Decent wide angle lens

I agree that the DA15mm Ltd is a very useful wide angle lens. Being small and light it can be carried in a pocket and gives a useful extension of range to a general purpose zoom. Also most zooms are not at their best at the widest setting so the improved quality of the DA15 is very noticeable. It also has remarkable resistance to flare which can be a problem with the wide zooms.

The US forum has just published in depth comparative reviews of the Pentax 12-24, both versions of the Sigma 10-20 (which are optically quite different), Tamron 10-24mm, and full-frame Sigma 12-24mm. The review includes full size samples. It's interesting to see the completely different distortion characteristics of the old and new Sigma 10-20s.

All the lenses score well; the Pentax and newer Sigma come second, with the full frame Sigma 12-24mm just sneaking ahead of them - I guess there's a sweet-spot advantage on APSC. Fairly big chunk of glass to lug around though...

I'd take a DA15mm over any of them anyday!

If by landscapes you really do mean "land" (mountains, etc.), then I would agree.

But for townscapes, the wider the better, so long as perspective isn't distorted. That's where the Pentax 12-24 really shines.

G

I agree - I rarely need to go to 12mm for landscapes but the 12-24 was really useful a few months ago when I was in Rome. It allowed me to get buildings and statues etc into shot where stepping back wasn't an option.

Totally with you there (as does the 12-24mm Sigma) but from the sound of it OP is asking about landscapes. He would also get a lot more use out of a 16-45mm. From his description of where he lives it sounds like he's in the middle of nowhere anyway

Indeed. As he doesn't specify a location it's not clear whether he's a Norfolk boy or a Texan.

If the former, a super-wide wide-angle would actually be great to capture those enormous skies.

OP, my portfolio page has a couple of town pictures taken with the 12-24.

George's portfolio

G

Forgot to say that I have a picture of the DA15 next to the Sigma 10-20 here.

I wonder if the original poster might chip in with some feedback as to whether the advice has been useful? It also occurred to me we don't know how wide his current widest lens is and that the lenses being discussed might be too wide?

Good article on the US website by the way, thank you!