. Its a sharp one. You can get a nice used one ~ $500 I guess.

The Sigma 10-20mm also has a good reputation.

I will wait for the limited DA 15mm and compare it with DA 14mm. I may sell my DA 12-24mm at that point. I bought 28 and 50mm and am going back to primes

However, the 12-24mm is a great lens.

[egonomic]

There is also the Tokina 17mm available as the RMC version (manual focus) and ATX-Pro version (auto focus). I've used the auto one and it's great stopped down, but I'd imagine the best you're going to find is the Pentax DA 14mm at this stage.

[MGV]

missed the Pentax 16-45 F4 $290

[kristoffon]

I'm looking for a ultra wide as my next purchase. After dithering between the Pentax 12-24 and the Sigma 10-20 and almost deciding on the Pentax I realized the Sigma's 12-24 is a Full Frame lens design and now I'm almost decided on that. Maybe not important to all, but I see a FF camera in my future, even if 5 years from now, and 12 mm on FF will be the ultimate wide angle.

[ivoire]

I've owned the 10-20mm sigma and currently have the 12-24mm pentax. If you don't want or need 10-11mm, buy the pentax. It has the edge in IQ. Both are very good lenses. The 12-24mm is $500 here. Offer $475. I got mine from them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PENTAX-DA-12-24mm-f4-LENS-K20D-K200D-BONUS-FREE-FILTER_W...3%3A1|294%3A50

[stevebrot]

I have the Zenitar 16/2.8. It is a fun lens and a good performer. Quality, even new, can be a bit spotty though. I got mine new from Russia for less than $200. Unfortunately, the price new has gone up and the price used has followed suit.

Steve

[rpriedhorsky]

Thanks, everyone.

I edited the original post to give it a clearer organization and to add the lenses mentioned in this and Douglas of Sweden's thread.

Anything else to add or change? (I still need to linkify most of them, so that's a todo I'm aware of.)

[vindrum]

you missed Sigma AF EX 14/2.8
I've baught my lens on Ebay

[Andi Lo]

The zenitar is not as cheap as it used to be anymore. Used market is now more around the 200$ range. Had it still been around 135 I would get that instead of my DA 10-17. I didnt regret the DA 10-17 though, great lens. I decided not to take too many pictures with it so that I don't get bored of its special flavor.