[Bcrary3]

So, I'm in the market for another lens! My primary is a 50mm Sigma DG HSM (approx 75mm on my k5).
I prefer primes but also do a lot of street photography so I'm not looking to have a ton of stuff yo carry around.

I am mostly between the Pentax HD da limited 20-40 f2.8-4 and the Pentax HD DA 35mm f2.8 limited.

I can get each of these lenses within $10.00 price difference of each other.

What you you suggest and why?
I do a lot of landscape/nature, street, and some portrait photography.

[selfnoise]

The 20-40 is more flexible, has quieter focusing and will likely focus faster in some situations given the 35 macros long focus throw. The 35 is obviously a 1:1 macro which is quite rare at 35mm and is sharper.

Personally I carry the 15, 35 and 70 limiteds in my bag and that covers most everything, although I would love to have the 21mm as well. But I am very much a primes kind of person. This decision might come down to whether you want to use a zoom or not.

You might also consider the 40mm limited. It's very compact, focuses very quick and is fun to use.

[c.a.m]

Both lenses are high quality and reasonably priced. I have both and would recommend either of them. The basic trade-off is flexibility and weather resistance of the zoom against the slightly sharper performance and wider aperture of the 35mm Limited. I don't have any negatives to say for either lens.

Have you found some of the threads that have discussed the HD DA 20-40 and related options? For example:

" To acquire or not to acquire the HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR - PentaxForums.com

Is the new DA 20-40mm a worthy alternative to the DA 21 and DA 40 ltd? - PentaxForums.com

Disappointed by the 20-40mm Limited - PentaxForums.com

HD DA 35mm 2.8 limited Macro as Lanscape lens - PentaxForums.com

- Craig

[mikesbike]

With the DA 20-40mm you do also get WR construction. Very fine imaging. I have to admit now that I have it, my DA 21mm gets less use. I have yet to try it on my K-5, I should give it a quick check-over to inform you. It is very much at home on my KP, and is very compact for a zoom lens having f/2.8 at its short end. I wound up supplementing it with the DA 15mm and 70mm Limiteds. This makes for quite a beautiful compact kit when I am out and about. For lower light situations and/or the need for more reach, I take the wonderful, faster FA 77mm LTD lens instead of the DA 70mm LTD.

The DA HD 35mm f/2.8 Limited is of course a macro lens, with all that brings along. Both lenses have HD coatings. For a prime lens to address all-around versatile use, I would say the DA 21mm LTD is most versatile.

I got the DA 20-40mm LTD upon coming across a great deal, well after already having the DA 21mm, DA 40mm, FA 43mm and FA 77mm LTDs. I chose the silver one because I'd read that the coming KP would be available in silver. But it was looking fine to me on my black compact K-S2 anyway. It is a beautiful gem. Now it is available at an even better price! I go to the smaller Limited primes when I want extra-light, extra-compactness with quality, and will have the leisure for lens-changing. I don't do a lot of street photography, but it seems to me the DA 20-40mm LTD is an excellent choice for that purpose as well.

---

Last edited by mikesbike; 09-09-2019 at 02:19 PM.

[aslyfox]

perhaps a look at this thread might be of interest -

the limiteds do they live up to the reputation and why - Page 17 - PentaxForums.com

I am trying to decide whether to add the DA 20-40mm Limited to my collection of lenses

I like the advantage of the zoom and the WR but only in situations where there are reasons not to change out the lenses - dust/dirt weather related for example

and if maximum aperture is an issue, remember that the zoom is not a constant aperture lens, it will change from F2.8 to F4

the 35mm Limited is F2.8

____________________________

the OP could chose to make their own test by renting the lenses:


https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/137-photographic-industry-professionals/...html#post45428

[habsfanusa]

So, I'm in the market for another lens! My primary is a 50mm Sigma DG HSM (approx 75mm on my k5).
I prefer primes but also do a lot of street photography so I'm not looking to have a ton of stuff yo carry around.

I am mostly between the Pentax HD da limited 20-40 f2.8-4 and the Pentax HD DA 35mm f2.8 limited.

I can get each of these lenses within $10.00 price difference of each other.

What you you suggest and why?
I do a lot of landscape/nature, street, and some portrait photography.

consider the 31mm f1.8.
there's a reason it has the reputation it does

[RobA_Oz]

consider the 31mm f1.8.
there's a reason it has the reputation it does

True, but it’s quite a different kettle of fish to the 35 macro (I have both). The 35 is sharp to the corners, as you’d expect from a macro lens, while the 31 isn’t (quite deliberately, for pictorial reasons), but the 31 is slightly wider and faster. Really, you need both, but if your budget is limited (no pun intended, quite) I’d advise getting the 35 first, especially if you’re inclined to use its macro capability.

[tokyoscape]

If you are ok with the price, 20-40 seems to be the winner to me too. It is a perfect WR zoom for street photography.
Otherwise get the DA21 and pairs it with your 50mm then use the left over for something else. I pair my 21 with a 55* and very happy with the combination. I used to pair either a 35 or a 28 with a 50mm, and I often wish I had a bit wider lense. I almost get the 20-40 for that. If 20-40 could make killer starburst like the 21 I would be using it by now.

[Sandy Hancock]

For an incognito day on the street with a crop camera, it's hard to go past the 21 Limited, with the 40 and 70 in a couple of pockets.

The 20-40 is a great lens, but it does feel kind of like cheating for a Prime Guy like me

But each one has its charms. Especially he FA's, but that's a rabbit hole you might not want to go down

[MrB1]

There is no DA Limited lens that can reach these well-deserved scores:
pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/hd-pentax-da-35mm-f2.8-limited

So it comes down to the relative importance to you of the versatility of the WR 20-40 Ltd Zoom and the sheer excellence of the image quality of the 35 Ltd Prime from infinity to close-focusing.

One extra point to consider:
When photographing a static subject, e.g. a landscape, the 35 Ltd Prime can also be a very high resolution wide-angle lens, by capturing several over-lapping shots and combining them to make a composite image.

Philip

[RobA_Oz]

The 20-40 is a great lens, but it does feel kind of like cheating for a Prime Guy like me

If you reframe that, Sandy, a “Prime” is literally the first one you go to...

[derekkite]

The 35 is a very nice lens.

[clickclick]

My inclination for street photography and general walk about would be the 20-40. I was skeptical of this lens until I finally couldn't resist hearing all the good things about it coupled with a really good sale, and purchased it. I feel like the 20-40 range is kinda of a sweet spot plucked out of the more typical wide to normal zoom. The WR and silent focus add to this use. It is a typical Limited, and I just find the images pleasing. If you haven't, check out the sample photo database here: Pentax Camera & Lens Sample Photo Search Engine - PentaxForums.com Many note this lens does have some field curvature, so if you were thinking of stitching a bunch of shots together for panoramic landscapes, the 35 macro is going to be your choice.

[UncleVanya]

I own a lot of options in this range. I do like my 20-40 and find it very useful. I haven't ever owned the 35 Macro. The 31, 40, 16-50, fa 35, etc all hold some sway. But the da 20-40 and da* 50-135 with a da 15 are among my most frequent companions.

[clackers]

Looking at the nine images in your gallery (street, no closeup shallow depth-of-field stuff), Bcrary, you could leave all your lenses at home other than the DA20-40. It's WR, would stay on all day, has silent autofocus, and a superior build quality to your Sigma 50 etc.