If you could have but one Limited............

Eyewanders · 03-16-2014, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by GoremanX

But what about people who don't use Adobe software?

Again, agreed, but if someone is springing for a Limited lens, it's a reasonable assumption that they'd consider using something other than Google Picasa for digital PP.

GoremanX · 03-16-2014, 01:37 PM

Originally posted by chickentender

Again, agreed, but if someone is springing for a Limited lens, it's a reasonable assumption that they'd consider using something other than Google Picasa for digital PP.

hmm, that's an interesting assumption, that everyone with a Limited lens must use Adobe software rather than CaptureOne, DxO Optics, Photo Ninja, Aperture, Aftershot, or some other high grade RAW developing software (none of which can correct the axial fringing of the 77mm, unfortunately

).

Eyewanders · 03-16-2014, 01:41 PM

Ok, you win if you like. I'm not sure why you'd take it as far that I'm suggesting that "everyone with a Limited lens" uses adobe. My point is simply that the fringing isn't a terribly difficult problem to deal with generally, and the widespread popularity of LR and PS is not myth.

ChristianRock · 03-17-2014, 06:57 AM

So after the weekend is gone, here's the current standings, just for fun... a few 77 fans showed up and that moved it up the list. The 20-40 on the other hand showed no additional support so it's the one that moved down the list the most.

1. FA31
Parallax
UpNorth
Ronhendricks1966
pearsaab
Pioneer
peterjcb
skunktail
steve1307
twitch
todd
zmohie

2. (tie) DA35
wtlwdwgn
Kozlok
Kenntak
Gaberlunzi
arnold
jddwoods
BabyTeaLeaf
Jonathan Mac

2. (tie) DA15
SpecialK
savoche
DSims
j2photos
waterfall
mattb123
waterfall
northcoastgreg

2. (tie) FA77
siamthai
Sandy Hancock
jeffshaddix
jsherman999
Gray
ivanvernon
yorik
LFLee

5. (tie) DA20-40
GoremanX
lytrytyr
Giklab
kentishrev
Dice

5. (tie) FA43
calculator01
HSV
slipdm16
miltona580
1r0nh31d3

7. (tie) DA21
drugal
TinaS
jwc77
Bagga_Txips

7. (tie) DA40
DennisH
bdery
FW Birds
beeldmark

DA70 - no votes still.

Blue · 03-17-2014, 07:25 AM

DA 35 Ltd Macro

Bagga_Txips · 03-17-2014, 09:31 AM - **1 Like**

So if you ignore the 31 winner because it is too expensive, the 3 lenses tied for second place are the perfect answer to the other thread! DA15, DA35 macro, and FA77.

normhead · 03-17-2014, 09:37 AM

I only have one limited, and it's the 21... so I don't have to get all theoretical here. I just look in my bag.

Ishpuini · 03-18-2014, 07:00 AM

Very difficult question. I have the DA15, DA21, DA20-40, FA31, FA43 and FA77 to choose from. Each has its own characteristics that make me pick them above the others.

To be honest, the FA77 is my least used, but that's because I'm not so much a telephotography lover (except for wildlife, but the FA77 is no wildlife lens of course). Next is the FA31, mostly because I generally prefer slightly longer of shorter (DA21 or FA43) and because of its being the largest of the limited primes, it gets left out of the bag most frequently.

So in terms of usage it's a tie between the DA15, DA21 and FA43. The DA15 is more of a necessity to fill in my need for a compact wide prime. Some of its applications can be done by stiching however, so it could be missed.

Out of the remaining two, my heart warms most for the FA43, but the DA21 offers a more suitable FoV for my style. Choosing between these would be very difficult, if it weren't for my recent purchase of ...

... the DA20-40, which is at least as good (or better?) as the DA21, and offers me the narrower FoV I sometimes need without changing lenses.

So, if I could pick only one, it would be the DA20-40 without doubt!!

Wim

link81 · 03-18-2014, 07:07 AM

so, for those with the 20-40 as well as other ltd's,
does the zoom have the starbursts of the 15, the bokeh of the 31 and 43, and the "charm" that is characteristic of all the ltd's?

i don't care about "reviews" and lab tests, How does it perform in real life, with real users?

even though i own exactly (0) limiteds i find this discussion extremely interesting. It's very interesting how so many lens's, in very close focal ranges, have such a wide and varied following.

Ishpuini · 03-18-2014, 07:18 AM

Originally posted by link81

so, for those with the 20-40 as well as other ltd's,
does the zoom have the starbursts of the 15, the bokeh of the 31 and 43, and the "charm" that is characteristic of all the ltd's?

Starbusts: I now carry the DA20-40 plus the DA15, so the DA15 doens't get replaced. However, starbusts are not my thing, and I would actually rather prefer not having them. Personal taste I guess. And if you do miss starbusts with the DA20-40, there's always Cokin's star filters...

Bokeh: Obviously it's harder to get pronounced bokeh, because of the smaller widest aperture (f/3.5 vs f/1.8 at around 30mm and f/4 vs f/1.9 at around 40mm), but when moving close enough to the subject, I find bokeh actually very pleasing in the DA20-40.
"Charm": Optically it certaily has the charm. Physically, the lens handles very nicely, and I find its feeling in hand more tactile, i.e. closer to the FA limiteds than the DA limiteds. I expect the design of the zoom ring to be one reason for this, as well as the overall size of the lens. I feel its focus and zoom rings are also better damped than the DA limiteds. Just my impression, I didn't compare head-to-head...

Wim

reeftool · 03-18-2014, 05:15 PM

I only own two Limiteds right now, the DA 15 and DA 40. Without any hesitation, I will choose the DA 15 over the 40. Not that the 40 is bad but I use the 15 much more. I'm not going to bring up lenses I haven't used.

smcseth · 03-18-2014, 05:46 PM

Between the two Limiteds I own, I'd have to pick the DA 15. I love the FA 77 (although I agree with GoremanX that the fringing/CA is not always easy to fix) but the 15 spends more time on my camera.

mikeSF · 03-18-2014, 05:53 PM

It has a seven and another seven.

normhead · 03-18-2014, 06:20 PM

Just one lens.... ? The 31... closest to the standard lens, I have trouble even contemplating the 20-40 as a limited.. someone help me out here. Th 15, 21 31, 43, and77 all seem to have some top of the line characteristics...does the 20-40?

Parallax · 03-18-2014, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by normhead

Just one lens.... ? The 31... closest to the standard lens, I have trouble even contemplating the 20-40 as a limited.. someone help me out here. Th 15, 21 31, 43, and77 all seem to have some top of the line characteristics...does the 20-40?

I don't have a 20-40, but from all of the reviews I've read, and from all of the images from it I've looked at I would say that its build quality/physical characteristics qualify it as a "Ltd". It's IQ qualifies it as "JAZ" (Just Another Zoom).

03-18-2014, 07:00 AM	#98
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727	Very difficult question. I have the DA15, DA21, DA20-40, FA31, FA43 and FA77 to choose from. Each has its own characteristics that make me pick them above the others. To be honest, the FA77 is my least used, but that's because I'm not so much a telephotography lover (except for wildlife, but the FA77 is no wildlife lens of course). Next is the FA31, mostly because I generally prefer slightly longer of shorter (DA21 or FA43) and because of its being the largest of the limited primes, it gets left out of the bag most frequently. So in terms of usage it's a tie between the DA15, DA21 and FA43. The DA15 is more of a necessity to fill in my need for a compact wide prime. Some of its applications can be done by stiching however, so it could be missed. Out of the remaining two, my heart warms most for the FA43, but the DA21 offers a more suitable FoV for my style. Choosing between these would be very difficult, if it weren't for my recent purchase of ... ... the DA20-40, which is at least as good (or better?) as the DA21, and offers me the narrower FoV I sometimes need without changing lenses. So, if I could pick only one, it would be the DA20-40 without doubt!! Wim Last edited by Ishpuini; 03-18-2014 at 07:19 AM.

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03-16-2014, 11:00 AM	#91
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Originally posted by GoremanX But what about people who don't use Adobe software? Again, agreed, but if someone is springing for a Limited lens, it's a reasonable assumption that they'd consider using something other than Google Picasa for digital PP.

03-16-2014, 01:37 PM	#92
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by chickentender Again, agreed, but if someone is springing for a Limited lens, it's a reasonable assumption that they'd consider using something other than Google Picasa for digital PP. hmm, that's an interesting assumption, that everyone with a Limited lens must use Adobe software rather than CaptureOne, DxO Optics, Photo Ninja, Aperture, Aftershot, or some other high grade RAW developing software (none of which can correct the axial fringing of the 77mm, unfortunately ).

03-16-2014, 01:41 PM	#93
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Ok, you win if you like. I'm not sure why you'd take it as far that I'm suggesting that "everyone with a Limited lens" uses adobe. My point is simply that the fringing isn't a terribly difficult problem to deal with generally, and the widespread popularity of LR and PS is not myth.

03-17-2014, 06:57 AM	#94
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	So after the weekend is gone, here's the current standings, just for fun... a few 77 fans showed up and that moved it up the list. The 20-40 on the other hand showed no additional support so it's the one that moved down the list the most. 1. FA31 Parallax UpNorth Ronhendricks1966 pearsaab Pioneer peterjcb skunktail steve1307 twitch todd zmohie 2. (tie) DA35 wtlwdwgn Kozlok Kenntak Gaberlunzi arnold jddwoods BabyTeaLeaf Jonathan Mac 2. (tie) DA15 SpecialK savoche DSims j2photos waterfall mattb123 waterfall northcoastgreg 2. (tie) FA77 siamthai Sandy Hancock jeffshaddix jsherman999 Gray ivanvernon yorik LFLee 5. (tie) DA20-40 GoremanX lytrytyr Giklab kentishrev Dice 5. (tie) FA43 calculator01 HSV slipdm16 miltona580 1r0nh31d3 7. (tie) DA21 drugal TinaS jwc77 Bagga_Txips 7. (tie) DA40 DennisH bdery FW Birds beeldmark DA70 - no votes still.

03-17-2014, 07:25 AM	#95
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	DA 35 Ltd Macro

03-17-2014, 09:31 AM - 1 Like	#96
Bagga_Txips Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Waterford Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 454	So if you ignore the 31 winner because it is too expensive, the 3 lenses tied for second place are the perfect answer to the other thread! DA15, DA35 macro, and FA77.

03-17-2014, 09:37 AM	#97
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I only have one limited, and it's the 21... so I don't have to get all theoretical here. I just look in my bag.

03-18-2014, 07:07 AM	#99
link81 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 12822 Photos: Albums Posts: 459 Original Poster	so, for those with the 20-40 as well as other ltd's, does the zoom have the starbursts of the 15, the bokeh of the 31 and 43, and the "charm" that is characteristic of all the ltd's? i don't care about "reviews" and lab tests, How does it perform in real life, with real users? even though i own exactly (0) limiteds i find this discussion extremely interesting. It's very interesting how so many lens's, in very close focal ranges, have such a wide and varied following.

03-18-2014, 07:18 AM	#100
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727	Originally posted by link81 so, for those with the 20-40 as well as other ltd's, does the zoom have the starbursts of the 15, the bokeh of the 31 and 43, and the "charm" that is characteristic of all the ltd's? Starbusts: I now carry the DA20-40 plus the DA15, so the DA15 doens't get replaced. However, starbusts are not my thing, and I would actually rather prefer not having them. Personal taste I guess. And if you do miss starbusts with the DA20-40, there's always Cokin's star filters... Bokeh: Obviously it's harder to get pronounced bokeh, because of the smaller widest aperture (f/3.5 vs f/1.8 at around 30mm and f/4 vs f/1.9 at around 40mm), but when moving close enough to the subject, I find bokeh actually very pleasing in the DA20-40. "Charm": Optically it certaily has the charm. Physically, the lens handles very nicely, and I find its feeling in hand more tactile, i.e. closer to the FA limiteds than the DA limiteds. I expect the design of the zoom ring to be one reason for this, as well as the overall size of the lens. I feel its focus and zoom rings are also better damped than the DA limiteds. Just my impression, I didn't compare head-to-head... Wim

03-18-2014, 05:15 PM	#101
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,553	I only own two Limiteds right now, the DA 15 and DA 40. Without any hesitation, I will choose the DA 15 over the 40. Not that the 40 is bad but I use the 15 much more. I'm not going to bring up lenses I haven't used.

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03-18-2014, 05:46 PM	#102
smcseth New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 12	Between the two Limiteds I own, I'd have to pick the DA 15. I love the FA 77 (although I agree with GoremanX that the fringing/CA is not always easy to fix) but the 15 spends more time on my camera.

03-18-2014, 05:53 PM	#103
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	It has a seven and another seven.

03-18-2014, 06:20 PM	#104
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Just one lens.... ? The 31... closest to the standard lens, I have trouble even contemplating the 20-40 as a limited.. someone help me out here. Th 15, 21 31, 43, and77 all seem to have some top of the line characteristics...does the 20-40?

03-18-2014, 06:29 PM	#105
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	Originally posted by normhead Just one lens.... ? The 31... closest to the standard lens, I have trouble even contemplating the 20-40 as a limited.. someone help me out here. Th 15, 21 31, 43, and77 all seem to have some top of the line characteristics...does the 20-40? I don't have a 20-40, but from all of the reviews I've read, and from all of the images from it I've looked at I would say that its build quality/physical characteristics qualify it as a "Ltd". It's IQ qualifies it as "JAZ" (Just Another Zoom).