Improvement over my Vivitar 28mm

Hi Guys

I have spent several hours looking at reviews etc etc

Problem is I want to obtain a lens a bit wider that my Vivitar 28mm f2.8, I would prefer a prime and af is optional but the more I look the worse it seems to get.

Can anyone advise which lens say between 10 and 24 mm has the best overall performance in terms of distortion, sharpness, ca's etc.

As I don't seem to be able to answer how much better any given lens may be compared to the Viv I am thinking of renting one or more before buying but feel the experience of other here could be very useful prior to trying this out.

I plan to use the lens mainly for landscapes, seascapes with little chance of architectural, street photography.

Any suggestions guys as I am getting a tad confused/ frustrated

Chhers


Stu

Do you want to use it on film and the K10D ?

I'm not sure which Vivitar 28 you've got. I had several and were brand new. Both were pin sharp, sharper than the Pentax 28 but unfortunately both fell to pieces after relatively little use and had to get refunds on them! They both became unglued at the mount.

I wouldn't like to recommend a particular lens other than suggest looking at the Pentax 12-24, or Sigmas 8-16 or 10-20 or a Pentax prime within that range.

John

Personally I try out the Pentax DA 12-24 if your main intended use is digital. It is an excellent lens, very sharp and minimal distortions (by which I mean barrel and pincushion distortions, not the "stretching" effect one gets at very wide angles).

Best, Kris.

Thanks for the responses

I have the Vivitar 28mm f2.8 with the serial number beginning 28 which I think is the Komine version.

The lens itself is nice and sharp around f8 being the best but all the traits I find in this lens around f2-8/ f.11 etc appear to also apply to newer lenses.

I appreciate that we can't change physics but I hope to find something as sharp as possible with the least amount of other IQ problems.

I doubt that I will use film but would prefer the option if possible.

Not sure about zooms as the zooms I have I find myself using them close or at their sweet spot anyway so find myself better suited to primes

I was fairly well sold on the Pentax 15mm but then spotted a review of the Samyang 15mm and all bar the distortions it seems to be a cracker then of course confusion besets my tiny brain

Sorry I meant the 14mm Samyang not 15mm - my brain is fried