Pentax DA 12-24 or Sigma

One more thread here ,I am not sure it has been discussed before
I need your expert opinions/experience to choose a ultra wide angle lens for K20d.
Pentax DA 12-24 mm link or a Sigma 10-20 mm link. Sigma is approx £ 100 less than Pentax 12-24 while pentax lacks the 2mm at the wind angle side.
regards
Vikram

It has been discussed many times. There are quite a few people who have had problems or are unhappy with the Sigma but the Pentax has more or less universal approval.

The Pentax 12-24mm is an excellent lens, very sharp, nice image quality and almost distortion free.

Last discussed here.

I, and many others, are more than happy with our Sigmas, although there do seem to be problem ones, or people that seem to have a problem with all the ones they've tried.

If you look at the sample pic I've uploaded on that thread, you'll see the lens is capapble of far greater quality than Richard Day experienced.

I really must get round to trying out the Pentax 12-24, just to see how it compares to the Sigma. Not that I would change it, it's a focal length range that I rarely use, and the Sigma's great, but it would be nice to be able to do a comparison.

Dan

I too have the Sigma. I have a good one luckily. I too use it infrequently so can't justify the extra expense of the Pentax. Plus I got my Sigma for a really good price.

Thanks John, Daniel and Gwyn for the info and sharing your experiences.
regards
Vikram

One more vote for the DA12-24 here

I'll pop over sometime in the New Year if you like and you can try them out?

Back to the OP, the main problem in comparing them is that no-one ( has both so we all like the one we have, if you see what I mean! I am very happy with my new 12-24, but then I never tried the Sigma. I find that I rarely use it at 12mm, but I do often use it at about 14mm. Perhaps I should have got the DA 14mm prime instead or as well...

Cheers, Kris.

I tried both at SRS (and they were very patient!).
As it was my birthday, my financial controller (and much loved wife ) allowed me to spend the extra and buy the Pentax 12-24. IMHO it's a much nicer lens than the Sigma - more compact and better built (I'm not experienced enough yet to comment on the optics, but pics I have taken with this lens have amazed me, especialy compared to the kit 18-55mm at similar zoom setting). However, I have to say that for the money the Sigma would seem to be really very good. Hope this little personal reflection helps.

Cheers hefty1, Kris and El Dingo for your helpful words.
regards
Vikram

Finally ordered a DA 12-24 mm today, after comparing it with sigma 10-20 mm.Thank you all for sharing your thoughts.
Wish you all the best.

Did you manage to get a good price Vikram ?

Hi Bob Ordered from SRS microsystem for £499 ,with cashback it will be 449
Here in birmingham did not see it in jacobs, calumet or jessops. I was offered nikon and canon lens instead