Which wide angle lens?

Darius4522 · 03-20-2009, 12:51 AM

Which is the best wide angle lens?

Pentax DA 12-24
Sigma 10-20
Tamron 10-20

I'm just confusing myself looking at the various reviews.

I'm currently tempted to go for the proven Sigma.

Any other lenses (within the Sigma/Tamron?Pentax range) that I should consider?

I'm primarily interested in architecture and indoor shots, as well as landscapes and shots in narrow streets in SE Asia where the DA 18-55 kit lens simply isn't wide enough.

axl · 03-20-2009, 01:06 AM

I can't do other then recommend Sigma 10-20. It's a great lens, and it can't be beaten for the money.
Pentax 12-24 is supposed to be a great lens too, though more expensive and "only" 12mm (personaly I think I'd find it wide enough)
Can't comment on tamron because I only saw one review according to which it has better centre but worse corner sharpness then Sigma.
good luck choosing

BR

Eigengrau · 03-20-2009, 07:04 AM

It might be worth waiting a month or two for the DA15 to show up. Should be especially neat for street photography, as it will be very small and unintrusive.

**fs999** · 03-20-2009, 07:43 AM

Between these three lenses ?

Definitly the 12-24 !

Piotr · 03-20-2009, 07:56 AM

I have and use 12-24 for last 3 years. It is amazing lens. Works great with front sun. Works fins with polarize filter and half gray filter. It is sharp from f4 - so I very rare close it more.

My friend has Nikon and Sigma 10-20. I saw number of his shots and from what I saw Pentax is much more sharper - especially in borders.

few samles:
Pentax SMC DA 12-24mm f4.0 Photo Gallery by Piotr Sobolewski at pbase.com

**fs999** · 03-20-2009, 08:10 AM

Superb shot you made !
I suppose that shooting at Petra without this lens wouldn't be possible !

shadowulf · 03-20-2009, 08:11 AM

The 12-24 wouldbe more than adequate for my wants/needs.
And would work in well with my new ebay acquisition.

two68s · 03-20-2009, 08:30 AM

I am also in the market for an ultra-wide. I am leaning towards the Sigma 10-20mm but I'm a little confused about HSM. Will this lens autofocus with my K200D?

asdf · 03-20-2009, 08:46 AM

Originally posted by two68s

I am also in the market for an ultra-wide. I am leaning towards the Sigma 10-20mm but I'm a little confused about HSM. Will this lens autofocus with my K200D?

The new constant aperture Sigma 10-20 F3.5 EX DC HSM is a different beast than the old Sigma 10-20 whose Pentax version lacked an HSM motor. They will both autofocus on K200D. 12-24 F4 is a better choice than the variable aperture Sigma 10-20. I don't know much about the new Sigma 10-20 F3.5.

pakhead · 03-20-2009, 09:07 AM

DA12-24 without a doubt IF you can get it at a reasonable price. Colour, contrast, sharpness, flare-resistance, low distortion are all unbeatable. It's well-built too compared to some other DA lenses (DA16-45, DA50-200). Only weakness is CA, and that's manageable. This is one of the unqualified winners in the Pentax line-up.

Only downside is its bulk - but no bigger than any comparable lens. I find 12mm plenty wide enough for any situation - if you need wider, you need to look elsewhere.

offertonhatter · 03-20-2009, 12:07 PM

Not sure what the exchange rate is in Aus, but currently in the UK the recent price hikes by Sigma has made the 10-20 within about £80 of the Pentax. Before, it was over £150! Last year I would say go for the Sigma, I know a few people who have it (including me) and I would recommend the lens, it has a cult following, as it is great fun! Now however with the prices like they are, I would still recommend the 10-20, but if you can afford the extra £80 and can lose the extra 2mm at the wide end, then go for the 12-24 pentax, as it is stunning from what I have seen. Either way, both lenses are great and above all, FUN!

Piotr · 03-20-2009, 03:07 PM

Originally posted by asdf

The new constant aperture Sigma 10-20 F3.5 EX DC HSM is a different beast than the old Sigma 10-20 whose Pentax version lacked an HSM motor. They will both autofocus on K200D. 12-24 F4 is a better choice than the variable aperture Sigma 10-20. I don't know much about the new Sigma 10-20 F3.5.

Personally I don't bother about HSM, especially for this lenses, I've never had ANY problems with AF with my DA12-24 lens- doesn't metter it was *istDS, K10D or K20D camera.

**Canada_Rockies** · 03-20-2009, 03:37 PM

My Flickr site has some shots by the 12-24 Pentax. They are full size jpegs if you wade to the maximum size on site. Shot with sun in frame, even. Have a look, check out the Sigma, and buy the Pentax. <G>

axl · 03-20-2009, 04:35 PM

HSM for ultrawide.... I mean seriously...

Darius4522 · 03-20-2009, 07:04 PM

Thanks, so far everyone.

Prices in Adelaide at the moment are as follows:

Pentax 12-24mm $1,100-00
Sigma 10-20mm $849.00

And I have found the new Sigma 12-24, which is priced at $1,099.00. Anyone had experience with this lens? Or have any shots using the lens?

The Tamron 10-20mm is not easily found over here.

03-20-2009, 12:51 AM	#1
Darius4522 Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Adelaide, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 155	Which wide angle lens? Which is the best wide angle lens? Pentax DA 12-24 Sigma 10-20 Tamron 10-20 I'm just confusing myself looking at the various reviews. I'm currently tempted to go for the proven Sigma. Any other lenses (within the Sigma/Tamron?Pentax range) that I should consider? I'm primarily interested in architecture and indoor shots, as well as landscapes and shots in narrow streets in SE Asia where the DA 18-55 kit lens simply isn't wide enough.

03-20-2009, 08:10 AM	#6
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,646	Superb shot you made ! I suppose that shooting at Petra without this lens wouldn't be possible ! Last edited by fs999; 03-20-2009 at 08:30 AM. Reason: (im)possible. Double negation. Grrr

03-20-2009, 09:07 AM	#10
pakhead New Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangkok Posts: 24	wideangle lens DA12-24 without a doubt IF you can get it at a reasonable price. Colour, contrast, sharpness, flare-resistance, low distortion are all unbeatable. It's well-built too compared to some other DA lenses (DA16-45, DA50-200). Only weakness is CA, and that's manageable. This is one of the unqualified winners in the Pentax line-up. Only downside is its bulk - but no bigger than any comparable lens. I find 12mm plenty wide enough for any situation - if you need wider, you need to look elsewhere.

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03-20-2009, 01:06 AM	#2
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	I can't do other then recommend Sigma 10-20. It's a great lens, and it can't be beaten for the money. Pentax 12-24 is supposed to be a great lens too, though more expensive and "only" 12mm (personaly I think I'd find it wide enough) Can't comment on tamron because I only saw one review according to which it has better centre but worse corner sharpness then Sigma. good luck choosing BR

03-20-2009, 07:04 AM	#3
Eigengrau Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 250	It might be worth waiting a month or two for the DA15 to show up. Should be especially neat for street photography, as it will be very small and unintrusive.

03-20-2009, 07:43 AM	#4
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,646	Between these three lenses ? Definitly the 12-24 !

03-20-2009, 07:56 AM	#5
Piotr Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Warsaw Photos: Gallery Posts: 338	I have and use 12-24 for last 3 years. It is amazing lens. Works great with front sun. Works fins with polarize filter and half gray filter. It is sharp from f4 - so I very rare close it more. My friend has Nikon and Sigma 10-20. I saw number of his shots and from what I saw Pentax is much more sharper - especially in borders. few samles: Pentax SMC DA 12-24mm f4.0 Photo Gallery by Piotr Sobolewski at pbase.com

03-20-2009, 08:11 AM	#7
shadowulf Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Western United States Posts: 48	The 12-24 wouldbe more than adequate for my wants/needs. And would work in well with my new ebay acquisition.

03-20-2009, 08:30 AM	#8
two68s Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 56	I am also in the market for an ultra-wide. I am leaning towards the Sigma 10-20mm but I'm a little confused about HSM. Will this lens autofocus with my K200D?

03-20-2009, 08:46 AM	#9
asdf Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,252	Originally posted by two68s I am also in the market for an ultra-wide. I am leaning towards the Sigma 10-20mm but I'm a little confused about HSM. Will this lens autofocus with my K200D? The new constant aperture Sigma 10-20 F3.5 EX DC HSM is a different beast than the old Sigma 10-20 whose Pentax version lacked an HSM motor. They will both autofocus on K200D. 12-24 F4 is a better choice than the variable aperture Sigma 10-20. I don't know much about the new Sigma 10-20 F3.5.

03-20-2009, 12:07 PM	#11
offertonhatter Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North West UK Posts: 390	Not sure what the exchange rate is in Aus, but currently in the UK the recent price hikes by Sigma has made the 10-20 within about £80 of the Pentax. Before, it was over £150! Last year I would say go for the Sigma, I know a few people who have it (including me) and I would recommend the lens, it has a cult following, as it is great fun! Now however with the prices like they are, I would still recommend the 10-20, but if you can afford the extra £80 and can lose the extra 2mm at the wide end, then go for the 12-24 pentax, as it is stunning from what I have seen. Either way, both lenses are great and above all, FUN!

03-20-2009, 03:07 PM	#12
Piotr Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Warsaw Photos: Gallery Posts: 338	Originally posted by asdf The new constant aperture Sigma 10-20 F3.5 EX DC HSM is a different beast than the old Sigma 10-20 whose Pentax version lacked an HSM motor. They will both autofocus on K200D. 12-24 F4 is a better choice than the variable aperture Sigma 10-20. I don't know much about the new Sigma 10-20 F3.5. Personally I don't bother about HSM, especially for this lenses, I've never had ANY problems with AF with my DA12-24 lens- doesn't metter it was *istDS, K10D or K20D camera.

03-20-2009, 03:37 PM	#13
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	My Flickr site has some shots by the 12-24 Pentax. They are full size jpegs if you wade to the maximum size on site. Shot with sun in frame, even. Have a look, check out the Sigma, and buy the Pentax. <G>

03-20-2009, 04:35 PM	#14
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	HSM for ultrawide.... I mean seriously...

03-20-2009, 07:04 PM	#15
Darius4522 Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Adelaide, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 155 Original Poster	Thanks, so far everyone. Prices in Adelaide at the moment are as follows: Pentax 12-24mm $1,100-00 Sigma 10-20mm $849.00 And I have found the new Sigma 12-24, which is priced at $1,099.00. Anyone had experience with this lens? Or have any shots using the lens? The Tamron 10-20mm is not easily found over here.