[awscreo]

I'm getting my annual GAS period when I'm looking at purchasing/upgrading my kit)

So I'm trying to decide what to do, upgrade my rokinon 14 2.8 to Irix 15, mainly for the ability to use screw in filters (I want to use cpl to remove glare from water/rocks/foliage), and much better controlled distortion. Weather sealing is a big plus too.

Another option is to (sell kidney) save up and go for the dfa 15-30. I know the lens is a beast, and it is the ultimate tool for landscape photography for sure. However, I can't quite afford it for now, would have to wait few months to grab it, also I'm looking at filter systems and the 150mm filter prices and I get scared

I'm in love with landscape photography, and it's the main reason I've switched from mft to k-1 a year ago.

Id like to hear some suggestions from community, see if we can collectively find the path for me

[Adam]

Sounds like the Irix is a no-brainer here Hard to beat it for the price IMO, if you want something ultra wide and rectilinear.

[gm4life]

Are you shooting a crop camera of full frame? If you are shooting a crop I can't praise enough the DA HD 15 Limited F4, it is an awesome wide angle and doesn't take up much room in the bag. The Irix is a good option too from what I hear. If you are full frame a 15-30 is likely another awesome and slightly more expensive piece of glass.

[VoiceOfReason]

There are still Sigma 12-24 lenses floating around out there. Ultra wide, FF, rectilinear, and fairly sharp. Wouldn't be too difficult to find one under 500 I'd imagine.

[ChatMechant]

The more I use the little M20 the more I like it. Images from it have a lovely character to them, with nice colors. 49mm filter threads but I use 58mm on a step up ring.

[awscreo]

I've pretty much narrowed down my choices to those two lenses. Sigma seems like a great budget option, but I want an upgrade, I already have a great bargain UWA prime

I guess I'm just gonna bite the bullet and buy one of those two. I wish I had more experience with other focal lengths on the 15-30 apart from the widest setting, but I only used my 14mm and 24mm equivalent with mft. Not much in between. Flexibility of a zoom is so tempting, as well as modern optics, weather sealing and glowing reviews..

[geomez]

I've had:

Sigma 10-20 3.5
Vivitar 13 2.8
Samyang 14 2.8
Samyang 16 2.8
DA 15 ltd


I currently have:

Venus Laowa 12 2.8
Venus Laowa 15 2.8 shift macro
D FA 15-30
DA 10-17 fisheye

My faves for APS-C are DA 15 LTD and Sigma 10-20 3.5. The DA 15 is compact and well made and has good IQ and killer starbursts. The Sigma 10-20 3.5 is plastic, silent focusing, removable and reversible hood, and threaded, plus good IQ.

My faves for K-1 are D FA 15-30 and the Laowa 15. The D-FA 15-30 is a beast, but it's WR. IT's not threaded, and if you want filters you'll need 150mm filters and a special filter holder. The Laowa 15 is fast, compact, all metal, removable and reversible hood, and threaded. As a plus it does 1:1 macro and has a basic shift function, which will straighten out converging lines when shooting architecture. The downsides are it's completely manual and the it has lots of distortion.

[77me]

I recommend the 15-30. It is big, but in use it handles fine. I found the amount of space it and the FotodioX WonderPana 145 filters take in the bag a bigger issue than the size and weight of the lens in use. The 15-30 zoom range is very convenient for landscapes and tight indoor locations. For some trips I just bring the 15-30 and the 100 macro. Sometimes I'll add the da* 55.