[mikesbike]

I have to admit since I obtained the DA 20-40mm and am using it exclusively on my KP where it goes like a hand in a glove, not other bodies, I don't often put my DA 21mm to use. The only time I now use the 21mm is when I want to go extra-compact with one single lens, or maybe just the DA 40mm LTD as well, or possibly also the small DA 15mm LTD.

The DA 20-40mm LTD might also work that that way with you. But it would not replace your FA 31mm, which is a fine fast prime. If you need to avoid the field curvature at the long end, you can always slap on the tiny DA 40mm, If you shoot with another body than the KP its compactness might not be as advantageous.

The thing is, it is a zoom lens and does what zoom lens do- allow instant change of FL without having to take time to change lenses. And this with very fine quality along with being very compact for a zoom lens, and very well built with WR construction. So if you are considering a fine quality compact zoom lens having WR, this one could be useful.

As a kit, i often use it on my KP in conjunction with the DA 15mm and DA 70mm Limiteds, or the FA 77mm if I need the faster aperture and more reach. This kit is very compact with great quality.

You can visualize its quality in the still-life shot on the Imaging Resource test review of it. You should easily find that by doing a google search for that lens + review.

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Last edited by mikesbike; 04-04-2019 at 08:11 PM.

[UncleVanya]

If used on apsc, this is slightly wider and slightly more telephoto than "normal". Which makes for surprising versatility. It seems like a 2x zoom would be limiting but in practice I rarely notice that it isn't as wide or as long as say the 18-50. I do notice it isn't 16mm or wider and miss that sometimes (or I pop the DA 15 in my pocket) and I occasionally miss the longer focal lengths (70mm+) unless I have a longer lens in tow. My favorite two lens combo is probably the DA 20-40 and the DA* 50-135.

Oh wait. I'm supposed to talk you out of it. Whoops.

[Trickortreat]

This might be fruitless exercise, but......

I have and enjoy all of the DA limiteds except the DA 35 (I have the FA 31mm instead) but I've irrationally longed for the DA20-40 zoom for ages. Is there anything to be gained by adding the 20-40 to my collection?

well - the da 35 pretty much covers what da20-40 can do in a lighter, smaller and cheaper package

[microlight]

... except that it doesn’t zoom, isn’t WR and has screw focus! No intention of dissuading you from your potential purchase, mine lives on my K-3II.

[MrB1]

HD 35 Limited - an outstanding lens.

Philip

[Papa_Joe]

If you really need a outstanding standard zoom, buy the 16-85.

If you would prefer the 20-40, then it looks as you do not need it, but want it.
Who am I to talk you out of your GAS ?

[clickclick]

I thought I had gotten over "needing" this lens. Will power is now in remission. 'Tis the prgoression of LBA. What can one do?

[rogerstg]

It's tough to pass up the $497 price at BH Photo. In addition to landscapes and street use, the 20-40 seems like the ideal lens for family events, picnics, etc. Both indoors and out.
I'm struggling with LBA on this one at this price, even though I've got the range covered with a DA* 16-50, DA 21 and DA 35 and DA 18-55.

[Jonathan Mac]

This might be fruitless exercise, but......

I have and enjoy all of the DA limiteds except the DA 35 (I have the FA 31mm instead) but I've irrationally longed for the DA20-40 zoom for ages. Is there anything to be gained by adding the 20-40 to my collection?

You're missing the best of the DA limiteds (the primes at least). I also hankered for the 20-40mm because it would give me a good quality WR lens but ended up with the 16-85mm instead as it's much more common on the used market, and of course has a much larger focal range. It's not a limited, it's not compact and it's slow, but IQ is very good indeed and it serves it's purpose admirably. Still, I'd love to try the 20-40mm to compare and I suspect it could replace the 21mm and the 40mm (but not the 35mm) in my collection.

I feel that the DA 16-85mm is a lens for the head and the DA 20-40mm is a lens for the heart.

[wm_brant]

I use the DA 20-40mm Limited on my KP a lot.

I shoot primes almost exclusively on my K-1, so that's where I normally go to get my 'prime' fix. My KP is for (walking around) travel and situations where I'm not shooting from a tripod. Situations where a zoom comes in handy.

Ever since my film shooting days, I've recognized that most of the photos I've taken have been in the moderate wide through short telephoto range with most of these shots being in the short to normal range.

I've also come to realize that I'm not really happy shooting lenses with a max aperture of less than F4. On the other hand when I'm walking around taking pictures I don't want to haul around a big chunk of glass either.

For me the DA 20-40mm is a great fit for how I shoot my KP. It covers the focal lengths I most often use, is fast enough *for me* without being overly heavy, and has great image quality. Yes, some lenses are faster and 'better'. Some lenses cover a wider range of focal lengths. However the DA 20-40mm hits the sweet spot for most of my photography.

So, do I only have the 20-40? No. My entire crop kit consists of:
. 15mm and 20-40mm make up my walking-around kit
. DA 35mm and 50mm - I find that the DA 50mm makes a great indoor event lens, but otherwise I don't shoot with it much. I've not used the DA 35 much either. It's longer than I prefer for a normal lens, and it's not all that much faster than the 20-40mm so I don't shoot with it much
. DA* 60-250mm - for when I need to go really long. I shot with it extensively - on a monopod - when I took photos at this year's Sebring 12-Hour race

[pres589]

It should have been a 20-60. That would have made for a wonderful single-in-the-city lens.

[jddwoods]

If you already have the DA 21 & 40 Limiteds and the FA 31, I think you would be better off with the 16-85 as a high quality zoom supplement to the Limited primes. I have the limited primes also and wanted a high quality zoom. I narrowed my choice down to the 20-40 Limited zoom and the 16-85. I went to the 16-85 since it offers a different and much more versatile zoom option whereas the 20-40 seemed to be a substitute for the limited primes. Had I not already had a set of limited primes, then I more than likely would have went with the Limited zoom.

[Wingincamera]

I have the 20-40 and usually enjoy it with my KP. My problem for me is that at times it will miss focus. It forces me to slow down and be really be careful where it is focusing. I realize this is probably more operator error rather than the lens. Unless I need the 20-40 for its usefulness I likely will have my 35 Macro mounted.
I have used the "AF fine adjustment" on the lens and found it needed no adjustment at either end..

[bilybianca]

This might be fruitless exercise, but......

Is there anything to be gained by adding the 20-40 to my collection?

You live once, and this is the one. Why not? Who will thank you for not buying?

Kjell

[TerryL]

I bought it because I saw so many wonderful pictures taken with it on the KP.
Terry