[Wind Chaser]

I like prime lenses, especially small, extremely well-built primes with exceptional IQ.  The DA15 Limited
(as illustrated on the far left) is a superb, sharp, contrasty, all-metal construction, small WA lens that
is a great alternative to big, heavy, plastic, expensive zooms.




Shooting into the sun and flare control...








I didn't take the one below, but IMO it is one of the best pictures I've ever seen.
It was taken with the DA15 also by someone with more skill than I possess.

[low.pfile]

cool little lens. I like the collapsing hood!

details on the DA15 Limited

F/4 15mm @ ~$600

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/pentax_15_4_p15/

[Wind Chaser]

B & H currently sells it for $499.  I put more stock in actual photos people have taken than reviews, but here are a few more reviews...

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3998&review=Pentax+15mm+AL+Limited

http://www.photozone.de/pentax/463-pentax_15_4

I already have 15mm FL covered with the more expensive Sigma 10~20, but the Pentax does a much better job in handling flare, CA and color.  If it was any faster, it would come in a bigger package.  My Sigma 30mm F1.4 weighs a lot more is a monster in comparison... and it's made of plastic.

[JohnR]

Looks very nice. For your own shots - wrt #2 and #3 - try placing an object of interest in the foreground- ? Shot 1 is great, how would it have looked 30 minutes later?

[Wind Chaser]

Didn't have any objects or people of interest to shoot at 6:00 am on a Sunday morning.  I sleep by day and work by night so that's why I'm up that early when everyone else is still sleeping.  Even at high noon, that lens will create a star burst.  The more it is stopped down, the more defined the rays.  If it's sunny today, I try take one at F22.

[nathanm]

You could put a sheet of film inside a Coke can and take pinhole photos I suppose.  Cheap!

[Wind Chaser]

Sun up high in the sky... 

[JohnR]

That's nice - I like that one. Hard to take.

[Wind Chaser]

That's nice - I like that one. Hard to take.

Thanks.  Not hard at all.  From F5.6 on up this lens forms nice rays.  The more you stop it down, the more defined the rays. 

[JohnR]

I meant, looking through the viewfinder. Last time I had the sun in the frame I took about 30 shots because I just couldn't tell what I was actually shooting...