Small prime for general use

Jayc5687 · 05-29-2013, 12:39 AM

First, my question. What, in your opinion, is a great general purpose prime lens?

Now for some background, I already own the SMC FA 50 1.4 as well as the DA 40 2.8 XS so I'm looking for something that is a little wider, but still allows me the ability to shoot with a more versatile depth of field, if that makes any sense. It will be going on my K-01 if that makes any difference as to what I can and can't use. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sandy Hancock · 05-29-2013, 12:50 AM

DA21.
Compact, light, not too slow, quick AF, close focussing, quick shift, sharp, great colours, reasonably flare resistant and starbursts!

Erd§ · 05-29-2013, 12:52 AM

Ordinarily I'd suggest the plastic fantastic...DA35 f2.4...but it's literally only "a little wider" than your 40. Then there's the other end of the spectrum - the FA31 Ltd...but it's not really a small lens, and depending on your budget, can be prohibitively expensive. To go wider, you'd have to look at the DA21 Ltd...or the brilliant little DA15 Ltd.
It all depends on what you would regard as a general purpose focal length...it's different for everyone.

Jayc5687 · 05-29-2013, 01:06 AM

Originally posted by Erd§

Ordinarily I'd suggest the plastic fantastic...DA35 f2.4...but it's literally only "a little wider" than your 40. Then there's the other end of the spectrum - the FA31 Ltd...but it's not really a small lens, and depending on your budget, can be prohibitively expensive. To go wider, you'd have to look at the DA21 Ltd...or the brilliant little DA15 Ltd.
It all depends on what you would regard as a general purpose focal length...it's different for everyone.

Yeah, I know that's a very open ended idea because a general purpose prime for one person is much different than for someone else. I will certainly look into the DA 21 or DA 15, which of those two are more compact?

pakinjapan · 05-29-2013, 01:31 AM

Originally posted by Jayc5687

I will certainly look into the DA 21 or DA 15, which of those two are more compact?

DA21
Dimensions: 63x25mm
Weight: 140g

DA15
Dimensions: 63x40mm
Weight: 212g

DA21 is more compact, but DA15 is still haft tall of a soda can. it is not that big.
I have DA15, and I love it.

Sandy Hancock · 05-29-2013, 01:50 AM

I have both the 15 and 21, and while the 15 is stunning in specialised circumstances, it is a bit too wide for me to consider it as a general purpose lens.

Jayc5687 · 05-29-2013, 03:30 AM

I would lean more towards the 21 anyhow since it is a little more compact. Thanks to everyone for their input.

Docrwm · 05-29-2013, 04:00 AM

If you have a kit lens then you can look at 21 vs 18 on your K-01. 15mm is significantly wider than 18mm. I own the 15 because its thst much wider, but the 21 is smaller and more of a "normal" focal length.

Jayc5687 · 05-29-2013, 04:04 AM

And I think that is why I want to get that. I want something I put on the camera and take out without feeling constricted. I want something light and compact, but able to handle a "normal," as you say, focal length.

LennyBloke · 05-29-2013, 04:12 AM

Not sure if it's quite wide enough for you, but you could do a lot worse than to take a look at the DA35mm f2.8 Limited Macro. Fairly compact, well built, excellent IQ, Macro too - it's one of the best "normal" all-rounders there is!

VisualDarkness · 05-29-2013, 04:48 AM

Judging by how versatile I think my Sigma 20/1.8 is think the 21mm would at least suit me well as a walk around.

Kozlok · 05-29-2013, 05:52 AM - **1 Like**

Don't forget the Sigma 30/1.4. It is your best bet when light is scarce, and serviceable in bright light. I have the 15, 40 and 35 macro, but the Sigma is the one I turn to most often. It's not "small", but it's quite reasonable in size.

**seventysixersfan** · 05-29-2013, 05:54 AM - **1 Like**

The F or FA 28mm lenses are compact, f/2.8, lightweight, offer excellent image quality, and are perfect "normal" FOV on APS-C. And less expensive than DA limited lenses.

**TER-OR** · 05-29-2013, 06:01 AM

I rented a DA21mm a few years ago. It wasn't what I wanted for a specific purpose, but it was a nice walkaround lens, and would be good indoors and on the streets. I did really like the pancake format, though, that was nice. I have considered watching for a used copy.

Eventually I got a Sigma 28mm f1.8 macro for the original purpose, for which it's great. Small it is not. Good for walkaround - yes it is.

It's also hard to argue against the Fantastic Plastic - as affordable as it is.

lesmore49 · 05-29-2013, 06:15 AM

I like my 40 mm Limited for general use.

05-29-2013, 12:39 AM	#1
Jayc5687 New Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 17	Small prime for general use First, my question. What, in your opinion, is a great general purpose prime lens? Now for some background, I already own the SMC FA 50 1.4 as well as the DA 40 2.8 XS so I'm looking for something that is a little wider, but still allows me the ability to shoot with a more versatile depth of field, if that makes any sense. It will be going on my K-01 if that makes any difference as to what I can and can't use. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

05-29-2013, 01:31 AM	#5
pakinjapan Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,041	Originally posted by Jayc5687 I will certainly look into the DA 21 or DA 15, which of those two are more compact? DA21 Dimensions: 63x25mm Weight: 140g DA15 Dimensions: 63x40mm Weight: 212g DA21 is more compact, but DA15 is still haft tall of a soda can. it is not that big. I have DA15, and I love it. Last edited by pakinjapan; 05-29-2013 at 02:12 AM.

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05-29-2013, 12:50 AM	#2
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,267	DA21. Compact, light, not too slow, quick AF, close focussing, quick shift, sharp, great colours, reasonably flare resistant and starbursts!

05-29-2013, 12:52 AM	#3
Erd§ Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SEQ Posts: 323	Ordinarily I'd suggest the plastic fantastic...DA35 f2.4...but it's literally only "a little wider" than your 40. Then there's the other end of the spectrum - the FA31 Ltd...but it's not really a small lens, and depending on your budget, can be prohibitively expensive. To go wider, you'd have to look at the DA21 Ltd...or the brilliant little DA15 Ltd. It all depends on what you would regard as a general purpose focal length...it's different for everyone.

05-29-2013, 01:06 AM	#4
Jayc5687 New Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 17 Original Poster	Originally posted by Erd§ Ordinarily I'd suggest the plastic fantastic...DA35 f2.4...but it's literally only "a little wider" than your 40. Then there's the other end of the spectrum - the FA31 Ltd...but it's not really a small lens, and depending on your budget, can be prohibitively expensive. To go wider, you'd have to look at the DA21 Ltd...or the brilliant little DA15 Ltd. It all depends on what you would regard as a general purpose focal length...it's different for everyone. Yeah, I know that's a very open ended idea because a general purpose prime for one person is much different than for someone else. I will certainly look into the DA 21 or DA 15, which of those two are more compact?

05-29-2013, 01:50 AM	#6
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,267	I have both the 15 and 21, and while the 15 is stunning in specialised circumstances, it is a bit too wide for me to consider it as a general purpose lens.

05-29-2013, 03:30 AM	#7
Jayc5687 New Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 17 Original Poster	I would lean more towards the 21 anyhow since it is a little more compact. Thanks to everyone for their input.

05-29-2013, 04:00 AM	#8
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	If you have a kit lens then you can look at 21 vs 18 on your K-01. 15mm is significantly wider than 18mm. I own the 15 because its thst much wider, but the 21 is smaller and more of a "normal" focal length.

05-29-2013, 04:04 AM	#9
Jayc5687 New Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 17 Original Poster	And I think that is why I want to get that. I want something I put on the camera and take out without feeling constricted. I want something light and compact, but able to handle a "normal," as you say, focal length.

05-29-2013, 04:12 AM	#10
LennyBloke Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Worcestershire, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 677	Not sure if it's quite wide enough for you, but you could do a lot worse than to take a look at the DA35mm f2.8 Limited Macro. Fairly compact, well built, excellent IQ, Macro too - it's one of the best "normal" all-rounders there is!

05-29-2013, 04:48 AM	#11
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Judging by how versatile I think my Sigma 20/1.8 is think the 21mm would at least suit me well as a walk around.

05-29-2013, 05:52 AM - 1 Like	#12
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Don't forget the Sigma 30/1.4. It is your best bet when light is scarce, and serviceable in bright light. I have the 15, 40 and 35 macro, but the Sigma is the one I turn to most often. It's not "small", but it's quite reasonable in size.

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05-29-2013, 05:54 AM - 1 Like	#13
seventysixersfan Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	The F or FA 28mm lenses are compact, f/2.8, lightweight, offer excellent image quality, and are perfect "normal" FOV on APS-C. And less expensive than DA limited lenses.

05-29-2013, 06:01 AM	#14
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	I rented a DA21mm a few years ago. It wasn't what I wanted for a specific purpose, but it was a nice walkaround lens, and would be good indoors and on the streets. I did really like the pancake format, though, that was nice. I have considered watching for a used copy. Eventually I got a Sigma 28mm f1.8 macro for the original purpose, for which it's great. Small it is not. Good for walkaround - yes it is. It's also hard to argue against the Fantastic Plastic - as affordable as it is.

05-29-2013, 06:15 AM	#15
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,337	I like my 40 mm Limited for general use.