[matroxication]

Hi all,

Am planning for a Newzealand trip and looking for a wide angle lens. Currently I have Pentax k1 with Sigma 35mm 1.4 and Pentax 100mm WR macro. Primary purpose is to take scenic pictures with family. I will probably leave Pentax 100mm macro at home since I may not need it. Kindly suggest if I need to go with Irix 11mm or 15mm since those lens are good for price/performance . Kindly provide your guidance.

Regards,
Matt

[DennisP]

I’d go with the 15 and definitely bring the 100 macro; it’s a wonderful portrait lens and useful for short telephoto landscapes as well in addition to Macro work.

[matroxication]

Thanks Denis. The review of 11mm Irix is better than the 15mm but am bit afraid of the distortion if am taking scenic pictures with family. Also the filter is expensive for these types of lens and hence am not sure if it's worth to go to Blackstone version without having filter.

[SSGGeezer]

IF you were going to use a filter to complete the weather sealing, just go for the Blackstone. I have seen both models with a case. You could also look for a DA 15 limited and shoot cropped or square.

[mtgmansf]

I have the 11mm and it is of very limited use and has a lot of distortion and chromatic distortion in the corners of the frame. Therefore, I agree with the above recommendations, get the 15mm and take the 100mm along with you on your trip. Also, there seem to be pronounced sample variations and, therefore, both good and bad reviews abound...therefore test your sample(s) thoroughly. (I tested two copies of the 11mm IIrix Blackstone and they were pretty much identical)

[stevebrot]

Yes, go with the Blackstone if you can afford it.

That being said, both the 15mm and the 11mm are wide beyond wide on the K-1 and may have the unexpected side effect of making all but the most intimate of settings incredibly "dilute" with pertinent elements (like people) reduced to ant-size objects and even things like mountains reduced to...ummm...hills. Whether either focal length would be a good option for a family vacation, even in New Zealand, is something to consider well in advance. A 28mm or even your 35mm would probably be wide enough for any shots with people.


Steve

[rawr]

FWIW, there are lens correction profiles for both the Irix 11 and 15 available for Lightroom.
But DxO PhotoLab only has lens correction profiles for the Irix 15, not the 11.

[Tas]

If you haven't already done so it would be worth checking out these threads:

New Ultra Wide Rectilinear Lens Decision - Irix 11mm F/4 v Venus 12mm f/2.8 - PentaxForums.com

ULTRA wide lenses (only FF equiv 12mm or lower) - PentaxForums.com

I've not followed the Irix 15mm thread but that's around here somewhere too.

I also posted a link in the first thread to the Irix Flickr page if you want to do a comparo and if I remember correctly there's some other links to comparos worth checking out too.

I'm interested in the Laowa 12mm, the example shots I've seen appeal to me more and as I have the D-FA 15-30 I can't see the point in getting a 15mm prime as well.

The Irix 15m seems to have a growing number of loyal fans so even if you went with that lens without further research I doubt you'd be disappointed.

Enjoy your time in Un Zud, it's a great place to take a camera and travel around. One day I hope to get back there too.

Tas

[matroxication]

Thanks everyone for the tips. I actually use B&w UV filters as a protection to all my lens just for peace of mind and hence was not sure how rigid these lens are if used without any filters for protection. That is the only reason am considering Blackstone even though am not a big fan of heavy lens.

---------- Post added 06-09-18 at 07:36 PM ----------

Thanks Tas. Laowa 12mm is way over my budget. The other reason for getting wide angle is to avoid changing my lens frequently since the dof is massive. Planing to use it as primary lens in NZ and will use my 35mm and 100mm only when required. My wife hates when I spend time in changing lens often and I miss the moment to take a snap of my 20 month old daughter.

[Wild Mark]

I recently went to NZ on a cruise. Here is my album

Wild Mark's Album: New Zealand Cruise - PentaxForums.com

Stevebrot is right. Beware the UWA on the K-1. I had no need for anything less than 20mm.

[DennisP]

FWIW, 24mm is (for me) the perfect vacation photo focal length. For that reason, the 24-70 2.8 is a great, though heavy option. You could buy a used FA 20 prime, which would get you a sufficiently wide angle without getting too crazy.

[matroxication]

@Wild Mark, those are some great picture. I now regret that u should have gone to Sigma 18-35mm art instead of the 35mm since unless prefer primes instead of zoom.

@Dennis, 24-70 is a great lens but unfortunately way out of my budget. There is used 20-35mm used one in what but it overlaps with my 35mm sigma

[Wild Mark]

@Wild Mark, those are some great picture. I now regret that u should have gone to Sigma 18-35mm art instead of the 35mm since unless prefer primes instead of zoom.

@Dennis, 24-70 is a great lens but unfortunately way out of my budget. There is used 20-35mm used one in what but it overlaps with my 35mm sigma

Actually, the FA20-35 would be an excellent choice. I would not be concerned with the overlap with the 35mm ART - it's speed makes it a complimentary lens

[matroxication]

Any recommended place to buy used lens? I live in Sydney

[Wild Mark]

Any recommended place to buy used lens? I live in Sydney

Unfortunately no. I have built my lens collection through eBay and other online means.

Another good cheaper option is the F24-50mm - you should be able to pick one of these up for ~$200 on eBay