HD Pentax-DA Fish-eye 10-17mm F3.5-4.5

Conclusion

Fisheye lenses are certainly not mainstream. Still, they open up creative possibilities that are hard to match with more traditional lenses.

The HD Pentax-DA 10-17mm Fisheye lens is a worthy upgrade to the earlier SMC version, without much of a price premium. In addition to improved coatings, the new lens also features a removable hood. This allows full frame users to create almost circular images when the hood is removed, expanding the usefulness of the 10-17mm.

The lens uses the older screw-drive AF system which produces a moderate amount of noise. AF using the viewfinder is excellent, fast, and responsive. Using live view, it remains reliable but is noticeably slower.

Optically, the lens performs well, within its intrinsic limitations. In the center, sharpness is for the most part excellent at all focal lengths. Edges and corners are harder than usual to evaluate but the lens generally delivers better results at wider focal lengths.

Distortion is a feature and not a flaw of this lens. Used properly, it can enhance scenes and create unique results. At 17mm, distortion is not absent but kept under control, closer to a traditional lens.

Chromatic aberrations are mostly absent but purple fringing is present at all apertures, particularly at wider focal lengths. Vignetting is also visible on uncorrected images. Corrections are easy to apply in post-processing for these flaws, which should be of little impact in everyday use. Flare, on the other hand, is impressively controlled, especially for such a short focal length.

Rendering is typical for a Pentax lens. Colors are rich, slightly warm, and there is a lot of detail in the shadows and transitions are pleasantly gradual.

Pros

• Small and light
• Unique imaging capabilities of a Fisheye
• Excellent center sharpness at all apertures
• Surprisingly good bokeh
• Can be used on full frame to create almost circular images
• Fast AF using the viewfinder
• Well-controlled flare and ghosting
• No chromatic aberrations
• Able to create beautiful starbursts

Cons

• Strong vignetting
• Purple fringing present at all apertures
• Soft corners at longer focal lengths

Pricing

The HD DA 10-17mm Fisheye sells for $499.95 in October 2019.

Rating

Ratings are format-specific. Handling will be influenced by the lens dimensions and weight, in particular for smaller APS-C camera bodies. Rating on full frame refers only to the lens’ ability to create circular images. There is no distortion rating, because in this case distortion is not a flaw but a desired feature.

APS-C

Full frame

Who is it For

A fisheye lens will always be a niche product. Users interested in exploring the possibilities offered by this kind of lens will be well served by the HD DA 10-17mm.

The Bottom Line

In some ways, the HD version of the DA 10-17mm Fisheye is similar to its SMC sibling. However, the improved coatings have a real impact on flare, and the removable hood is more than a novelty, as it creates a new market for the lens, that of full frame users who are interested in the genuinely unique semi-circular images it creates.

Be sure to check the user reviews or post your own if you already own this lens.