Photozone review of the Pentax 15 f/4 Limited

[rparmar]

<p>The DA12-24 is precisely why I do not need the DA15. I am a prime person, but in this rare instance would rather have the freedom of choice that focal range offers than be limited (no pun intended) to 15mm. That's not a focal length that would jump out at me as being essential to my kit. When I do need ultra-wide for interiors, streets etc. the extra 3mm is essential. The rest of the time I'd be shooting at 24mm often as not. With the DA15 I'd be swapping lenses too much.</p>

<p>For those who prioritise the size of the lens, obviously the DA15 is a better choice. And for those who need an extra stop there's the DA14. It's nice to have choice.</p>

<p>To clear up the confusion, here are the close focus measurements for these lenses:<br>

DA12-24 = 30cm<br>

DA14 = 17cm<br>

DA15 = 18cm</p>

[jgredline]

<p>I also got this lens last week, though I have not used it yet. Waiting for the weekend to give it a proper go. In the end what endeared me to it was it's small size. That little guy coupled with my K20D with no grip is the perfect street cam (I think).. Since I have been spending more and more time with some other shutterbugs here in L.A. it amazes me how their mindset is on big. The canikon boys ''seem'' to prefer the larger lenses because to many of them it is about appearance. No kidding...Here i am trying to put together a smaller street cam set up and then these guys break out with these 12 lb systems (exaggeration, but you know what I mean) and then try and go on these street shoots with me....Here I am taking the Pentax strap of my cameras as well as the Nikon strap and replacing them with plain black ones just to try and look less professional....I take off the hoods when I can as to make the cam look less impressive and even took a sharpie to my Pentax K20D and blacked out the Pentax so it does not stand out like a sore thumb....I carry no bag and look like a tramp most of the time...(My wife even calls me her tramp, as in ''Lady and the Tramp :-8 )....Anyway, I think the lens will kick butt...</p>

[les_lammers]

<p>Mr. G,<br>

I think I saw you last week...do you remember the dude that put a dime in your lens cap?<br>

:-)</p>

[lance_blackburn1]

<p>Hi Michael Elenko,<br>

The 300mm comment is the minimum focus distance of the lens and that is measured <strong><em>from the sensor plane</em></strong> not the front of the lens. When you want to get those dramatic close-up-foreground-subject matter-to-distant-background-subject matter shots, the DA12-24 can be quite limiting, especially when there is that 12mm end that should lend itself to this quite dramatically but it is limited.</p>

 

[bob_rapp1]

<p>This lens is definitely next on the list to buy. The major strengths are low CA and distortion. The distortion is barrel only and is so minor that it may not be an issue - plus the resolution loss when correcting means that there is little resolution loss compared to the zooms that cover this focal lenght. Weaknesses are vignetting and the f4 max aperture, which makes this lens a f8-11 optic.<br>

Aside from that, what lens from any manufacturer offers better overall performance in the APS-C market than this little gem?</p>

[jgredline]

<p>This lens kicks Butt!!!Took it out today set it on manual focus aT f/8 and never missed a single shot and sharp as a tack. No auto focus needed with this baby :) Maybe at F/4 though...NA..</p>

[les_lammers]

<p>The only thing about the hood that bugs me is that, apparently, you cannot fit a Cokin adapter on the lens because of the petal protrusion. I want to use graduated ND filters but I am not sure about the adapter fit.</p>

[lance_blackburn1]

<p>Les Lammers said:<br>

"The only thing about the hood that bugs me is that, apparently, you cannot fit a Cokin adapter on the lens because of the petal protrusion. I want to use graduated ND filters but I am not sure about the adapter fit."<br>

This is one thing I am concerned about, too. I may have to make something up to adapt my Cokin ND grad system to the DA15.<br>

The other brilliant thing about the DA15 is it's flare control. Hrer is a shot taken with the sun <strong><em>in the frame</em></strong> in the top right corner of this photo. It has been obviously blown out, but there is basically no flare:<br>

<img src="http://ic2.pbase.com/o2/21/489821/1/118542989.gjhgKfkr.IMGP0521.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p> </p>

[hagar]

<p>Lance.. clearly that's an area that does not cause much flare.. taken with the DA 12-24 :-)</p><div></div>

[lance_blackburn1]

<p>Haig,</p>

<p>Not quite as a dramatic indication of flare resistance as there is quite a lot of cloud obscuring the sun, whereas in my shot the sun is<strong><em> fully</em></strong> in the top right corner. Having said that, all Pentax lenses usually have good flare resistance as they all employ the Pentax coatings and your shot also shows the value of those coatings.</p>

<p>Looking at your profile, I see you are from Scottsdale, Arizona, but I also see many Australian photos posted from you on this forum. Are you still here is Australia?</p>

[hagar]

<p>I just got back 2 days ago.. that shot is from my trip last year. My response was more or less tongue in cheek.. just couldn't resist posting an almost identical shot :-)<br>

I suspect I have more photos of NSW than most Australians.. certainly in excess of 7K..</p>

[lance_blackburn1]

<p><strong><em>You said</em></strong>:<br>

I just got back 2 days ago.. that shot is from my trip last year.<br>

<strong><em>My response:</em></strong><br>

Aha. I see. It is a shame I didn't realise earlier as I would have liked to have met up with you.<br>

<strong><em>You said:</em></strong><br>

My response was more or less tongue in cheek.. just couldn't resist posting an almost identical shot :-)<br>

<strong><em>My response:</em></strong><br>

Understood. I also have a not too disimilar shot taken with the DA12-24. There is no doubting that the DA12-24 also has excellent flare resistance.<br>

<strong><em>You said:</em></strong><br>

I suspect I have more photos of NSW than most Australians.. certainly in excess of 7K..<br>

<strong><em>My response:</em></strong><br>

I would suggest that you are quite correct! :-) I have quite a few of NSW myself, but they are mainly of Sydney, the South Coast, Kosciusko, The Blue Mountains and the Southern Highlands, but that is mainly it. </p>

[hagar]

<p>That would have been cool Lance.. I had no idea you were in or around Sydney. I didn't mosey around too much this time, but last year I went up to Wauchope and spent a few delightful days around Port Macquarie, Crescent head, etc.. I also took a short trip to Cowra, and the Japanese gardens there.. was lucky enough to see some of the cherry blossoms, and enjoy the flowering canola fields on the way.</p>

[david_thorpe]

<p>I had the 15mm and the 12-24. I have now sold the 15. Basically, I found myself using the zoom in preference because it was so much sharper.<br>

I tried 3 examples of the 15 before buying and they were all pretty much the same. I would have kept the 15 for its distortion free and pleasing colour drawing nature but given that I can dial out CA and the (small amount) of barrel distortion on the zoom, the small size alone did not, for me, merit keeping the 15mm.<br>

I have other Pentax prime lenses and they are excellent, especially the 70mm f2.4. I bought the 15 before the 12-24 and was astonished that the zoom could be so much sharper than the prime.<br>

For me, no contest. I wasn't happy being forced to stop down to f8 to get sharpness to match the kit lens. A prime at this price level should be distortion free AND razor sharp.<br>

On the plus side, I bought it before all the last price rises and sold it for a £10 profit!</p>

<p> </p>