[germar]

Hi, folks:

I've come close to catching Zenni fever based on the threads posted here.

I shoot with a K100d and own a 18-55 kit lens, a Sigma 28-200 and a smc m 50mm 1.7.


Two things stop me from taking the Zenni plunge: 1. Sending money to Russia via an ebay purchase, and 2. wondering if a Zenitar 16, with all it's quirks and possible maladjustment pitfalls is significantly better than the a 18-55 kit lens at 18mm.

Most of my stuff is landscape here in Texas Hill Country, and I am most interested in tack sharp image quality. If someone can tell me that the Zenitar 16 at f/3.5 or so is obviously sharper and better contrast than the kit lens at it's shortest length, then I might take the plunge.

Buying a "modern" wide lens is unfortunately a non-starter for me ... I am on a tight budget.

I'm not afraid of manuals ... as a matter of fact my recently purchased 50 1.7 is now my very favorite lens, the image quality is so good over my Sigma 28-200.

If the Zenitar is only "a hair" better than the kit lens on IQ, then I might wait for some other lens bargain to come along.

Thanks so much for your opinions!

germar
Austin, Texas

[SupremeMoFo]

Keep on the lookout for a used DA 16-45 I guess.

[pleo]

Having the Zenith as well as the 18-55 and a Sigma 14mm:
The Zenith is the sharpest of them all!
But it's a fisheye and therefore has heavy distortions.
For landscape it's very good - not so much for architecture or people.
BTW: The 16mm Zenith seems to catch as much as the Sigma 14mm .....


Same in comparison with the Sony R1 which should have 24mm-comparable fov like the 16mm on dslr. The Zenith catches more than the R1....

[hll]

i found a zenitar 16 mm 2.8 for my k10d and THE PRİCE was 200 dolar. maybe i could buy it for 150 dolar, is it worth paying for?
i live in istanbul, turkey. i recently bought an m-50mm 1.4 for 42 or 43$.

[walter]

I don't have the Zenitar, but Jonas posted a really good thread on it at that other place:
Resolution and flare: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

I linked to the resolution picture, but his other posts in that thread have good info too.

[hll]

thank you very much, the link is useful.
seems like they are glad to have zenni, and they belive it is worth every penny...
another thing i've learned i should bargain. 200$ is very expensive.... in ebay it is 100-130$

[Photo Tramp]

If you buy the Zenitar from Victor on EBay go to the Zenitar store (that's victor) the price with shipping to the US is $130 and you won't regret the buy. As far as any problems with this lens (which I have) I have never found any problems. the Lens is crisp and clear and the colors are just fantastic. Do your self a favor if you can't buy the more modern lens then don't pass up this lens.

[kjao]

Hi Germar

If you don't mind manual focus and 3rd party brand, look for a Tokin RMC 17mm/f3.5. It is fairly sharp and relatively cheap too. The only bad thing I can say about it is its flare control isn't as good as Pentax lenses (expected I guess). Here are some photos I have got online taken with this lens:







cheers
Kenny

[hll]

ohh colourful flaress!! look at the 3. picture....
thank you, it is now in my list. (after zenni )

[john carter]

I have a Zenitar 16mm. On the digital format it isn't much. You can up grade to a good Pentax DA at about the same price.

[hll]

[jthommo]

Good in confined spaces...



A Lancaster bomber? No probs



And colleagues in the cramped control room



Get one (from Victor)

[Zubati Kit]

I have a Zenitar 16mm. On the digital format it isn't much. You can up grade to a good Pentax DA at about the same price.

a good Penatx DA like fisheye zoom costs about 300-350£ while Zenitar is about £80...

and it is great on digital... at least appears to me to be since I got it here from another forum member few days ago.

I plan to use it the most for indoor shots, definitely beats the 18-55, as it is quite a lot wider, is f2.8 as opposed to 3.5 for kit lens and IMO better when wide open too.

It is not rectilinear, but the kit is almost fish eye too when shooting at 18mm @ f3.5 :-) (in other words lots of barrel distortion)...