| Author: | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 813
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 4, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $1,500.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, Water Resistance, Functionality | | Cons: | Care needed - front element is exposed | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-1
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After shooting with this lens for several weeks, I can't remember taking a technically bad shot.
I have had the Tamron SP 15-30 f2.8 on my Nikon FF body for 2 years, and it has never let me down.
But the Pentax version is just somehow better, sharper, colours are more vibrant, and contrast is better as well.
Sandy's review and shots with this lens convinced me that I just could not be without this lens on Pentax any longer!
| | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: June, 2016 Location: Paris Posts: 121
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 6, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $1,399.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | construction, optical quality, sealed | | Cons: | it ain't pink | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1ii K1
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Being the lucky owner of 2 copies of this lens i can only recommend it.
Used the first one so much that it ended with some dust inside, but it survived sandstorms on the beaches and the deserts and very agressive storms in the ocean while boating.
Even with all it has endured, the front element only has tiny scratches with no impact on IQ.
I ordered the second lens by fear that the first one will let me down one day since i stressed it so much. But, that's not the case. Yet . I continue to use it in very hard conditions of weather, high or low temperatures. It's still operationg flawlessly.
I am not a landscape photographer and i recommend it for also everything beyond landscape.
It's a solid long lasting and very versatile lens, one of the best a photographer can have.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2013 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 576
6 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 29, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $750.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | WR, sharpness, versatility, a much needed FF lens for this range | | Cons: | Having to use expensive external filter adapters, weight | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-1
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I had dismissed the idea of getting this lens for years due to the inability to use screw-on filters as the main purpose for this lens would be waterfall photography where I frequently use a polarizing filter. I eventually changed my mind when I discovered the Fotodiox/WonderPana filter system and also came across someone selling the lens at a great price. I don't see the need for many words other than that results I've gotten with this lens and filter system completely lived up to my expectations... and I had my expectations set extremely high. All of the below photos were taken with the K-1 while using the WonderPana FreeArc filter system and the Fotodiox Pro 145mm MC-CPL. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the lens, filter system, or photos!
 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2017 Location: Bayern Posts: 183
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 1, 2021 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 7
Value: 6
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1
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Not a fan of having to get a 150mm filter holder or upgrade my 100mm kit to make better use of the landscape qualities of this monstrosity.
that being said, it's a very capable UWA zoom. great for shooting in confined spaces.
feels robust and not too heavy (for me at least). great to have the fast aperture.
QS focusing is key, as many times for fast moving (read: pets/children) subjects the wide end will cover a lot of your FoV.
massive distortion (somewhat ameliorated in LR through lens corrections) in the corners. you have to expect and try to minimize any deleterious effects on your image.
video suffers from this distortion if you're trying to "shoot from the hip" and follow a scene as it develops.
You're going to pay for this lens. It's worth it if you demand the full sharpness your 36+mp sensor can produce and need the versatility of a zoom.
Character is not dissimilar to the 24-70 IMO. Not sterile, but not distinct.
Overall, if you can afford it, it's worth a chance.
| | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2018 Posts: 193
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 27, 2020 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Only modern UWA lens with WR | | Cons: | Heavy | |
Everybody who has reviewed this lens has commented on the heft of this lens. Allow me to add: coupled with a K1, this lens is an absolute pig. After receiving this in the mail (bought from another forum member), I went out to a park and did some landscape shooting. I carried my K3 with the 60-250 f/4 with me for telephoto work, and that set-up was practically non existent. I handheld my K1 with this lens, and my forearm was getting achy after awhile. I’ve shot this lens before and was blown away with the optics, but I’ll edit my review depending on what I see with what I just shot. My one “gripe” with this lens is the fine focus ring. On my DA* lenses, you can feel when the fine focus is at the apex, this one, I don’t get that subtle tactile feedback.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2020 Location: Southern New Hampshire Posts: 4
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 16, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $850.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Outstanding Sharpness, Contrast & Color, WR, Silent Focus, Manual Focus Ring Close To Camera Body | | Cons: | A Tiny Bit Heavy, (but it's worth the results) | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-1
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First of all, I know this is my first review post and all, but people that dragged this excellent lens' overall rating down under '9' should be slapped with a 2x4.  You all knew this lens was a bit weighty before the purchase, Pentax didn't give them away for cheap, and handling might be challenging.
As far as performance, I found the AF SDM to be exceptionally quiet and without a hunting issue in all four auto-focus modes on my K-1. It focused just a bit long out of the box, but easily resolved with a Focus Pyramid® & the fine-tuning focus adjustment in the K-1, then saved to memory.
The lens paralleled the focus results from the testing from Imatest*, as I found the IQ around the frame tobe pretty decent for a zoom lens from around f/5.6 to f/14. However, you will begin to notice that softness starting to manifest in the far corners the tighter you zoom in, or the more you open it towards f/2.8 from f/5.6, or inversely,the tighter the aperture above f/14 you go towards f/22, at any distance.
Since this lens will primarily be utilized for landscapes, I will be using the K-1's Live View in conjunction with its Peak Focus feature, and at x16 for critical focusing purposes. AF is fine, but for those shots that you only get one attempt at (such as a visit to Alaska's Yukon, Kodiak Bears chasing salmon in a stream, Close-ups of Glaciers, Humpbacks breaching, Denali on a clear day, Native Alaskans in their habitat, The Aurora Borealis with the Milky Way as a backdrop, Astro photography with absolutely NO LIGHT POLLUTION, Puffins, Dall sheep, and Sea Lions along the coast line, and hundreds of other once in a lifetime shots). Everything will be bracketed at +/- .7EV x2 for 5 shots total in RAW and JPEG, and uploaded twice a day to my 2TB Adobe Cloud Server. For shots without motion, since most will be taken on a Benro TMA37AL tripod with a G3 low profile head anyway, I'll probably take several Pixel Shift shots to get the sharpest images I can on my 256GB SanDisk cards.
I'm using the Benro FH100M2B and FH100M2V4 100x150 Master Filter Frame Holder systems with 10 different Grad ND filters with holder frames. Plus, I'm attempting to design a special 1/2" to 5/8" wide ring that will fit externally over this lens' flower lens shade; as snug as the lens cap does. On that ring I will incorporate a connector to mount a Benro Master Filter Frame Holder. However, I may need to go to the 150x170mm size for this lens. I'm hoping I can utilize the 100mm unit and design it around that.
I'll also be carrying a backup body since I'm leaving nothing to chance for this trip with my wife. She'll be using the K-3.
OK, I've obviously digressed WELL away from a lens review, but this is me... Back to the point....
One statistical anomaly I immediately noticed here was that out of 25 reviews, there were 4 problematic lens'. That's 16%, which is a higher than average shrinkage rate. Tossing an average of 16 out of 100 lenses could mean having an issue with production, assembly, or to a much lesser degree...handling during transportation.
This lens is an admirable performer, and definitely worth the investment. Sure, Tamron makes some very sharp lenses too, especially if you get one where everything was done JUST RIGHT. I have such a lens, an LD Di SP 70-200mm f/2.8 [IF] MACRO A001P.
It's one of the sharpest lenses in my arsenal.  But, I firmly believe this Pentax 15-30mm wide-angle full-frame zoom is highly versatile, and just what the doctor ordered.
*This data was sourced and added to his HD Pentax-D FA F2.8 15-30mm ED SDM WR Review article from May 18, 2016 in ePHOTOzine.
. . Falcon
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2018 Location: Telemark Posts: 78
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 8, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $1,075.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, focal range | | Cons: | Size? | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 6
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-1
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I'm surprised this doesn't get a higher score on this forum. It now has a 8,9 average.
The sharpness is brilliant. The build quality is really good allthough maybe a point lower than the 70-200.
It handles direct sunlight extremely well, probably the best i've seen and the images are the sharpest I've ever seen on a wide angle zoom for ff.
Nikon let me use their 16-35 mm a while back testing their D850 and that is also a great lens. However, with the weatherproofness and speed of this one I think I would prefer the Pentax / Tamron one. The sharpness is quite similar, and that is a good testament to the Pentax lens since the 16-35 is regarded as sharper than the nikon 14-24mm f/2.8.
Overall a great lens I use it for landscapes and night shots in urban environments. I'm trying to upload photos on this forum but Im completely lost as to how to do it.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: March, 2010 Location: Vermont Posts: 941
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 30, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $1,300.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Constrast, stellar optics, WR, F/2.8 | | Cons: | Big and heavy | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-1
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This is my K-1 go-to lens for astro, architectural, and landscape. Sharp, excellent contrast, WR, and fast auto focus. The cons are the weight and size, as well the challenge of using ND filters. Other than that a very versatile lens with very pleasing results.
 IMGP5498 by David Carman, on Flickr
 IMGP0562.jpg by David Carman, on Flickr
 _IMG6807 by David Carman, on Flickr
| | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2017 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 15
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 28, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $1,200.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | If you get a good copy (I returned TWO!), Excellent sharpness - especially on edges - compared to other options like FA20-35 | | Cons: | QC issue? Two copies found SOFT at 20mm f8 compared to old-tech like FA20-35. Third copy was good- easily besting the 20-35 on edge performance, CA, and general rendering. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 6
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 7
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-1
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I started a thread at https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/398239-pen...ml#post4830454 to discuss my findings on this lens -- disappointing performance at ~20mm f8 in CENTER compared to my older (and much much lighter, smaller) FA20-35 at 20mm f8 under careful test (tripod, e-shutter, delay timer) conditions both inside at ~10' and outside at infinity. I really really wanted to love this lens, and have similar experience to NORTHCOASTGREG below! Maybe I should try again, but twice-failed seems really odd to me. Maybe I just have a "golden" FA20-35 and my expectations are too high. But you be the judge (I posted image comparisons at the link above.
I am returning this product and will try ordering a THIRD time. If my opinion changes, I will report back.
________________________________________________
UPDATE - third lens received, tested, and passed muster.. "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again...". (Thank GOODNESS for easy-peasy no-cost-to-me return via Amazon). Seems odd that I received TWO problematic lenses (second one was even worse than first). But the third one is good, and in line with what other (glowing) reviews report, like NORTHCOASTGREG et.al. At 15mm, wide open, I do find some coma on stars in all corner areas (radial away from center) - I'll have to do some head-to-head compares with my beloved Rokinon 14, but my intent was to switch to this 15-30 for all astroscape. I haven't tested the 20-30mm range - perhaps improved and that gives great option for astroscape framing..
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 5,777
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 16, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $1,150.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Optically splendid, sharp, contrasty, superb color | | Cons: | Size, weight, no filter rings | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-1
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I bought a version of this lens back in early February but had to return as a consequence of bad decentering, particularly noticeable at fast apertures. A few months later I bought another version. This one is, fortunately, free of any major defects.
I had originally planned to avoid acquiring this lens, mainly due to the price and the size. I attempted to make do with the FA 20-35, which is, at least in terms of landscape photography, pretty decent. Indeed, at typical landscape apertures (f11-f16), there's little difference in sharpness between the old FA wide old zoom the DFA monster, excluding the far corners, where the new lens is significantly better. The main advantages of DFA 15-30 over legacy wide-angle zooms like the FA 20-35 involve, primarily, fast aperture performance and contrast and saturation. Landscape images taken with this DFA 15-30 just have more bite and richer color than what I was getting out of the FA 20-35. There is something to be said for the HD coatings, and for all that special glass (4 ED, 4 AL elements). This is the best zoom lens I have ever used. It's better than even the very fine DFA 28-105. Not necessarily sharper, but contrastier, with a richer color signature.
The size and weight of this lens is, of course, the main point of criticism. But as concerned as I was about the weight of the lens, it hasn't turned out to be as big a problem as I originally feared. I've bought a lens case for it, which I carry around my shoulders with a strap. Thus equipped, I hardly notice the weight. I suspect the weight of this lens is mostly a problem for those who have invested in the other f2.8 DFA zooms, along with the massive DFA 150-450. I have sedulously avoided the other DFA monsters, opting instead for the nicely compact DFA 28-105, along with some plasticky, weight-deficient legacy zooms (F 17-28 and FA-J 75-300). The DFA 15-30 is the only monster in my K-1 landscape kit, and that makes the weight manageable. I'll keep the FA 20-35 around for longer hikes and filter use. But for best image quality at the wide end of things, I will always reach for the DFA 15-30.
The lens produces fine starbursts when stopped down. Flare control is pretty good for an f2.8 zoom, but not perfect. The lens is reasonably sharp wide-open, but for best edge to edge sharpness, you do need to stop the lens down to at least f5.6.
Some example images, staring at f16, @16mm:
f10, 15mm:
f11, 30mm:
 | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: June, 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Posts: 5,670
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 11, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $1,100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, excellent contrast, excells in low light | | Cons: | It's ginormous, and costly (even on sale) | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K1
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I have had and shot this lens for a bit over a year. I have used this mainly for AstroLandscapes. The results in essentially total darkness are exceptional.
The lens is large, and when mounted on the K1 - the entire unit is large. There is no getting around that. What was staggering is the exceptional detail and color rendering the K1/15-30 combination provides.
I have also taken the lens on a 2 week trip to Alaska. With it being wide angle, I was even able to capture a breaching whale that should have been a telephoto shot - by cropping.
In reviews, it matches the Nikon 14-24/f2.8 Bottom line - I don't know how much more you can expect from a lens this wide.
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One additional interesting factor that I stumbled across. I prefocus in the afternoon before going out to shoot at night. I have found that I can focus at either 15mm or 30mm and while shooting, move between 15 and 30mm and still maintain focus. That is a large plus for me.
Also, the "Open Aperture" or the physical aperture area at 30mm is twice the area at 15mm. Essentially, you are doubling your light at 30mm than what you are getting at 15mm. This is another major reason why I acquired this lens. I wanted the freedom of a large view (at 15mm) but also wanted the larger aperture area at 30mm. This lens provided me with that capability. The downside is the constant aperture of f2.8 rather than f2, f1.8 or f1.4 - but you have to compromise. I'm very happy with the amount of light that I can collect at f2.8, so everything else is a bonus.
I have been able to use the AstroTracing on the K1 at 70seconds without really encountering any star trailing in the corners.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: September, 2018 Posts: 127
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 30, 2018 | Not Recommended | Price: $1,300.00
| Rating: 5 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | Handling, Size, Price | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 1
Value: 3
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1
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Not much to add to the previous reviews except for one point. For some reason Ricoh has designed this lens with the focus the other or wrong way round. It focusses the opposite way to all the other Pentax lenses. I do find it surprising that this isn't included in the in depth review as it is so important to the handling of the lens. So although Tamron have removed their image stabilization mechanism and changed the coating, it seems they haven't changed the focus direction which has been a Pentax "standard" since the M42 days.
If you only ever use autofocus, it may not be a problem for you. However bearing in mind the angle of view, making sure that the autofocus is on the correct point can be more difficult than with a long lens. After many years of using Pentax glass, I instinctively focus in one direction which is the wrong way for this lens. So for me added to the bulk of this lens, it makes it unusable and I wish I had never bought it.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2017 Posts: 46
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 6, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $1,620.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Fantastic quality | | Cons: | Very heavy and cumbersome. Front element exposed. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1
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Well, I took the plunge! Very, very expensive, but it was frustrating having only the 28-105 and 200 f2.8 (and the Samyang 14mm) full-frame. It arrived yesterday. Wow! It is SO heavy and bulky! Was it a mistake?
This morning I took it out, a walk of around four miles. When you get used to it, it is fine. I have a neck strap, and support it with the other hand to take the strain while walking, but will investigate a harness for longer walks. The exposed front element is my only real worry, but there is no way round that one.
The pictures have the 'wow' factor: it's the only lens I've liked immediately on first use. Focusing is lightning fast, and while there is obviously distortion towards the edges at 15mm, it's much less than I expected. I have no regrets at all in buying this, though I'm selling my Samyang 24TS, Samyang 14mm and Pentax 12-24 to offset the cost. I would actually have preferred it as f3.5 or f4 to reduce the weight (and price!). With the KP, this and my 10-17 fisheye (lovely lens too) will deal with all the focal lengths I need.
I'll post some photos soon. The ones I've done are fine, but I'm sure there is better to come!
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2011 Location: Niagara Posts: 3,852
6 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 5, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $1,500.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | weather sealing, coatings ,image quality, f2.8 aperture , silent A/F! | | Cons: | size, expense, filter limitations | |
After owning K-5 IIs, and shooting DA 15, DA 21, DA 12-24, Rok 8mm and a number of legacy primes I have found that in comparison the D-FA 15-30 on Full Frame Sensor yields excellent image quality. I have put it to use for occassional Astro Landscapes, and event photography. Although I regularly carry it in my bag, it does not get as much use as say the Ltd primes did simply because of its enormous size. The use of filters makes it even LARGER. Fotodiox Wonder Pana demonstrated here with 145mm pinch cap and free arc filter frame.
 Wonderpana 145mm cover and Freearc frame. by Matt, on Flickr
Depth of Field in close focus situations can be very narrow considering such a wide field of view... at MFD:
 When I turned away.. by Matt, on Flickr
 Columbine in the woods by Matt, on Flickr
I particularly have appreciated the benefit of the f2.8 aperture, making full use of it during some night sky photos. The following image did not use Astrotracer function
 Milkyway Cascade into a derelict church. by Matt, on Flickr
The lens delivers the dramatic, as you'd expect from any Ultra Wide
 Thunder head over HMCS Haida by Matt, on Flickr
 The Day is done. by Matt, on Flickr
Finally, to review this lens and not mention the weather sealing and fabulous coating technology would not do justice to the benefit of being a part of the Pentax system. IT is weather sealed, and the coating as you can see in the image below do a remarkable job of shedding water (as well as dust etc).
 | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: July, 2011 Posts: 2,264
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 30, 2017 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Great performance | | Cons: | very large filters only, big, long | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1
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This lens lives up to all the reviews around for Pentax/Tamron design. Wide open you get very sharp images in the center - only extreme corners appear soft. Stopped down you cannot complain at all. The lens turns in oppossite direction compared to Pentax lenses - minor issue. Filter holders are available, but you have to invest in a 150mm system. While great, the lens is rather long and bulky. I cannot blame this lens for a non-available prime in Pentax land, but for me a smaller prime in the 18-20 mm (something recent - not an old FA design) range would be much more useful. If you need 15-30mm, go for it. Price is right for a 2.8 with sealing.
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