Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens
A high performance ultra wide lens for their digital SLR cameras, the Pentax smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited provides the very best of optical performance in a little piece of camera jewelry for those demanding both the best images and the tiniest of packages. Like all of the Limited line, it comes in a distinct all-metal lens barrel and takes 49mm filters. Weighing under half a pound, it adds a different perspective to your premium kit.
The smc-DA ED AL's fit and finish is on par with the best in the world, and the optical system combines a 7-bladed aperture diaphragm with a hybrid aspherical lens element, an element of ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) glass, and Pentax's SP (Super Protect) external water and dirt-repelling lens coating for deliciously snappy results, even at f/4. This isn't a common mid-class zoom lens; it is truly created to be used effectively at its maximum f/4.0 aperture. The 86° field of view is equivalent to a 23mm lens in the old 35mm terms.
Note! Not compatible with "full frame" cameras.
- Sharp, crisp image reproduction, even at the maximum aperture
- Hybrid aspherical lens element & element of ED glass
- Rugged, elegant aluminum lens barrel
- Non-rotating front lens element
- Built-in retracting lens hood
- 49mm Filter thread
- Practical depth of field scale (for all full apertures) engraved right on the body
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length |
15 mm Comparable APS-C Focal Length: 23 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/4 Minimum: f/22 |
| Camera Mount Type | Pentax K |
| Format Compatibility | Pentax Digital (APS-C) |
| Angle of View | 86° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 7.1" (18 cm) |
| Magnification | 0.15x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:6.6 |
| Groups/Elements | 6/8 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 49 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 2.5 x 1.58" (6.35 x 4.01 cm) |
| Weight | 7.47 oz (212 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 82 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
97%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Lightweight (65)
- Strong construction (57)
- Durable (43)
- Fast / accurate auto-focus (41)
- Consistent output (31)
Cons
- Poor in low light (14)
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (70)
- Weddings (15)
- Night photography (10)
- Low light (9)
- Street photography (7)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (62)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (49), Semi-pro photographer (14), Casual photographer (10)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great compact ultrawide-angle lens
I've been using the DA Limiteds 15mm f/4 and 35mm f/2.8 macro exclusively lately. They make an excellent pair together with the new K-7. Design and build quality are first-rate. Compact...Read complete review
I've been using the DA Limiteds 15mm f/4 and 35mm f/2.8 macro exclusively lately. They make an excellent pair together with the new K-7. Design and build quality are first-rate. Compact in size but both feel very substantial because of the all-metal construction. Auto-focus is very fast on both lenses, even in dim light. They have a very solid feel and noise when auto-focusing. Manual focus override is very easy and smooth on both lenses. One has to experience it to really appreciate it. Uncomparable to the light and flimsy focus ring of most modern AF lenses. The built-in lens hoods are very practical, although the resistance to flare on both lenses are superlative in backlighting situation. I've used the standard-size B+W Kaesemann polarizer (not the slim-thickness) on the DA 15mm and there's no sign of vignetting whatsoever. The ultra wide-angle nature of the DA 15mm can create an unevenness of blue sky when used with a polarizer in certain situation. All current 5 Pentax DA Limited as well as all 3 FA Limited lenses has a uniform 49mm filter-thread. This is truly practical in terms of exchanging expensive polarizer (or any filter) among those lenses.
I've never used any protector or UV filter for any of my DA & FA Limited lenses, and no one should either. Pentax lens coating is really tough, it can withstand rough treatment. It seems impossible to make a scratch to the front element. The screw-in metal lens cap of the DA 15mm is unpractical for a frequent use, therefore I immediately replaced it with a B+W snap-on lens cap which is also finely-built. Both the DA 15mm & 35mm Limiteds have an ideal size, not too thin (like the other DA's 21, 40 and 70), but also not too big. They really feel solid and nice to handle. All of this would be meaningless if the image quality is just so-so. Fortunately, the imaging quality is also first-rate, very well-behaved with such a beautiful and subtle colour transmission and tonality. Having and using these great Pentax prime limited lenses should be an experience most photographer will treasure, even if he/she's not into Pentax platform. Just try it, for me there's no turning back to lesser lenses anymore. Very highly recommended.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Disappointed
I was very excited to receive this lens after reading many glowing reviews from various equipment sites. After receiving was a different story. I found the lens sharpnes horrible except in the center. I...Read complete review
I was very excited to receive this lens after reading many glowing reviews from various equipment sites. After receiving was a different story. I found the lens sharpnes horrible except in the center. I had to stop down to f/11 to get any sharpnes around the center. I also had to fine tune the lens in my Pentax K7 to get sharpness but even then the adjustment numbers varied widely from day to day. I might have had a bad copy but at this price there should not be any.
Reviewed by 82 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
Must have. Sharp, contrast, great colors,small, light weight, and did I mention its a must have. The only con is this lens will is a gateway to pentax prime addiction. Got to get them all.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
I don't have wide angle lens(widest is 21mm le, or the fisheye), with this lens I can shoot something different; ultra-wide with different from or perspective, it's nice.
What I like:
- It's a solid lens in terms of build quality, I love it.
- Super compact lens.
- The center sharpness is incredible even from wide open.
- The starburst is lovely.
- Good for outdoor landscape and indoor party situation(maybe a bit slow sometime in door with only F4).
What I dislike:
- The border sharpness at wide open is not sharp enough. (but I do understand this is a trade off for such a small ultra wide pancake lens)
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Lightweight
- Small size
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Adventure Photography
- Closeups
- Landscape/Scenery
- Pets
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
The 15mm focal length is really FUN to use, this lens especially because it doesn't distort like a fish eye, so you can get some really interesting perspectives. For my work it needs to look realistic and this is about as wide as you can go without getting the commical exagerated look of a fish eye.
The small form factor and solid construction of this lens are awesome.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Filter issue
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
This lens stands for the struggle between David an Goliath. It´s so tiny and doesn´t offend people on the street which you´re about to photograph compared to a heavyweight zoom lens. This is why I´ve bought it.
It´s image quality is quite impressive. The only downsides are it´s incompatibility to square filters such as the Cokin A-system. The lenshood does not allow you to screw in the standard Cokin adaptor-ring. In forums there is mentioned you could use an empty filter-ring (no glass) or an UV-Filter to extend the distance between rear edge of the filter and the lenshood. But that might come with some vignetting.
Screw-On-Lens cap: Don´t think about it one minute, get the snap on-cap from B&H. The screw-in is made by means of the limited concept but is absolutely pointless. The only time I´ve used it was when opening the box and replacing it with a snap-on. It´s 5$ and works great. The downside is, it collets all the dust and dirt that lives in your pockets when storing it there while shooting.
The other "issue" about the lens is some color-fringing in high contrast situations. But Aperture, Lightroom as well as Photoshop (not my favorite due to it´s "autoshrink") may shift the yellow/blue channel so that the fringe gets 99% invisible.
This lenses high contrast rendering lets you forget about any "soft-corner"-issue that rumors claim. Sharpness is some very soft defined concept by itself. I´ve used this lens even at wide-open for night-shots in New York and L.A. - where you still have some light left. It´s simply stunning.
Together with the Pentax K-5 and it´s high ISO capability this is a more than great combo. The viewfinder shows you the very outer borders so you can use effectively all of this lens´ angle of view. You can wait for your picture to shoot until some pedestrians virtually tend to fall out of the picture.
You can include the sun into your shots in a creative way no one around you beliefs. "Don´t shoot the sun" That´s what you will be hearing all the time by Zoom-Lens-Photographers. Get prepared to this and imagine your smile as you push the trigger :)
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- snap-on lens cap
Pros
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
I wanna use this lens to replace 16-45, because the lens is tiny and easy to carry, but have no chance to try it, spring is coming.
At home to take some small photo, found that's really sharp lens, great to have it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Jason
sharp lens
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
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Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
Fun lens with fantastic clarity and color. I love it!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Close up photography
- Landscape/Scenery
- Street scenes
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
Great lens just like most of the other Pentax "pancake" lenses. Acceptable sharpness at F/4 and gets better from there.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
brings nice pictures with sharp and amazing colors
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Chromatic aberration
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Portraits
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
I love photography and using my relatively new Pentax K-5 to capture images. Over the years, a number of Pentax lenses, including the DA15mm, have earned well-deserved reputations due to their creamy bokeh, sharpness, and overall IQ.
Having heard so many wonderful things about Pentax Limited's and with a destination photography trip on the horizon, I vowed to add at least one Limited to my bag prior to the trip. After wavering between a WA Zoom and the WA Prime, I decided upon the Prime for several reasons.
First, the sharpness of the lens - esp in the center, but really to the edges - is very nice. Second, the glass is of such high quality and the build so good that flare is not a concern, even when shooting almost directly into the sun. Third, the lens is compact and very inconspicuous. Fourth, this lens doubles as a wonderful and fun portrait lens - seriously! Yes, it is wonderful for WA closeup and landscape shots, but you can also get close and capture amazing "people" shots without distorting features like some WA's.
Shall I go on?
Does it have any downsides? Sure, it's an f/4 - sure would be nice to be f/2.8, but then it might weigh twice as much too. And like so many WA's, high contrast situations will undoubtedly yield some results that include CA.
Despite a few shortcomings, the pros far outweigh the cons; and, at this point, this is easily my favorite lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- ND Filter
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
I like this lens with wide range and sharp image
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
DA Limited means the following: compact, rugged, sharp. DA 15 is a fine example. While 15mm is not as wide as the UWA zooms in the market, it certainly controls distortion better than the competition. Has legendary flare resistance. Great compact way to travel with a UWA lens. Seems to hit the peak around 5.6-6.3.
Screw on hood may be the only negative. 4.5 stars.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors good light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
This is compact and lightweight high quality lens. A great aluminum construction with built-in hood. The highest sharpness (from the aperture 5.6 - 8 and more). Almost no distortion distortions, low chromatic aberrations. You can use the normal (not slim) filters 49mm.
Small minus: problems with use square systems filters (Cokon etc).
So: Excellent wide lens for architecture and landscape. Real Pentax Limited Lens! Smaller, faster and sharper.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- CPF
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
I have used this for forest photography, the target being very tall trees where my 17-70 zoom can't take in enough of a tree. The slow f4 aperture does not matter as I am using a tripod anyway.
I can see it being useful in architectural photography too. The image quality is superior to my 17-70 at its widest end.
The lens is solidly constructed, being of the LTD range, so no concerns about durability.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
Quite useful thing to make great photos for catalogue prints during my fishing trips.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
- Rugged
- Small
Cons
- Borders soft wide open
Best Uses
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
I was always reluctant to use wide angle lenses. Mainly because to use them effectively to photograph people you have to get quite close and the only wide angles I owned were the wide ends of standard kit zooms (17-50mm or 16-45mm). With these zooms the distortions at the wide ends were unacceptable to me. To top it, the lenses themselves were relatively large so that I felt I was obtrusive in taking the shots and was uncomfortable getting close for long periods. The 15mm Pentax lens is tiny. I much prefer this lens to a heavier and larger wide angle zoom. With the 15mm lens, I don't notice the size and weight when using the camera. I also feel more like I can shoot relatively unnoticed by my subjects. This is important to me and shows up in the photos. The relationship of the photographer to the subject and to the camera itself is reflected in the quality of the shots in my opinion.
Apart from this aspect, the lens is superb. There is possibly some distortion but none that I am really aware of. I am far more aware of the perspective distortions you can get with this field of view. Wide open the borders are a bit soft but acceptably so. Combined with the Pentax K5 camera, which can produce clean shots at high ISOs, you rarely need to shoot wide open anyway. Stop the lens down to the 6.3-9.0 range and it is incredibly sharp. The sharpest lens I own. Colors are brilliant and surprisingly flare is not a problem at all despite the tiny size of the built in hood. People have complained about the screw in lens cap being annoying. It is no problem to me at all. I take it off to shoot and don't replace it until I want to put the camera away anyway, so it is not as if there would be a constant issue with it even if I did find it annoying.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Lens cap
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
Needed a lens mainly for landscapes, I purchased this lens after reading the GREAT reviews...and I must say it is brilliant!
Images are super sharp and the size is perfect for me. It definitely met and exceeded my expectations.
Only con is the lens cap (screw-on) but that was an easy fix.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
I am very happy with this lens. Same Limited build quality as other limited lenses. Very compact size, great for traveling. Lens cover screws on which I like.
A small amount of vignetting wide open but it's a physical limitation of all wide angles so can't penalize the lens for it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
It is a great inexpensive addition to your macro work. Easy to fix, slightly difficult to focus initially, once you get the hand of it, nothing like it...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Viewfinder vignetting
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
bought this lens after struggling with the idea of having several lenses that are close to or overlap this focal length, including the Sigma 10-20/3.5HSM and the Pentax DA15/2.8. However, all the comments on user forums and at least one of my respected Fellow Pentax users locally are in agreement on the value of the DA15/4.
Now that I have one, and have used it for a while, I can see what they mean. This lens has wonderful IQ, by which I mean it is very sharp over most of the range, its contrast and flare-resistance is excellent, and its colouring is neutral and bright.
A great benefit to someone who carries a DSLR for long periods is its light weight - it is tiny - but this lens is also extremely well-built. The in-built lens hood is an additional bonus, in keeping with the small size of the DA14/4, especially when compared with the bayonet type hood that goes with the DA15/2.8, which is enormous.
The only down-side I find with it is the tendency for the viewfinder to vignette heavily, especially for spectacle-wearers, which is probably a result of the comparatively slow maximum aperture. There's no such an effect noticeable on the image produced by the sensor, however. If you can cope with that (and I think it's a small price to pay) then this lens is a must-have for any serious Pentax DSLR user.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Pentax Ultra Wide Angle smc-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited Series Autofocus Lens:
I use this lens as mainly a landscape lens, and it is brilliant!
Super sharp and the pancake size is perfect for me. Build quality is superb and it definitely met and exceeded my expectations
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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Filters & Filter Kits
- Price: $17.95
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- Price: $24.95
- GBP 15.93
Hoods & Covers
- Price: $39.95
- GBP 25.51
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- Original: $11.99
- Save: $1.20
- Price: $10.79
- GBP 6.89
What's in the Box
- Front Cap
- Rear Lens Cap (B) for Bayonet Mount Lenses
- #37748 Soft Case
- Permanently-Attached Retractable Hood
- 1-Year Pentax USA Warranty
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