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03-02-2009, 04:52 PM   #16
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QuoteOriginally posted by grainbelt Quote
Given that the 16-45 is supposed to be nearly distortion free on the wide end, can someone explain the rationale of a prime that is 1mm wider, no faster, and twice the cost?
Size, weight, price (?), and the general consensus that primes are usually better than zoom at the same focal length. I for one will prefer the DA 15 over the 16-45 if they are at the same price.

I don't have any wide angle lens, but unlike telephoto lens where 5-10mm difference is negligible (eg: 18-250mm vs 18-270mm); at wide end every mm counts. At least that's how I see it judging from the price of the wide angle lens.

03-02-2009, 05:25 PM   #17
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QuoteOriginally posted by grainbelt Quote
can someone explain the rationale of a prime that is 1mm wider, no faster, and twice the cost?
It's half the size, has a built-in lens hood (which contributes even further to how little space it takes when stored), and shares the same filter size as the other limited lenses. For someone with a kit of limiteds this is a terrific lens.
03-02-2009, 05:28 PM   #18
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QuoteOriginally posted by grainbelt Quote
Given that the 16-45 is supposed to be nearly distortion free on the wide end, can someone explain the rationale of a prime that is 1mm wider, no faster, and twice the cost?
"Typical for many standard zoom the Pentax lens produces a pronounced degree of barrel distortions at 16mm (~2.5%)"

"At 16mm the vignetting is pronounced with ~1.2EV at f/4"

Pentax SMC-DA 16-45mm f/4 ED AL - Review / Test Report

Generally primes avoid all those sorts of problems, and are sharper both in center, and from edge-to-edge, and have more contrast when wide open at f4.

I'm not knocking the 16-45 though, it's just a limitation of zoom lenses in general.

Tempting lens, though I'm still trying to get all my lenses in DA* for the sealing :/
03-02-2009, 05:50 PM   #19
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I like the fact that it has a 0.59ft min. focus distance.

03-02-2009, 06:37 PM   #20
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To the guy who said the 1645 is distortion free,

1, You are a funny guy.
2, The 1645 blocks the build-in flash.
3, It's a very long lense at 16mm, you can barely shoot 1/60 handheld. The DA15 being a much more compact lens it's definitely possible to shoot at 1/30s handheld.

It's a perfect travel lens IMO. I will sell my 16-45mm soon. Originally I wantd to switch to the Sigma 17-70mm. Now I am thinking either the DA15 or the new Voilgtlander 20mm. I am leaning toward the Voilgtlander myself.
03-02-2009, 06:45 PM   #21
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SWEET!! I can't wait.
03-02-2009, 06:52 PM   #22
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Damn.. One sweet lens... and the size is great.. I wonder if I should replace my 12-24 with it...:ugh:

03-02-2009, 06:58 PM   #23
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the new sigma 10-20 f3.5 looks more interesting
03-02-2009, 07:17 PM   #24
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QuoteOriginally posted by Timarete Quote
Isn't that one of those bait-and-switch scam sites?
Bought a k200D.. no problems. No bait, no switch....
03-02-2009, 07:49 PM   #25
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QuoteOriginally posted by grainbelt Quote
Given that the 16-45 is supposed to be nearly distortion free on the wide end, can someone explain the rationale of a prime that is 1mm wider, no faster, and twice the cost?
  • Smaller
  • Lighter
  • Ltd build quality

Steve

(Thinking that a few other features sound good too...standard 49mm filters...built-in hood...)

(I think I heard a few whimpering sounds from the Zenitar...)
03-02-2009, 08:16 PM   #26
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there's a short clip on youtube for it.

YouTube - PMA09: New Pentax 15mm lens and the white K-m (K2000) DSLR
03-02-2009, 08:39 PM   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by PinarelloOnly Quote
I like the fact that it has a 0.59ft min. focus distance.

Agreed, this opens up a world of aspect-ratio coolness....
03-02-2009, 09:18 PM   #28
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Zooms.... Are not primes. I'm not a big fan of very-wides, myself, but when I use them, it's usually either something very prosaic, or I'm trying to do art and don't want disappointment. A little, high-quality one's just the kind of wide that'd be there with me once in a while when I need it. This one's really of interest to me, actually, though, it'd be way down on any priority list, anyway. For where I want to work with a zoom, if Pentax made a 28-85 2.8 as well as the 16-50, and offered me the choice, I'd be all over the former.
03-02-2009, 09:43 PM   #29
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I would have preferred a f/4.5 lens, for even lighter and more compact size. But if it is good, I'll go for it
03-03-2009, 12:13 AM   #30
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QuoteOriginally posted by PinarelloOnly Quote
I like the fact that it has a 0.59ft min. focus distance.
That's great to hear. Closer focusing is about the only thing I missed when I swapped my DA 14mm for the 12-24...the 12-24 can't focus nearly as close so many dramatic "pop" type of images are missed as you can't push in as tight.
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