FA* 24/2 and DA 21/3.2 Ltd

kathyk · 05-21-2008, 12:09 PM

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.

Does anyone own both of these lenses (or have in the past) and can offer some thoughts in comparing? (Availability and pricing aside)

The DA 21 seems like the easier choice but I'm wondering if the 24 should also be considered. Thanks for your thoughts

roentarre · 05-21-2008, 03:22 PM

I would prefer to have Da 21 ltd if you give me these two choices.

Da 21 ltd is small compact and render most of the images at f3.2 relatively sharp even for landscape.

Fa* 24mm f2 is more of a protrait lens, focusing on wider aperture with good bokeh.

k100d · 05-21-2008, 05:01 PM

whenever i see a DA21 post, i usually chime in because i think it's the most underrated of the Pancakes.

i can't say i've owned both lenses, but the FA* 24 is quite a honker of a lens.
i really like my DA21 because it makes the camera nice and compact great for casual photography, i don't think i'd get the same vibe using a FA*24 and it's big hood

HermanLee · 05-22-2008, 12:45 AM

Hi Kathy,

You read my mind. I was going to post this question before. But since you've started, I'll just join in.
To start, I own FA*24/2 and almost bought a DA 21/3.2 2 days ago.
I didn't get the DA21 yet, but maybe someday I'll get it just to compare both of them.
What I like w/ my FA*24 is that this is the only wide angle prime lens in Pentax that is fast enough for dim light. It's almost 1.5x wider than DA21.
I don't know how it performed when both tested at f/3.2 but I guess FA*24 will win since it's stopped down.
Also the contrast produced by FA*24 is amazing. Sometimes when I missed the focus, the picture still seems sharp because of the contrast. I think this is another good point of this lens. But again, I wish I have DA21 too for comparison.

As Peter said, the DA21 's advantage is the small size, but if you need it for low light shooting, you'll need to add flash anyway (which adds to the weight and size). For casual need in good lighting condition, I agree that DA21 is more convenient.

My other reason to keep FA*24 is the unique feeling of owning one of Pentax's best lens and satisfy my full frame dream

I don't ask Pentax to make one but in case they do, this lens will outperform DA21 for sure since it's designed for full frame anyway.

Ben_Edict · 05-22-2008, 02:37 AM

I chime in for the FA 24/2. But on the other hand you simply cannot compare these two lenses, without noticing, that they are made for entirely diferent purposes. The 24/2 is simply a fast lens for available light photography and it execells at that, being sharp and contrasty enough even fully open. Also, its build quality is excellent, including the handling of manual focus etc.

The DA 21 is a pancake lens. And I admit I never understood how this could be a value on its own. My personal preference is for image quality and speed. But another photog might prefer the low bulk and weight of the DAs.

So, any decision should be based more on your personal preferences regarding max. aperture + bulk + weight versus a slow lens + low bulk + low weight. And handling might be point, as I can hardly imagine how to focus the DA manually with that very small focusing ring.

Ben

**GaryM** · 05-22-2008, 09:22 AM

Originally posted by Ben_Edict

I chime in for the FA 24/2. But on the other hand you simply cannot compare these two lenses, without noticing, that they are made for entirely diferent purposes. The 24/2 is simply a fast lens for available light photography and it execells at that, being sharp and contrasty enough even fully open. Also, its build quality is excellent, including the handling of manual focus etc.

The DA 21 is a pancake lens. And I admit I never understood how this could be a value on its own. My personal preference is for image quality and speed. But another photog might prefer the low bulk and weight of the DAs.

So, any decision should be based more on your personal preferences regarding max. aperture + bulk + weight versus a slow lens + low bulk + low weight. And handling might be point, as I can hardly imagine how to focus the DA manually with that very small focusing ring.

Ben

Photozone tested and reviewed both of these lenses on a K10D, and the DA21 outperformed the FA24 handily - the edge performance of the FA is reported there as being 'dismal'. The FA24 has been found to be excellent on film, so it apparently has issues with digital sensors. Also, the DA21 is a Limited lens, and the build quality is excellent as well. The value of the pancake lenses can be attested to by anyone who does any backpacking or hiking. Of course, if you really need the speed for low-light, the FA24 will do the job.

Duplo · 05-23-2008, 06:24 PM

I can definitely chime in on both, I used to own both for quite a while and I really like both.

the FA*24 is an excellent lens, sharp, very contrasty and with a n overall pleasant rendering.
Bokeh is surprisingly decent.

The DA21ltd is perhaps one of the finest rendering lenses for landscape work I have come across from any brand, there is soomething to the landscapes from this lens that is just wonderful.

If I weere to chose two lenss from the entire Pentax lineup old and new, the DA21ltd would be one of them.

Both are great lenses though and the spped of the FA*24 for say aurora shooting at night is very nice to have.
For people I prefer the FA*24 over the DA21ltd, but generally speaking i like the renderings and FOV from the DA21ltd better.

PaengBonafe · 05-23-2008, 06:31 PM

hmm.. thanks for the info guys.. i am also debating on which of the 2 i should get..

axl · 05-24-2008, 01:26 AM

To be honest, I don't have any of these two. But DA21 is on my shopping list. If it's performance is anywhere around that of DA40 (and reportedly it is) then it's a no brainer. It simply must be a great lens...
my 2p

axl · 05-24-2008, 01:29 AM

Originally posted by HermanLee

....What I like w/ my FA*24 is that this is the only wide angle prime lens in Pentax that is fast enough for dim light. It's almost 1.5x wider than DA21.
...

REALLY?!?

or is it typo and it should have been: It's almost 1.5x FASTER than DA21
now tha would make sense...

Duplo · 05-24-2008, 05:20 AM

Originally posted by axl

To be honest, I don't have any of these two. But DA21 is on my shopping list. If it's performance is anywhere around that of DA40 (and reportedly it is) then it's a no brainer. It simply must be a great lens...
my 2p

I would go as far as saying it is a better performing lens, but that is based on renderings and a personal thing.

HermanLee · 05-24-2008, 01:12 PM

Originally posted by axl

REALLY?!?

or is it typo and it should have been: It's almost 1.5x FASTER than DA21
now tha would make sense...

What I meant is the aperture compared between 3.2 and 2 it's 1.5x wider in the opening

Well, I really like my FA*24/2 and one day I'll try that DA21 too.
I think both has it's own advantage, at least for speed and size.

Talisman39 · 05-24-2008, 10:35 PM

Originally posted by GaryM

Photozone tested and reviewed both of these lenses on a K10D, and the DA21 outperformed the FA24 handily - the edge performance of the FA is reported there as being 'dismal'. The FA24 has been found to be excellent on film, so it apparently has issues with digital sensors. Also, the DA21 is a Limited lens, and the build quality is excellent as well. The value of the pancake lenses can be attested to by anyone who does any backpacking or hiking. Of course, if you really need the speed for low-light, the FA24 will do the job.

I have used the FA24 for a couple of years, and have recently rented a DA21 for a week to see how it worked. Size-wize they are worlds apart, as others have said. The 24 is a really big and heavy lens, almost as much as my Sigma 18-50/2.8. I like its build quality and the silver look. It has been my most used lens as I like the focal length and the speed. I have not had issues with its sharpness, even wide open. It is certainly not dismal.

The DA21 is fantastically small and light, and if I were buying again I would go for that instead of the 24 as I do a lot of walk -around street photography and the 21 is much lighter and more discrete. It's not as fast, obviously. Construction is at least as good as the 24. Sharpness is perhaps slightly superior to the 24 at the edges (can't say I see much difference in the center). Color rendition of the two lenses is quite different, the 24 is warmer and the 21 cooler (apparently this is common to the newer lenses). 21 appears to have very good flare control and little fringing. I've only got limited experience with the 21 so far, but I would say the bokeh of it is slightly inferior to the 24.

You can see a few photos I've taken with the 24 here: Zenfolio | Adam Richardson | Pentax FA*24mm f2

Hope this helps!

jensm · 05-30-2008, 01:23 PM

Hi,

Sorry if this is deemed inappropriate, but since you appear to be considering the FA* 24/2, I thought that I'd let you know that I have one up on German Ebay, auction ending sunday June 1st:

Pentax FA* (STAR) 24/2.0 IF & AL bei eBay.de: Pentax (endet 01.06.08 21:00:00 MESZ)

Regards,

Jens

FHPhotographer · 08-19-2008, 11:04 PM

I'm very impressed with the FA24 shots in general, but #6 in particular. How much post processing went into that 'cause if it's right out the camera it's the lens for me,
FHPhotographer

05-21-2008, 12:09 PM	#1
kathyk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan/USA Posts: 173	*FA 24/2 and DA 21/3.2 Ltd** Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Does anyone own both of these lenses (or have in the past) and can offer some thoughts in comparing? (Availability and pricing aside) The DA 21 seems like the easier choice but I'm wondering if the 24 should also be considered. Thanks for your thoughts

05-24-2008, 01:29 AM	#10
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	one more thing Originally posted by HermanLee ....What I like w/ my FA*24 is that this is the only wide angle prime lens in Pentax that is fast enough for dim light. It's almost 1.5x wider than DA21. ... REALLY?!? or is it typo and it should have been: It's almost 1.5x FASTER than DA21 now tha would make sense...

05-21-2008, 03:22 PM	#2
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	I would prefer to have Da 21 ltd if you give me these two choices. Da 21 ltd is small compact and render most of the images at f3.2 relatively sharp even for landscape. Fa* 24mm f2 is more of a protrait lens, focusing on wider aperture with good bokeh.

05-21-2008, 05:01 PM	#3
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	whenever i see a DA21 post, i usually chime in because i think it's the most underrated of the Pancakes. i can't say i've owned both lenses, but the FA* 24 is quite a honker of a lens. i really like my DA21 because it makes the camera nice and compact great for casual photography, i don't think i'd get the same vibe using a FA*24 and it's big hood

05-22-2008, 12:45 AM	#4
HermanLee Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern California, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 729	Hi Kathy, You read my mind. I was going to post this question before. But since you've started, I'll just join in. To start, I own FA24/2 and almost bought a DA 21/3.2 2 days ago. I didn't get the DA21 yet, but maybe someday I'll get it just to compare both of them. What I like w/ my FA24 is that this is the only wide angle prime lens in Pentax that is fast enough for dim light. It's almost 1.5x wider than DA21. I don't know how it performed when both tested at f/3.2 but I guess FA24 will win since it's stopped down. Also the contrast produced by FA24 is amazing. Sometimes when I missed the focus, the picture still seems sharp because of the contrast. I think this is another good point of this lens. But again, I wish I have DA21 too for comparison. As Peter said, the DA21 's advantage is the small size, but if you need it for low light shooting, you'll need to add flash anyway (which adds to the weight and size). For casual need in good lighting condition, I agree that DA21 is more convenient. My other reason to keep FA*24 is the unique feeling of owning one of Pentax's best lens and satisfy my full frame dream I don't ask Pentax to make one but in case they do, this lens will outperform DA21 for sure since it's designed for full frame anyway.

05-22-2008, 02:37 AM	#5
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	I chime in for the FA 24/2. But on the other hand you simply cannot compare these two lenses, without noticing, that they are made for entirely diferent purposes. The 24/2 is simply a fast lens for available light photography and it execells at that, being sharp and contrasty enough even fully open. Also, its build quality is excellent, including the handling of manual focus etc. The DA 21 is a pancake lens. And I admit I never understood how this could be a value on its own. My personal preference is for image quality and speed. But another photog might prefer the low bulk and weight of the DAs. So, any decision should be based more on your personal preferences regarding max. aperture + bulk + weight versus a slow lens + low bulk + low weight. And handling might be point, as I can hardly imagine how to focus the DA manually with that very small focusing ring. Ben

05-22-2008, 09:22 AM	#6
GaryM Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montclair, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 426	Originally posted by Ben_Edict I chime in for the FA 24/2. But on the other hand you simply cannot compare these two lenses, without noticing, that they are made for entirely diferent purposes. The 24/2 is simply a fast lens for available light photography and it execells at that, being sharp and contrasty enough even fully open. Also, its build quality is excellent, including the handling of manual focus etc. The DA 21 is a pancake lens. And I admit I never understood how this could be a value on its own. My personal preference is for image quality and speed. But another photog might prefer the low bulk and weight of the DAs. So, any decision should be based more on your personal preferences regarding max. aperture + bulk + weight versus a slow lens + low bulk + low weight. And handling might be point, as I can hardly imagine how to focus the DA manually with that very small focusing ring. Ben Photozone tested and reviewed both of these lenses on a K10D, and the DA21 outperformed the FA24 handily - the edge performance of the FA is reported there as being 'dismal'. The FA24 has been found to be excellent on film, so it apparently has issues with digital sensors. Also, the DA21 is a Limited lens, and the build quality is excellent as well. The value of the pancake lenses can be attested to by anyone who does any backpacking or hiking. Of course, if you really need the speed for low-light, the FA24 will do the job.

05-23-2008, 06:24 PM	#7
Duplo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 924	I can definitely chime in on both, I used to own both for quite a while and I really like both. the FA24 is an excellent lens, sharp, very contrasty and with a n overall pleasant rendering. Bokeh is surprisingly decent. The DA21ltd is perhaps one of the finest rendering lenses for landscape work I have come across from any brand, there is soomething to the landscapes from this lens that is just wonderful. If I weere to chose two lenss from the entire Pentax lineup old and new, the DA21ltd would be one of them. Both are great lenses though and the spped of the FA24 for say aurora shooting at night is very nice to have. For people I prefer the FA*24 over the DA21ltd, but generally speaking i like the renderings and FOV from the DA21ltd better.

05-23-2008, 06:31 PM	#8
PaengBonafe Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cupertino, CA Posts: 122	hmm.. thanks for the info guys.. i am also debating on which of the 2 i should get..

05-24-2008, 01:26 AM	#9
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	To be honest, I don't have any of these two. But DA21 is on my shopping list. If it's performance is anywhere around that of DA40 (and reportedly it is) then it's a no brainer. It simply must be a great lens... my 2p

05-24-2008, 05:20 AM	#11
Duplo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 924	Originally posted by axl To be honest, I don't have any of these two. But DA21 is on my shopping list. If it's performance is anywhere around that of DA40 (and reportedly it is) then it's a no brainer. It simply must be a great lens... my 2p I would go as far as saying it is a better performing lens, but that is based on renderings and a personal thing.

05-24-2008, 01:12 PM	#12
HermanLee Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern California, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 729	Originally posted by axl REALLY?!? or is it typo and it should have been: It's almost 1.5x FASTER than DA21 now tha would make sense... What I meant is the aperture compared between 3.2 and 2 it's 1.5x wider in the opening Well, I really like my FA*24/2 and one day I'll try that DA21 too. I think both has it's own advantage, at least for speed and size.

05-24-2008, 10:35 PM	#13
Talisman39 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 31	Originally posted by GaryM Photozone tested and reviewed both of these lenses on a K10D, and the DA21 outperformed the FA24 handily - the edge performance of the FA is reported there as being 'dismal'. The FA24 has been found to be excellent on film, so it apparently has issues with digital sensors. Also, the DA21 is a Limited lens, and the build quality is excellent as well. The value of the pancake lenses can be attested to by anyone who does any backpacking or hiking. Of course, if you really need the speed for low-light, the FA24 will do the job. I have used the FA24 for a couple of years, and have recently rented a DA21 for a week to see how it worked. Size-wize they are worlds apart, as others have said. The 24 is a really big and heavy lens, almost as much as my Sigma 18-50/2.8. I like its build quality and the silver look. It has been my most used lens as I like the focal length and the speed. I have not had issues with its sharpness, even wide open. It is certainly not dismal. The DA21 is fantastically small and light, and if I were buying again I would go for that instead of the 24 as I do a lot of walk -around street photography and the 21 is much lighter and more discrete. It's not as fast, obviously. Construction is at least as good as the 24. Sharpness is perhaps slightly superior to the 24 at the edges (can't say I see much difference in the center). Color rendition of the two lenses is quite different, the 24 is warmer and the 21 cooler (apparently this is common to the newer lenses). 21 appears to have very good flare control and little fringing. I've only got limited experience with the 21 so far, but I would say the bokeh of it is slightly inferior to the 24. You can see a few photos I've taken with the 24 here: Zenfolio \| Adam Richardson \| Pentax FA*24mm f2 Hope this helps!

05-30-2008, 01:23 PM	#14
jensm Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Denmark Posts: 146	Hi, Sorry if this is deemed inappropriate, but since you appear to be considering the FA* 24/2, I thought that I'd let you know that I have one up on German Ebay, auction ending sunday June 1st: Pentax FA* (STAR) 24/2.0 IF & AL bei eBay.de: Pentax (endet 01.06.08 21:00:00 MESZ) Regards, Jens

08-19-2008, 11:04 PM	#15
FHPhotographer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fountain Hills, AZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,297	I'm very impressed with the FA24 shots in general, but #6 in particular. How much post processing went into that 'cause if it's right out the camera it's the lens for me, FHPhotographer