[pcmao]

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.

That's what I observed.

Back to DA21, I don't like it initially due to rather poor performance wide open but after some landscape shots, my love to the lens grew. It's not the sharpest lens but the rendering makes it glued to my K5.

[pcarfan]

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

Good choice

[abacus07]

I would personally go after the similar M20f4 since it's cheaper (about half price) and I don't really need AF. But I'm pretty happy currently with the DA15 - K24f2.8 - M28f2.8 - DA40 - A50f1.7 - DFA100WR - M135 setup that I have. A lot of options but I do like having something between the DA15 and DA40.

[paperbag846]

The DA 21 gets a bit of flack for being slow (and indeed, it is slow for a prime), but the focal length is excellent and it is almost perfect wide open. Easily one of the most useful focal lengths for a prime.

[seventysixersfan]

Easily one of the most useful focal lengths for a prime.

Very much agreed. I have a DA 15 and a FA 35 and the DA 21 fits very nicely between those lenses. I wasn't sure I was going to get the DA 21 because I have the DA 15 but now I find I use the DA 21 most of the time and the DA 15 only comes out for real wide-angle needs like landscapes. DA 21 is small and discreet like a DA 40. Although not as sharp as my other primes, it's good enough, and the convenient focal length more than justifies its place on my camera for many shooting situations-- it's that versatile! I also have a Sigma 24 f/2.8 (yes, LBA) that is a bit faster in terms of aperture but I haven't noticed a big difference in low light capability, and the Sigma is a little heavier and larger, especially with a hood on. I kind of regret waiting so long to get the DA 21; if I had to do it all over again, I would have gotten it before the DA 15, 40 and 70, even though I love those limiteds for their specific purposes.

[ladybug]

Hi again, I read some posts where people described that the DA 21 tends to back focus...my Kx has no AF adjustment. Is this going to be a problem?

[kenafein]

It has a thick DOF and a small max aperture. I doubt you would notice very easily. Mine requires.no adjustment. You can always buy new and return a bad sample.

[twitch]

Simply buy from a place that allows returns if you own a K-x. I haven't heard of BF problems though, given how thick the DOF is for a 21/3.2 lens it should be very forgiving for BF/FF.

My 2c on the topic; If I was given the choice between a DA35macro+DA21 or a FA31 I'd chose the FA31 in a heartbeat.

[ladybug]

@kenafein: pardon me asking....how do you determine that the DOF is "thick"? This is a f3.2 lens...isnt this a large aperture lens already?

@twitch: FA31 is good no doubt but the price is beyond my budget....plus i want the macro cability of the DA35 Ltd

[abacus07]

3.2 is a pretty small aperture and it's even smaller because it's a wide lens. I've never even considered checking to see if my DA15 FF/BF because I almost always stop down and stopping down probably gives you a DOF of a few meters to infinity. there are some fancy calculators out there to tell you what the DOF actually is but it's probably going to be very difficult to tell if the lens FF/BF unless you are taking photos at min focus distance.

[twitch]

OK, my other 2c is that you have no fast lenses, and adding a DA21 would give you your 4th prime and still nothing faster than 2.4.

OTOH, maybe I shouldn't talk you out of a DA21 as I want to sell mine, lol.

[selar]

The DA21 is a useless POS. Even the DA*16-50 zoom is faster than it.

[raider]

I hope you are not trying to be mean here......

[Nuff]

My copy of DA21 is tac sharp, from edge to edge. My DA15 had soft corners, so I've sold it. If your copy of DA21 is soft, I would exchange it until you get good copy.

[fotogaffer]

No issues with back focus on mine.