SMCP-DA 21mm f3.2 vs HD DA 21mm F3.2

Jonathan Mac · 03-06-2020, 04:15 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

Ricoh said that some of the DA Limiteds had slight optical tweaks in addition to the HD coatings. My money would be on the 21mm Limited being one of them - tests I've seen seem to suggest that the new HD version is slightly sharper in the corners, in addition to what was mentioned before.
But I'm sure they're both great lenses. I do like the pictures I've seen from the HD a bit more, it seems to resolve color detail better (microcontrast?)

I haven't heard or read this anywhere, do you have a link to a source?

I wouldn't be surprised if small differences in sharpness towards the edges is due to copy variation.

ChristianRock · 03-06-2020, 06:06 AM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

I haven't heard or read this anywhere, do you have a link to a source?

I wouldn't be surprised if small differences in sharpness towards the edges is due to copy variation.

Pentax Launches New HD Limited Lenses - Pentax Announcements | PentaxForums.com

Right on the original announcement's first phrase... I remember seeing it mentioned in interviews as well. If I find one I'll link it.

Fogel70 · 03-06-2020, 10:22 PM

Optically improved = New HD coating. Reducing ghosting and flare.
Rounded aperture blades can probably also be seen as an optical improvement.

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03-06-2020, 04:15 AM	#16
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,902	Originally posted by ChristianRock Ricoh said that some of the DA Limiteds had slight optical tweaks in addition to the HD coatings. My money would be on the 21mm Limited being one of them - tests I've seen seem to suggest that the new HD version is slightly sharper in the corners, in addition to what was mentioned before. But I'm sure they're both great lenses. I do like the pictures I've seen from the HD a bit more, it seems to resolve color detail better (microcontrast?) I haven't heard or read this anywhere, do you have a link to a source? I wouldn't be surprised if small differences in sharpness towards the edges is due to copy variation.

03-06-2020, 06:06 AM	#17
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac I haven't heard or read this anywhere, do you have a link to a source? I wouldn't be surprised if small differences in sharpness towards the edges is due to copy variation. Pentax Launches New HD Limited Lenses - Pentax Announcements \| PentaxForums.com Right on the original announcement's first phrase... I remember seeing it mentioned in interviews as well. If I find one I'll link it.

03-06-2020, 10:22 PM	#18
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	Optically improved = New HD coating. Reducing ghosting and flare. Rounded aperture blades can probably also be seen as an optical improvement.