[wushumr2]

Looking to try out a Pentax instead of my Nikon gear. What's the best wideangle lens I can use on a Pentax? My choices are obviously the 12-24, 14, and 15, but would like an objective answer. Thanks in advance!

[Kerrowdown]

Welcome to the forum, the 15 mm has a big following here...

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/86234-15mm-limited-controls-my-mind-club.html

[TenZ.NL]

I have both the 15mm and the 14mm. While I do love the (old) DA15ltd, the 12-24 is also a stellar lens and reported sharper than the 15 and offcourse more flexible than the prime. However, the 15 is allmost bombproof when it comes to flares and produces really nice starbursts. The 14mm is somewhat different imho, it`s big, has some pronounced distortion and is flare sensitive but also a stop faster than the other 2. I use it mostly for night- and indoorphotography.

Though decision, it really depends on your subjects and style which one to pick.

My sets on Flickr:
smc DA14mm F2.8
smc DA15mm F4 limited

[savoche]

Welcome! The 15 and 12-24 are highly regarded, as is the 14 but I suppose fewer people have it. Another well liked lens is the DA 10-17 Fisheye, not very fishy at the long end.

Of these I have only the SMC 15, and a Sigma 10-20. 10mm is a lot of fun, but the 15 is really, really good as well as being so small that it will always be with you.

Another 3rd party alternative is the Sigma 8-16. Big and heavy, but better than the 10-20 as I understand it.

Also Samyang (Bower/Rokinon/...) has some manual focus fisheyes at 8mm and 15mm. The 8mm is a fun lens, but being as special as it is I don't use it much.

And usually someone will mention the old Zenitar 16mm Fisheye as an alternative

[Na Horuk]

From the lenses you mentioned, all are good. But the SMC DA 15mm ltd has.. a cult surrounding it. But its no longer in production - they changed the coatings and aperture blades and is now sold as HD DA 15mm ltd. This means that maybe it performs better, but some don't like the change because now the starbursts from light sources are different, due to changed aperture blades. But keep in mind, the 14mm and 15mm are both good, but different. Neither of them is "better", but some people prefer one, others prefer the other. They have different rendering, they are different sizes, etc. Lots of things to consider.
And of course there are the usual choices of Tamron, Sigma, and Samyang lenses.
Just know that Pentax has no shortage of UWA lenses. Only gap in the Pentax lineup right now is between 22mm and 30mm, but third party and legacy glass fills that gap.

[Canada_Rockies]

Check out the 12-24 set on my Flickr site. It includes flare tests, and then you can compare to the 14 and 15. Most of the shots are at 12mm 'cause I had just gotten the lens. Here is the specific set.
I like the ability to have the various focal lengths available. I've even shot a family Xmas picture shoot using it at 24mm with excellent results.

[SkipperRi]

Hey, guys. Pentax WA & fish eye lenses are pretty expensive, according to yours experience and knowledge what's best and cheaper solution for some nice glass that I can use with K-3?

[6BQ5]

Tamron makes a 10-24mm for Pentax. I got to try it during "Tamron Days" at my local camera shop. It's a fun lens to play with, that's for sure! Sharp, contrasty, and colorful!

[dcBear78]

The Sigma 10-20 is popular and a bit cheaper than other options.

[SkipperRi]

Tamron makes a 10-24mm for Pentax. I got to try it during "Tamron Days" at my local camera shop. It's a fun lens to play with, that's for sure! Sharp, contrasty, and colorful!

Thanks for posting and suggestion. But, the price is around 500$, too much for me, especially these days, after purchasing K-3+grip. I have to wait

The Sigma 10-20 is popular and a bit cheaper than other options.

Thanks. According to tests and reviews, this lens is amazing. But, as I answered above, at the moment, I have no funds for that kind of investment. Only if I don't eat & drink in the next few months.

[TER-OR]

Really good WA lenses can be pricey.
There is one nice budget lens I can think of - the DA16-45. It's not ultra-wide but at 16 it's wider than you think. It's also really nice indoors, it's a good zoom range for events. It's available used for around $200 and is pretty versatile.

The 10-17 fisheye can be had used for $350 or so. It's a lot of fun.

[peterjcb]

I've got both the DA10-17 Fisheye and the DA 12-24 and I have to say that I love both of them. The fisheye is a LOTof fun! It's very compact, feels very solid and at 17mm it doubles as a pretty good ultra wide...also very sharp!
The DA12-24 is a great lens...it is super sharp and although it is a little bulky ( 77mm filters ) you can conceivably use it as a walk around lens for cityscapes, landscapes and it's perfect for shooting indoors and in close quarters.
It would be a very tough decision if I only had to choose one...

[Na Horuk]

And of course there are the Zeiss wide angle primes from 20mm to 28mm Manual lenses, though.

Kept my eye on KEH and bought a used 12-24 in 2009. If I lost mine, I'd buy another tomorrow.

[SkipperRi]

Kept my eye on KEH and bought a used 12-24 in 2009. If I lost mine, I'd buy another tomorrow.

Hey, Brooke, where you buying?

Thanks in advance