Ultra Wide for Full Frame lens?

Sandy Hancock · 01-28-2023, 02:56 PM

The DFA 21/2.4 is my favourite full frame ultra-wide – by a mile. It's quite small, weather sealed, beautiful, and as @Digitalis said, incredibly fun.

That said, the DFA 15-30/2.8 has few flaws beyond its immensity. I don't use it anymore though, as I prefer the handling of the DA* 11-18/2.8 on crop.

For super-duper-wide duties I have the Laowa 12/2.8, which is excellent, but the need for it is rare. It's not weather sealed, and manual focus only, which are minor drawbacks.

I also have the K 15/3.5, which I keep mainly for the integrity of of my slowly growing K series collection, and the FA 20/2.8. The latter is actually a pretty nice lens, but the new 21 trumps it in every possible way except size.

**mikesbike** · 01-28-2023, 03:38 PM

As seen in these suggestions given, there is always the question of a prime or a zoom lens. With primes, as usual, it is possible to get more speed in larger aperture sizes, and still not always with a huge lens size. And me too, my favorite, in virtually every way, is the DFA 21mm f/2.4 Ltd on my K-1 II. The OP brings up zoom lenses. With zoom lenses, as always, one gets the added versatility of quickly framing shots without having to physically change distance. But not only this, when considering fisheye in order to broaden ultra WA even more, with the Pentax fisheye 17-28mm zoom lens for FF use on a K-1, the degree of fisheye effect is reduced as the lens is zoomed to a longer FL! Keeping in mind the actual degree of WA attained is far greater than the FL indicates, it is therefore possible to zoom the lens to a point where it is still indeed very ultra-WA, while reducing this effect! The versatility of this lens then goes yet beyond just convenient framing! One can determine the degree of fisheye effect desired or not desired, and balance that against how wide one wants to go. Then there are also effective software de-fish procedures available as well.

pinholecam · 01-28-2023, 04:31 PM - **5 Likes**

Laowa 12/2.8 is a very good option.
Well built, 'A' lens, f2.8 aperture for astro or hand held low light/interiors, decent flare tolerance.

**RobA_Oz** · 01-28-2023, 06:19 PM

I imagine that your preferred style and what subjects you shoot will determine the limits of what you understand by “ultra-wide”. The widest FoV lens I regularly use now is the DFA21, as was its predecessor FA20, even though I also have the Irix 15 that I bought because it was lighter and cheaper than the DFA15-30. The old FA20 has its fans and critics, but I found it more than adequate for my use, plus it was small (without the saucepan lens hood). The Irix is very good optically and well-built, but I just don’t find I use it that much.

rr1736 · 01-29-2023, 06:44 PM

Rokinon 14 cheap and works well

**RobA_Oz** · 01-29-2023, 08:45 PM - **1 Like**

I should add that the Irix 15 is well sealed in both forms (Blackstone or Firefly) but the Blackstone is better sealed.

**MossyRocks** · 02-01-2023, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by tryphon4

For years, I used a Zenitar 16mm fisheye on my K-1 when I wanted to take ultra wide photos.

I actually picked one of those up a few months back at almost a stole it price and figured I could get ~$40 of fun out of it. Being already K-mount means it is less of a pain to use than my old SMC 17/4 Fisheye Takumar. I am actually surprised at how good this lens is, or at least my copy is, so while a bit soft at f/2.8 (it is an old ultrawide so was expecting worse) it get really good at f/4 and for what I use it for it is a fun lens. I still want to try it out for astro shooting.

cnarchitect · 05-15-2023, 03:08 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks for Nikon to abandon its DSLR system and impacts on its FF lens' second hand price; I bought a Nikkor AF 17-35mm f2.8 D lens and got it converted into PK mount in Far East. Although having manual focus only but image quality is superb. Also had a Nikkor Ai 35mm f1,4 converted too. Happy NOW

BirdDude007 · 05-30-2023, 07:19 PM

I have the 15-30 for my K-1 and it does beautiful images for me, however if I want to go wider I can just slap on my Sigma 8-16 onto my K-3, or on my K-1(for just a 15 MP image, compared to 24 MPs on my K-3 I rarely ever use it on my K-1) but it does the job in an emargency, but it does a lot better on my separate APSC body. This is why I have both full frame and APSC bodies, they compliment each other, and have their own unique duties

gatorguy · 06-02-2023, 03:26 PM - **2 Likes**

I just got the Laowa 12mm 2.8 an hour ago. It is not as hard to work with as I had expected from reading comments around the web. My immediate impression is I like it, and I plan to do a few comparison photos tomorrow with the Pentax A16 fisheye and this one on a K1Mono.

**87Duckfan** · 06-05-2023, 08:54 AM

Originally posted by gatorguy

I just got the Laowa 12mm 2.8 an hour ago. It is not as hard to work with as I had expected from reading comments around the web. My immediate impression is I like it, and I plan to do a few comparison photos tomorrow with the Pentax A16 fisheye and this one on a K1Mono.

I would like to see this!

gatorguy · 06-05-2023, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by 87Duckfan

I would like to see this!

The weather wasn't cooperative over the weekend, but I'll still be doing this within another day or so.

Edit: Saturday, and it will also include the Samyang 14mm 2.8

**clackers** · 06-06-2023, 05:11 PM - **3 Likes**

Ultrawides are tricky to photograph with, because they can really push a subject to the back and diminish it unless super close, and of course, there's the distortion.

But the slightly unreal feel to them is something I like. The Irix 15mm Firefly and Sigma 12-24 are two of them I use on the K-1.

Jonathan Mac · 06-07-2023, 02:07 AM

Anything from 20mm down is ultra-wide on FF. I have a Vivitar (Tokina-made) 17mm f/3.5 which is decent enough but never super-sharp, which is what's to be expected of such an old design.

**ManuH** · 06-10-2023, 04:31 AM

I'd wish Pentax made a smaller 21mm than the current one, something to truly replace the compactness and performance of the DA 15mm Ltd on APS-C. I have no UWA lenses on my K-1 for now, and I'm not sure to get the 15-30 as I find it too bulky (I'd prefer a f/4 zoom, less expensive, lighter). I will likely use the crop mode or my K-3 for use of my DA 15mm / Sigma 10-20 and 8-16 / DA 10-17.
A compact 18mm f/4 would be really nice.

01-28-2023, 03:38 PM	#32
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,558	As seen in these suggestions given, there is always the question of a prime or a zoom lens. With primes, as usual, it is possible to get more speed in larger aperture sizes, and still not always with a huge lens size. And me too, my favorite, in virtually every way, is the DFA 21mm f/2.4 Ltd on my K-1 II. The OP brings up zoom lenses. With zoom lenses, as always, one gets the added versatility of quickly framing shots without having to physically change distance. But not only this, when considering fisheye in order to broaden ultra WA even more, with the Pentax fisheye 17-28mm zoom lens for FF use on a K-1, the degree of fisheye effect is reduced as the lens is zoomed to a longer FL! Keeping in mind the actual degree of WA attained is far greater than the FL indicates, it is therefore possible to zoom the lens to a point where it is still indeed very ultra-WA, while reducing this effect! The versatility of this lens then goes yet beyond just convenient framing! One can determine the degree of fisheye effect desired or not desired, and balance that against how wide one wants to go. Then there are also effective software de-fish procedures available as well. Last edited by mikesbike; 01-28-2023 at 03:53 PM.

05-15-2023, 03:08 PM - 1 Like	#38
cnarchitect New Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 13	Thanks for Nikon to abandon its DSLR system and impacts on its FF lens' second hand price; I bought a Nikkor AF 17-35mm f2.8 D lens and got it converted into PK mount in Far East. Although having manual focus only but image quality is superb. Also had a Nikkor Ai 35mm f1,4 converted too. Happy NOW Attached Images Last edited by cnarchitect; 05-15-2023 at 03:17 PM.

06-02-2023, 03:26 PM - 2 Likes	#40
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,094	I just got the Laowa 12mm 2.8 an hour ago. It is not as hard to work with as I had expected from reading comments around the web. My immediate impression is I like it, and I plan to do a few comparison photos tomorrow with the Pentax A16 fisheye and this one on a K1Mono. Last edited by gatorguy; 06-02-2023 at 05:51 PM.

06-05-2023, 10:08 AM	#42
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,094	Originally posted by 87Duckfan I would like to see this! The weather wasn't cooperative over the weekend, but I'll still be doing this within another day or so. Edit: Saturday, and it will also include the Samyang 14mm 2.8 Last edited by gatorguy; 06-06-2023 at 05:28 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Ricoh published several full frame ultra wide angle design patents.	OoKU	Pentax News and Rumors	42	08-26-2022 10:08 AM
Ultra-wide prime for full frame	sabzijoon	Pentax Full Frame	36	12-17-2017 10:39 AM
For Sale - Sold: Sigma 15-30 full-frame ultra wide, like new	krazykat	Sold Items	5	10-28-2017 05:27 AM
For Sale - Sold: Price Drop Bower 14mm f2.8, Full Frame Ultra-wide Lens	geomez	Sold Items	10	09-13-2017 11:15 AM
For Sale - Sold: (Price Reduced) Ultra-Wide Full-Frame Sigma 12-24mm EX DG Lens for Pentax	hzhao1964	Sold Items	5	02-07-2012 01:43 PM

01-28-2023, 02:56 PM	#31
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	The DFA 21/2.4 is my favourite full frame ultra-wide – by a mile. It's quite small, weather sealed, beautiful, and as @Digitalis said, incredibly fun. That said, the DFA 15-30/2.8 has few flaws beyond its immensity. I don't use it anymore though, as I prefer the handling of the DA* 11-18/2.8 on crop. For super-duper-wide duties I have the Laowa 12/2.8, which is excellent, but the need for it is rare. It's not weather sealed, and manual focus only, which are minor drawbacks. I also have the K 15/3.5, which I keep mainly for the integrity of of my slowly growing K series collection, and the FA 20/2.8. The latter is actually a pretty nice lens, but the new 21 trumps it in every possible way except size.

01-28-2023, 04:31 PM - 5 Likes	#33
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,709	Laowa 12/2.8 is a very good option. Well built, 'A' lens, f2.8 aperture for astro or hand held low light/interiors, decent flare tolerance.

01-28-2023, 06:19 PM	#34
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,209	I imagine that your preferred style and what subjects you shoot will determine the limits of what you understand by “ultra-wide”. The widest FoV lens I regularly use now is the DFA21, as was its predecessor FA20, even though I also have the Irix 15 that I bought because it was lighter and cheaper than the DFA15-30. The old FA20 has its fans and critics, but I found it more than adequate for my use, plus it was small (without the saucepan lens hood). The Irix is very good optically and well-built, but I just don’t find I use it that much.

01-29-2023, 06:44 PM	#35
rr1736 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Chicago Illinois Photos: Albums Posts: 203	Rokinon 14 cheap and works well

01-29-2023, 08:45 PM - 1 Like	#36
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,209	I should add that the Irix 15 is well sealed in both forms (Blackstone or Firefly) but the Blackstone is better sealed.

02-01-2023, 10:40 AM	#37
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Originally posted by tryphon4 For years, I used a Zenitar 16mm fisheye on my K-1 when I wanted to take ultra wide photos. I actually picked one of those up a few months back at almost a stole it price and figured I could get ~$40 of fun out of it. Being already K-mount means it is less of a pain to use than my old SMC 17/4 Fisheye Takumar. I am actually surprised at how good this lens is, or at least my copy is, so while a bit soft at f/2.8 (it is an old ultrawide so was expecting worse) it get really good at f/4 and for what I use it for it is a fun lens. I still want to try it out for astro shooting.

05-30-2023, 07:19 PM	#39
BirdDude007 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Las Vegas NV Photos: Albums Posts: 784	I have the 15-30 for my K-1 and it does beautiful images for me, however if I want to go wider I can just slap on my Sigma 8-16 onto my K-3, or on my K-1(for just a 15 MP image, compared to 24 MPs on my K-3 I rarely ever use it on my K-1) but it does the job in an emargency, but it does a lot better on my separate APSC body. This is why I have both full frame and APSC bodies, they compliment each other, and have their own unique duties

06-05-2023, 08:54 AM	#41
87Duckfan Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2020 Photos: Albums Posts: 401 Original Poster	Originally posted by gatorguy I just got the Laowa 12mm 2.8 an hour ago. It is not as hard to work with as I had expected from reading comments around the web. My immediate impression is I like it, and I plan to do a few comparison photos tomorrow with the Pentax A16 fisheye and this one on a K1Mono. I would like to see this!

06-06-2023, 05:11 PM - 3 Likes	#43
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Ultrawides are tricky to photograph with, because they can really push a subject to the back and diminish it unless super close, and of course, there's the distortion. But the slightly unreal feel to them is something I like. The Irix 15mm Firefly and Sigma 12-24 are two of them I use on the K-1.

06-07-2023, 02:07 AM	#44
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,911	Anything from 20mm down is ultra-wide on FF. I have a Vivitar (Tokina-made) 17mm f/3.5 which is decent enough but never super-sharp, which is what's to be expected of such an old design.

06-10-2023, 04:31 AM	#45
ManuH Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,249	I'd wish Pentax made a smaller 21mm than the current one, something to truly replace the compactness and performance of the DA 15mm Ltd on APS-C. I have no UWA lenses on my K-1 for now, and I'm not sure to get the 15-30 as I find it too bulky (I'd prefer a f/4 zoom, less expensive, lighter). I will likely use the crop mode or my K-3 for use of my DA 15mm / Sigma 10-20 and 8-16 / DA 10-17. A compact 18mm f/4 would be really nice.