Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
11-09-2013, 10:41 PM   #16
JPT
Pentaxian




Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Tokyo
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,811
This is interesting because you are working towards the same set of lenses as me. I'm using them with the K-01. I have the 10-17, 21, 40 and am planning to get the 70 next. I would agree with others who suggested to get the 21 next. It's the lens I keep on my camera most and I find it a rely useful focal length on APS-C. It seems you have a real gap there. It's sharp enough for me, if not the sharpest of lenses, but that's not the whole story. Somehow it captures scenes really vividly and it copes well with high levels of contrast and the sun being in the frame. The 21 can certainly produce nice starbursts at smaller apertures, but if that's what you want, I would recommend the SMC version over the newer HD version. I think we'll have some reliable comparisons very soon, but there is reason to believe that the rounded aperture blades in the newer version will weaken the starburst effect.

11-10-2013, 01:58 AM   #17
Veteran Member
kh1234567890's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Manchester, UK
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,653
Get the SMC DA21 before they all disappear. You won't regret it. It is magic !
11-10-2013, 01:36 PM   #18
Veteran Member




Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Waterford
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 454
One thing that needs to be considered is: are you going to be carrying all of your existing collection around with you? You already have the short tele portrait category covered, twice and a half! So why not cover the other end of the range, either by getting the 21, or better still get the SMC 15 and crop to 21 when necessary? I am doing the Single in November challenge with the 70 and I am having to carry only the 70 with me to force me to use it because it is so very limiting. (sic)

But even though owning the 15 is the ultimate badge of being in with the in crowd (I am desperate to own one) why not get a lens that makes it easier to do yet another category of photography, the 35 macro? OK, it's not a limited, but this forum proves it's a great lens.

However, at this stage of Ricoh's plans, the SMC 15 is a must-have IMHO. Extinct soon, and we are gonna really long for those star bursts...

Last edited by Bagga_Txips; 11-10-2013 at 04:25 PM.
11-10-2013, 01:43 PM   #19
Veteran Member




Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Central Kentucky
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 1,417
I don't really meet the standards you defined in your first post since I don't own the the 70mm. I bought the 40 first and then I bought the 21. I love them both but the 21 gets more use than any other lens I own.

Unless portraits are your cup of tea I suspect you will benefit from taking the same route. A 50 makes a good portrait lens IMO.

11-10-2013, 02:42 PM   #20
Senior Member
jwc77's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Rolla, MO
Posts: 269
Original Poster
The 35 macro is a limited...and I have macro covered between my Vivitar 55 2.8 macro and my M50 macro. Plus 35 is a little too close to my 40 I think. I was really leaning towards the 21 anyway...and I think you all have helped reinforce that decision.
11-10-2013, 04:37 PM   #21
Veteran Member




Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Waterford
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 454
Yep. My 21 is my most used lens, and even when I have a 15, which is inevitable, I can't think back to a time recently when it was VITAL that I needed a 15.

And during the last 2 months I have been to 2 of the most beautiful landscapes in China, and the 21 did me proud.
11-11-2013, 02:22 AM   #22
Veteran Member
Caat's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: United Kingdom
Photos: Albums
Posts: 927
I am presuming that the HD version of the 21 is completely the same optically and therefore the barrel distortion of the SMC version will remain. Has anyone found this an issue?

11-11-2013, 03:14 AM   #23
Veteran Member
kh1234567890's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Manchester, UK
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,653
QuoteOriginally posted by Caat Quote
I am presuming that the HD version of the 21 is completely the same optically and therefore the barrel distortion of the SMC version will remain. Has anyone found this an issue?
With the old SMC DA21 there is indeed a fair bit of barrel distortion but it is easily corrected in post-processing or in-camera. I'd expect the HD version to be the same. It is really only noticeable in shots like this :

11-11-2013, 10:57 AM   #24
Veteran Member
robjmitchell's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Melbourne Aus
Posts: 1,776
Re HD vs SMC, If you like star bursts get the SMC (probably more important in the 15ltd) I have HD and it has really nice bokeh for things like flowers, although there are not to many comparisons to the SMC version.
11-12-2013, 09:00 AM   #25
Senior Member
jwc77's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Rolla, MO
Posts: 269
Original Poster
Pulled the trigger on the 21 limited. Can't wait to get it and use it with my new K 30. Thanks for the input!
11-12-2013, 09:50 AM   #26
Veteran Member
kh1234567890's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Manchester, UK
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,653
QuoteOriginally posted by jwc77 Quote
Pulled the trigger on the 21 limited. Can't wait to get it and use it with my new K 30. Thanks for the input!


Until it arrives you may want to search eBay for an old Pentax 51mm slip-on plastic lens cap, not the more common clip-on one. The beautiful metal one that comes with the DA21 is a work of art but is expensive to replace should you lose it.
11-12-2013, 10:00 AM   #27
Junior Member




Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 32
The DA 21 mm. Sounds like you already have the short tele end covered. You can always add the 70 mm lens later.
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
da, hand, k-mount, lens, opinions, pentax lens, slr lens
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
New and need help choosing a zoom lens drRae Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10 01-15-2013 04:20 PM
16-50 stolen, need some opinions on new Walk around Saxplayer1004 Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 28 01-06-2013 07:51 PM
Advice on Choosing Limited Lens gottlob Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 19 10-17-2012 01:13 PM
Buying a K-5, need guidance on choosing a lens Pelicashka Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 17 05-12-2012 06:49 AM
Could Use Some Opinions on a New Lens Slick Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 6 08-28-2008 11:08 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:53 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top