How wide is wide?

3landerblue · Apr 21, 2005

I was just wondering what wide angle lenses you guys use?

What with the way that digital SlR's seem to 1.5 times the size of focal lenses, the availability of wide angle lenses seems to be a problem.

cheers 3LB

Lance B · Apr 21, 2005

3landerblue said:
I was just wondering what wide angle lenses you guys use?
What with the way that digital SlR's seem to 1.5 times the size of
focal lenses, the availability of wide angle lenses seems to be a
problem.

I have a Pentax DA14mm f2.8 which is 90 degrees, a Pentax SMC A 16mm f2.8 fisheye which gives about 105 degrees, a DA 16-45 zoom which gives a range from 83 degrees at it's widest and a Pentax SMC A 28mm f2.8 which is a slight bit wider than normal.

3landerblue said:
cheers 3LB

--
Lance B

Joele · Apr 21, 2005

I generally use my Sigma 20mm f1.8 as my wide angle lens, gives me 30mm which is a decent general use wide IMO...

I do plan to buy either the DA 14mm (21mm) or the announced DA 12-24 (18-36) for ultra wide, but I am in no rush. I am just going to wait and see how Pentax prices the 12-24 before I make any decisions....

------------
Joel - *ist DS/P30n/ME
http://www.pbase.com/joele

Joele · Apr 21, 2005

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------------
Joel - *ist DS/P30n/ME
http://www.pbase.com/joele

Joele · Apr 21, 2005

Just out of pure curiousity how does the Pentax 16mm fisheye compare to the Zenitar? I think Brett has the Zenitar doesn't he?

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Joel - *ist DS/P30n/ME
http://www.pbase.com/joele

JNR · Apr 21, 2005

As several folks have stated, the Zenitar fisheye is a very fine lens in most respects. A fisheye is a fine lens for particular situations. If you are on a tight budget, it is even adequate as a regular ultra-wide if you have the proper software and patience to make the corrections. For instance, I primarily use Picture Window Pro and its lens distortion correction tool is very easy, quick and good.

For the most part, the Zenitar performs optically better than my $500+ Sigma 15-30 (shooting into bright sunlight hitting the lens directly might be the only exception). Of course, some people object to an all-manual lens, but this really is not a problem with either the D or DS.

JNR

racehorse in the desert · Apr 21, 2005

I use the 16-45 and I also have a Sigma 15mm fisheye. But I am afraid that I am going to have to seriously look at the 12-24 when it becomes available. I frequently need a wider lens.
--
John Power
Racehorse in the Desert

'Life is too short to miss out on photography.'

barondla · Apr 21, 2005

I use a Pentax 15mm f 3.5A (works on film too), Pentax 24-35 f3.5A (also for film),a Pentax 16-45DA zoom (digital only-at least at the edges), and my widest lens - a pin hole lens I made on a body cap.It even has filter threads because I want to try pinhole infrared b&w. I want the Russian 8 or 16mm lens and probably the 12-24 Pentax. I don't think the 12mm will still be as wide as the 15mm on my film body. Oh well.
thanks
--
barondla

Godfrey · Apr 21, 2005

3landerblue said:
I was just wondering what wide angle lenses you guys use?
What with the way that digital SlR's seem to 1.5 times the size of
focal lenses, the availability of wide angle lenses seems to be a
problem.

Most of my photography tends to be in the "wide-normal" to "portrait telephoto" range, an FA28-105/3.2-4.5 lens is generally wide enough. For a little wider prime, the A24/2.8 is a good focal length. Wider than that I'm not as interested in until the field of view gets to about 90 across the diagonal, so I also have a Pentax DA14/2.8.

I have the DA16-45 too, but these are the ones I use most when I'm looking for wide.

Godfrey

Darren M · Apr 21, 2005

I have both the Zenitar and the Sigma EX 15-30 too. I like both, however, my experience is that the Sigma does give me better photos consistently. I am not typically an ultra-wide shooter, so I find my coverage enough for my tastes. That doesn't mean I won't consider the Pentax 12-24 when it becomes available though.

--

http://www.trekearth.com/members/Darren/photos/
http://www.darrenmelrose.com

Have camera, will travel

Lance B · Apr 21, 2005

Joele said:
Just out of pure curiousity how does the Pentax 16mm fisheye
compare to the Zenitar? I think Brett has the Zenitar doesn't he?

Yes, Brett does have the Zenitar and as far as I can see the Zenitar holds up fantastically compared to the Pentax. Brett and I haven't done a comparo, but from what I can see of it's image quality it is excellent AND exposure accuracy seems good too. I really only bought the Pentax as the opportunity had arisen, but I would have purchased the Zenitar no problem at all. I buy Pentax where I can, but I would make an exception in this case. I am hoping a FF DSLR comes along sometime.

The only drawback I can see with the Zenitar is that it is a little "agricultural" in some areas like the mount but it is still nicely made, focuses smoothly and the glass looks beautiful. I do not know how QC is and whether Brett received a good example or not, but his is a good lens for sure.

Joele said:
------------
Joel - *ist DS/P30n/ME
http://www.pbase.com/joele

--
Lance B

Joele · Apr 21, 2005

Lance B said:
The only drawback I can see with the Zenitar is that it is a little
"agricultural" in some areas like the mount but it is still nicely
made, focuses smoothly and the glass looks beautiful. I do not know
how QC is and whether Brett received a good example or not, but his
is a good lens for sure.

Thanks Lance,

I am happy with the Zenitar too, mine did need some modification as I couldn't focus to infinity, but it was easily fixed... I was just curious as to how much better the Pentax was as I have seen a shop that has it second hand, but it was rather expensive...

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Joel - *ist DS/P30n/ME
http://www.pbase.com/joele

Stig Vidar Hovland · Apr 22, 2005

barondla said:
edges), and my widest lens - a pin hole lens I made on a body
cap.It even has filter threads because I want to try pinhole

I would love to try this myself. Could you give us some more details - what diameter of the pin hole and what exposure times you get. And a photo you have taken with it would be nice

Stig Vidar Hovland

Brett St Pierre · Apr 22, 2005

Darren M said:
I have both the Zenitar and the Sigma EX 15-30 too. I like both,
however, my experience is that the Sigma does give me better photos
consistently. I am not typically an ultra-wide shooter, so I find
my coverage enough for my tastes. That doesn't mean I won't
consider the Pentax 12-24 when it becomes available though.

Darren, form a line behind me, I love either tele or ultra wides. With film SLR it was my Tamron SP17/3.5 that copped most of the workload but if the price is within a reasonable budget, the DA12-24 will certainly be in my kitbag

--
Brett

The Journey is the Thing

RyanSteele · Apr 22, 2005

Sigma 12-24mm, wide as all get out, forces you to use a tripod naturally though.

Lance B · Apr 22, 2005

Joele said:
Lance B said:

The only drawback I can see with the Zenitar is that it is a little
"agricultural" in some areas like the mount but it is still nicely
made, focuses smoothly and the glass looks beautiful. I do not know
how QC is and whether Brett received a good example or not, but his
is a good lens for sure.

Click to expand...

Thanks Lance,

I am happy with the Zenitar too, mine did need some modification as
I couldn't focus to infinity, but it was easily fixed... I was just
curious as to how much better the Pentax was as I have seen a shop
that has it second hand, but it was rather expensive...

As a matter of interest, how much? Mine cost me EU350, so about AU$580+freight. The Pentax is a beautiful lens though.

Joele said:
------------
Joel - *ist DS/P30n/ME
http://www.pbase.com/joele

--
Lance B

Joele · Apr 22, 2005

Lance B said:
As a matter of interest, how much? Mine cost me EU350, so about
AU$580+freight. The Pentax is a beautiful lens though.

It was at Michaels in the city, I can't remember the exact price as there were a few interesting and expensive Pentax lenses there that caught my attention, I am certain it was around $1000 (just over I think).

I don't know if that is a good indication of what they're worth or not as Michaels are generally very expensive especially their Pentax second hand lenses.

------------
Joel - *ist DS/P30n/ME
http://www.pbase.com/joele

Lance B · Apr 22, 2005

Joele said:
Lance B said:

As a matter of interest, how much? Mine cost me EU350, so about
AU$580+freight. The Pentax is a beautiful lens though.

Click to expand...

It was at Michaels in the city, I can't remember the exact price as
there were a few interesting and expensive Pentax lenses there that
caught my attention, I am certain it was around $1000 (just over I
think).

That's over the top! I've seen a few on ebay for much less than that in US$ or Euro terms. From what I've seen of their prices they are all well over the top.

For that price there is no question as to what I would get and that is the Zenitar.

Joele said:
I don't know if that is a good indication of what they're worth or
not as Michaels are generally very expensive especially their
Pentax second hand lenses.

------------
Joel - *ist DS/P30n/ME
http://www.pbase.com/joele

--
Lance B

Godfrey · Apr 22, 2005

RyanSteele said:
Sigma 12-24mm, wide as all get out, forces you to use a tripod
naturally though.

I'm not a fan of Sigma lenses overall and have seen some pretty mediocre results from that lens ... aside from the fact that it's a large and heavy lumpkin. So far, 14mm is proving wide enough for me, but I'll look at the Pentax DA12-24 when it becomes available.

Godfrey

I.G. · Apr 22, 2005

barondla said:
...and my widest lens - a pin hole lens I made on a body cap.

Wow! Any samples to share?

-= Ivan =-

How wide is wide?

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