Which Limited's to choose

Sandy Hancock · 07-23-2015, 01:28 AM

Originally posted by chickentender

43mm. It was the last one I bought a few years ago and has become my fav of the three bar-none.
I ADORED the DA15, but i sold it after a couple months because it's ridiculous amount of vignetting on my full frame bodies. The same would hold true for me and the 20-40mm but as I understand the middle of it's range does OK on film... Even so, there are other choices, though the WR is tempting. At any rate, but the 43, particularly if you're wanting to replace the 50 you have with an AF lens.

Ummmm, I'm pretty sure the OP is shooting with an APS-C DSLR, so your unsurprising experience with the DA15 on film bodies is probably irrelevant.

I'm looking forward to using the FA43 on full frame too, but I have not fallen in love with it on APS-C

redcat · 07-23-2015, 05:16 AM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

15/31/77 will comfortably cover 90% of your photographic needs with pixie dust to burn. As you already have two thirds of that collection, adding a tiny jewel of a prime makes more sense to me than a considerably bigger zoom.

if you want FF then the FA43 is the way to go, else DA15 is all you'll need, IQ is great, no need to increase clarity, saturation.. in pp

Bagga_Txips · 07-23-2015, 05:40 AM - **1 Like**

Sorry to give an answer that is not wholly serious, but the question "which Limited's to choose?" is not a logical one.

The question is more "which Limited's to buy last?"

You have to buy them all...

Sandy Hancock · 07-23-2015, 05:56 AM

Originally posted by Bagga_Txips

You have to buy them all...

Finally! Some sensible advice ;-)

DeadJohn · 07-23-2015, 08:05 AM

Originally posted by fishbones

SNIP...I currently own the FA31mm, FA77mm and a smc A50 1.4. I want to add a wide angle lens and replace the 50mm with an auto focus lens. I have finally short listed either the DA15mm Ltd and a FA43mm or the 20-40mm Ltd...SNIP

Benefits of the 20-40: WR which you don't have from any of your other lenses. The zoom adds versatility but the 20-40 has a fairly restricted range compared to other zooms.

Benefits of the 15+43 combo: You can go much wider. At the long end, the 43 is 2 stops faster than the 20-40; this is important if you shoot in dim light or prefer a thin depth of field.

If I step a little outside your short list, I think the 31 and 43 are close enough in focal length to defer the 43 purchase. I might add a zoom with more versatility than the 20-40 (the 16-50, 16-85, or 18-135 if the 20-40's small size isn't essential for you). The DA 15 could still belong in your collection because no zoom matches the DA15's flare resistance.

fishbones · 07-23-2015, 10:08 AM

Well all fantastic and intelligent advice (some even made me smile) I think from these answers I had better go and complete the trio and then track down a DA15mm. Thank you all for your time and well thought out argument, your partners may never say it but to me you all made good sense

SpecialK · 07-23-2015, 03:16 PM

Originally posted by DeadJohn

Benefits of the 20-40...

Benefits of the 15+43 combo: You can go much wider. At the long end, the 43 is 2 stops faster than the 20-40; this is important if you shoot in dim light or prefer a thin depth of field.

20-40 is not really wide - not even as wide as a kit lens. So, I vote 15/43.

cali92rs · 07-23-2015, 05:07 PM

I have owned every limited, FA and DA, except the 20-40mm and 31mm (and the 31mm is in the mail

).
Here is my rundown:

DA 15mm: Great little lens. If you like to include the sun in your landscapes, this is the ultimate lens. Perfect complement for the 18-135mm, can easily fit in your pocket when you are hiking. Wide, but not "obnoxiously" so.
DA 21mm: Small enough that there isn't an excuse to ever not have it with you. But I really didn't click with the focal length. Kind of wide, but not dramatically so. Would probably be great for stitched panoramas and street shooting (nice for environmental portraiture, not my cup o' tea, but if it is yours, I would look strongly at this lens).
DA 35mm Macro: Nice and starting sharp wide open. Great versatile focal length for an APS-C camera. This is the ultimate flower lens. I sometimes wish it were a stop faster for indoor use, but of course that would make it bigger. I personally would prefer the bigger size, but cannot fault them at all for making that trade. All in all, a solid lens.
FA 43mm: Very underrated, maybe because it isn't a typical FL for APS-C lenses....but I think it adds to the charm. You get a little more intimate with your subject than with a "normal" lens. I LOVE it's rendering.
DA 70mm: Very compact. It is very sharp, but kind of a "meh" lens to me. I am not particularly enamored with its rendering.
FA 77mm: Now this is a lens whose rendering I am very enamored with

When you nail focus wide open (not necessarily easy), and you have good lighting, it can turn the most mundane subject into a work of art. Is prone to purple fringing, so watch your background. I just love this lens.
DFA 100mm Macro WR: I know, not technically a limited...but it should be

I had a Canon 100mm Macro L, and the size differential between these 2 lenses (both of which are full frame lenses) is just mind boggling. It also doubles as a great portrait lens.

No thoughts on the 31mm yet...I cant wait to get it into my grubby hands

If I could only choose 2....idk. My starting point would be 15, 31, 43, 77 and 100mm. They all perform different missions, definitely not apples-to-apples (how does one compare a wide angle to a portrait lens to a macro??)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
which back pack to choose	Drew Hillier	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	6	03-13-2015 03:38 AM
Which telephoto zoom to choose?	ecky	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	25	05-27-2014 10:34 AM
Which backpack to choose?	hmirchev	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	31	04-06-2014 10:10 PM
Which to choose	Jeff Self	Visitors' Center	6	09-30-2013 11:15 AM
It's time to get a fashion portfolio, but which size should I choose?	Noob	Photographic Industry and Professionals	8	05-03-2011 02:24 AM

07-23-2015, 01:28 AM	#16
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Originally posted by chickentender 43mm. It was the last one I bought a few years ago and has become my fav of the three bar-none. I ADORED the DA15, but i sold it after a couple months because it's ridiculous amount of vignetting on my full frame bodies. The same would hold true for me and the 20-40mm but as I understand the middle of it's range does OK on film... Even so, there are other choices, though the WR is tempting. At any rate, but the 43, particularly if you're wanting to replace the 50 you have with an AF lens. Ummmm, I'm pretty sure the OP is shooting with an APS-C DSLR, so your unsurprising experience with the DA15 on film bodies is probably irrelevant. I'm looking forward to using the FA43 on full frame too, but I have not fallen in love with it on APS-C

07-23-2015, 05:16 AM	#17
redcat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Paris Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,939	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock 15/31/77 will comfortably cover 90% of your photographic needs with pixie dust to burn. As you already have two thirds of that collection, adding a tiny jewel of a prime makes more sense to me than a considerably bigger zoom. if you want FF then the FA43 is the way to go, else DA15 is all you'll need, IQ is great, no need to increase clarity, saturation.. in pp

07-23-2015, 05:40 AM - 1 Like	#18
Bagga_Txips Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Waterford Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 454	Sorry to give an answer that is not wholly serious, but the question "which Limited's to choose?" is not a logical one. The question is more "which Limited's to buy last?" You have to buy them all...

07-23-2015, 05:56 AM	#19
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Originally posted by Bagga_Txips You have to buy them all... Finally! Some sensible advice ;-)

07-23-2015, 08:05 AM	#20
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Originally posted by fishbones SNIP...I currently own the FA31mm, FA77mm and a smc A50 1.4. I want to add a wide angle lens and replace the 50mm with an auto focus lens. I have finally short listed either the DA15mm Ltd and a FA43mm or the 20-40mm Ltd...SNIP Benefits of the 20-40: WR which you don't have from any of your other lenses. The zoom adds versatility but the 20-40 has a fairly restricted range compared to other zooms. Benefits of the 15+43 combo: You can go much wider. At the long end, the 43 is 2 stops faster than the 20-40; this is important if you shoot in dim light or prefer a thin depth of field. If I step a little outside your short list, I think the 31 and 43 are close enough in focal length to defer the 43 purchase. I might add a zoom with more versatility than the 20-40 (the 16-50, 16-85, or 18-135 if the 20-40's small size isn't essential for you). The DA 15 could still belong in your collection because no zoom matches the DA15's flare resistance.

07-23-2015, 10:08 AM	#21
fishbones New Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Cornwall Photos: Gallery Posts: 21 Original Poster	Well all fantastic and intelligent advice (some even made me smile) I think from these answers I had better go and complete the trio and then track down a DA15mm. Thank you all for your time and well thought out argument, your partners may never say it but to me you all made good sense

07-23-2015, 03:16 PM	#22
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Originally posted by DeadJohn Benefits of the 20-40... Benefits of the 15+43 combo: You can go much wider. At the long end, the 43 is 2 stops faster than the 20-40; this is important if you shoot in dim light or prefer a thin depth of field. 20-40 is not really wide - not even as wide as a kit lens. So, I vote 15/43.

07-23-2015, 05:07 PM	#23
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	I have owned every limited, FA and DA, except the 20-40mm and 31mm (and the 31mm is in the mail ). Here is my rundown: DA 15mm: Great little lens. If you like to include the sun in your landscapes, this is the ultimate lens. Perfect complement for the 18-135mm, can easily fit in your pocket when you are hiking. Wide, but not "obnoxiously" so. DA 21mm: Small enough that there isn't an excuse to ever not have it with you. But I really didn't click with the focal length. Kind of wide, but not dramatically so. Would probably be great for stitched panoramas and street shooting (nice for environmental portraiture, not my cup o' tea, but if it is yours, I would look strongly at this lens). DA 35mm Macro: Nice and starting sharp wide open. Great versatile focal length for an APS-C camera. This is the ultimate flower lens. I sometimes wish it were a stop faster for indoor use, but of course that would make it bigger. I personally would prefer the bigger size, but cannot fault them at all for making that trade. All in all, a solid lens. FA 43mm: Very underrated, maybe because it isn't a typical FL for APS-C lenses....but I think it adds to the charm. You get a little more intimate with your subject than with a "normal" lens. I LOVE it's rendering. DA 70mm: Very compact. It is very sharp, but kind of a "meh" lens to me. I am not particularly enamored with its rendering. FA 77mm: Now this is a lens whose rendering I am very enamored with When you nail focus wide open (not necessarily easy), and you have good lighting, it can turn the most mundane subject into a work of art. Is prone to purple fringing, so watch your background. I just love this lens. DFA 100mm Macro WR: I know, not technically a limited...but it should be I had a Canon 100mm Macro L, and the size differential between these 2 lenses (both of which are full frame lenses) is just mind boggling. It also doubles as a great portrait lens. No thoughts on the 31mm yet...I cant wait to get it into my grubby hands If I could only choose 2....idk. My starting point would be 15, 31, 43, 77 and 100mm. They all perform different missions, definitely not apples-to-apples (how does one compare a wide angle to a portrait lens to a macro??)