> What seems to be the consensus for the best (in terms of optical > quality and build) for a wide angle lens less than 28mm. I am > looking for a good, clean, and razor sharp lens with an angle of > view greater than 90(degrees) for some landscape work. It is very > important that the distortions be minimal since there are a lot of > angles and lines in the scene that will quickly reveal > imperfections.
I am personally familiar with only three lenses that weigh in at 90 degrees or more in angle of view: The 180 degrees of the A 16/2.8 ~Fisheye~ can be dismissed quickly, I guess - distortions are ~not~ minimal - <g>. The A 20/2.8 is right around 90 degrees, and it's a very good lens (easily my most used lens wider than 28mm). However, it's not totally free of distortion (although it is very good in that regard). The A 15/3.5 (or the optically identical K 15/3.5) is an incredible lens, virtually free of distortion, a real rectilinear miracle. Amateur Photographer Magazine said, in its March 13, 1982, issue that "distortion is remarkably low for such a wideangle", and in its December 15, 1990, issue that "the deviation from the straight in the images is too small to be reported". The angle of view in this gem is 111 degrees. Fred - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
