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HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited Review RSS Feed

HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited

Sharpness 
 8.6
Aberrations 
 9.2
Bokeh 
 8.1
Autofocus 
 9.0
Handling 
 9.4
Value 
 8.8
Reviews Views Date of last review
31 151,412 Sun July 16, 2023
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
97% of reviewers $517.88 9.16
HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited

HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
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HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
supersize
HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
supersize
HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
supersize
HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
supersize
HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
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Description:
The HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited is a prime extreme wide-angle lens only suitable for Pentax APS-C DSLRs.

This lens features Pentax's latest "HD" nano coating and is available in both black and silver for $699.95.

HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
APS-C
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
No
Diaphragm
Automatic, 7 blades (rounded)
Optics
8 elements, 6 groups
Mount Variant
KAF
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F4
Min. Aperture
F22
Focusing
AF (screwdrive)
Quick-shift
Yes
Min. Focus
18 cm
Max. Magnification
0.15x
Filter Size
49 mm
Internal Focus
No
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 88 ° / 77 °
Hood
Built-in, slide out
Case
Pouch 37748
Lens Cap
Dedicated metal screw-on
Coating
HD,SP
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Diam x Length
63 x 39.5 mm (2.5 x 1.58 in.)
Weight
189 g (6.7 oz.)
Production Years
2013 to present (in production)
Pricing
$512 USD current price
Engraved Name
HD PENTAX-DA 1:4 15mm ED AL Limited
Product Code
21470 (black), 21480 (silver)
Reviews
User reviews
In-depth review
Unofficial Full-Frame Compatibility Tests by Pentax Forums
☆☆☆ No coverage at any setting
Show details
Notes
One aspherical element and one ED element.
Variants

Black and silver


Features:
Screwdrive AutofocusQuick ShiftBuilt-in HoodAutomatic ApertureAPS-C Digital Only
Purchase: Buy the HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
In-Depth Review: Read our HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited in-depth review!
Sample Photos: View Sample Photos
Price History:



Add Review of HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited Buy the HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
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Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 1-15 of 31
Veteran Member

Registered: February, 2009
Posts: 876

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: October 16, 2014 Not Recommended | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Great center sharpness, build quality, quick-shift, & the way it feels in your hand
Cons: Corner Sharpness
Sharpness: 6    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 6    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K5 IIs   

It was apparent during the short time I owned my copy of this highly regarded lens that it has many positive attributes, but if you, like I, primarily intend to shoot landscapes, are looking for sharpness across the frame, or intend to make large prints, I would look elsewhere.

I think the pros and cons I've listed above pretty much explains the low ratings I've given this lens (all things considered, I feel I've honestly been pretty generous, considering it has no use to me whatsoever). If its corner sharpness was on par with its center sharpness this would be a must own; maybe even the lens to own. Unfortunately it's nowhere close, not even stopped down, in my experience.

My advice to those considering purchasing one: research it, don't look at tiny pics online and get your hopes up too high. It might fit your needs, it might not.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: January, 2012
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 2,817

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: July 16, 2023 Recommended | Price: $400.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Build quality, built-in hood, generally good image quality, close focusing ability
Cons: Screw-on lens cap, soft image quality at the edges
Sharpness: 6    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 9    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K-5 IIs, K-01, K-3 III   

I think of all the Limited lenses I own, this is the one I get along with least. A lot of that is subjective, because I'm just not skilled at making good compositions with ultra wide angles, but I think there are some objective reasons as well.

As with all of the Limited lenses, this one has a nice compact design. I don't hesitate to bring out with me in case I see the opportunity to take a wide shot. The integrated slide-out lens hood is convenient, but then all that convenience is tossed aside by the fiddly nature of the screw-in lens cap. This takes so much more time and hand coordination than a pull-off or pinch lens cap that it actually dissuades me from using the lens sometimes.

One other thing that stops me from using this lens is that I have a GR III and a DA10-17 FE, so there is some competition that I often find more practical or fun to use.

I also find that this lens has a bit of a magenta tint to the images. This is not difficult to fix, but I just have to treat images taken with it a bit differently to other Pentax lenses, both newer and older. I wish I'd got the SMC version to keep a consistent look with the other SMC limiteds. I wonder if this is a characteristic of the earliest "HD" lenses, because I have newer HD lenses that don't seem to do the same thing.

However, there are a lot of good things about this lens too. The close-up ability is impressive. I have taken some images I really like (mainly landscape) when I can get the composition right. Also, it takes me out of my comfort zone, looking for reflections and foreground items to create interest.

   
Senior Member

Registered: February, 2021
Posts: 119

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: December 10, 2022 Recommended | Price: $250.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Compact, center sharpness, close focusing
Cons: Built in Hood Dings easily, soft corners wide open
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: KP   

An awesome 21mm FF equivalent on APS-C, I paired mine with the KP, and it was the first Pentax Da Limited piece of glass I ever bought. Personally it made for a great compact landscape lens in a small package with a small front element that's typically not found in wider aperture lenses of the same focal length. My only complaint is the built in hood, is very susceptible to being dented and scratched when I was hiking with it, and typically the corners were very soft at wide open at F5.6 & below. I was able to throw this in my flight bag as a traveling A/C mechanic at my old job, with the 55-300PLM, 18-135, and 40 Limited to make an awesome compact all around travel kit.






   
Site Supporter

Registered: June, 2017
Location: 3City agglomeration
Posts: 2,021

6 users found this helpful
Review Date: December 27, 2021 Recommended | Price: $760.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Size, build quality, unique IQ
Cons: I cannot think of any :D

This is a little gem. It very clear, with great dynamic range and contrast. It has also very nice field curvature and aberrations that add to image "soul" and cannot be treated as lens faults.

It may be used as walk around lens if you put some though into photos. I use it mainly for city photography - old buildings and such and as UWA it works more then perfectly giving great detail and clearness of what is important.


It just needs attention when using in city or tighter environments.


With minimal focusing distance being as short as it is it makes also nice lens for flower photography when you need to capture larger scene.

The only issue I can think about is screw on lens cap (I already lost mine), but still find it better then push on like on 20-40.

Some images with this lens:









   
Site Supporter

Registered: April, 2021
Location: Arlon, Belgium
Posts: 100
Review Date: May 16, 2021 Recommended | Price: $300.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: very sharp
Cons: auto-focus bug
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 6    Autofocus: 6    Handling: 9    Value: 6    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K3II   

I love this lens, but i bought it too late because i didn't have it yet when i was in New Zealand , and i really needed it for those fabulous landscapes and montains , i regret it so much !!!
   
Pentaxian

Registered: May, 2015
Posts: 3,304

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 2, 2020 Recommended | Price: $619.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: size, rendering, flare resistance
Cons: unsharp edges regardless of stopping down
Sharpness: 6    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 7    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K-5 and K-3 II   

A really great compact lens for reportage and environmental portraits. It's incredible contrasty and delivers punchy images. The tiny size makes it effortless to bring along. Close up photographs of objects render really well with great depth.

The lens works best when the subject is in the central part of the frame and the edges are there for context only. For many this will be the primary use case for a wide angle lens.

The main weakness of the lens is the soft mushy edges that stay mushy as you stop down. This makes the lens less suitable for descriptive architecture shots and landscape images where there is detail and interest across the frame.

I have given an average sharpness score because it is razor sharp in the center but soft at the edges.
   
Senior Member

Registered: February, 2015
Posts: 175

7 users found this helpful
Review Date: November 18, 2019 Recommended | Price: $450.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: outstanding contrast and rendering, small size, useful focal length
Cons: field curvature
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K3   

This lens has an outstanding contrast, colour rendition and dynamic range.

It delivers very pleasant pictures, which need very little post processing, even in high contrast scenes or difficult light.
It is very resistant to flare and shows very little distorsion fo such a wide field of view (15mm is 22.5mm FF equivalent).

Due to field curvature, it is not a lens for those looking for corner to corner sharpness: the focused target will be tack sharp, even at f4 and close to a corner, but keep in mind that if your target is a distant landscape, the focus will be further away in the center and closer to the photographer in the corners.The only way to mitigate this is to close the aperture around f8.

Yet, in real life, this may not matter because your subject may often include a closer foreground near the border of the frame, or you will appreciate the main target on which you have focused to pop out in kind of a 3D effect.

It is my favorite landscape lens.
Here is a lanscape in Arequipa, Peru:
IMGP6272.jpg by Denis Bousquet, sur Flickr

Another sample in Angkor area, Cambodia:
Le grand bassin du Neak Pean by Denis Bousquet, sur Flickr

This one was in Corsica, at sunset:
IMGP4754.jpg by Denis Bousquet, sur Flickr
   
Senior Member

Registered: March, 2010
Location: Svealand
Posts: 172
Review Date: May 18, 2019 Recommended | Price: $417.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: rendering, small, build quality, built in hood, short focussing distance, quick-shift,
Cons: No starbursts
Sharpness: 9    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: Pentax K-5   

I earlier owned a DA 15mm Limited but I sold it. Missed it a lot but could not find one to by so I went for the HD Pentax-DA 15mm instead. It's a great lens that I strongly recommend but I do miss the starburst that the old 15mm had.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: December, 2013
Posts: 796

5 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 15, 2018 Recommended | Price: $430.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Small, sharp
Cons: No starbursts, filter thread behind retracted hood
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 7    Value: 8    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: KP, K-30   

This is an excelent wide angle lens, sharp and well corrected. The main advantage is it always fits in my bag. Perfectly complements the FA31, FA43, FA77 set or the DA18-135. I have only two problems with the lens. The first is the filter thread which is behind the retracted hood, so I can't use step up rings or a conventional lens cap. The other is the speed of the lens. F4 is slower than F2.8 on the DA*16-50 or F3.5 on the DA16-85. Altough the distorsion of the DA*16-50 is much worse than the distorsion of DA15 Ltd. I think the sharpness is good from corner to corner, but I think I never used the lens wide open after the testshots (there is the Da*16-50 for dark situations).
Sometimes I miss the sturbursts, which I see with the older not HD version.

Here are some examples:
IMG171104_0007 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr

IMG171229_0002 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr

IMG171229_0004 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr

IMG180331_0065 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
   
New Member

Registered: January, 2018
Posts: 1

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 6, 2018 Recommended | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: colors, distortion
Cons: difficult to mount a cokin filter(vigneting
Handling: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: k5iis   

Sorry for my bad englisch. I've got the Sigma 10-20 and I find it good, but it takes a lot of space and I found a HD 15 limited for sale. It's always on my camera and I have much less post production work to do. It's amazing. The only problem was when I tried to mount a Cokin filter to shoot landscape: The adaptor is impossible to fix because of the lens hood. So I had to screw another neutral filter and I got dark extrem corners. This lens is as good as written in the other reviews, but be aware of the problem of fixation system for filters.
   
Junior Member

Registered: July, 2016
Location: Alps
Posts: 35

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: April 29, 2018 Recommended | Price: $465.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: limited handling, rendition
Cons: corners/borders not sharp, screw cap
Sharpness: 7    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 8    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-3 II   

Awesome handling and great overall rendition, colors and contrast.
IQ is great in the center, not that much in corners/borders - understandable for a small and lightweight ultra wide.
Screw cap use is not that great - not a major issue.

Good lens that does not control my mind as some others
   
Senior Member

Registered: February, 2018
Location: Hérouville Saint Clair, Normandy, France
Posts: 143

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: February 15, 2018 Recommended | Price: $549.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Compact, sharp, light, well built
Cons: Not WR
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 9    New or Used: New    Camera Used: KP   

Almost perfect.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: November, 2014
Location: Newfoundland
Posts: 501

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: December 30, 2017 Recommended | Price: $550.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Size, Weight, Build Quality, Smooth Manual Focus, Rendering, Perspective, Razor Sharp when stopped down.
Cons: None
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K-5II   


A beautiful piece of finely crafted glass, the HD DA 15 completed my set of Limited's. It's priced very well compared to the DA 14 which is huge and heavy. I'm still learning to employ this lens for optimum effect but can say it is an absolute joy to shoot with. The HD DA 15 handy for large group photos too!
   
Veteran Member

Registered: April, 2014
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 935

10 users found this helpful
Review Date: November 2, 2016 Recommended | Price: $550.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharpness, flare resistance, small size
Cons: Maximum aperture f/4
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K-3   

What they say in the lens club is true-- the 15mm Limited CONTROLS MY MIND!!! Seriously. I've checked the stats on my photos, and half of the keepers, and half of my best-ever shots, were taken with the 15mm Limited.

It's sharp. It's not as sharp as my 14mm Rokinon, but that thing is giant and heavy, with a delicate front element, and doesn't have autofocus to boot. But don't get me wrong, the 15mm Limited is definitely still awesome sharp. I generally use it between f/7 and f/11.

The 15mm Limited is ridiculously flare-resistant. When it comes to lens flare, the 15mm is the Honey Badger. Shooting a wide-angle shot directly into the sun? The 15mm don't care. It doesn't give a . The 14mm Rokinon on the other hand, will give you all this blobby green lens flare, so you have to be super careful with it.

The 15mm Limited itself is tiny-- just a wee bit too big to be called a pancake-- and the lens cap screws on. This is brilliant. It is the perfect lens for scrambling around on rocks because its small size and low weight don't cause the camera to jerk around, and you KNOW the lens cap isn't going to fall off. With my 14mm Rokinon, I have to secure the camera to my back with multiple caribiners to keep it from flopping around, and even then, I'm nervous.

Why would you buy the 14mm Rokinon instead? If you want to do astrophotography (maximum aperture f/2.8 instead of f/4), if you value sharpness above all else, if you want a lens you'll definitely be able to use on full-frame, and if you really don't mind going through multiple copies to find one that isn't decentered. Otherwise, get the 15mm Limited. You won't be disappointed.

And here's another.

And another.

And another.

Did I ever mention that this lens controls my mind?
   
Junior Member

Registered: May, 2013
Posts: 47

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: September 13, 2016 Recommended | Price: $399.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Beautiful colours, contrast, sharpness also lightweight
Cons: none I can think of
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: k 30   

First of all, its a beautiful piece of equipment. Well made, lightweight aluminium material. Very small size so light weight to carry when on trails. The filter size is small as well, so filters are cheap.

Optically, lens is sharp. The contrast is better than DA 12-24 out of camera. Colours are true and bright.

The only drawback if any is that its a prime. So you have to take steps backward or forward while shooting landscapes, which may not be always possible. Plus you will not get to change the perspective.

But overall its a great lens if you want lightweight well made lens capable of producing best quality images, and you can play within the constraints of a prime lens.
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