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09-13-2022, 08:36 PM   #1
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Pentax DA limited 21mm f3.2 and 40mm f2.8 or 20-40mm?

Hi all,

Thanks to you I picked up Pentax K5 with the kit lens and SMC DA 40mm F2.8, which I love and exceeded my expectations considering the costs. Was tempted to upgrade the body but thought glass would be a better investment.

Iwanted to know from your experience, is it better to have a 21mm f3.2 and 40mm f2.8 combo or the 20 - 40mm f2.8-4 lens?
The 20 - 40mm is currently on sale on BH for about USD 500, I can pick up the DA SMC 21mm second hand here in Singapore for about USD 100 - 150.

Was wondering if that convenience of the zoom is really worth the premium, or going with a two lens combo since I have the 40mm and saving money would be better.

Fyi, general just shoot when I travel on holiday in cities and some hiking photos.

Many thanks!

09-13-2022, 08:55 PM   #2
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Well, the 20-40 is weather resistant and I hear it rains sometimes in Singapore!
09-13-2022, 10:14 PM   #3
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I own all three. To me the decision to shoot prime vs zoom is a changing landscape of whim. I shoot primes mostly, but not entirely, for the fun of imposing structure on shooting. Having limitations on framing makes me seek different views that I might have missed. That isn’t always great - it takes time and you miss some shots due to having the wrong lens on the camera. However it is pleasant and challenging. There are other benefits as well.

In your case I would like to know what other lenses you have before stating what to do. Personally if you don’t already have an 18-135 / 17-70 / or 16-85 I’d put that higher on the list. The 18-135 or 16-85 are also weather resistant and are fantastic “walk about” lenses.

Don’t misunderstand me the 21 and the 20-40 are excellent options also. The 20-40 plus a 50-135 and maybe the da 15 in the bag as well makes for a really strong coverage of a lot of focal lengths with excellent iq. The 21 gives a nice wide reportage style view of the world that harkens back to the old rangefinder days. The 20-40 has that special limited feel - while being surprisingly nimble - a 2x zoom seems limiting until you realize it’s just wider and just narrower than “normal”.
09-13-2022, 10:36 PM   #4
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Thanks for your replies.

I currently have the 18-55 kit lens and the 40mm f2.8 only. The reason Im deciding between the 20 - 40mm and 21mm is Im looking for something compact, especially for my city walks and hiking. I did do a whole trip around Rome with just a 35mm f1.8 on a canon ff couple of years ago, with a family members camera which I did enjoy the limitation of a prime, although the weight of the FF was no fun, so Im trying to priorities keeping my kit as light as possible.

The idea of the 20-40 being a "bag of primes" is exciting to me though, alternatively I could get the 21mm and with the spare cash get something to cover the telephoto range in future. Unfortunately in Singapore I can't try the lenses in person to see what would suit me.

09-14-2022, 12:28 AM - 1 Like   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by mooksf Quote
Hi all,

Thanks to you I picked up Pentax K5 with the kit lens and SMC DA 40mm F2.8, which I love and exceeded my expectations considering the costs. Was tempted to upgrade the body but thought glass would be a better investment.

Iwanted to know from your experience, is it better to have a 21mm f3.2 and 40mm f2.8 combo or the 20 - 40mm f2.8-4 lens?
The 20 - 40mm is currently on sale on BH for about USD 500, I can pick up the DA SMC 21mm second hand here in Singapore for about USD 100 - 150.

Was wondering if that convenience of the zoom is really worth the premium, or going with a two lens combo since I have the 40mm and saving money would be better.

Fyi, general just shoot when I travel on holiday in cities and some hiking photos.

Many thanks!
The 20-40 is a fabulous lens and for hiking: it is WR and silent focusing and it is not heavy. And as you have a WR body, it makes an outstanding combo! And I agree with UncleVanya: a 18-135 is also one to think of. I own that one as well and for the money it is a great lens and also WR and a silent one. I own the 16-85, but is has never been a lens that I grew fond of. For some reason I do not like it, I sometimes used it for the 16-18mm, but I bought a 11-18mm and have the wide end covered. The 16-85 is also a bit bigger. But I always come back to the 18-135. Good luck with deciding which one to buy.
09-14-2022, 12:38 AM - 2 Likes   #6
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Well, the biggest problem you will have is that when you get the 21, you wish you had gotten the 20-40. Ad when you get the 20-40, you wish you had gotten the 21.

But seriously, both are superb lenses. I do use the 20-40 more often than the 21. As it is just a bit more versitile. But if I want to keep my gear small and light. I will use the 21. (and put another of the limteds in my pocket. Could be the 40, could be the 15 or 70)

So I would say, you want to keep it small and light, get the 21. You want a bit more versatility, get the 20-40 (you just might realize, that you will start using the 40 less)
09-14-2022, 12:47 AM - 1 Like   #7
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The 20-40mm is the lens that is on my KP most. It is a tremendous urban all rounder that is faster than the 21mm at 20mm. I have both and like Vanya, love both the restriction and tiny size of the 21mm, it also renders magnificently but for convenience without much compromise its the 20-40mm, although, the 20-40mm isn't small, its not big but its no pancake.
Re. The others, I love my 18-135mm. Its a great and very handy lens but it doesn't quite have the magic of the limiteds. As for Vanya's suggestion of the 15mm, I agree 100%. It may be quite specialised but it is breathtaking

09-14-2022, 01:18 AM   #8
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I have the 15, 21, 35 and recently got the 20-40. I questioned why I now need the 21 and the 35 (I don’t have the 40) and if I had bought the 20-40 first I might not have bothered with them - but - they are such lovely lenses I would be loath to part with them, so I won’t! The WR on the 20-40 does make it very useful for the upcoming seasonal weather.
09-14-2022, 01:32 AM   #9
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...

I have had both DA 21ltd and DA 40ltd. Now I have DA 20-40, simply because of WR.
09-14-2022, 02:01 AM   #10
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Hi. Mooskf
I also have all three and the 18 - 135, they all get used, and I have the wrong one for the moment mounted sometimes too.
A hard choice but in the end you"ll have them all ....... in time. so no rush
09-14-2022, 04:13 AM   #11
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With all the feedback, it seems like the 18-135 is something I should really consider to replace the kit lens and act as a short telephoto lens especially for future travels.

However, I do like the idea of limiting myself and have enjoyed primes in general, especially in the "normal" focal range.
Seems like my decision is broken down into the following:
- 20-40mm for the smaller size and weather sealing which would give me peace of mind during hikes. However, it could potentially cost more than getting the 21mm and 18-135mm combined. (Also I already have the 40mm prime)
- 21mm for USD 120 makes it almost a steal, a lot of money saved, but I do lose out on the weather sealing and that bit of flexibility especially for hikes.

From what you guys have said, it seems like I can't really go wrong but doesn't make it the decision any easier hahah.

Thanks again
09-14-2022, 04:25 AM - 1 Like   #12
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If you want your system to be compact then it's no contest - get the 21 to go with your 40. You might also look out for a 70 to add to the the set. The quality of all three Limited lenses is excellent, and the two not on the camera easily fit in a pocket!

Philip
09-14-2022, 04:51 AM - 1 Like   #13
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You have to ask yourself what type of photographer you prefer to be.
If you are the kind who selects a prime lens with an idea of certain subjects or locations, or the type who goes around solo and doesn't mind changing to a second lens or third as needed , get another prime.
If you are the type who wants to be prepared for anything, get a zoom, especially a WR zoom if you like to be out an about in inclement weather. I also encourage you to consider the DA 18-135mm WR lens, great performance at a lower cost than the 20-40.

I own both the DA 21mm and the DA 40mm LTD (As well as the DA 40mm XS), and if you can get a DA 21mm for a low cost, Go for it!.
09-14-2022, 05:17 AM - 1 Like   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by MrB1 Quote
If you want your system to be compact then it's no contest - get the 21 to go with your 40. You might also look out for a 70 to add to the the set. The quality of all three Limited lenses is excellent, and the two not on the camera easily fit in a pocket!

Philip
This is almost what my favorite set-up is these days except I have a 40mm XS instead of the 40 mm Limited. I'm not crazy about having stuff in my pockets so I carry the lenses in a very small bag that was originally designed to hold an old film P&S camera. There's even room left over for a spare battery and extra memory cards. It's a lot of photographic firepower in an extremely small amount of gear.
09-14-2022, 05:34 AM   #15
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The 20-40 is probably slightly better at 20 than the 21 is at 21. The 20-40 is probably slightly worse (and slower) at 40. Even so, I’d probably get it over the two primes unless space was a huge concern. I love my da 40 more than my da 21. Btw both of my primes are smc rather than hd. The 20-40 is hd obviously.

The second kit I use the 20-40 with is a KP plus that plus a 55-300 PLM. It fits into a ridiculously small case and it’s light.

You can’t go wrong with either lens.
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