[wtlwdwgn]

I have both the 15 and 12-24. I like the 12-24 except for some barrel distortion at 12mm which is visible at the sides. The barrel distortion is correctable with PTLens. The 15 doesn't evidence this but I don't think it's quite as sharp. Some of the vertical distortion in the following are because I took these handheld and I apparently don't stand up straight.

15mm


12-24 @ 12mm

15mm


12-24 @12mm

[Pentaxor]

It comes Monday (although I might be out and miss it; not sure if I can or should get UPS to leave it anyhow, so it might be another day or two). Anyhow, sure, I'll do that, but aren't there full size samples all over the net you could use to do it yourself?

I know from experience with cropping in other contexts that, assuming the lens is not a complete dog, I'm personally almost always satisfied with results of cropping down to 1/2 the original dimensions (1/4 the original area) on my 10MP K200D. That reduces my image from 2592x3872 to 1296x1936, and virtually everything I do with my images is done with 1200x1800 JPEG's I generate from the original RAW files - it's the 1200x1800 JPEG I upload to Zenfolio/Flickr/etc, it's the 1200x1800 JPEG I send to family and friends when necessary. And when it comes to prints, a 1200x1800 JPEG is enough resolution for 300dpi at 4x6" (which is why I chose those dimensions for my JPEG's).

It's the very rare image that I need more resolution than this for - to print larger, or because I have a "client" who needs more resolution for their own prints. And pretty much every lens I have can withstand cropping down to 1/2 dimensions and still have acceptable quality to me - only my el-cheapo Samyang-made Vivitar 500/8 mirror gives me pause (but I'll still go there!). But aside that one one lens, I have to say that at full screen view or in 4x6" prints, I can barely tell the difference in sharpness between an image cropped to 1/2 the dimensions versus one shot with a longer lens. Given that the DA15 got about the best scores for center sharpness of any lens not named FA43 Limited, I have to believe it will work out at least as well for cropping as my other lenses.

This suggests that my DA15 could actually cover the entire range from 15-28 for me "most" of the time. Obviously not at the level of quality where I'll actually be likely to use the DA15 in place of my M28/2.8 in general, but I'm confident it will do everything I need in order to consider it a "15-21 digital zoom". Back of the envelope calculation here - seems like if cropping the image down to 1/2 dimensions yields an image with just enough pixels for my 1200x1800 JPEG's, and that's the equivalent of a 30mm lens (yes?), then to simulate a 21mm lens, I could keep at over 1600x2400 pixels, and that would be good for an 8x12" print at 200dpi. I'd still be generating those 1200x1800 JPEGs and using those for most purposes, but if I wanted to print 8x12", I don't think I'd be afraid to do so. If I expect to be hanging in art galleries, I might yet spring for the DA21 - but really, I'm not unhappy with the performance of my DA18-55II at that focal length, either.

I believe that is the idea Marc. somehow I would think if the DA15 was more of a better or logical choice compared to the wider zoom, be it the 10-20,12-24, 16 and onward zooms, as far as acceptable print size versus dpi are concerned. for someone who doesn't need more than 1600x2400 pixels large prints, I think the lens would suffice at equivalent focal length of 24. I would think that you won't need to push it at 28, let alone 30mm. the center sharpness alone of the DA15 is already worth of anyone's attention.

though a new Pentax camera with a higher resolution of 24MP or better yet 30MP would boost your cropping chances of pushing it further beyond a few more lengths and produce acceptable quality results.

somehow I think if the additional 3mm wideness of my 12-24 lens and strong and consistent performance on all aperture openings is worth it? I somehow no longer question nor need to think if I still need the 18mm and 24mm zoom range of the lens because of the quality of the cropped image (distortion is being considered here, as well as the resolution of the zoom lens at 18mm and 24mm). though there is a quality resolution variation at f4 on those focal lengths.

I do love the 12-24. but DA15's less than half the size and weight of the 12-24, makes the DA15 more travel and baggage friendly. I had to do some indoor and close quarter shots just to validate my purchase of the 12-24, and the 3mm difference does quite add up and see it's usefulness in very tight situations. I have the 18-55 WR to cover my 28mm to 35mm range and for the seasonal rainy day shoots. I do like the 18-55 center sharpness, but the weak border resolution and low contrast at the wider end (18-24) is keeping me from giving it a very good score, though at 28-35mm, I got some really consistent and nice results. this is also the reason why I got the 12-24, to fill the wide gap for landscapes and close corner shots.

[Frank B]

. . . . Even though my DA15 hasn't arrived yet, I had already been having occasional (just occasional!) flashes of buyers' remorse specifically over that issue - that 15mm was really wider than I wanted, and the lens might not get all that much use as a result. This thread is actually putting my mind much more at ease - I'm getting more and more excited about getting my DA15!

Marc, this is easily solved by just buying the DA21 as well.

I was thinking a similar question a while back, but with respect to using just the DA40 on a K2000 as a compact camera. Cropped shots look pretty good to me. I would think that if you centered the subject on the DA15 and cropped you would get equally good results. There is a lot to be said for compact lenses in many situations.

[Pentaxor]

buying a DA21 can be another option. but the question is, is it worth to spend on the DA21 even if the DA15 is capable of producing the same good results of that of the DA21? as far as resolution is concerned, the DA15 is much better than the DA21, so there might be a possbility that the DA15 crops could even be better than the DA21 could produce.

the increase in megapixel resolution in cameras seems to give a lot of boost to the cropping power/potential of the lenses. I believe the lens battle turns down to IQ at faster aperture speed or simply light and sharpness.

[Wheatfield]

I have both the 15 and 12-24. I like the 12-24 except for some barrel distortion at 12mm which is visible at the sides. The barrel distortion is correctable with PTLens. The 15 doesn't evidence this but I don't think it's quite as sharp. Some of the vertical distortion in the following are because I took these handheld and I apparently don't stand up straight.

15mm


12-24 @ 12mm

15mm


12-24 @12mm

Man, Your house is way too clean.

[wtlwdwgn]

Man, Your house is way too clean.

Thanks but it's on the market and we're forced to keep it that way!

[xhanatos]

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/74119-street-shooting-da15.html - some cropped, some untouched. With the K-7, plenty of resolution for cropping.

My 'light' street shooting arsenal consists of the DA15, DA35 and FA77. I carry the lenses in my jacket pockets easily

There were times though that I wished the DA15 could zoom upto 20mm.. and maybe a stop faster

[Marc Sabatella]

Marc, this is easily solved by just buying the DA21 as well.

I realize this was probably meant in jest, but actually, no, it wouldn't solve the problem. I wouldn't want to carry the 28, 21, and 15 (in addition to my 40 and longer lenses), and I'm not sure I'd be happier with 15, 21, then 15, 28, 40. Maybe a 24 would be worth a consideration, but really I like the 28mm FOV just fine, and I seldom use 21mm. My DA818-55 gets used more at 18mm and then closer to 28 than it does around 21mm or 24mm.

[Pentaxor]

I realize this was probably meant in jest, but actually, no, it wouldn't solve the problem. I wouldn't want to carry the 28, 21, and 15 (in addition to my 40 and longer lenses), and I'm not sure I'd be happier with 15, 21, then 15, 28, 40. Maybe a 24 would be worth a consideration, but really I like the 28mm FOV just fine, and I seldom use 21mm. My DA818-55 gets used more at 18mm and then closer to 28 than it does around 21mm or 24mm.

Marc, probably when you get your hands on the DA15 and liked it, it might replace your kit lens at that 18mm focal length. whether if it's center sharpness or border sharpness, the DA15 could easily manhandle the 18-55. if your copy was a WR, you may have difficulty on disposing your 18-55.

[andi]

my first a bit more serious shot from tonight:

[Marc Sabatella]

Marc, probably when you get your hands on the DA15 and liked it, it might replace your kit lens at that 18mm focal length.

That's certainly my intent. My main motivation in buying anything at all isn't so much to get me wider than 18mm - it's primarily to give me a smaller way of getting to around 18mm, so I don't need to take the kit lens with me just to have the option of wide angle. I have no doubts that the 15mm cropped to around 18mm will beat the kit lens in virtually all respects, but that's just gravy. It's about size first and foremost. With regard to the DA21, it was the concern that 21mm would not quite be wide enough - and would feel too close to 28mm - that prevented me from buying one sooner. Well, that and lack of money :-). It just happens that I am wrapping up a project that will be able to finance this purchase right around the time the dpreview DA15 came out.

However, I don't see myself giving up the kit lens, even though it's not WR. There are still situations where I will take a zoom or two rather than primes, even if primes are my preference normally. And even though my 18-55 is not the WR, I haven't let that stop me from using it in bad weather, taking reasonable care. If it ever fails, then I'll consider replacing it with the WR version, but perhaps by then I'll stop seeing a need for an 18-55 at all.