[Sandy Hancock]

I have both, and would recommend the DA21. It is smaller, slightly faster, lighter, has a less irritating lens cap and I find the focal length more versatile.
With the 40 and 70 it makes a great three lens kit.
Don't get me wrong though, the 15 is awesome, just more of a specialist lens IMHO.

[Dynamo]

I too was in a similar situation couple of months before, finally settled for DA 15. Being said, I use FA 77 the most. Now reading lot of threads related to FA 31; trying to convince myself and the wife

there is also another thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/80543-wide-da-...ne-better.html

[v5planet]

I would not consider weight or size to be a significant factor in this decision. The 21 IS smaller, but the 15 is less than half the size of a coke can, and weighs next to nothing as it is.

I love the 15, but have not used the 21. If I were in this position I would make the decision based on focal length more than anything else.

[bossa]

You might want to consider the Sigma 8-16mm zoom as it's probably sharper and more flexible than the 15mm LTD.

[edit] On looking at my MTF graphs in Excel it seems that the Sigma is sharper wide-open (from the center to the edges) but after that the 15mm LTD is a tad sharper in the center and still not as good at the edges and corners. It seems that the DA 16-50 is actually better at 16mm than the 15mm (@ 15mm) wide open too.. Maybe you should weigh up the numbers before committing to this lens.

---

Last edited by bossa; 04-21-2013 at 03:25 AM.

[rrwilliams64]

thnx all. ...............Kozlok --> very pragmatic advice

[iceshiel]

I have no experience with the 21mm but I love my 15mm. It is a little too wide to be as versatile as the 21. However, I feel that the 15mm has a lot of character and is a really REALLY fun lens to use. If I get it rght, the photos from my 15mm make me smile.

[K206]

I own both. Truly a tough call.

The 21 is better for indoor, all purpose shots (the 15 is often too wide and slower at f/4). The 15 is better for travel and landscape shots (the 21 is often not wide enough for large subjects). That being said, IMO the 15 excels at what I use it for while I wish the 21 was better suited to my indoor shot needs (i.e. faster). As I never really "bonded" with my 21, I'm thinking about investing in a FA 31...

[calsan]

It's not possible to regret any Limited lens. Whichever you get will be awesome. I went for the 15 as I wanted a wide angle for travel - photos of buildings. It's a bit wide for more typical street photography where you want the people as subjects, so that would be my only caution in recommending it. I was blown away by the 21 when I borrowed it. The best thing about both these lenses is how well they perform against strong sunlight - where a zoom lens would get only a flare, these retain amazing detail in subjects with the sun behind. The 21mm may have slightly nicer sunbursts, being 7 blades, not 9. Anyway both are excellent.

[Sandy Hancock]

The 21mm may have slightly nicer sunbursts, being 7 blades, not 9. Anyway both are excellent.

Both are seven blades.

[calsan]

Both are seven blades.

Ah. Correct.
The 15 is a focal length that's hard to achieve in a compact camera, so that's another reason I went that way.

[bpv_UW]

Agree with Chris (v5planet) that focal length should be the main determinant here. If the focal length preference is a toss-up, get the 15. I've not used the 21, but I do know that the 15 is the first prime I ever purchased and the last one I'll ever sell (unless FF comes along). It's a great lens that's tons of fun to use: great perspective for landscapes/cityscapes, legendary flare resistance, great starbursts, sharp and contrasty, small and compact, and the very small MFD (6 in or so) opens up lots of good compositional possibilities. I love it.

Happy hunting,
Brandon