Is the DA21 for me?

**ismaelg** · 04-15-2016, 01:23 PM

Hello,

I'm running a small photo business from home. As many others, I like to shoot with primes for the best IQ. My favorite is the F50 f1.7 but most of the time I use the DA35 as it is more convenient for indoors. If I have no other choice, I'd go to my 18-55 WR for wider shots. So I'm looking into a wider alternative, mostly for group shots in tight locations. The more I look, the more I think the DA21 could fill the need. The DA*16-50 is too expensive for what I need. I can handle some distortion in PP. Speed is always desirable, but since group shots usually require considerable depth of field I think I can live with f3.2
I have a MF 28mm but I'd like to go a bit wider.
The FA20 would be a dream but that's not going to happen. Very hard to find and quite expensive.
Does anyone use the DA21 for group shots? What other alternatives are out there? I don't mind MF but I'd prefer AF since it would be used for paid work. No much time for playing around.
How about 24mm? How about Tamron 17-50?
Your comments will be appreciated.

Thanks,

**UncleVanya** · 04-15-2016, 01:40 PM

DA20-40 limited might be more flexible. F2.8-4

**robgski** · 04-15-2016, 01:41 PM

I really like the Da 21mm, it works for a variety of shots. I suggest you rent a few lenses and try them out.

TinaS · 04-15-2016, 01:51 PM

I don't have the da 21 (although it is on the wish list), but I think it would be great for group shots. A lot of people love that lens. I do have the Tamron 17-50, and it is wonderful for indoors and groups. I especially like that I can go to 17mm when things get really tight. They can both be had on the used market for a good price.
But, if you get the Tamron used, make sure it's a reputable dealer or someone here. Actually, that goes for any used lens, but I mention the Tamron because I've read that people have received bad copies. . I had a bad experience buying from an eBay seller with no selling history to back him up. I ended up sending it for repair because I had an event coming up and didn't have time for an eBay dispute. But since I've gotten the repairs, it has been a work horse, and I'm so glad I have it!
If I had a choice between 24mm and 21mm for that purpose, I would probably go with 21. Some may disagree with me though.
Just my 2 cents, hope it helps.

**Fontan** · 04-15-2016, 01:56 PM - **1 Like**

I always go for the dream. Wouldnt have it any other ways. Life is short.

davek · 04-15-2016, 02:01 PM - **1 Like**

Be careful, getting your first limited lens can become very expensive.

The DA21 was my first, now I have all the DA primes.....

Ontarian50 · 04-15-2016, 02:10 PM

I love my DA21 Ltd. I have the 18-55WR as well, but I always prefer primes.

Kozlok · 04-15-2016, 02:10 PM - **2 Likes**

The answer to "Is the DA21 right for me?" is always yes. Here's a tip: Buy a used lens, from the forum. If it doesn't work for you, sell it along for about what you paid for it. It's like a free rental. That's what I do, only I never manage to actually sell any of them HAHA.

lesmore49 · 04-15-2016, 02:12 PM

I have the 21 Limited. Excellent lens. Photos are very good. Love it.

SparkTronic · 04-15-2016, 02:17 PM

I have the 21mm HD and have used the 35mm LTD, 18-55mm, and Sigma 17-50mm in the past. The 10-17mm fisheye is also more rectilinear than many people realize at the 17mm end.

For what it's worth, if you can manage the weight, the 17-50mm f2.8 is my recommendation for you. The zoom gives you a little extra flexibility to quickly frame shots (particularly if working in confined interior spaces). Also, I find I hit the 21mm LTD's max aperture very fast when shooting indoors and wish for f2.8.

Where the 21mm excels is delivering crazy colors at about f5.6. If someone is holding a red coffee cup, for example, or a blue jean jacket...you'll get those great Pentax colors. Plenty of good choices...good luck!

Parallax · 04-15-2016, 02:18 PM

I have the DA Ltd 15, 21, 40, and 70; and the FA 31 Ltd. About 75% of my shots are with the 21.

**grahame** · 04-15-2016, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by ismaelg

DA21 for group shots

I feel da 21 is more for outdoor. relatively obvious barrel distortion, slower aperture, not so good corners (till F5.6), brilliant color, small size...
I think tamron 17-50/2.8 is better for that. Or DA 16-50 with broken SDM.
Or sigma 28/1.8? there is one for sell on marketplace for $200 (not mine).

pathdoc · 04-15-2016, 03:17 PM

I have all the Limited primes. I think the DA21 makes a pretty good group shot or "party" lens as it's wide enough to set groups of people in their context but not so wide as to almost blend them into the scenery and remove their individuality (which I've found the DA15 does) Unless you are taking pictures of very large groups in relatively tight spaces, the DA21 is probably the widest lens I'd use for people shots. I've also found it useful for street photography, particularly performing artists in malls and sidewalks - again to put them within their broader context without losing their individuality or their place as the subject.

Sometimes I have wished for a slightly tighter crop at short notice, and when I was in Melbourne in February I realised what sort of place the 20-40 might have, but I only do that sort of trip for a few days once a year, not enough to justify owning the 20-40 as well as the primes. If I lived in a big city and it were going to be my first Limited I might consider it (especially given that it is WR), but I would never have come to a philosophy of its use without owning the others first, and owning them has made it redundant. Oh the irony.

robjmitchell · 04-15-2016, 05:14 PM

For group shots a zoom is going to be much more useful. Sigma 17-70, 17-50 or tamron 17-50 are your best options for IQ vs cost. Your going to be stopping down with groups to get everyone in focus anyway.
The beauty of the 21ltd is its tiny size for street shooting and colors/contrast/flare resistance for shooting in bright light. It also has a nice close focus capability.

quh86 · 04-15-2016, 05:26 PM

While the 21 ltd is a very very useful lens and I would suggest it to pretty much anybody, i think youre better off with a zoom when handling groups of people or people in general. Not that the 21ltd was bad for people shots, not at all! But a zoom gives you flexibility.

Think of the 21 ltd as a phone camera with much better quality. The focal length is almost the same as what most phones have and it gives you the same versatility: you can shoot half/full body portraits, family, groups, indoor (in good light) and pretty much any land- or city scape with it. also, with a little bit of practice you can use it to take selfies. another big plus: the great star-bursts! They look so lovely and turn any photo in something that stands out easily among others.

04-15-2016, 01:23 PM	#1
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,683	Is the DA21 for me? Hello, I'm running a small photo business from home. As many others, I like to shoot with primes for the best IQ. My favorite is the F50 f1.7 but most of the time I use the DA35 as it is more convenient for indoors. If I have no other choice, I'd go to my 18-55 WR for wider shots. So I'm looking into a wider alternative, mostly for group shots in tight locations. The more I look, the more I think the DA21 could fill the need. The DA*16-50 is too expensive for what I need. I can handle some distortion in PP. Speed is always desirable, but since group shots usually require considerable depth of field I think I can live with f3.2 I have a MF 28mm but I'd like to go a bit wider. The FA20 would be a dream but that's not going to happen. Very hard to find and quite expensive. Does anyone use the DA21 for group shots? What other alternatives are out there? I don't mind MF but I'd prefer AF since it would be used for paid work. No much time for playing around. How about 24mm? How about Tamron 17-50? Your comments will be appreciated. Thanks,

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04-15-2016, 01:40 PM	#2
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	DA20-40 limited might be more flexible. F2.8-4

04-15-2016, 01:41 PM	#3
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,816	I really like the Da 21mm, it works for a variety of shots. I suggest you rent a few lenses and try them out.

04-15-2016, 01:51 PM	#4
TinaS Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,164	I don't have the da 21 (although it is on the wish list), but I think it would be great for group shots. A lot of people love that lens. I do have the Tamron 17-50, and it is wonderful for indoors and groups. I especially like that I can go to 17mm when things get really tight. They can both be had on the used market for a good price. But, if you get the Tamron used, make sure it's a reputable dealer or someone here. Actually, that goes for any used lens, but I mention the Tamron because I've read that people have received bad copies. . I had a bad experience buying from an eBay seller with no selling history to back him up. I ended up sending it for repair because I had an event coming up and didn't have time for an eBay dispute. But since I've gotten the repairs, it has been a work horse, and I'm so glad I have it! If I had a choice between 24mm and 21mm for that purpose, I would probably go with 21. Some may disagree with me though. Just my 2 cents, hope it helps.

04-15-2016, 01:56 PM - 1 Like	#5
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	I always go for the dream. Wouldnt have it any other ways. Life is short.

04-15-2016, 02:01 PM - 1 Like	#6
davek Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Elmira, On, Canada Posts: 461	Be careful, getting your first limited lens can become very expensive. The DA21 was my first, now I have all the DA primes.....

04-15-2016, 02:10 PM	#7
Ontarian50 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 530	I love my DA21 Ltd. I have the 18-55WR as well, but I always prefer primes.

04-15-2016, 02:10 PM - 2 Likes	#8
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	The answer to "Is the DA21 right for me?" is always yes. Here's a tip: Buy a used lens, from the forum. If it doesn't work for you, sell it along for about what you paid for it. It's like a free rental. That's what I do, only I never manage to actually sell any of them HAHA.

04-15-2016, 02:12 PM	#9
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,349	I have the 21 Limited. Excellent lens. Photos are very good. Love it.

04-15-2016, 02:17 PM	#10
SparkTronic Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 38	I have the 21mm HD and have used the 35mm LTD, 18-55mm, and Sigma 17-50mm in the past. The 10-17mm fisheye is also more rectilinear than many people realize at the 17mm end. For what it's worth, if you can manage the weight, the 17-50mm f2.8 is my recommendation for you. The zoom gives you a little extra flexibility to quickly frame shots (particularly if working in confined interior spaces). Also, I find I hit the 21mm LTD's max aperture very fast when shooting indoors and wish for f2.8. Where the 21mm excels is delivering crazy colors at about f5.6. If someone is holding a red coffee cup, for example, or a blue jean jacket...you'll get those great Pentax colors. Plenty of good choices...good luck!

04-15-2016, 02:18 PM	#11
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	I have the DA Ltd 15, 21, 40, and 70; and the FA 31 Ltd. About 75% of my shots are with the 21.

04-15-2016, 02:42 PM	#12
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	Originally posted by ismaelg DA21 for group shots I feel da 21 is more for outdoor. relatively obvious barrel distortion, slower aperture, not so good corners (till F5.6), brilliant color, small size... I think tamron 17-50/2.8 is better for that. Or DA 16-50 with broken SDM. Or sigma 28/1.8? there is one for sell on marketplace for $200 (not mine).

04-15-2016, 03:17 PM	#13
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	I have all the Limited primes. I think the DA21 makes a pretty good group shot or "party" lens as it's wide enough to set groups of people in their context but not so wide as to almost blend them into the scenery and remove their individuality (which I've found the DA15 does) Unless you are taking pictures of very large groups in relatively tight spaces, the DA21 is probably the widest lens I'd use for people shots. I've also found it useful for street photography, particularly performing artists in malls and sidewalks - again to put them within their broader context without losing their individuality or their place as the subject. Sometimes I have wished for a slightly tighter crop at short notice, and when I was in Melbourne in February I realised what sort of place the 20-40 might have, but I only do that sort of trip for a few days once a year, not enough to justify owning the 20-40 as well as the primes. If I lived in a big city and it were going to be my first Limited I might consider it (especially given that it is WR), but I would never have come to a philosophy of its use without owning the others first, and owning them has made it redundant. Oh the irony.

04-15-2016, 05:14 PM	#14
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776	For group shots a zoom is going to be much more useful. Sigma 17-70, 17-50 or tamron 17-50 are your best options for IQ vs cost. Your going to be stopping down with groups to get everyone in focus anyway. The beauty of the 21ltd is its tiny size for street shooting and colors/contrast/flare resistance for shooting in bright light. It also has a nice close focus capability.

04-15-2016, 05:26 PM	#15
quh86 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 157	While the 21 ltd is a very very useful lens and I would suggest it to pretty much anybody, i think youre better off with a zoom when handling groups of people or people in general. Not that the 21ltd was bad for people shots, not at all! But a zoom gives you flexibility. Think of the 21 ltd as a phone camera with much better quality. The focal length is almost the same as what most phones have and it gives you the same versatility: you can shoot half/full body portraits, family, groups, indoor (in good light) and pretty much any land- or city scape with it. also, with a little bit of practice you can use it to take selfies. another big plus: the great star-bursts! They look so lovely and turn any photo in something that stands out easily among others.