[Antifreez]

DA 15 shot -- sunset from my front porch (I know I post a lot of photos with the same view, but there are some amazing sunsets this time of year)...

Rondec, I always enjoy your landscapes. Wish I could have captured a similar sunburst with this shot, below. I feel like that's what it's missing.

Any advice on techniques for sunbursts? I'm using the newer DA15 version.

[Hattifnatt]

Any advice on techniques for sunbursts? I'm using the newer DA15 version.

If you are using the newer HD version, the starburst effect has been reduced due to the rounded aperture blades. See a comparison here: HD vs. SMC Pentax Limited Primes Review - Aberrations and Flare | PentaxForums.com Reviews (there is a section about star burst at the middle of the page).

However, try stopping down the lens to f/8 - f/13, as startbursts tend to grow bigger when you make aperture smaller, regardless of the lens version used. I wouldn't go pass f/13 because diffraction. Also, I believe you can get better results in "clean" air rather than misty, foggy kind of atmosphere, whether it's day or night.

This was shot in a nice clean atmosphere so I got big nice clean starburst:


This was shot on a foggy winter day, not that much starburst as you can see:


Also, if shooting during daytime, you can try to partially block the sun with another object, in order to get a more striking effect. Something like a tree for instance:





Hope that helps.

[Rondec]

Rondec, I always enjoy your landscapes. Wish I could have captured a similar sunburst with this shot, below. I feel like that's what it's missing.

Any advice on techniques for sunbursts? I'm using the newer DA15 version.

Thanks.

I agree with Hattifnat, the newer version doesn't do as well -- the points on the stars will be blunted somewhat. That said, if you stop down to f8 to f11 and have small points of light, they should turn into diffraction stars. If there is cloudiness or fog or the point of light is large, then you won't get a diffraction star.

[Rondec]

Sunset.

[Antifreez]

Hattifnat and Rondec - thanks so much. The only technique I was aware of was stopping down to very narrow apertures. The pic I posted was at f/16. I've noted now to be careful about stopping down too much. Also very good points about the size of the light source, air quality/visibility, etc. Great to see all the examples - thanks again.

[UncleVanya]

Forgive my ignorance but can't starbursts be added in post? I don't tend to use the same tools as most of you so I can only go on what someone else said about Lightroom or Photoshop - but I thought you could add them.

I like many others have the SMC version of the lens and love the natural starbursts but I would gladly own either version and be happy.

[Jonathan Mac]

Hopefully I won't have to wait too long to get out there and put it to good use, but this is one of my first shots trying out my new 15mm on the way home tonight. I got a great deal on one that was used for a day - €300. I feel bad as he was hesitant to sell but needed the cash. I wasn't looking for a wide angle but you always have to keep your eyes open for bargains, right?


IMGP5535a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr

[plooksta]

https://500px.com/spiritofadventure

Ergh, it's gone all mushy

[Rondec]

A couple more...

[Jonathan Mac]

I took the 15mm down to the local market this morning. To be honest, I think the majority of the shots would have been better with the 21mm. The 15mm is going to be a more specialist use lens, not the first lens I would want to have in the majority of situations. It doesn't feel as wide as I expected.


IMGP5547a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


IMGP5553a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


IMGP5548a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


IMGP5561a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr

[UncleVanya]

Confusing - if the 21 would fit your needs but the 15 isn't wide enough what ami missing?

Wider would mean something physically bigger. The smallest sized wider lens I can think of is the 10-17 Pentax.

[Nicolas06]

Cross posted from: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/280573-da15...vature.html#13

So my DA15 came back from repair and I can't say I'am happy with the result.

With AF, there still the issue that the right part of the lense is very soft.

An example with a subject at maybe 3-4meter of distance. f/8 apperture. If I use MF and focus on infinite the right part is sharp, but center and left is not. If I focus at 1meter (hyperfocal at f/8 is 0.95) , everything should be in focus till infinite) then the center is sharp but the right part is very soft.

Putting the focus in the middle still doesn't give me a picture that is reasonably sharp everywhere. I don't ask for perfect sharpness, but I'd like something that look perfectly sharp say in FullHD, fullscreen.

I already paid 125€ for the last work on the lense and it look like it didn't bring anything. I'am confused about what I should do? Buy a new DA15 lense and consider this one as broken? Consider that the DA15 doesn't suit me and look for another model? Unfortunately, I don't know alternative small/light UWA lenses primes...

[Richard & Sheila]

Having avoided a drenching, we were treated to some stormy views across Lyme Bay.

[Sage97]

Confusing - if the 21 would fit your needs but the 15 isn't wide enough what ami missing?

Wider would mean something physically bigger. The smallest sized wider lens I can think of is the 10-17 Pentax.

My thoughts too. I prefer the 21mm as an urban walk around lens. The 15mm can get too wide in situations where more distance between the subjects and myself is desired.

[turkiye2turkiye]

K5IIs+15mm ltd,Yedigöller (Seven lakes national park)/Bolu,Turkiye



K5IIs+15mm ltd,Gumushane/Turkiye