[mickeymon]

According to the reviews at photozone.de it seems that DA15 has ever so slightly better optical performance than DA21. Aargh, those choices.

[timo]

According to the reviews at photozone.de it seems that DA15 has ever so slightly better optical performance than DA21. Aargh, those choices.

Since they give strikingly different fields of view, I don't think a marginal difference in photozone's test results would be a sufficient reason for choosing one rather than the other. They're both excellent lenses which will serve you well - surely the first thing is to decide what sort of photographs you would like to take ... ?

Personally I find the DA21 a more useful general purpose lens, but the DA15 will give you that dramatic wide-angle look (which I get rather tired of, in fact). Depends what you want.

Tim

[audiobomber]

I agree, it's only about focal length. One is wide angle, the other is extra wide angle. I bought the 15mm because I wanted a small extra wide for my prime kit. 21mm is as close as current Pentax gets you to the traditional general purpose 35mm focal length.

[GeneV]

I agree, it's only about focal length. One is wide angle, the other is extra wide angle. I bought the 15mm because I wanted a small extra wide for my prime kit. 21mm is as close as current Pentax gets you to the traditional general purpose 35mm focal length.

With a FOV equivalent to 31mm on 135, the DA21 actually splits the difference between the FOV of the two most popular WA lenses in filmdom. I have found that very useful for street shots and other outdoor scenes, and it is my most used WA outdoors even on zooms. The DA15 is loads of fun for effects and tight spaces, though. Other than the money to purchase it, I don't see a real good reason not to pack the diminutive DA21.

[spicy cho]

I've got a 3 prime travel kit:

DA 21
DA 40
FA 77

I went with the 21 because it's a bit faster than the 15, and I take a lot of group photos and didn't want the extra distortion the 15 would likely give.

[paperbag846]

Buy the 21 unless you crave ultrawide.

[Frank B]

Then do people just avoid wildlife photography when travelling (or, at least, telephoto wildlife photography)?. . .

Not at all. You just make do with what you have. My favorite light "travel kit" is the K7 with DA15, DA21, DA40 & DA70. Sure it would have been nice to have had my 300/4 when I spent half a day at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle last year, but I merely adjusted my expectations and had a great time working with just the DA70. I had no trouble getting close to these bears. Here's a link to a gallery of shots using just the DA70 for a zoo visit.




Actually, being serious for a moment . . . not being able to cover every focal length you might need is one of the trade-offs of putting together a light travel kit. If you're traveling by car it's easier to carry more stuff, and just keep it stashed away when you're not using it. If air travel is involved, that's a whole different story.

[sterretje]

Not at all. You just make do with what you have.

It's so true.

[Marc Sabatella]

Some day I'm going to post a rant^H^H^H^H essay on idea of needing every possible focal length covered so you don't miss such and such a shot.

[sterretje]

Some day I'm going to post a rant^H^H^H^H essay on idea of needing every possible focal length covered so you don't miss such and such a shot.

I was considering a poll like:

You're going on holiday. Wildlife, birding, wide vistas, cities, entertainment etc. ; everything will be in the package. You're only allowed to take one lens; prime or zoom but zooms are limited to roughly 3 times. Which lens do you take with?

[Frank B]

I was considering a poll like:

You're going on holiday. Wildlife, birding, wide vistas, cities, entertainment etc. ; everything will be in the package. You're only allowed to take one lens; prime or zoom but zooms are limited to roughly 3 times. Which lens do you take with?

That's easy - the DA21.

[mickeymon]

I've solved my dilemma by getting D21. I think I'm gonna enjoy it. Yay!

[spicy cho]

I just got my DA 21 a week ago. Love it! Good choice.

[Ash]

Can't go wrong mate.
None of the DA limited disappoint, they're so compact and pack in a lot of IQ punch.
You won't regret it.

[robgo2]

I wish to make the following point: The FA31 Limited is not big and heavy. It only seems that way in comparison to the pancake Limiteds. For a really simple, lightweight travel kit, the FA 31 may be all that you really need. Some of my best photographic outings ever have been when I limited myself to a single prime lens. Doing so can open up one's creativity. As Marc said earlier, it is not necessary to have all focal lengths covered at all times. I would add that sometimes it is best to have only one focal length covered. I realize that few people participating in this thread would subscribe to this philosophy, but I present it as food for thought.

Rob