14mm f2.8 ?

Does anybody have one of these and can give an opinion of image quality vs, say 12-24? Not so bothered at f2.8 end but at optimum f8ish for landscapes

Thanks

Kevin

I don't have one of these either but I did at one time think about buying one because its looks like a good lens for landscapes. However I was put off by this review:

http://www.ephotozine.com/equipment/tests/testdetail.cfm?test_id=385

I have to agree with the review about the cost of this lens. It does seem to be over priced althougth shopping around can give a substatintial cost reduction on the list price (£699), like £480 here:

http://www.fotosense.co.uk/Pentax_SMC_14mm_f28_DA_ED_IF_Lens.asp?productID=932&a...

Glyn

Don't know anything about the 14, but the 12-24 is absolutely amazing for a zoom lens. Distortion small enough that you can ignore it, flare amazingly well controloed (tested with a photo directly into the sun, no flare at all), for a modern lens pretty solid. Note I said "for a modern lens".

You'll have to take off the hood when using an on-camera flash, but since I use a Strobaframe with an old Vivitar 285, it's not an issue for me.

Love the lens.

There is one on ebay right now

I wouldn't pay too much attention to Ephotozine, or the person who wrote the review. His "Wild about Kent" website is ridiculous.

However, I would echo Mr Dent's view that the 12-24 would be a better bet for many people, given its quality, wider angle, and greater flexibility.

And if British prices are too high - import.

George

I've decided to ignore Mr.Andrews's tests and test results completely. In his review of the DA 40mm Ltd. he found the lens disappointing and even I, who had had my first Dslr for only a few months then ( with a DA 40mm Ltd mounted on it ;D ) could tell what a spectacular perfomer the lens was. He couldn't see it from his own test photos - or had decided not to.

Which I won, thank goodness. A snip at £450.

I am looking forard to receiving the lens today. Anyone else using this lens and can comment on it? This will become my main landscape lens alongside the 21mm DA which I will also be purchasing at some point.

Andy
www.andymcinroy.com

well done, I was tempted to bid for it myself, it sat at £300 for quite a while. Nice pics on your web site.

Ken

I was looking at the auction too but £450 is too rich for my blood, especially considering that a brand new one is €684 at Technik Direkt (around £470).

Reuben0

Reuben,

Too true, it wasn't exactly a snip but I think my early bid perhaps bluffed people into thinking that I was prepared to go higher. £450 was my limit so the last 30seconds were anxious moments. The lens is brand new however and still in it's original packaging so I've got a new lens £20 under the best European price.

First impressions of this lens is that it's built like a tank compared to my wobbly 16-45mm. It inspires confidence and I'm sure that the optical quality will match.

Andy

Well it worked with me, I was well and truly scared off !!

Congratulations on your new lens

Reuben0

I have a PENTAX SMC-DA 14mm f/2.8 and I rate it highly! I really appreciate the 'drawing' quality as well as it sharpness and control of flare and distortion. The image below shows the amount of distortion you can expect (bottom right corner) which to my mind is excellent, after all there isn't an ultra-wide angle lens around that wont distort in the corners (the secret is to compose your photos with empty corners).

Anyway here's an image I took with it while in NYC and with it mounted on my *ist D at 1/640sec; f/8 at ISO200. I wish people could see the hi-res file, the amount of detail is hugely impressive.





Simon

Excellent photo, great composition. The picture seems to actually move!

Great choice of subject!