Opinions whether I should buy the DA21?

ladybug · 08-01-2012, 05:02 AM

Hi,

I am using a Kx with DA15, DA35 Macro and DA70.

I don't shoot sports...mostly some portraits, landscape, nature, etc.

I am thinking to get another lens to add to my setup and have been looking at the DA21.

What do you guys think? would u guys consider this lens if u already have the lenses like I do?

thanks
ladybug

bdery · 08-01-2012, 05:14 AM

I believe it's a sweet spot between your 15 and your 35, but at that point, its usefulness will greatly depend on your shooting style. If you have ever wished your 35 was wider, or your 15 longer, then the 21 will be useful. Also, the 21 is amazingly small, that can be useful to some people. I know I often leave house with just that lens mounted on my camera, and I love the small package.

Is is a good lens? Sure. Will you use it? That's your call.

Ishpuini · 08-01-2012, 05:20 AM

Sure. Personally I have a full limited kit of lenses to choose from when I go out and want discrete lenses. This means I have the DA15, DA21, FA31, FA43 and FA77. Granted, not exactly the same as your kit...

If I can I will take all five of them, but when having to leave one behind, it will be either the FA31 or the FA43 (mostly the FA31 because it's the biggest, but not always). If there's only room for three, the preferred kit will be DA15, DA21 and FA43 most of the time...

The DA21 is a more flexible wide angle than the DA15 IMHO, esp for street shooting it's a nice walk around lens. It's also extremely compact and discrete, even with the hood mounted.

For landscape it depends on the scale of the landscape we're talking about, but it does nicely for me. It does need stopping down for optimal performance (more than other limiteds I think). I don't like the results much wide open.

Wim

icywindow · 08-01-2012, 05:22 AM

I love the DA21 for two things. The focal length is very natural for landscapes and its rendering of details is excellent. Its sunstars are pretty too, and it works well for long exposure night shots. The DA21 is also really interesting for unique portraits - get in close, get the angle right OR get a bit of context.

I think it's a sufficiently different focal length from what you have currently that you would enjoy the extra perspective - you might find that it never leaves the camera!

Zaphodmonster · 08-01-2012, 05:57 AM

Its great lens and a great focal length. I own it and love it. If you bought it i doubt you would regret it.

What do you shoot more landscapes/street, or portraits?

For landscape and street, it is probably my favorite walk around lens that I always have with me in addition to my DA* 55mm and FA 77mm limited. If I feel like working with another kit lineup one of the other two lenses get dumped, rarely does the 21mm

If portraits then with your lineup I would also consider the DA* 55mm or the new DA 50mm. Those would address the gap between 35mm and 70mm you have and they are excellent portrait lengths. (I can vouch for the DA* personally)

The 21mm it is sharp, small and a lot of fun

GDRoth · 08-01-2012, 06:05 AM

I had a DA 21 with my K5, but sold it when I got my Fuji X100 with the fixed 23mm...................I miss the DA21..........get it if you can....

northcoastgreg · 08-01-2012, 07:02 AM

I own the DA 15, and prime lens at 20mm, 28mm, and 35mm. I don't find my 20mm at all redundant. In fact, it's my favorite lens, even though it's not as sharp as the other primes. If I didn't own the 20mm, I would get the DA 21 and it would immediately become my most used prime lens for landscapes. I find ~20mm a great focal range for landscapes, better, IMO, than the DA 15, which is often too wide.

JinDesu · 08-01-2012, 07:06 AM

I have a DA 35 F2.4, and I've used a Sigma 10-20 before. I would dearly love to have a 21 or 24mm lens instead of the aforementioned two.

Just my opinion.

Ubuntu_user · 08-01-2012, 08:04 AM

I had it for awhile and loved it. Then I traded it out for my DA 15. The DA 21 is more practical in many situations since it's not as wide and it's so small.

Not the sharpest lens by any means, but then neither is the DA 15. Really though, I snapped a lot of really good pictures with mine...

kenafein · 08-01-2012, 08:40 AM

I love it for kids. The focus is pretty close, offering just enough perspective distortion to make things interesting.

jimr-pdx · 08-01-2012, 08:41 AM

It looks like the right fit with your sequence. Pentax may use 'odd' focal lengths but they do mesh well together. I'd be seeking it if my manual 28 weren't so good; my sequence is 15-28-50macro and it works for me, but I'd rather have your 'problem' if it includes the 35macro!

re. thread title: you should not buy one, instead please buy two and pass one around

fotogaffer · 08-01-2012, 09:48 AM

I wouldn't hesitate to add it to your kit. I also have the 15, 21, 35 macro, 40 and 70 LTDs. I find the 21 extremely useful for shots at family gatherings where there are those group shots where it is just the right focal length. Also a great travel lens for both landscape and street shots.I recently went to the Grand Canyon with the 15, 21, 40 and 70 and much to my surprise, used the 21 most of the time.I found that often the 15 was just too wide and really shrank down some of the canyon shots too much. It is also a lot smaller than the 15 and the 21, 40 and 70 make a great light travel package if you like primes - like me.

lytrytyr · 08-01-2012, 10:32 AM

Originally posted by ladybug

I am using a Kx with DA15, DA35 Macro and DA70.
I don't shoot sports...mostly some portraits, landscape, nature, etc.
I am thinking to get another lens to add to my setup and have been looking at the DA21.
What do you guys think? would u guys consider this lens if u already have the lenses like I do?

I have the exact same DA Ltd/K-x setup as you,
and use a K24/2.8, M20/4, or a newly-acquired A20/2.8 to fill in the 15-35mm gap.
If I hadn't already had the M20/4 from film days,
I might have considered the DA 21,
and if you need AF anyway, it's a good way to go.

ladybug · 08-01-2012, 04:07 PM

Thanks for all your input. Looks like DA21 is a go then

Tanzer · 08-01-2012, 07:40 PM

Welcome to the forums. Anytime you are uncertain if you should buy a particular lens, just ask this forum, and we will always say yes.

The 21 doesn't seem to get as much attention as some of the other DA Ltds for some reason, but I suspect this might be partially due to it's rather "average" wide-normal focal length. But it is a very versatile focal length indeed, and happens to fill a hole in your lineup.

And it has a really unique hood.

08-01-2012, 05:02 AM	#1
ladybug Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 38	Opinions whether I should buy the DA21? Hi, I am using a Kx with DA15, DA35 Macro and DA70. I don't shoot sports...mostly some portraits, landscape, nature, etc. I am thinking to get another lens to add to my setup and have been looking at the DA21. What do you guys think? would u guys consider this lens if u already have the lenses like I do? thanks ladybug

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08-01-2012, 05:14 AM	#2
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	I believe it's a sweet spot between your 15 and your 35, but at that point, its usefulness will greatly depend on your shooting style. If you have ever wished your 35 was wider, or your 15 longer, then the 21 will be useful. Also, the 21 is amazingly small, that can be useful to some people. I know I often leave house with just that lens mounted on my camera, and I love the small package. Is is a good lens? Sure. Will you use it? That's your call.

08-01-2012, 05:20 AM	#3
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727	Sure. Personally I have a full limited kit of lenses to choose from when I go out and want discrete lenses. This means I have the DA15, DA21, FA31, FA43 and FA77. Granted, not exactly the same as your kit... If I can I will take all five of them, but when having to leave one behind, it will be either the FA31 or the FA43 (mostly the FA31 because it's the biggest, but not always). If there's only room for three, the preferred kit will be DA15, DA21 and FA43 most of the time... The DA21 is a more flexible wide angle than the DA15 IMHO, esp for street shooting it's a nice walk around lens. It's also extremely compact and discrete, even with the hood mounted. For landscape it depends on the scale of the landscape we're talking about, but it does nicely for me. It does need stopping down for optimal performance (more than other limiteds I think). I don't like the results much wide open. Wim

08-01-2012, 05:22 AM	#4
icywindow Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 303	I love the DA21 for two things. The focal length is very natural for landscapes and its rendering of details is excellent. Its sunstars are pretty too, and it works well for long exposure night shots. The DA21 is also really interesting for unique portraits - get in close, get the angle right OR get a bit of context. I think it's a sufficiently different focal length from what you have currently that you would enjoy the extra perspective - you might find that it never leaves the camera!

08-01-2012, 05:57 AM	#5
Zaphodmonster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 151	Its great lens and a great focal length. I own it and love it. If you bought it i doubt you would regret it. What do you shoot more landscapes/street, or portraits? For landscape and street, it is probably my favorite walk around lens that I always have with me in addition to my DA* 55mm and FA 77mm limited. If I feel like working with another kit lineup one of the other two lenses get dumped, rarely does the 21mm If portraits then with your lineup I would also consider the DA* 55mm or the new DA 50mm. Those would address the gap between 35mm and 70mm you have and they are excellent portrait lengths. (I can vouch for the DA* personally) The 21mm it is sharp, small and a lot of fun

08-01-2012, 06:05 AM	#6
GDRoth Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: S.E. Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 830	I had a DA 21 with my K5, but sold it when I got my Fuji X100 with the fixed 23mm...................I miss the DA21..........get it if you can....

08-01-2012, 07:02 AM	#7
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	I own the DA 15, and prime lens at 20mm, 28mm, and 35mm. I don't find my 20mm at all redundant. In fact, it's my favorite lens, even though it's not as sharp as the other primes. If I didn't own the 20mm, I would get the DA 21 and it would immediately become my most used prime lens for landscapes. I find ~20mm a great focal range for landscapes, better, IMO, than the DA 15, which is often too wide.

08-01-2012, 07:06 AM	#8
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	I have a DA 35 F2.4, and I've used a Sigma 10-20 before. I would dearly love to have a 21 or 24mm lens instead of the aforementioned two. Just my opinion.

08-01-2012, 08:04 AM	#9
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	I had it for awhile and loved it. Then I traded it out for my DA 15. The DA 21 is more practical in many situations since it's not as wide and it's so small. Not the sharpest lens by any means, but then neither is the DA 15. Really though, I snapped a lot of really good pictures with mine...

08-01-2012, 08:40 AM	#10
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	I love it for kids. The focus is pretty close, offering just enough perspective distortion to make things interesting.

08-01-2012, 08:41 AM	#11
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	It looks like the right fit with your sequence. Pentax may use 'odd' focal lengths but they do mesh well together. I'd be seeking it if my manual 28 weren't so good; my sequence is 15-28-50macro and it works for me, but I'd rather have your 'problem' if it includes the 35macro! re. thread title: you should not buy one, instead please buy two and pass one around

08-01-2012, 09:48 AM	#12
fotogaffer Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 716	I wouldn't hesitate to add it to your kit. I also have the 15, 21, 35 macro, 40 and 70 LTDs. I find the 21 extremely useful for shots at family gatherings where there are those group shots where it is just the right focal length. Also a great travel lens for both landscape and street shots.I recently went to the Grand Canyon with the 15, 21, 40 and 70 and much to my surprise, used the 21 most of the time.I found that often the 15 was just too wide and really shrank down some of the canyon shots too much. It is also a lot smaller than the 15 and the 21, 40 and 70 make a great light travel package if you like primes - like me.

08-01-2012, 10:32 AM	#13
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by ladybug I am using a Kx with DA15, DA35 Macro and DA70. I don't shoot sports...mostly some portraits, landscape, nature, etc. I am thinking to get another lens to add to my setup and have been looking at the DA21. What do you guys think? would u guys consider this lens if u already have the lenses like I do? I have the exact same DA Ltd/K-x setup as you, and use a K24/2.8, M20/4, or a newly-acquired A20/2.8 to fill in the 15-35mm gap. If I hadn't already had the M20/4 from film days, I might have considered the DA 21, and if you need AF anyway, it's a good way to go.

08-01-2012, 04:07 PM	#14
ladybug Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 38 Original Poster	Thanks for all your input. Looks like DA21 is a go then

08-01-2012, 07:40 PM	#15
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	Welcome to the forums. Anytime you are uncertain if you should buy a particular lens, just ask this forum, and we will always say yes. The 21 doesn't seem to get as much attention as some of the other DA Ltds for some reason, but I suspect this might be partially due to it's rather "average" wide-normal focal length. But it is a very versatile focal length indeed, and happens to fill a hole in your lineup. And it has a really unique hood.