Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

**monochrome** · 11-21-2013, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by snake

It's all about performance and the best product will win, regardless of how it's branded. If it doesn't, then Pentax has to adapt. Simple.

It's all about the buzz and the "coolest" product will win, regardless of the performance.

**Rondec** · 11-21-2013, 08:59 AM

I don't quite get PC Mag reviewing cameras and lenses. Anyway, in all these reviews, sharpness and maximum aperture are the keys to doing well. At the same time, anyway who wants a lens like the Sigma 18-35 f1.8 or, even the DA * 16-50 f2.8 is not going to be satisfied with this lens. On the other hand, for street photographers who don't really want a bazooka of a lens, this might be about right.

The Q line of cameras has taken numerous hits for having a "small sensor," but those who use it take advantage of the large depth of field and turn out great work. But then again, reviewers can't tell you how you will use the gear.

normhead · 11-21-2013, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

I am reminded of a brief note I read some years back that the first Hoya exec assigned to run Pentax (the nephew of the Chairman? - same guy who admierd mountian climbers so picked K7 for an "outdoor" camera) insisted Pentax design a lens to win test site challenges, IOW design for DXOMark.

It also ended Hoya's interest in retaining Pentax lens designers.

**monochrome** · 11-21-2013, 10:16 AM

Originally posted by normhead

It also ended Hoya's interest in retaining Pentax lens designers.

I wasn't going to assert the two were related but I recall that outcome.

ogl · 11-21-2013, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by EarlVonTapia

Nice review.

I am in the camp of wanting to have small, light lenses as opposed to big, honking lenses.

It's not 100% verified, but in the article it states that the f ranges are as follows:

f2.8: 20mm - 29mm
f3.5: 30mm-39mm
f4: 40mm

And if that is indeed the case, then FANTASTIC.

Where did you get such info? Show me, please.

Pioneer · 11-21-2013, 11:04 AM

Hmmm

I prefer prime lenses but this little Pentax zoom really interests me. The range fits perfectly with my favorite focal lengths. If the size is right, and the image quality is as nice as I suspect it will be, then I might pick this one up. If I need a faster lens for low light then I just reach for the FA31.

RonHendriks1966 · 11-21-2013, 11:17 AM

That lloks great to me. Small lens, versatile zoomrange (from DA21mmLTD to DA40mmLTD), wheater sealed and great image quality.

Pioneer · 11-21-2013, 11:56 AM

Like THoog says, a lot will depend on what this lens can actually do. I want to see some images, and not the normal kind you see at the end of a DPReview. I want to see something from someone who understands a lens like this, like Reid. Someone who can really put this lens to work. I already own several Limited lenses and I know how they work. I will be watching this one pretty close.

aurele · 11-21-2013, 12:14 PM

Does anyone know what it produce on film ? i've read that someone did some test shot few days ago, but i can't find i which topic

EarlVonTapia · 11-21-2013, 01:15 PM

Originally posted by ogl

Where did you get such info? Show me, please.

Sure. I gleaned that info from the following paragraph in the article (the paragraph is the one before the picture of the payphone if you want to read it directly from the source). I have bolded the relevant bits.

Quote:

At 20mm f/2.8 it manages 1,861 lines using a center-weighted test, but there's a bit of softness towards the edges of the frame. Stopping down to f/4 improves things all around; the average score is 1,959 lines there. It improves to 2.068 lines at f/5.6 and peaks at 2,248 lines at f/8. Distortion is an issue here; the lens shows 2.3 percent barrel distortion, which makes straight lines appear to curve outward. The K-3 has in-camera distortion control for JPG shooting, but if your camera doesn't have that feature, or if you shoot in Raw, you'll need to correct the distortion in an editing program such as Lightroom.

Distortion goes away quickly as you zoom; it's gone by 30mm. There the maximum aperture narrows to f/3.5 and the lens notches an impressive 2,159 lines. Stopping down to f/5.6 only delivers marginal improvement, and again the lens peaks at f/8 with 2,315 lines. At 40mm f/4 the lens records 2,164 lines, a score that improve marginally until it hits 2,391 lines at f/8.

So that was me reading between the lines. Of course, that's also why I originally stated that it was not 100% verified.

NitroDC · 11-21-2013, 05:40 PM

Glad it's sharp and all but I'm more concerned with how it renders, aberrations, bokeh, you know... the other 90% of the lens' optical characteristics besides sharpness.

This review focused on sharpness only, and by numbers.

ogl · 11-21-2013, 07:42 PM

Pentax HD 20-40mm f2.8-4 DA Limited Lens: Image Gallery and First Look

This review has full-sized images.

It seems to me - NO CA. The lens is SHARP wide-opened already.

sunfog · 11-22-2013, 04:14 AM

Originally posted by ogl

Pentax HD 20-40mm f2.8-4 DA Limited Lens: Image Gallery and First Look

This review has full-sized images.

It seems to me - NO CA. The lens is SHARP wide-opened already.

Thanks for sharing! Looks like the sharpness is so-so in the corners. This makes it even harder to decide between Pentax da 20-40 and sigma 18-35 A. And the bokeh in paved road foto is more disturbing than it could be.

Look at right corner.

Picture of Pentax HD 20-40mm f2.8-4 DA Limited Lens Sample Image

aurele · 11-22-2013, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by ogl

Pentax HD 20-40mm f2.8-4 DA Limited Lens: Image Gallery and First Look

This review has full-sized images.

It seems to me - NO CA. The lens is SHARP wide-opened already.

Geez ! i'll have to get this lens ... damn i was curing my LBA quite well so far !

Driline · 11-22-2013, 07:36 AM

I need a wide angle zoom for both low light indoor shots and outdoor shots. I wonder which lens will do the job better?

11-21-2013, 07:42 PM	#27
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Pentax HD 20-40mm f2.8-4 DA Limited Lens: Image Gallery and First Look This review has full-sized images. It seems to me - NO CA. The lens is SHARP wide-opened already. Last edited by ogl; 11-22-2013 at 01:42 AM.

11-22-2013, 04:14 AM	#28
sunfog New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 14	Originally posted by ogl Pentax HD 20-40mm f2.8-4 DA Limited Lens: Image Gallery and First Look This review has full-sized images. It seems to me - NO CA. The lens is SHARP wide-opened already. Thanks for sharing! Looks like the sharpness is so-so in the corners. This makes it even harder to decide between Pentax da 20-40 and sigma 18-35 A. And the bokeh in paved road foto is more disturbing than it could be. Look at right corner. Picture of Pentax HD 20-40mm f2.8-4 DA Limited Lens Sample Image Last edited by sunfog; 11-22-2013 at 12:49 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Sigma 18-35 1.8 art vs HD DA 20-40mm F2.8 - 4 Limited DC WR	jrcastillo	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	111	09-22-2015 03:02 PM
20-40mm Limited is WR and DC! (officially announced)	Adam	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	11-09-2013 12:33 PM
Pentax 20-40mm DC WR Limited and Q 08 Wide Zoom Officially Announced	Adam	Pentax News and Rumors	131	11-08-2013 08:28 PM
40mm Limited or 40mm XS?	Groove	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	17	04-12-2013 01:50 AM
15mm Limited Reviewed! (Officially)	Adam	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	16	07-09-2010 08:12 PM

11-21-2013, 08:43 AM	#16
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by snake It's all about performance and the best product will win, regardless of how it's branded. If it doesn't, then Pentax has to adapt. Simple. It's all about the buzz and the "coolest" product will win, regardless of the performance.

11-21-2013, 08:59 AM	#17
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,666	I don't quite get PC Mag reviewing cameras and lenses. Anyway, in all these reviews, sharpness and maximum aperture are the keys to doing well. At the same time, anyway who wants a lens like the Sigma 18-35 f1.8 or, even the DA * 16-50 f2.8 is not going to be satisfied with this lens. On the other hand, for street photographers who don't really want a bazooka of a lens, this might be about right. The Q line of cameras has taken numerous hits for having a "small sensor," but those who use it take advantage of the large depth of field and turn out great work. But then again, reviewers can't tell you how you will use the gear.

11-21-2013, 09:09 AM	#18
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by monochrome I am reminded of a brief note I read some years back that the first Hoya exec assigned to run Pentax (the nephew of the Chairman? - same guy who admierd mountian climbers so picked K7 for an "outdoor" camera) insisted Pentax design a lens to win test site challenges, IOW design for DXOMark. It also ended Hoya's interest in retaining Pentax lens designers.

11-21-2013, 10:16 AM	#19
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by normhead It also ended Hoya's interest in retaining Pentax lens designers. I wasn't going to assert the two were related but I recall that outcome.

11-21-2013, 10:49 AM	#20
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by EarlVonTapia Nice review. I am in the camp of wanting to have small, light lenses as opposed to big, honking lenses. It's not 100% verified, but in the article it states that the f ranges are as follows: f2.8: 20mm - 29mm f3.5: 30mm-39mm f4: 40mm And if that is indeed the case, then FANTASTIC. Where did you get such info? Show me, please.

11-21-2013, 11:04 AM	#21
Pioneer Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wandering the Streets Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,411	Hmmm I prefer prime lenses but this little Pentax zoom really interests me. The range fits perfectly with my favorite focal lengths. If the size is right, and the image quality is as nice as I suspect it will be, then I might pick this one up. If I need a faster lens for low light then I just reach for the FA31.

11-21-2013, 11:17 AM	#22
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	That lloks great to me. Small lens, versatile zoomrange (from DA21mmLTD to DA40mmLTD), wheater sealed and great image quality.

11-21-2013, 11:56 AM	#23
Pioneer Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wandering the Streets Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,411	Like THoog says, a lot will depend on what this lens can actually do. I want to see some images, and not the normal kind you see at the end of a DPReview. I want to see something from someone who understands a lens like this, like Reid. Someone who can really put this lens to work. I already own several Limited lenses and I know how they work. I will be watching this one pretty close.

11-21-2013, 12:14 PM	#24
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Does anyone know what it produce on film ? i've read that someone did some test shot few days ago, but i can't find i which topic

11-21-2013, 01:15 PM	#25
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207	Originally posted by ogl Where did you get such info? Show me, please. Sure. I gleaned that info from the following paragraph in the article (the paragraph is the one before the picture of the payphone if you want to read it directly from the source). I have bolded the relevant bits. Quote: At 20mm f/2.8 it manages 1,861 lines using a center-weighted test, but there's a bit of softness towards the edges of the frame. Stopping down to f/4 improves things all around; the average score is 1,959 lines there. It improves to 2.068 lines at f/5.6 and peaks at 2,248 lines at f/8. Distortion is an issue here; the lens shows 2.3 percent barrel distortion, which makes straight lines appear to curve outward. The K-3 has in-camera distortion control for JPG shooting, but if your camera doesn't have that feature, or if you shoot in Raw, you'll need to correct the distortion in an editing program such as Lightroom. Distortion goes away quickly as you zoom; it's gone by 30mm. There the maximum aperture narrows to f/3.5 and the lens notches an impressive 2,159 lines. Stopping down to f/5.6 only delivers marginal improvement, and again the lens peaks at f/8 with 2,315 lines. At 40mm f/4 the lens records 2,164 lines, a score that improve marginally until it hits 2,391 lines at f/8. So that was me reading between the lines. Of course, that's also why I originally stated that it was not 100% verified.

11-21-2013, 05:40 PM	#26
NitroDC Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 342	Glad it's sharp and all but I'm more concerned with how it renders, aberrations, bokeh, you know... the other 90% of the lens' optical characteristics besides sharpness. This review focused on sharpness only, and by numbers.

11-22-2013, 06:25 AM	#29
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by ogl Pentax HD 20-40mm f2.8-4 DA Limited Lens: Image Gallery and First Look This review has full-sized images. It seems to me - NO CA. The lens is SHARP wide-opened already. Geez ! i'll have to get this lens ... damn i was curing my LBA quite well so far !

11-22-2013, 07:36 AM	#30
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,706	I need a wide angle zoom for both low light indoor shots and outdoor shots. I wonder which lens will do the job better?

20-40mm Limited reviewed

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!