DA 20-40mm or DA 21mm Limited

bertwert · 11-06-2015, 03:37 PM

20-40 filter size is 55mm

Brucie · 11-06-2015, 07:26 PM

Originally posted by kh1234567890

It depends if you want a zoom or if you are prepared to step a bit closer when needed with the DA21 ...

Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with da21

KH, these are beautiful photos (the ones tagged DA 21, which you linked to above). Nice work! Sure makes a strong case for the 21mm Limited lens.

**NZ_Ross** · 11-06-2015, 09:55 PM

Originally posted by Brucie

NZ_Ross, is your 21 the SMC or the newer HD version? Thank you!

SMC version

kh1234567890 · 11-07-2015, 02:32 AM

Originally posted by Brucie

KH, these are beautiful photos (the ones tagged DA 21, which you linked to above). Nice work! Sure makes a strong case for the 21mm Limited lens.

Thanks. These days my DA21 always comes along (as does the DA70) - it is tiny and inconspicuous. I was tempted by the DA20-40 but I'm put off by the price. 20 or 21 mm is also not really wide enough at times - I use the DA16-45 (or the kit DA18-55WR when it is raining) when I want to go wider.

Since I haven't got the DA20-40, I can't comment on how good it is. It does look attractive though, has WR and also seems to produce some nice shots.

A tough decision

Apapukas · 11-07-2015, 04:31 AM

Originally posted by Brucie

Thank you, Apapukas. I really like this lens, especially the small size. Is yours the older, green-ringed SMC version, or the newer HD?

I noticed B&H has this lens for around $379 US in the silver color. It is almost $500 for the black version.

Thank you!

Mine is SMC. Love the starbursts!

**W412ren** · 11-07-2015, 05:51 AM

I have both. The 20-40 is, for me, the better of the two. Not only is it more convenient but weather sealed too and, I think, produces better images. If you only want one of the two the 20-40 is it.
I have kept the smc21 to match up with the 35 macro (can't let it go) and the 70.
The 20-40 pairs beautifully with the 100macro.
20-40 is my always-on lens.

**snpsht** · 11-07-2015, 12:50 PM

Yes, the 20-40 would be my pick too.

Was at a party last night and hadn't been intending to take photos. The camera was in the car, though, and when things got lively, I decided to get a few shots. I only had the lens already on the camera with me (which was the 20-40) and it did a stellar job. I would have struggled with the 21.

The 20-40 gives prime quality images with stunning colors, is WR and a pleasure to use. I'll keep the 21 because I have it and I do like primes, it gives excellent images, and it is quite a bit smaller, but if I didn't already have it, I'd definitely go the 20-40.

It is also my go-to lens if I want more flexibility than a prime and don't want to be changing lenses in the field.

**bobbotron** · 12-25-2015, 08:38 PM

Agh, this thread is horrible, I was pretty much sold on the 21, now all this great info on the 20 to 40. :P Why must pentax make so many tasty lenses?

pentaxway · 12-25-2015, 10:24 PM

only advantage I see to the 21 is the size

Brucie · 12-26-2015, 06:13 AM

I debated sending this lens (the 20-40 Limited) back and picking up the 31, but the way I look at it I have a "31" with the 20-40, and it is nice to be able to frame the shot on camera without having to go back and crop in PP.

The more I use the 20-40, the more I like it. I've been very impressed by the colors, sharpness, the bokeh--which is excellent--and the overall rendering. And maybe I'm the only one who thinks this way, but I love the little lens hood. It's very tasteful even if it doesn't shade the front element the way a longer hood would.

That said, I couldn't get the 21 out of my mind. So I just ordered it. I've seen many excellent photos with this little lens and I'm confident it will do what I need. The size is a tremendous advantage as far as I'm concerned. I don't care about a lens being water-resistant, but I do value being able to stand in crowds and take photos without drawing too much attention. I believe the 21 will be a top-notch lens for street photography.

Thank you for your comments and photos (and LBA encouragement)!

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11-06-2015, 03:37 PM	#16
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	20-40 filter size is 55mm

11-06-2015, 07:26 PM	#17
Brucie Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Great Plains Posts: 64 Original Poster	Originally posted by kh1234567890 It depends if you want a zoom or if you are prepared to step a bit closer when needed with the DA21 ... Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with da21 KH, these are beautiful photos (the ones tagged DA 21, which you linked to above). Nice work! Sure makes a strong case for the 21mm Limited lens.

11-06-2015, 09:55 PM	#18
NZ_Ross Kiwi Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Timaru Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,225	Originally posted by Brucie NZ_Ross, is your 21 the SMC or the newer HD version? Thank you! SMC version

11-07-2015, 02:32 AM	#19
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by Brucie KH, these are beautiful photos (the ones tagged DA 21, which you linked to above). Nice work! Sure makes a strong case for the 21mm Limited lens. Thanks. These days my DA21 always comes along (as does the DA70) - it is tiny and inconspicuous. I was tempted by the DA20-40 but I'm put off by the price. 20 or 21 mm is also not really wide enough at times - I use the DA16-45 (or the kit DA18-55WR when it is raining) when I want to go wider. Since I haven't got the DA20-40, I can't comment on how good it is. It does look attractive though, has WR and also seems to produce some nice shots. A tough decision

11-07-2015, 04:31 AM	#20
Apapukas Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lietuva, Vilnius Posts: 627	Originally posted by Brucie Thank you, Apapukas. I really like this lens, especially the small size. Is yours the older, green-ringed SMC version, or the newer HD? I noticed B&H has this lens for around $379 US in the silver color. It is almost $500 for the black version. Thank you! Mine is SMC. Love the starbursts!

11-07-2015, 05:51 AM	#21
W412ren Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Fareham, Hampshire Photos: Albums Posts: 570	I have both. The 20-40 is, for me, the better of the two. Not only is it more convenient but weather sealed too and, I think, produces better images. If you only want one of the two the 20-40 is it. I have kept the smc21 to match up with the 35 macro (can't let it go) and the 70. The 20-40 pairs beautifully with the 100macro. 20-40 is my always-on lens.

11-07-2015, 12:50 PM	#22
snpsht Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South Coast, NSW Posts: 286	Yes, the 20-40 would be my pick too. Was at a party last night and hadn't been intending to take photos. The camera was in the car, though, and when things got lively, I decided to get a few shots. I only had the lens already on the camera with me (which was the 20-40) and it did a stellar job. I would have struggled with the 21. The 20-40 gives prime quality images with stunning colors, is WR and a pleasure to use. I'll keep the 21 because I have it and I do like primes, it gives excellent images, and it is quite a bit smaller, but if I didn't already have it, I'd definitely go the 20-40. It is also my go-to lens if I want more flexibility than a prime and don't want to be changing lenses in the field.

12-25-2015, 08:38 PM	#23
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349	Agh, this thread is horrible, I was pretty much sold on the 21, now all this great info on the 20 to 40. :P Why must pentax make so many tasty lenses?

12-25-2015, 10:24 PM	#24
pentaxway New Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 15	only advantage I see to the 21 is the size

12-26-2015, 06:13 AM	#25
Brucie Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Great Plains Posts: 64 Original Poster	I debated sending this lens (the 20-40 Limited) back and picking up the 31, but the way I look at it I have a "31" with the 20-40, and it is nice to be able to frame the shot on camera without having to go back and crop in PP. The more I use the 20-40, the more I like it. I've been very impressed by the colors, sharpness, the bokeh--which is excellent--and the overall rendering. And maybe I'm the only one who thinks this way, but I love the little lens hood. It's very tasteful even if it doesn't shade the front element the way a longer hood would. That said, I couldn't get the 21 out of my mind. So I just ordered it. I've seen many excellent photos with this little lens and I'm confident it will do what I need. The size is a tremendous advantage as far as I'm concerned. I don't care about a lens being water-resistant, but I do value being able to stand in crowds and take photos without drawing too much attention. I believe the 21 will be a top-notch lens for street photography. Thank you for your comments and photos (and LBA encouragement)!