Limited kits: 15 - 20-40 - 70 or 15 - 21 - 40 - 70?

**DWS1** · 06-16-2021, 07:41 PM

There seems to be mixed reviews. some like it some don't.

**mikesbike** · 06-16-2021, 09:33 PM

I've had DA Ltd primes for quite some time before getting a good deal on the DA HD 20-40mm Ltd around 4 years ago. It is now a favorite with my KP for a compact kit along with the DA 15mm and FA 77mm Ltd for low light and more reach, or the DA 70mm Ltd for use in better lighting when I want reach with more width and with fine edge-to-edge performance at all apertures. This means very high quality with maximum compactness and WR as well. If you've found a spectacular sale from a reputable dealer, I would say get it while it is there!

**UncleVanya** · 06-16-2021, 11:42 PM

Like some other posters I own a version of all of these lenses. SMC DA 15, 21, 40; HD DA 20-40, 70. Like a few others I also have the SMC FA 31, 43, 77. I haven’t really decided what kits I like best but my carry kit often is the 15, 20-40, 100 macro or 50-135. Sometime to slim down I go with the 15, 20-40, 70 or 15, 21, 40, 70. Mostly it’s whim or a particular look. The da 21 is a touch slower than the 20-40 and the da 40 is a full stop faster. If I need fast the 43 gets swapped in and that typically mean the 31 and 77 as well but sometimes could be the 21, 43, 70.

Endless variations. The primes have a special feel to using them that the 20-40 doesn’t have. But image quality isn’t lacking. The handling is very good and it is the only limited that is weather sealed and near silent focus.

I didn’t plan on getting the 20-40 my dad fell in love with it when he had a k-3 and spent his money on it. Later we traded other gear and I ended up with it. I only recently got the smc da 21.

**Cerebum** · 06-16-2021, 11:42 PM

Obviously scarcity shouldn't be a factor but decent used copies are thin on the ground and several places are out of stock. Its certainly popular

Bui · 06-17-2021, 12:27 AM

To me the 20-40 is a perfect compromise between flexibility and quality (that is if there is any compromise). In the past I own the 21, 40, 16-85, 18-135 and 16-50 together with the 20-40, however I eventually sold all of them but the 20-40, now most of the time I only use the 15, 20-40, 77 trio. I might not appreciate the 21 enough but I think the only advantage it has over the 20-40 is size, and star burst (for the SMC version). The 40 has more distinct quality to the 20-40 (substantially smaller and faster, a bit sharper) but 40mm is a bit odd focal length to me in APSC.

Conclusion: get the 20-40, eventually you will also get the 21 and 40, and then you will decide for your self.

**Des** · 06-17-2021, 03:19 AM

The 20-40 is a lovely lens. Sits really well alongside the HD 15 Ltd. Excellent colours and contrast, very pleasant rendering. A worthy member of the Limited family.

AfterPentax Mark II · 06-17-2021, 06:30 AM

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

I love the 20-40, I actually bought it for a trip where i wanted a weather sealed fast wide zoom and it wowed me, I quickly sold my Sigma 17-50 because the 20-40 was so much better. It even looks good on the KP!

Hear! Hear! Yes, it is perfect couple, the KP with the 20-40! And it indeed shows character that the 17-50 misses.

Cambo · 06-17-2021, 08:52 AM - **1 Like**

20-40 it is! Now for the REALLY tough decision; silver or black!

Cheers,
Cameron

**pres589** · 06-17-2021, 08:58 AM

Nothing fast in either kit would be my biggest issue. DA 15 SMC, FA 31 or Sigma 28 EX DG, and DA 70 would interest me more. Something hotter than f2.0 in the middle which is something I've whined about for years in the k-mount ecosystem.

**Cerebum** · 06-17-2021, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by pres589

Nothing fast in either kit would be my biggest issue. DA 15 SMC, FA 31 or Sigma 28 EX DG, and DA 70 would interest me more. Something hotter than f2.0 in the middle which is something I've whined about for years in the k-mount ecosystem.

The plastic fantastic 50mm f1.8 is surprisingly good

**pres589** · 06-17-2021, 10:22 AM

Originally posted by Cerebum

The plastic fantastic 50mm f1.8 is surprisingly good

Yes it is! It's just not a 28mm f1.8. I don't know how much I would use a 50 f1.8 if I also had a 70 f2.4 with me. And this sounded like a 3 lens kit situation.

**Cerebum** · 06-17-2021, 01:21 PM

Originally posted by pres589

Yes it is! It's just not a 28mm f1.8. I don't know how much I would use a 50 f1.8 if I also had a 70 f2.4 with me. And this sounded like a 3 lens kit situation.

True. I was looking at an FA 28mm f2.8 but its not that quick

jimr-pdx · 06-17-2021, 03:47 PM - **1 Like**

As already noted, the 20-40 uniquely adds WR and silent focus to the Limited line. Perhaps not ideal in other ways, but those are two important features to many Pentaxians.
I'm on a budget too tight to stretch much, so the 18-50re will do for a while - but the 20-40 plus 15/70 would be my ideal set on the smallish KP. For now it's 15Ltd/28A/50A2 +135M3.5 as my prime set.

seventysixersfan · 06-17-2021, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by Cambo

20-40 it is! Now for the REALLY tough decision; silver or black!

Cheers,
Cameron

not that tough - what color(s) are your pentax dslrs?

**mikesbike** · 06-17-2021, 09:01 PM

The silver DA 20-40 Ltd looks great on my silver/black KP, which is its ideal partner anyway. But I'm sure it would still look at home if I bought the silver/black K-3 III. I got the lens deal before I bought the KP, and used it on my black little K-S2. It looked ok to me, though not as sharp as on the KP. However, if I were always going to use black bodies I would probably get the black version of the lens, the price deal being the same.

06-17-2021, 08:52 AM - 1 Like	#23
Cambo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,016 Original Poster	Thanks, everybody! 20-40 it is! Now for the REALLY tough decision; silver or black! Cheers, Cameron

06-17-2021, 09:01 PM	#30
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,560	The silver DA 20-40 Ltd looks great on my silver/black KP, which is its ideal partner anyway. But I'm sure it would still look at home if I bought the silver/black K-3 III. I got the lens deal before I bought the KP, and used it on my black little K-S2. It looked ok to me, though not as sharp as on the KP. However, if I were always going to use black bodies I would probably get the black version of the lens, the price deal being the same. Last edited by mikesbike; 06-17-2021 at 09:09 PM.

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06-16-2021, 07:41 PM	#16
DWS1 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 1,169	There seems to be mixed reviews. some like it some don't.

06-16-2021, 09:33 PM	#17
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,560	I've had DA Ltd primes for quite some time before getting a good deal on the DA HD 20-40mm Ltd around 4 years ago. It is now a favorite with my KP for a compact kit along with the DA 15mm and FA 77mm Ltd for low light and more reach, or the DA 70mm Ltd for use in better lighting when I want reach with more width and with fine edge-to-edge performance at all apertures. This means very high quality with maximum compactness and WR as well. If you've found a spectacular sale from a reputable dealer, I would say get it while it is there!

06-16-2021, 11:42 PM	#18
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,459	Like some other posters I own a version of all of these lenses. SMC DA 15, 21, 40; HD DA 20-40, 70. Like a few others I also have the SMC FA 31, 43, 77. I haven’t really decided what kits I like best but my carry kit often is the 15, 20-40, 100 macro or 50-135. Sometime to slim down I go with the 15, 20-40, 70 or 15, 21, 40, 70. Mostly it’s whim or a particular look. The da 21 is a touch slower than the 20-40 and the da 40 is a full stop faster. If I need fast the 43 gets swapped in and that typically mean the 31 and 77 as well but sometimes could be the 21, 43, 70. Endless variations. The primes have a special feel to using them that the 20-40 doesn’t have. But image quality isn’t lacking. The handling is very good and it is the only limited that is weather sealed and near silent focus. I didn’t plan on getting the 20-40 my dad fell in love with it when he had a k-3 and spent his money on it. Later we traded other gear and I ended up with it. I only recently got the smc da 21.

06-16-2021, 11:42 PM	#19
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,829	Obviously scarcity shouldn't be a factor but decent used copies are thin on the ground and several places are out of stock. Its certainly popular

06-17-2021, 12:27 AM	#20
Bui Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 316	To me the 20-40 is a perfect compromise between flexibility and quality (that is if there is any compromise). In the past I own the 21, 40, 16-85, 18-135 and 16-50 together with the 20-40, however I eventually sold all of them but the 20-40, now most of the time I only use the 15, 20-40, 77 trio. I might not appreciate the 21 enough but I think the only advantage it has over the 20-40 is size, and star burst (for the SMC version). The 40 has more distinct quality to the 20-40 (substantially smaller and faster, a bit sharper) but 40mm is a bit odd focal length to me in APSC. Conclusion: get the 20-40, eventually you will also get the 21 and 40, and then you will decide for your self.

06-17-2021, 03:19 AM	#21
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	The 20-40 is a lovely lens. Sits really well alongside the HD 15 Ltd. Excellent colours and contrast, very pleasant rendering. A worthy member of the Limited family.

06-17-2021, 06:30 AM	#22
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,467	Originally posted by ramseybuckeye I love the 20-40, I actually bought it for a trip where i wanted a weather sealed fast wide zoom and it wowed me, I quickly sold my Sigma 17-50 because the 20-40 was so much better. It even looks good on the KP! Hear! Hear! Yes, it is perfect couple, the KP with the 20-40! And it indeed shows character that the 17-50 misses.

06-17-2021, 08:58 AM	#24
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	Nothing fast in either kit would be my biggest issue. DA 15 SMC, FA 31 or Sigma 28 EX DG, and DA 70 would interest me more. Something hotter than f2.0 in the middle which is something I've whined about for years in the k-mount ecosystem.

06-17-2021, 10:04 AM	#25
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,829	Originally posted by pres589 Nothing fast in either kit would be my biggest issue. DA 15 SMC, FA 31 or Sigma 28 EX DG, and DA 70 would interest me more. Something hotter than f2.0 in the middle which is something I've whined about for years in the k-mount ecosystem. The plastic fantastic 50mm f1.8 is surprisingly good

06-17-2021, 10:22 AM	#26
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	Originally posted by Cerebum The plastic fantastic 50mm f1.8 is surprisingly good Yes it is! It's just not a 28mm f1.8. I don't know how much I would use a 50 f1.8 if I also had a 70 f2.4 with me. And this sounded like a 3 lens kit situation.

06-17-2021, 01:21 PM	#27
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,829	Originally posted by pres589 Yes it is! It's just not a 28mm f1.8. I don't know how much I would use a 50 f1.8 if I also had a 70 f2.4 with me. And this sounded like a 3 lens kit situation. True. I was looking at an FA 28mm f2.8 but its not that quick

06-17-2021, 03:47 PM - 1 Like	#28
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	As already noted, the 20-40 uniquely adds WR and silent focus to the Limited line. Perhaps not ideal in other ways, but those are two important features to many Pentaxians. I'm on a budget too tight to stretch much, so the 18-50re will do for a while - but the 20-40 plus 15/70 would be my ideal set on the smallish KP. For now it's 15Ltd/28A/50A2 +135M3.5 as my prime set.

06-17-2021, 05:32 PM	#29
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	Originally posted by Cambo 20-40 it is! Now for the REALLY tough decision; silver or black! Cheers, Cameron not that tough - what color(s) are your pentax dslrs?