Fairly wide angle advice
Posted 16/04/2026 - 09:06
Link
boudou701 wrote:
regarding your comment about pre digital era, do you think the 24mm FA * is also bad? it's bigger so might not be ideal.
I had an opportunity to try an FA* 24/2 a couple of years ago on my K-3 and it's a nice lens with good image quality. On APS-C I would say it's absolutely fine and fives 1 & 1/3 stops of advantage over the DA 21mm but at the cost of size and weight. It also has the benefit of being fully film-compatible.
Jonathan-Mac wrote:
The 21mm f/3.2 is a good lens but make sure to check that it focuses properly at infinity - mine didn't always but was very good indeed at shorter focus distances.
I'd recommend staying away from pre-digital-era Sigmas in general as the quality can be very hit-and-miss. The newer 10-20mm f/3.5 though, is excellent.
For a focal length around 20mm I would recommend the 20-40mm Limited zoom, which is a superb lens when it focuses properly (check for front and back focus at all focal lengths). This and the 16-85mm are the best Pentax zooms I've used and are better than many primes.
Bad quality filters can soften images and bad quality polarisers can rob them of contrast and add colour casts too. Always check image quality with a new filter before using it for proper photos.
Thanks a lot, i only took a couple of shots with the 21mm so can't judge yet (only looked on the camera screen), i also realized i had never really set the camera properly (bought second hand and hadn't done a full reset, found out some settings were a bit strange). The 21mm f/3.2 is a good lens but make sure to check that it focuses properly at infinity - mine didn't always but was very good indeed at shorter focus distances.
I'd recommend staying away from pre-digital-era Sigmas in general as the quality can be very hit-and-miss. The newer 10-20mm f/3.5 though, is excellent.
For a focal length around 20mm I would recommend the 20-40mm Limited zoom, which is a superb lens when it focuses properly (check for front and back focus at all focal lengths). This and the 16-85mm are the best Pentax zooms I've used and are better than many primes.
Bad quality filters can soften images and bad quality polarisers can rob them of contrast and add colour casts too. Always check image quality with a new filter before using it for proper photos.
regarding your comment about pre digital era, do you think the 24mm FA * is also bad? it's bigger so might not be ideal.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Posted 27/04/2026 - 12:20
Link
MikeInDevon wrote:
I've used the 21mm HD Ltd lens, my copy seems very sharp, also it's light and tiny on the camera body. Here's a example of an image using it:
link
You could also consider the Pentax DA 15mm F4 Limited which is light and compact. It is one lens where the non-HD version is actually rated higher than the HD version (Here).
I've used the 21mm HD Ltd lens, my copy seems very sharp, also it's light and tiny on the camera body. Here's a example of an image using it:
link
Regards,
Kea828
Kea828
Posted 27/04/2026 - 13:44
Link
kea828 wrote:
the HD 15mm was indeed not sharp enough for me, i have now bought the 21mm ltd (non HD) and happy so far.
MikeInDevon wrote:
I've used the 21mm HD Ltd lens, my copy seems very sharp, also it's light and tiny on the camera body. Here's a example of an image using it:
link
You could also consider the Pentax DA 15mm F4 Limited which is light and compact. It is one lens where the non-HD version is actually rated higher than the HD version (Here).I've used the 21mm HD Ltd lens, my copy seems very sharp, also it's light and tiny on the camera body. Here's a example of an image using it:
link
Digital: KP, Film: KX, ME Super
Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6, Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, Pentax 16-85mm, Pentax DA 20-40 ltd
Pentax 21mm f3.2 ltd, Sigma 24mm f2.8 macro, Pentax 35mm f2.8 macro, Pentax 50mm FA f1.7, Pentax A 50mm f1.7, Pentax K 55mm f1.8, Pentax DA* 55mm f1.4
Metz 36 AF-4
Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6, Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, Pentax 16-85mm, Pentax DA 20-40 ltd
Pentax 21mm f3.2 ltd, Sigma 24mm f2.8 macro, Pentax 35mm f2.8 macro, Pentax 50mm FA f1.7, Pentax A 50mm f1.7, Pentax K 55mm f1.8, Pentax DA* 55mm f1.4
Metz 36 AF-4
Add Comment
To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.
567 posts
16 years
Berlin
The 21mm f/3.2 is a good lens but make sure to check that it focuses properly at infinity - mine didn't always but was very good indeed at shorter focus distances.
I'd recommend staying away from pre-digital-era Sigmas in general as the quality can be very hit-and-miss. The newer 10-20mm f/3.5 though, is excellent.
For a focal length around 20mm I would recommend the 20-40mm Limited zoom, which is a superb lens when it focuses properly (check for front and back focus at all focal lengths). This and the 16-85mm are the best Pentax zooms I've used and are better than many primes.
Bad quality filters can soften images and bad quality polarisers can rob them of contrast and add colour casts too. Always check image quality with a new filter before using it for proper photos.
regarding your comment about pre digital era, do you think the 24mm FA * is also bad? it's bigger so might not be ideal.
Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6, Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, Pentax 16-85mm, Pentax DA 20-40 ltd
Pentax 21mm f3.2 ltd, Sigma 24mm f2.8 macro, Pentax 35mm f2.8 macro, Pentax 50mm FA f1.7, Pentax A 50mm f1.7, Pentax K 55mm f1.8, Pentax DA* 55mm f1.4
Metz 36 AF-4