[jsherman999]

The only reason I don't own this lens already is because I told myself I need the 10-14mm in my UWA zoom.

I'm still not sure if I've convinced myself yet

If you're like me, it will haunt your dreams until you purchase.. Good luck with that!

This lens has a tendency to get stuck on my K-7. Not as bad as a Ricoh-P lens, but almost. It is just soo good!
Took a look at my focal length statistics in ligthroom a week ago and realised that it is by far my favo lens since I got it.

Wonder how long I can hold out before getting the 21ltd...

Like the glass-and-shadow shot.

Thx. It's on my K20D now, but it keeps calling for a smaller body, something with a "7" or "x" in the name.... Maybe next year.

Congrats on thew new gem

Used one for a couple of days, thought about it ever since. And I'm getting mine next week (one of my three new lenses for the new year)

That's pretty much what happened to me - tried it for a few snaps at the Pentax
road show, and got hooked. Looking forward to seeing your shots, Frank!

Wow! The sharpness is incredible. I agree that the 12-24mm is as sharp, but you don't get it in a tiny, limited package.

Yep. 12-24 has it beat in the corners, but this little sharpshooter will probably
make it in the bag more often.

That is one hellava display of centre sharpness .... "...bottles and nipples..."

But seriously, it's a darn fine specimen of a lens there.

Both you and Frank(as usual) are making me envious!

Well, at least you'll have an F 50 1.7 in your hands shortly to play with! (btw,
the actual shot of the 15 was snapped with my FA 50 1.7, which your new (my
old) F 50 1.7 would be able to match or beat wide open.)

[jsherman999]

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/80543-wide-da-...ne-better.html

I've also chosen 15. can't wait to change my 21 for it.

Thx for the thread!

I have the 12-24 and 16-50. So what do I need the 15 for? Do I have to have a need? Heck no! I wanted that marvelous little aluminum and glass jewel. I love the feel of the DA Ltds. And the DA 15 and 35 Ltds, M 50, and A 24 weigh a lot less than and are a lot smaller than the other two.
Can we say LBA?

Yes. Yes we can.

Yes you done right!

The DA15 is one of a few reasons to stay with Pentax for a looooooooooong time.
(img)

Nice. Hope to be able to get outside and take snaps like that soon.

Very nice shots and I'm impressed with the sharpness on that crop. This is a very nice lens.

Yes, the center sharpness is very impressive, as is the aspect ratios you can
show getting in as close as this lens focuses.

I must remember to not look at any threads you start in the lens forum.

Congratulations mate.

Thx, and sorry!

[jsherman999]

jsherman, you're really not helping with my lust for this lens!

I like to spread the lust around. Wait, that didn't come out right...

Very nice. I enjoy lens porn.

As do I.

Excellent shots...this gem should be in my hands in a couple of weeks. I also have the sigma 10-20 and the DA21, but I couldn't resist this wonder any more........

Really can't wait to see you win a couple dpreview challenges with this baby!
(congrats, btw!)



.

[Michaelina2]

If past is prologue, you will really make the ol' DA 15 dance.

I bet your examples and enthusiasm will be directly responsible for at least a 1,000 additional sales over the next year, plus some K-x and K-7's. The DA 15 is a great starter prime, or addition to anyone's kit.

You deserve some kind of a referral deal from Pentax.

... my 2 cents ...

(BTW: It's my general walk-around lens)

Cheers...

[Rondec]

This is one of two new lenses that I think I want (I am still a little split on whether the 12-24 would be better). Seeing these photos makes me think that I should just get the 15 and not worry about the 12-24. Size really does matter and a great lens that you don't take with you because it is just too big is pretty worthless over all.

Great photos! As others have said, I think you have sold a lot of lenses for Pentax -- probably single handedly putting the DA 35 in the bags of thousands of photographers out there!

[NaClH2O]

OK J, I now seriously hate you. Or I should say my bank account seriously hates you. I've got the DA 12-24, and the Zenitar 16mm FE do I need another ultra wide? Nope I sure don't. Did I want the DA 15mm before I saw this post? Again no. I just acquired a new-to-me Pentax A 50mm f1.7, to fill the void left when I gave my FA 50mm to my brother in law. (didn't use it, but of course as soon as I got rid of it I found a gazillion places where a fast 50 would have been the PERFECT lens) and I thought I was free of LBA issues for at least a few months. Now you've got me seriously lusting after a DA15mm. If I end up in bankruptcy court it's gonna be ALL YOUR FAULT!!!

NaCl("Yes Your Honor, it was Jsherman and all those others over at pentax forums that made me buy all those lenses)H2O

[Marc Sabatella]

.
(thx to Marc and everyone else who's been showing images from this lens lately.
I hope you're proud of yourselves.)

I can't help but smile to think of the number of M lens purchases (esp. M85/2) you've been responsible for over the years. Serves you right :-)

Needless to say, I feel similarly about this lens. Elsewhere, I described it as my "do over" lens - as in, I want a "do over" on the last few years (or more) of my life so I can experience it again with the DA15...

[Blue]

I must remember to not look at any threads you start in the lens forum.

Congratulations mate.

I agree! I really can't justify the 21 AND the 15.

[PentHassyKon]

Like you J, I'm seriously considering selling my 16-45 for a DA limited: 15, 21. If the 15/21 were f2 or f2.8 the decision would be easy. However, coupled with a K-x, I'm somewhat of the belief that f4 or f3.2 can easily handle the low-light shots I lust for.

Between xmas and new years we went on a short trip to San Francisco.
I "limited" myself to carry my k200d and 2 primes: 24mm/2.8 AF Sigma and FA50. I even left my 50/1.2's at home (I have the A and the Cosina) to ensure lower weight and bulk.
I purposely left my beloved DA 16-45 at home to see how I'd do. I used the 24 at what seems to be 90% of the time.
I need to check my 16-45 shots to see what focal length I'm using it at mostly. My suspicion is its at 16-24mm mostly. So, I'm thinking of possibly selling the 16-45 to get either the DA15 or the DA21

So, jsherman: if you had to sell the 16-45, which one would take it's place? DA15 or DA21?

[jsherman999]

This is one of two new lenses that I think I want (I am still a little split on whether the 12-24 would be better). Seeing these photos makes me think that I should just get the 15 and not worry about the 12-24. Size really does matter and a great lens that you don't take with you because it is just too big is pretty worthless over all.

.

The 12-24 is a wonderful lens. You really can't go wrong owning one, IMO,
but I think the 15 will find it's way along on trips and walkabouts where you had
no intention of shooting wide - just in case. Those just in case lenses often end
up capturing the best shots.

OK J, I now seriously hate you. Or I should say my bank account seriously hates you. I've got the DA 12-24, and the Zenitar 16mm FE do I need another ultra wide? Nope I sure don't. Did I want the DA 15mm before I saw this post? Again no. I just acquired a new-to-me Pentax A 50mm f1.7, to fill the void left when I gave my FA 50mm to my brother in law. (didn't use it, but of course as soon as I got rid of it I found a gazillion places where a fast 50 would have been the PERFECT lens) and I thought I was free of LBA issues for at least a few months. Now you've got me seriously lusting after a DA15mm. If I end up in bankruptcy court it's gonna be ALL YOUR FAULT!!!

NaCl("Yes Your Honor, it was Jsherman and all those others over at pentax forums that made me buy all those lenses)H2O

LBA! LBA! LBA! (It's like the exact opposite of a 12-step program in here!)

I can't help but smile to think of the number of M lens purchases (esp. M85/2) you've been responsible for over the years. Serves you right :-)

Needless to say, I feel similarly about this lens. Elsewhere, I described it as my "do over" lens - as in, I want a "do over" on the last few years (or more) of my life so I can experience it again with the DA15...

The 'do over' concept is spot on, I know exactly what you mean. By the way, that
shot you took of that couple kissing in the snow was one of the clinchers for me -
wide angle shots of opportunity, something I didn't have very much before because
of the size of the quality lenses. The 16-45 did get me most of the way there,
though, as it's pretty small for a zoom.

I agree! I really can't justify the 21 AND the 15.

Do this - get both, and sell the one you like least. But take 2 years to decide
which one that is.

If past is prologue, you will really make the ol' DA 15 dance.
...

.

Well, right now it's kinda making me dance.

I was able to take it for a short walkabout in 7-degree (f) weather today
downtown. This wasn't a casual stroll, more like a quick survival march, but the
K20D + 15 didn't miss a beat in that cold.

First, a technical example: This simply has the most attractive flare response of
any lens I've personally shot. Into-the-sun now is something to do on purpose:




A nice 14-point star, and no hot spots I could find. Very nice.

Drums in the trees?















And of course one of my favorite activities, snapping out the window one-handed
while driving!

[jsherman999]

Like you J, I'm seriously considering selling my 16-45 for a DA limited: 15, 21. If the 15/21 were f2 or f2.8 the decision would be easy. However, coupled with a K-x, I'm somewhat of the belief that f4 or f3.2 can easily handle the low-light shots I lust for.

Between xmas and new years we went on a short trip to San Francisco.
I "limited" myself to carry my k200d and 2 primes: 24mm/2.8 AF Sigma and FA50. I even left my 50/1.2's at home (I have the A and the Cosina) to ensure lower weight and bulk.
I purposely left my beloved DA 16-45 at home to see how I'd do. I used the 24 at what seems to be 90% of the time.
I need to check my 16-45 shots to see what focal length I'm using it at mostly. My suspicion is its at 16-24mm mostly. So, I'm thinking of possibly selling the 16-45 to get either the DA15 or the DA21

So, jsherman: if you had to sell the 16-45, which one would take it's place? DA15 or DA21?

.

The 15, but I already have a terrific M 20 f/4, so I have both FLs covered
with primes. Not as tough of a decision for me in other words.

I do think that both 15 and 20mm are good to have, and are distinct focal
lengths that give you a different approach to the shot. I won't be selling
my M 20 f4.


.

[PentHassyKon]

I must remember to not look at any threads you start in the lens forum.

Congratulations mate.

Damn Brit: I must agree with this sentiment. jsherman is not good for controlling other member's LBA.

jsherman: you definitely have the eye! these shots are awesome and is making me want the DA15. By chance, do you also have the DA21? If so, can let us know your thoughts about the 2?

[stevebrot]

Jay,
Beautiful shots with the DA 15 Limited. I had that lens on my camera for a short while at the K7 Road Show when they hit Portland and was pretty impressed. The build is definitely up to Limited standards and the sharpness and contrast is impressive. The copy I tried suffered from a little CA and PF, but no worse than my FA 77 Limited.

Great lens.

Steve

[nulla]

Great shots Jay


all the way with LBA

cheers


Neil

Before anyone gets carried away and starts spending money they don't have, I would like to point something out.

The quality of the images by the OP are in large part to the man behind the camera JSherman. He has a certain Jeune ce quoi when it comes to making a lens sing.
I'd hate for people to be a) getting into debt and b) getting embarrassed when they return their lens for a replacement only to be told there is nothing wrong with the original.