Just ordered a few DA Ltd lenses! Good plan?

drumhead · 07-31-2017, 05:01 PM - **1 Like**

Waiting for my 15mm and 35mm macro. They look so wonderfully constructed and the photos in this forum look spectacular. Can't wait to use them on K70. Hoping this will make a nice small kit for geology fieldwork: shooting landscapes, rock formations, macros on rocks and plants. I was mildly concerned about buying new lenses that won't do FF but their compact size was so compelling. I don't see FF in my near future. Either way I think I will always own aps-c kit for portability. Make sense?

**jatrax** · 07-31-2017, 05:14 PM - **1 Like**

Sure.

calsan · 07-31-2017, 06:31 PM

Yep. Same limiteds that I went for. They also work well as a three lens kit with my 18-135. This has become my travel setup.
The 35ltd requires a patient approach - not much good for point and shoot applications and if you don't pay attention to focus, you will miss. But take your time and the results are amazing.

drumhead · 07-31-2017, 06:36 PM

Thanks for heads up re 35mm.

pakinjapan · 07-31-2017, 06:37 PM

You will like them. I have 15 and 21. 35ltd is next on my lists.

**twilhelm** · 07-31-2017, 07:37 PM

I don't see apsc disappearing anytime soon. You made some great lens choices in my opinion. I just purchased the 20-40, and hopefully the 15 will follow soon.

**mattb123** · 07-31-2017, 09:04 PM

The 15 has legendary status and it's well deserved. I have the 15 and 40. Great lenses. I have a K-1 but still use my K-3 and Limiteds when traveling light.

SpecialK · 07-31-2017, 09:42 PM - **2 Likes**

I bought the 15/21/40/70 at one time so I would not have to overthink it.

Sandy Hancock · 07-31-2017, 09:50 PM

Great lenses. Add the 21 as soon as you can

Ketsuppi11 · 07-31-2017, 11:08 PM

Nice, your selection is good! For geological field work I have always used weather sealed zoom lenses (da* 16-50 / 16-85). Often in bad weather (arctic or desert) and not much time to change lenses.

grispie · 07-31-2017, 11:19 PM

Originally posted by drumhead

I was mildly concerned about buying new lenses that won't do FF but their compact size was so compelling. I don't see FF in my near future. Either way I think I will always own aps-c kit for portability. Make sense?

Makes a lot of sense. imo apsc is still the perfect balance IQ - portability - price.
the da15 is a great lens

wed7 · 08-01-2017, 12:22 AM

The 21 is the real all rounder lens, colors poppin' and very contrasty plus the short focusing distance that can act as pseudo macro too.

**Madaboutpix** · 08-01-2017, 03:27 AM

Have been owning and using both lenses, the smc versions, on K-7 and K-3 bodies for years and absolutely no regrets, nor any intention to replace them. Capable performers, and a pleasure to use.

ripper2860 · 08-01-2017, 07:24 AM

Great choices. I own the full DA limited suite and can attest to the quality of the entire line-up. The 35 macro is an absolutely wonderful lens -- razor sharp, light and easy to handle. As far as the 15mm goes, it is an outstanding lens, but so is the DA 21 Ltd. I really vacillate between the 15 and 21 and more often go with the 21mm because the it has a bit less geometric distortion at the edges, although at the expense of FOV. Don't get me wrong, the 15mm is fantastic, but I would encourage picking up a DA 21 to add to the mix whenever possible.

**mikesbike** · 08-01-2017, 01:40 PM

A great choice! I have recently acquired the 15mm and love it. I have had the DA 21mm for a number of years, and like Sandy and others I likewise recommend you consider it for your next addition. I think your experience with the two you have coming will provide incentive enough!

---------- Post added 08-01-17 at 02:01 PM ----------

Other than that-another thought. You might as an alternative to the DA 21mm Limited, consider the DA 20-40mm Limited. I have that as well, and it makes a great combo with the DA 15mm LTD. The quality from that little lightweight zoom lens is extremely fine!

07-31-2017, 05:01 PM - 1 Like	#1
drumhead Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 71	Just ordered a few DA Ltd lenses! Good plan? Waiting for my 15mm and 35mm macro. They look so wonderfully constructed and the photos in this forum look spectacular. Can't wait to use them on K70. Hoping this will make a nice small kit for geology fieldwork: shooting landscapes, rock formations, macros on rocks and plants. I was mildly concerned about buying new lenses that won't do FF but their compact size was so compelling. I don't see FF in my near future. Either way I think I will always own aps-c kit for portability. Make sense?

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07-31-2017, 05:14 PM - 1 Like	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Sure.

07-31-2017, 06:31 PM	#3
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,548	Yep. Same limiteds that I went for. They also work well as a three lens kit with my 18-135. This has become my travel setup. The 35ltd requires a patient approach - not much good for point and shoot applications and if you don't pay attention to focus, you will miss. But take your time and the results are amazing.

07-31-2017, 06:36 PM	#4
drumhead Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 71 Original Poster	Thanks for heads up re 35mm.

07-31-2017, 06:37 PM	#5
pakinjapan Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,041	You will like them. I have 15 and 21. 35ltd is next on my lists.

07-31-2017, 07:37 PM	#6
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	I don't see apsc disappearing anytime soon. You made some great lens choices in my opinion. I just purchased the 20-40, and hopefully the 15 will follow soon.

07-31-2017, 09:04 PM	#7
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	The 15 has legendary status and it's well deserved. I have the 15 and 40. Great lenses. I have a K-1 but still use my K-3 and Limiteds when traveling light.

07-31-2017, 09:42 PM - 2 Likes	#8
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	I bought the 15/21/40/70 at one time so I would not have to overthink it.

07-31-2017, 09:50 PM	#9
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,267	Great lenses. Add the 21 as soon as you can

07-31-2017, 11:08 PM	#10
Ketsuppi11 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Photos: Albums Posts: 217	Nice, your selection is good! For geological field work I have always used weather sealed zoom lenses (da* 16-50 / 16-85). Often in bad weather (arctic or desert) and not much time to change lenses.

07-31-2017, 11:19 PM	#11
grispie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1,199	Originally posted by drumhead I was mildly concerned about buying new lenses that won't do FF but their compact size was so compelling. I don't see FF in my near future. Either way I think I will always own aps-c kit for portability. Make sense? Makes a lot of sense. imo apsc is still the perfect balance IQ - portability - price. the da15 is a great lens

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08-01-2017, 12:22 AM	#12
wed7 Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 1,421	The 21 is the real all rounder lens, colors poppin' and very contrasty plus the short focusing distance that can act as pseudo macro too.

08-01-2017, 07:24 AM	#14
ripper2860 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 890	Great choices. I own the full DA limited suite and can attest to the quality of the entire line-up. The 35 macro is an absolutely wonderful lens -- razor sharp, light and easy to handle. As far as the 15mm goes, it is an outstanding lens, but so is the DA 21 Ltd. I really vacillate between the 15 and 21 and more often go with the 21mm because the it has a bit less geometric distortion at the edges, although at the expense of FOV. Don't get me wrong, the 15mm is fantastic, but I would encourage picking up a DA 21 to add to the mix whenever possible.

08-01-2017, 01:40 PM	#15
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,547	A great choice! I have recently acquired the 15mm and love it. I have had the DA 21mm for a number of years, and like Sandy and others I likewise recommend you consider it for your next addition. I think your experience with the two you have coming will provide incentive enough! ---------- Post added 08-01-17 at 02:01 PM ---------- Other than that-another thought. You might as an alternative to the DA 21mm Limited, consider the DA 20-40mm Limited. I have that as well, and it makes a great combo with the DA 15mm LTD. The quality from that little lightweight zoom lens is extremely fine!