Lens Tournament: DA 15mm Limited vs FA* 24mm (Best Wide-Angle Lens)

Adam · 10-28-2014, 03:50 AM

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the knockout round of the Greatest Pentax Lens Tournament! The rules are simple: Two lenses enter. You must choose one. The winner moves on; the loser is gone. Check out the bracket here, which is based on the user nomination results.

After this match, we'll be able to crown the best Pentax wide-angle lens. The contenders are the DA 15mm F4 Limited and the FA* 24mm F2.

Make your choice by voting in the poll above. You will need to log in or register if you don't yet have a forum account.
Feel free to argue, persuade, and generally carry on after that. Voting will be open for exactly 24 hours.

Lens info:

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

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EarlVonTapia · 10-28-2014, 04:02 AM

The DA 15 is going to make it to the finals. Book it!

Sandy Hancock · 10-28-2014, 05:00 AM

I am on my second copy of the DA15 and I still can't really warm to it. I remain awestruck at the output others have wrung from it.

Class A · 10-28-2014, 05:46 AM - **2 Likes**

Here come the mind-controlled...

sinjin · 10-28-2014, 05:56 AM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

I am on my second copy of the DA15 and I still can't really warm to it. I remain awestruck at the output others have wrung from it.

Ditto on both accounts!

Dartmoor Dave · 10-28-2014, 05:58 AM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

I am on my second copy of the DA15 and I still can't really warm to it.

To really get the DA15 look you have to crank the saturation up to "ultra-neon" and apply HDR twice, just to make sure you've got it HDR enough. If you can get results that look like no version of reality that anyone has ever experienced without the aid of hallucinogenic drugs, you've nailed it.

Sandy Hancock · 10-28-2014, 06:02 AM

That MUST be what I'm doing wrong

**Rondec** · 10-28-2014, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave

To really get the DA15 look you have to crank the saturation up to "ultra-neon" and apply HDR twice, just to make sure you've got it HDR enough. If you can get results that look like no version of reality that anyone has ever experienced without the aid of hallucinogenic drugs, you've nailed it.

People say that, but it is a capable lens without cranking HDR and saturation.

vrrattko · 10-28-2014, 07:44 AM

Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave

To really get the DA15 look you have to crank the saturation up to "ultra-neon" and apply HDR twice, just to make sure you've got it HDR enough. If you can get results that look like no version of reality that anyone has ever experienced without the aid of hallucinogenic drugs, you've nailed it.

Dave, that comment really made me laugh in this otherwise gloomy day, thnx .....

.....
i have da15 and tried fa24 - i think i will pick da15 as a more special lens without hesitation anytime

nomadkng · 10-28-2014, 08:23 AM

I had the DA15 and it was purchased based on all the rave reviews. After about 2 years with it, I sold it, never quite liking the results.

I have the Sigma 10-20, Sigma 20-40 and Tamron 17-50, and each of those lenses give me "better" results than the DA15, If I want ultra wide, the 10mm end of the Sigma gives me a more SFX like hyper foreground image and at 20mm both Sigmas are pretty flat, with much less field curvature. Add the fact I've found stitched panos of 2-3 images to be much more appealing than a single DA15 image, I'm shooting a lot more in the 20-30mm range.

Though I very much wanted to love it, the DA15 is just not my type.

**luftfluss** · 10-28-2014, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave

To really get the DA15 look you have to crank the saturation up to "ultra-neon" and apply HDR twice, just to make sure you've got it HDR enough. If you can get results that look like no version of reality that anyone has ever experienced without the aid of hallucinogenic drugs, you've nailed it.

I heard Timothy Leary had a DA15...

lytrytyr · 10-28-2014, 12:44 PM

I tend to think of the DA 15 as the APS-C version of the FA* 24.
A reportage lens, contrasty, sharp in the center, less so at the edge.
So this vote is just digital versus film for me, or oughties versus 'nineties.

kh1234567890 · 10-28-2014, 03:49 PM

Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave

To really get the DA15 look you have to crank the saturation up to "ultra-neon" and apply HDR twice, just to make sure you've got it HDR enough. If you can get results that look like no version of reality that anyone has ever experienced without the aid of hallucinogenic drugs, you've nailed it.

And scale down your image or crop out the corners so that no-one notices how bad it really is ...

DSims · 10-28-2014, 04:10 PM - **1 Like**

As with the FA*85 vs the FA77, I sold the DA15 and kept the FA*24. 24mm is a great focal length, and f/2 makes a big difference in how flexible the lens is.

Outside of a macro (the D FA 100 WR), the FA*24/2, FA*85/1.4, and F*300/4.5 are the only primes I really need in my kit.

Outis · 10-28-2014, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by class a

here come the mind-controlled...

Must...vote...DA15...

View Poll Results: Which lens should advance to the next round?
DA 15mm F4 Limited	104	77.04%
FA* 24mm F2	31	22.96%
Voters: 135. You may not vote on this poll

10-28-2014, 03:50 AM	#1
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	*Lens Tournament: DA 15mm Limited vs FA 24mm (Best Wide-Angle Lens)** Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the knockout round of the Greatest Pentax Lens Tournament! The rules are simple: Two lenses enter. You must choose one. The winner moves on; the loser is gone. Check out the bracket here, which is based on the user nomination results. After this match, we'll be able to crown the best Pentax wide-angle lens. The contenders are the DA 15mm F4 Limited and the FA* 24mm F2. Make your choice by voting in the poll above. You will need to log in or register if you don't yet have a forum account. Feel free to argue, persuade, and generally carry on after that. Voting will be open for exactly 24 hours. Lens info: SMC Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited Reviews - DA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database SMC Pentax-FA* 24mm F2 AL [IF] Reviews - FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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10-28-2014, 04:02 AM	#2
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207	The DA 15 is going to make it to the finals. Book it!

10-28-2014, 05:00 AM	#3
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	I am on my second copy of the DA15 and I still can't really warm to it. I remain awestruck at the output others have wrung from it.

10-28-2014, 05:46 AM - 2 Likes	#4
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Here come the mind-controlled...

10-28-2014, 05:56 AM	#5
sinjin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 242	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock I am on my second copy of the DA15 and I still can't really warm to it. I remain awestruck at the output others have wrung from it. Ditto on both accounts!

10-28-2014, 05:58 AM - 5 Likes	#6
Dartmoor Dave Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dartmoor, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,882	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock I am on my second copy of the DA15 and I still can't really warm to it. To really get the DA15 look you have to crank the saturation up to "ultra-neon" and apply HDR twice, just to make sure you've got it HDR enough. If you can get results that look like no version of reality that anyone has ever experienced without the aid of hallucinogenic drugs, you've nailed it.

10-28-2014, 06:02 AM	#7
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	That MUST be what I'm doing wrong

10-28-2014, 06:57 AM	#8
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave To really get the DA15 look you have to crank the saturation up to "ultra-neon" and apply HDR twice, just to make sure you've got it HDR enough. If you can get results that look like no version of reality that anyone has ever experienced without the aid of hallucinogenic drugs, you've nailed it. People say that, but it is a capable lens without cranking HDR and saturation.

10-28-2014, 07:44 AM	#9
vrrattko Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 753	Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave To really get the DA15 look you have to crank the saturation up to "ultra-neon" and apply HDR twice, just to make sure you've got it HDR enough. If you can get results that look like no version of reality that anyone has ever experienced without the aid of hallucinogenic drugs, you've nailed it. Dave, that comment really made me laugh in this otherwise gloomy day, thnx ..... ..... i have da15 and tried fa24 - i think i will pick da15 as a more special lens without hesitation anytime

10-28-2014, 08:23 AM	#10
nomadkng Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,448	I had the DA15 and it was purchased based on all the rave reviews. After about 2 years with it, I sold it, never quite liking the results. I have the Sigma 10-20, Sigma 20-40 and Tamron 17-50, and each of those lenses give me "better" results than the DA15, If I want ultra wide, the 10mm end of the Sigma gives me a more SFX like hyper foreground image and at 20mm both Sigmas are pretty flat, with much less field curvature. Add the fact I've found stitched panos of 2-3 images to be much more appealing than a single DA15 image, I'm shooting a lot more in the 20-30mm range. Though I very much wanted to love it, the DA15 is just not my type.

10-28-2014, 08:40 AM	#11
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave To really get the DA15 look you have to crank the saturation up to "ultra-neon" and apply HDR twice, just to make sure you've got it HDR enough. If you can get results that look like no version of reality that anyone has ever experienced without the aid of hallucinogenic drugs, you've nailed it. I heard Timothy Leary had a DA15...

10-28-2014, 12:44 PM	#12
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	I tend to think of the DA 15 as the APS-C version of the FA* 24. A reportage lens, contrasty, sharp in the center, less so at the edge. So this vote is just digital versus film for me, or oughties versus 'nineties.

10-28-2014, 03:49 PM	#13
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave To really get the DA15 look you have to crank the saturation up to "ultra-neon" and apply HDR twice, just to make sure you've got it HDR enough. If you can get results that look like no version of reality that anyone has ever experienced without the aid of hallucinogenic drugs, you've nailed it. And scale down your image or crop out the corners so that no-one notices how bad it really is ...

10-28-2014, 04:10 PM - 1 Like	#14
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	As with the FA85 vs the FA77, I sold the DA15 and kept the FA24. 24mm is a great focal length, and f/2 makes a big difference in how flexible the lens is. Outside of a macro (the D FA 100 WR), the FA24/2, FA85/1.4, and F*300/4.5 are the only primes I really need in my kit.

10-28-2014, 04:21 PM	#15
Outis Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 935	Originally posted by class a here come the mind-controlled... Must...vote...DA15...