[Conqueror]

15+31 certainties, then add the 55,70 or 77...

[Eagle_Friends]

Haha. Honestly, I thought so too for the longest time. It looks so different and it's so compact and it's a convo starter when people see it. But after awhile, it just wears itself out.

I got tired of people coming and saying "har har, where's your lens man?" or "this is a toy?" I know I'm probably in the minority but after while, I just didn't even bother putting it on my camera anymore and just went with the 35mm or the 43mm. It's an incredible performer, but in the end, it was a novelty for me.

[Nicolas06]

To me this is really personnal.

There the framing that important. You mostly have a choice between the many "normal" lenses in between 28-43mm range or a moderate wide angle in the 21-24mm range. For me that would be the 21 first because there is no equivalent 24 offering new. I can do without the DA15 that I just brought in case of very wide needs.

DA21+ DA70 could cover most of my needs.

But it would be logical to choose another lense in the long run in the normal focal lense range. Any lenses to me from 28 to 43 would do the job but the strengths and weakness would be different. DA35 for macro support. A 28mm or 31mm for lot of landscape and a wide normal, in particular if you don't take the 21... Or on the opposite an FA43 if you like head & shoulder or want portraits indoors. For group portraiture, would be more a 28 or the 31.

Now for the rendering. You have 2 modern DA lenses. if you take another DA, you'll get another DA rendering. The FAs render differently and that's really interresting, in particular for shallow deph of field shoots. The FA ltd render esquisitely and that's to be considered. That would be FA31 or FA43 then... maybe FA35.

So to me depending of your tastes, definitely DA21 for the framing, FA31 or FA43 for the excquisite rendering and the framing too.

An alternative would be a F28.

[TaoMaas]

With the brief you have given us, the only sensible option is the DA 35 macro limited. It is right in the middle of the other two lenses and gives you the added option of a true normal macro lens.

This is my feeling, too. Or rather, it's what I would do because it covers more bases in a 3-lens kit. However, if a person wasn't interested in macro, I could see them going with the DA 40 if having the most compact kit was important. Or the 31mm, if quality was their thing. Or the 40XS if budget was a problem.

[DSims]

Love the idea about the tiny(!) *200

The other option though - 21,70 as an even smaller Duo of Primes - that would work for me I think so perhaps the 21 comes out on top on this occasion.

OK, so my imaginary tiny *200 doesn't exist, but I think you might be surprised how well you'll be covered if you just walk around with the DA*200 on your camera and a DA21 and DA70 in your pockets. Of course, you need a place to put the DA*200 when you take it off. But a fast 200mm prime (not $6K Nikon 200/2 fast, but fast enough) is impressively small and light for what it does, IMO. Likewise with a 300/4.5. But it requires some kind of small bag or backpack, of course.

But when you want to be discreet (except for the somewhat big camera body) the DA21 + DA70 would be pretty easy - just leave the DA*200 at home or in the car.

[W412ren]

To me this is really personnal.

Now for the rendering. You have 2 modern DA lenses. if you take another DA, you'll get another DA rendering. The FAs render differently and that's really interresting, in particular for shallow deph of field shoots. The FA ltd render esquisitely and that's to be considered. That would be FA31 or FA43 then... maybe FA35.
.

Rendering. Good point you've raised. Mmmmm.

OK, so my imaginary tiny *200 doesn't exist, but I think you might be surprised how well you'll be covered if you just walk around with the DA*200 on your camera and a DA21 and DA70 in your pockets..

I have the *200 and tried walking around London with it. For me it seemed just that bit too long. Perhaps I should give it another go.

[osv]

Something probably covered in a similar manner but I have a burning issue.
You have a DA15Ltd and a DA70Ltd.
Which of the the following is the most useful addition to make up a go-anywhere, lightweight kit:
DA21Ltd or DA35Ltd or DA40Ltd ???

15mm to 70mm leaves more holes than can be filled with one lens.

maybe 15/24 or 28/50, using legacy primes if necessary... pentax made some great 28mm primes, for not much money these days.

[Paul the Sunman]

15mm to 70mm leaves more holes than can be filled with one lens.

That's what legs are for. Cartier-Bresson used nothing but a 50mm lens on a 35mm camera for most of his career.

[sterretje]

15mm to 70mm leaves more holes than can be filled with one lens.

I think that that is very personal. Something between 28 and 35 will do for me (I don't have a UWA though, no need for it). And the rest you walk

[Nicolas06]

15mm to 70mm leaves more holes than can be filled with one lens.

maybe 15/24 or 28/50, using legacy primes if necessary... pentax made some great 28mm primes, for not much money these days.

I have 4 lenses that I take most of the time: DA15, DA21, DA35, FA77. I have an FA50 that is on sale on the forum (as well as a 50-135). Still I do no that often use the DA35. For most of my shooting DA21 & FA77 would be enough and you can add DA15 then.

It really depend what you like, how you move...

[Stavri]

35mm f2.8 limited is an extremely nice lens to have around, you can use it for portraits in a pinch provided you don't close it past f2.8. I bought mine after a dozen of so lenses and I can't believe I waited so long.

[jwc77]

I have the 21, 40 and 70...an incredible trio of lenses. My favorite is the 21. I love the focal length and the close focus is really useful. The 40 and 70 are great too. I guess if I could be tempted to change one it would be swapping the 35 macro for the 40. But I wont be making that change anytime soon as I love my Tamron 90 for my macro.

[robthebloke]

35 macro

[kh1234567890]

I now have all the SMC DA Limited primes.

DA15 - 'one trick pony'. Rubbish border/corner sharpness unless you really stop it down. Nice for sunsets and interesting skies. Hit-and-miss AF.
DA21 - incredibly versatile. Great for street shots but sometimes a touch too wide. AF very reliable, respectably sharp even wide open.
DA35 Macro - sharp. Great for close or product shots but sometimes disappointing for harsh light landscapes. AF on the slow side especially if it misses.
DA40 - oddball. Tiny and sharp but focal length is often either too short or too long. AF is spot on.
DA70 - great people lens. Sharp, nice bokeh, nice focal length. Prone to bokeh fringing unless stopped down. AF is usually very reliable.

And I dream of a DA135 Ltd ...

[Nicolas06]

I now have all the SMC DA Limited primes.

DA15 - 'one trick pony'. Rubbish border/corner sharpness unless you really stop it down. Nice for sunsets and interesting skies. Hit-and-miss AF.
DA21 - incredibly versatile. Great for street shots but sometimes a touch too wide. AF very reliable, respectably sharp even wide open.
DA35 Macro - sharp. Great for close or product shots but sometimes disappointing for harsh light landscapes. AF on the slow side especially if it misses.
DA40 - oddball. Tiny and sharp but focal length is often either too short or too long. AF is spot on.
DA70 - great people lens. Sharp, nice bokeh, nice focal length. Prone to bokeh fringing unless stopped down. AF is usually very reliable.

And I dream of a DA135 Ltd ...

Now you can start thinking of the FA ltd