Just a few reasons why the DA 21mm f/3.2 Limited is a great little lens.
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Posted 17/12/2017 - 22:23
Can't argue with that!
Gareth
Welsh Photographer
My outfit: K1 gripped - K3ii - two Z-1P - Pentax D FA 24-70mm - Sigma 70-200mm OS HSM - Pentax modified DA* 60-250mm f4 - Irix 15mm Firefly - Pentax FA 35mm - FA 50mm - Sigma EX 20mm - FA 28-70mm f4 - Tamron SP 90mm macro - Pentax AF 540 FGZ II
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Gareth
Welsh Photographer
My outfit: K1 gripped - K3ii - two Z-1P - Pentax D FA 24-70mm - Sigma 70-200mm OS HSM - Pentax modified DA* 60-250mm f4 - Irix 15mm Firefly - Pentax FA 35mm - FA 50mm - Sigma EX 20mm - FA 28-70mm f4 - Tamron SP 90mm macro - Pentax AF 540 FGZ II
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Foundation NFT
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Posted 18/12/2017 - 09:27
I agree - by the specs it's an unremarkable lens but in use it's very good. Sharp across the frame from f/4.5, small and light, great colours. I wouldn't say it's the best in flare resistance (your shot to demonstrate this has a typical DA 21mm green blob of flare) but it's not too bad. It's an excellent lens for long exposure cityscapes. I find that 21mm is the ideal general use wide-angle focal length - for my Fujifilm camera I have the 18mm prime and it's a tad too wide.
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
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
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Posted 18/12/2017 - 10:44
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Posted 18/12/2017 - 12:24
Jonathan-Mac wrote:
I agree - by the specs it's an unremarkable lens but in use it's very good. Sharp across the frame from f/4.5, small and light, great colours. I wouldn't say it's the best in flare resistance (your shot to demonstrate this has a typical DA 21mm green blob of flare) but it's not too bad. It's an excellent lens for long exposure cityscapes. I find that 21mm is the ideal general use wide-angle focal length - for my Fujifilm camera I have the 18mm prime and it's a tad too wide.
I agree - by the specs it's an unremarkable lens but in use it's very good. Sharp across the frame from f/4.5, small and light, great colours. I wouldn't say it's the best in flare resistance (your shot to demonstrate this has a typical DA 21mm green blob of flare) but it's not too bad. It's an excellent lens for long exposure cityscapes. I find that 21mm is the ideal general use wide-angle focal length - for my Fujifilm camera I have the 18mm prime and it's a tad too wide.
Yeah, there is a little bit of flare, but that is nothing when compared to the DA* 16-50:
Take a look here.
Aye, did a search for that on flickr when thinking about it purchase and return.
I now want to get more 'Limited' lenses, especially the 15mm (smc version).
Regards,
Dan
https://www.flickr.com/photos/honourabletyr/
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Posted 18/12/2017 - 14:51
Tyr wrote:
I now want to get more 'Limited' lenses, especially the 15mm (smc version).
I now want to get more 'Limited' lenses, especially the 15mm (smc version).
I also have one of those. Unfortunately, me and the DA15 don't get on. The DA70 on the other hand is another little Pentax gem.
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Posted 18/12/2017 - 16:15
kh1234567890 wrote:
I also have one of those. Unfortunately, me and the DA15 don't get on. The DA70 on the other hand is another little Pentax gem.
Tyr wrote:
I now want to get more 'Limited' lenses, especially the 15mm (smc version).
I now want to get more 'Limited' lenses, especially the 15mm (smc version).
I also have one of those. Unfortunately, me and the DA15 don't get on. The DA70 on the other hand is another little Pentax gem.
The DA15 is like that. It's a whole load of crap until you find that one magical angle and everything comes together perfectly - and then it's a miracle maker.
All the gear with no idea
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Posted 19/12/2017 - 06:16
I have a DA 15mm and don't see what the fuss is about. It's nice to have such a wide FOV in such a small package but sharpness and contrast are all poorer than all of the other DA limited lenses. 21mm is a far more useful focal length and image quality is superior.
If I were to put the DA limiteds in order of preference, best to worst, it would be:
DA 35mm (by a large margin)
DA 21mm
DA 70mm
DA 40mm
DA 15mm
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
If I were to put the DA limiteds in order of preference, best to worst, it would be:
DA 35mm (by a large margin)
DA 21mm
DA 70mm
DA 40mm
DA 15mm
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
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Posted 19/12/2017 - 13:57
Jonathan-Mac wrote:
It's nice to have such a wide FOV in such a small package but sharpness and contrast are all poorer than all of the other DA limited lenses.
It's nice to have such a wide FOV in such a small package but sharpness and contrast are all poorer than all of the other DA limited lenses.
I guess that's mainly it. You get excellent contrast and flare control (maybe less than other DA lenses but still noteworthy) in a metal lens that weighs very little. The complete package is pretty decent even though the individual components may not be of the highest quality.
All the gear with no idea
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Posted 20/12/2017 - 02:56
I don't have the 35, but would find it hard-pressed to separate the 21 and 70. They each have their own strengths, but not sure I'd rate the 21 higher.
http://www.pbase.com/iberg
http://www.pbase.com/iberg
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Posted 21/12/2017 - 12:18
Given that my most used lens is my DA*16-50 at 16mm focal length then the DA 15mm Limited is likely to be right up my street.
Still, this 21mm is my new go-to lens. That and the DFA 100mm WR are going to be my new light travel kit.
Regards,
Dan
https://www.flickr.com/photos/honourabletyr/
Still, this 21mm is my new go-to lens. That and the DFA 100mm WR are going to be my new light travel kit.
Regards,
Dan
https://www.flickr.com/photos/honourabletyr/
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Tyr
Member
West Midlands
1. Star-burst on point light.
2. Flare resistance and star-burst stopped down for landscapes.
3. Costrast and detail.
4. Bokeh and close focus.
Plus, as with all fixed focal length lenses, it forces you to be more creative and thoughtful with composition. Laziness reduction guaranteed. My 'keeper' rate with it is about 40% compared to my normal 15% 'keeper' rate. My published photos on flickr are about 16% of all my photos. Next best is my DFA 100mm f/2.8 WR with 20% and that is low because of DoF and shake (hand-held macro is hard).
On my recent trip to Berlin I only took this one lens.
Regards,
Dan
https://www.flickr.com/photos/honourabletyr/