HD PENTAX-DA 15mmF4ED AL Limited

[Zoom] Wide-zoom | Standard-zoom | Tele-zoom | High-zoom  
[Fixed-focal] Wide angle | Standard | Telephoto | Macro

The smc DA Limited series for K-mount has been updated to the HD DA Limited series. As the name says, this lens has the HD coating that reduces reflection and improves clarity, meaning it's more tolerant to backlight. In addition, it has a round-shaped diaphragm. Although there's no change in the lens construction, appearance, and the size, the weight was reduced to 189g from 212g. The 23g difference may not sound like a lot, but I figure this weight loss wasn't easy. When wide open, some loss of image quality is noticeable around the corners. But, it's no problem because we stop down with an ultra wide angle lens. Actually, by stopping down just by 1 to 2 step dramatically increases the resolution throughout the frame.

( Photography : Z II / Text : KIMURAX )

I stopped down to F8 and it's sharp to the corners. And, the strong perspective is a specialty of a wide lens.

Although F4 sounds modest, this is a HD-coated prime lens with higher clarity. The great tonal balance worked to capture the tonal difference even in the shadow.

Despite the high contrast, the tonal rage looks wide even in the shadow on the tree of the left. And, the image looks so clear just like the real scene. If I look meticulously, I notice distortion although it's very well corrected considering the focal length.

I could get closer, but I utilized the wideness to embrace the whole environment.

I didn't include the sun, but there's no flare. The soft corner depiction wide open is unique to a wide lens. It's never loose, but gentle. The bokeh can get quirky depending on the distance, but it looks emotive to me.

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( 21.05.2015 )