12-24mm or 15mm

Hi
Just about to make a purchase and cannot decide between the Pentax 12-24mm or the 15mm ED AL. What would you guys go for??

Unless you really cannot handle the size difference, for me it's the 12-24 everytime as it is a lot more versatile. The difference between 12mm and 15mm is a lot more than you think!

After reading many reviews(I was in the same situation!).....I would go for the 12/24!....A wider range for 1....and the 15mm seems to be weak on overall sharpness,reported "soft " corners.....good luck...Ken

The 12-24 is fantastic, It is the only lens I have never considered selling or trading. Am sure the 15mm has its fans but while its IQ can compete with the 12-25 it cannot compete on flexibility.
Just noticed there is a Samsung 12-24 in the classified (same as Pentax 12-24) for £400 odd, a bargain IMHO.
If you want to see some sample images with the 12-24, say the word.

Davex.

For me it would be the 12-24. Apart from the size, the 15 doesn't hold any advantage for me either in IQ or speed.

If IQ or speed are a requirement for you, then I would think about the 14mm.

Kim

Richard there's a Samsung 12-24 for sale on here at the moment for a good price. See Duncanm's post.

Another one for sale here

I went through the same thought process and the only advantage I could see to the 15mm was the smaller size - I bought the 12-24 (Samsung version) and it's a terrific lens

Simon

I would go for the Sigma 10-20

the 12-24 is just lovely, the Sigma 10-20 is like all sigmas in comparison - cheap, nasty, and distorted. My 12-24 was the first "proper" lens I bought, and I've never regretted it once, it continues to be my favourite and default pentax lens.

I agree, better bang for buck than the 12-24mm! At 12mm it is pretty distortion free and plenty sharp. Most comparisons compare the Sigma at 10mm to the Pentax at 12mm, which is unfair! I was satisfied enough with the Sigma at 15mm to banish all thoughts of the DA15mm!

The new 8-16mm bests both lenses though, if you don't mind a bulbous front element. A while back it was available for £380 new from SRS!

I also agree, the Sigma 10-20 is well worth a look. I bought mine after much research back when the 12-24 didn't cost a million pounds. Now the 12-24 is so much more expensive it should be an even easier decision

Not sure what Flossie is referring to, the 10-20 seems pretty well built to me, and the distortion is something lots of people talk about but very few can demonstrate. One of the regulars here posted the definitive shot of the peculiar distortion a while back, Daniel Bridge I think (or was it MattMatic?). It's really nothing to get worried about as it only appears at 10 and 11mm, and is really only noticeable if you have a completely flat horizon like in a seascape.

I must admit I couldn't get on with the Sigma, I owned the 10-20 for a few months but didn't like the distortion (wasn't too impressed with colour rendition either) and sold it to fund the 12-24mm which personally I think is a far better lens - it should be for the money difference though!!

Simon

Seem's like everybody favours the 12-24mm then over the straight 15mm. Used a 28mm over the weekend at Kew Gardens and also had a 12-24mm with me on hire from SRS. Was amazed at the difference between the two of them. Couldn't get over how far away things looked and how much you fit in with the 12-24 if that makes any sense

Another vote for the DA12-24 which has the best IQ in this range. Unless size is the overwhelming priority and then the DA15 of course.

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