I want to go wide-angle again ?

I use the 17-28mm wide angle zoom on my Z-1, and really loved the 17mm end. It was my 'main' lens on the camera. I now have the DS digital and miss the wide shots I used to get. What lens would give the equivalent of the 17-28mm, on the DS, the 10-17mm or the 12-24mm zoom ?

Quick answer: 12-24mm
That'll give approx 18mm-36mm rectilinear. It's a great lens

The 10-17 is a fisheye. At the 10mm end it has 180 degree angle of view on the *ist-D series

However, I have also found the 16-45mm to be extremely usable on the *ist-D. In fact, it focuses closer than the 12-24mm and has a different "feel" to it altogether.

Best bet is to try them

Matt

The 17-28mm Pentax lens for film cameras is a fisheye at the wide end in exactly the same way that the 10-17mm is for the digital bodies.

These lenses are of the same character, so to speak.

The Sigma 10-20mm is also worthy of consideration - it's the 35mm film equivalent of 15-30mm. I've been very impressed with mine so far.

Some examples:

I like my 10-17 fisheye!!!!
I like it a lot!

Nice pics Niblue, make fisheyes tempting.

Just in case you hadn't realised, you've got a blob of dirt on your sensor - just above the cows ear/to the side of the lady's head, in fact on all three pics once you know where to look!

Time to read all those "cleaning your sensor" threads...

Anyway, having done some building shots for an architect recently, I've been tempted by the 12-24, the 16-45 wasn't wide enough sometimes. I even considered using FILM and my 18-35, but couldn't face the scanning!

Cheers,
Dan

The Sigma isn't a fisheye - it's just very, very wide!

Cheers - hadn't noticed that before. I'll attack it with the blower tonight.

I must admit I am leaning toward the 10-17, the 17-28mm on my Z-1 was also a fish-eye at 17mm,with an angle of view of 180°, so I know what to expect. Next question, best place to get one ? Anyone know of a reliable shop in Central Scotland ? Should I go mail order or internet ? I don't mind paying a little extra to get it in the local area, the only luck I seem to have mail-order is bad luck. I may ask for a 'price' from the local "High S.t" guy ?

You could try Jessops or Park Cameras, both reliable mail order or in their store(s).

Or try www.pricerunner.com to get some comparisons, if they list the item you want.

Ooh, even more tempting, especially with the extra couple of mm compared to the Pentax. Perhaps I'll have a glance at some websites...

Cheers,
Dan

My wife has just bought me one of the 10-17 fisheyes so I'll be able to compare it with the Sigma 10-20 later this week when she gets back. Anyone know of some online example pictures so I know what to expect?

She's in Singapore and was trying to source me a 16-45 but couldn't locate one. The place had the 12-24 or the 10-17 though so I went for the latter. I was very tempted by the 12-24 though as it was at the equivalent of about £400 - the 16-45 would have been about £200!

Galoot - where abouts in Central Scotland are you? It might be possible to meet up (I'm in Edinburgh) if you want to try the Pentax 10-17 & Sigma 10-20 before you decide what to buy.

Your wife went to Singapore to buy you a lens! now that's what I call love!

my Gerri woulda taken me with her and got the lens!

My wife has been away on what she calls work and what I call a jolly. Make your own mind up - getting paid (including all expenses) to spend a couple of weeks completing your PADI open water dive certification on an idylic Malaysian island, plus visiting the rain forest and a few days shopping in Singapore - work or jolly?

The lens is part payment for all the brownie points I've earned being a single parent while she's away...

She's doing the trip again next year so I have to decide what lens I want that trip!

Did you ever do the comparison between the Pentax and Sigma lenses?

Nick