Torn between 21mm limited or 12-24..

foots · 03-17-2009, 11:10 PM

hello all, Well I just picked up the LTD 70mm and love the lens. Now I want to get something wide, but only want one lens in this range. Now I would love to get the LTD 21mm limited to go with the LTD 70mm but thinking about the extra range of the 12-24mm Pentax as I see it's a good lens through out its range.

I could get the LTD 21mm for about $225 to $250 cheaper that the 12-24 so that's something to think about too. I've rented the 12-24 before for use on vacation and it was a very nice lens. Have not used the LTD 21mm yet. Also not much different in f/stops as the 12-24 is 4.0 and the 21mm is 3.2 I just don't know!!!

This may answer my own question here, but I ten to think that a person learns to shoot better or think of the shot more with a constant focal length lens (long theory behind this thought process, and I maybe wrong) Just don't know what to do, should I save more and get the Pentax 12-24mm wide or get the cheaper costing LTD 21mm Pentax.....Any thoughts or suggestions? All feedback is welcomed. Thanks

RawheaD · 03-18-2009, 12:07 AM

I think the simple answer is this: if you need/want something shorter than 21mm, then go for the 12-24. You can be a stickler about primes, in which case there is the DA 14mm/2,8 or the new DA 15mm/4 Limited. They're both in the same range as the 12-24, though, price-wise. That's where you should be debating between the IQ and learning experience, etc., etc., between primes and zoom lenses.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the 21mm and the 12-24 aren't really comparable, because with the latter (as with the 14mm/2.8 and the 15mm/4 limited), you are paying for the super-wide end of things (between 12 and 15mm). If you don't need that width, then definitely stick with the cheaper 21mm Lim; what you should be debating, then, is whether you should get that prime, or to go for standard zoom lenses that cover that width, i.e., 16-45mm / DA* 16-50mm

My 2c.

foots · 03-18-2009, 12:13 AM

Hello RawheaD, That's 2 cents well spent my friend, thanks. Yea I've been thinking about just that. Just wanted to get other views on this and your view makes perfect sense. Thanks again, I've got a lot to think about, I'm going to pounder my thoughts now :-) Thanks again, Foots

sharko · 03-18-2009, 12:48 AM

I would think about the size factor as well...I have the 12-24 but it can be hard to squeeze in the bag at times (especially with the hood on) since it is a 77mm diameter lens. The DA 21mm is pretty much a pancake lens...obviously not as versatile but much more discrete.

foots · 03-18-2009, 01:05 AM

Super point Sharko, Thanks for bring this up. foots

Maffer · 03-18-2009, 04:22 AM

There is a huuuuuuuuge difference between 21mm and 12mm. When I've been taking landscape shots for example by some shoreline the 20mm has never been enough wide for me. But that's just my 2 cents. I'm using Sigma 10-20mm.

k100d · 03-18-2009, 06:39 AM

get the 12-24mm for the wide versatility, esp if you don't mind the size and you have the money
the 21mm is ok, but nothing super exceptional about it, it does it's job in a small package

foots · 03-18-2009, 07:57 AM

Thanks for all the responses, I'll keep thinking about this for now. Thanks again to all. foots

**Miguel** · 03-18-2009, 09:02 AM

I have both lenses. They are both very good in optical quality. If you need to go light and just wide in coverage, then the 21mm is right. It fits in your pocket and combined with the other Limited lenses makes a great set.

The 12-24mm is pretty large and heavy, but the extra width can be very useful. It depends on the needs of your shooting assignment.

For outdoors where weight and bulk probably matter, the 21mm should be considered. For indoor photography where you may need to fit in ceilings or whole decor, or large numbers of bodies, and you can carry stuff around on with a packed bag (on wheels perhaps), then the zoom would work well.

M

foots · 03-19-2009, 06:45 AM

You know I may just have to get both of them ;-) Thanks all, great points.
But I bet I'll end up getting both! Hey I know me.

NeverSatisfied · 03-19-2009, 07:56 AM

I've had both and ended up getting rid of the 21 - I just didn't use it enough. 12mm is WAY wider than 21, plus I swear the IQ on the 12-24 is just as good. The DA 12-24 *is* quite physically larger but I don't consider it "heavy" by any means (try a Tamron or Sigma 70-200 for "heavy"!) The zoom is definitely more versatile. Something like a CPL for for it will cost more (77mm) but personally I can use the one CPL between three different lenses I own so it wasn't a waste.

Not much difference, like you said, between f4 and f3.2.

As far as cost, check ProDigital2000. I got my DA 12-24 for right around $500 from them. If you get the 12-24 I don't think you'll regret it.

benjikan · 03-19-2009, 08:23 AM

Sorry for being so brief...12-24!!!

superfuzzy · 03-19-2009, 09:44 AM

Originally posted by NeverSatisfied

I've had both and ended up getting rid of the 21 - I just didn't use it enough. 12mm is WAY wider than 21, plus I swear the IQ on the 12-24 is just as good. The DA 12-24 *is* quite physically larger but I don't consider it "heavy" by any means (try a Tamron or Sigma 70-200 for "heavy"!) The zoom is definitely more versatile. Something like a CPL for for it will cost more (77mm) but personally I can use the one CPL between three different lenses I own so it wasn't a waste...

I have the DA 12-24. The IQ is very good! Never used the 21mm pancake, but my guess is that the 12-24's IQ at 21mm is the same or better than the 21mm Limited's.

As far as size goes, it's not a big lens, IMO.

**SCGushue** · 03-19-2009, 10:38 AM

In this particular case don't think about the money. Think instead about the quality of the lens and the image quality of the output. The DA21 ltd is nice. Personally, and having both and using both, the DA 12-24 is the superior lens of choice in nearly all situations.

To me, it really is a simple choice.

Stephen

sft · 03-19-2009, 11:18 AM

I used to own the DA21 (for about 1.5 years) - it's a very good lens generally but unless you really want a small & light pancake the DA12-24 makes much more sense to me. It's only 2/3 slower and has an amazing range with excellent IQ - that would be my choice anyways. Don't worry about cost differences if you can afford either and trust me once you get a 21 you might even want wider so better to get the range you want in the first place. I also had the DA70 and loved that lens - that's a different beast though. For portability and being discrete the DA21 is excellent though.

03-17-2009, 11:10 PM	#1
foots Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 48	Torn between 21mm limited or 12-24.. hello all, Well I just picked up the LTD 70mm and love the lens. Now I want to get something wide, but only want one lens in this range. Now I would love to get the LTD 21mm limited to go with the LTD 70mm but thinking about the extra range of the 12-24mm Pentax as I see it's a good lens through out its range. I could get the LTD 21mm for about $225 to $250 cheaper that the 12-24 so that's something to think about too. I've rented the 12-24 before for use on vacation and it was a very nice lens. Have not used the LTD 21mm yet. Also not much different in f/stops as the 12-24 is 4.0 and the 21mm is 3.2 I just don't know!!! This may answer my own question here, but I ten to think that a person learns to shoot better or think of the shot more with a constant focal length lens (long theory behind this thought process, and I maybe wrong) Just don't know what to do, should I save more and get the Pentax 12-24mm wide or get the cheaper costing LTD 21mm Pentax.....Any thoughts or suggestions? All feedback is welcomed. Thanks

03-19-2009, 07:56 AM	#11
NeverSatisfied Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 688	12-24 I've had both and ended up getting rid of the 21 - I just didn't use it enough. 12mm is WAY wider than 21, plus I swear the IQ on the 12-24 is just as good. The DA 12-24 is quite physically larger but I don't consider it "heavy" by any means (try a Tamron or Sigma 70-200 for "heavy"!) The zoom is definitely more versatile. Something like a CPL for for it will cost more (77mm) but personally I can use the one CPL between three different lenses I own so it wasn't a waste. Not much difference, like you said, between f4 and f3.2. As far as cost, check ProDigital2000. I got my DA 12-24 for right around $500 from them. If you get the 12-24 I don't think you'll regret it.

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03-18-2009, 12:07 AM	#2
RawheaD Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: MA, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 831	I think the simple answer is this: if you need/want something shorter than 21mm, then go for the 12-24. You can be a stickler about primes, in which case there is the DA 14mm/2,8 or the new DA 15mm/4 Limited. They're both in the same range as the 12-24, though, price-wise. That's where you should be debating between the IQ and learning experience, etc., etc., between primes and zoom lenses. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the 21mm and the 12-24 aren't really comparable, because with the latter (as with the 14mm/2.8 and the 15mm/4 limited), you are paying for the super-wide end of things (between 12 and 15mm). If you don't need that width, then definitely stick with the cheaper 21mm Lim; what you should be debating, then, is whether you should get that prime, or to go for standard zoom lenses that cover that width, i.e., 16-45mm / DA* 16-50mm My 2c.

03-18-2009, 12:13 AM	#3
foots Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 48 Original Poster	Hello RawheaD, That's 2 cents well spent my friend, thanks. Yea I've been thinking about just that. Just wanted to get other views on this and your view makes perfect sense. Thanks again, I've got a lot to think about, I'm going to pounder my thoughts now :-) Thanks again, Foots

03-18-2009, 12:48 AM	#4
sharko Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: City of Angels Photos: Gallery Posts: 278	I would think about the size factor as well...I have the 12-24 but it can be hard to squeeze in the bag at times (especially with the hood on) since it is a 77mm diameter lens. The DA 21mm is pretty much a pancake lens...obviously not as versatile but much more discrete.

03-18-2009, 01:05 AM	#5
foots Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 48 Original Poster	Super point Sharko, Thanks for bring this up. foots

03-18-2009, 04:22 AM	#6
Maffer Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 308	There is a huuuuuuuuge difference between 21mm and 12mm. When I've been taking landscape shots for example by some shoreline the 20mm has never been enough wide for me. But that's just my 2 cents. I'm using Sigma 10-20mm.

03-18-2009, 06:39 AM	#7
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	get the 12-24mm for the wide versatility, esp if you don't mind the size and you have the money the 21mm is ok, but nothing super exceptional about it, it does it's job in a small package

03-18-2009, 07:57 AM	#8
foots Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 48 Original Poster	Thanks for all the responses, I'll keep thinking about this for now. Thanks again to all. foots

03-18-2009, 09:02 AM	#9
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	I have both lenses. They are both very good in optical quality. If you need to go light and just wide in coverage, then the 21mm is right. It fits in your pocket and combined with the other Limited lenses makes a great set. The 12-24mm is pretty large and heavy, but the extra width can be very useful. It depends on the needs of your shooting assignment. For outdoors where weight and bulk probably matter, the 21mm should be considered. For indoor photography where you may need to fit in ceilings or whole decor, or large numbers of bodies, and you can carry stuff around on with a packed bag (on wheels perhaps), then the zoom would work well. M

03-19-2009, 06:45 AM	#10
foots Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 48 Original Poster	You know I may just have to get both of them ;-) Thanks all, great points. But I bet I'll end up getting both! Hey I know me.

03-19-2009, 08:23 AM	#12
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	Sorry for being so brief...12-24!!!

03-19-2009, 09:44 AM	#13
superfuzzy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ, USA (close to NYC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 278	Originally posted by NeverSatisfied I've had both and ended up getting rid of the 21 - I just didn't use it enough. 12mm is WAY wider than 21, plus I swear the IQ on the 12-24 is just as good. The DA 12-24 is quite physically larger but I don't consider it "heavy" by any means (try a Tamron or Sigma 70-200 for "heavy"!) The zoom is definitely more versatile. Something like a CPL for for it will cost more (77mm) but personally I can use the one CPL between three different lenses I own so it wasn't a waste... I have the DA 12-24. The IQ is very good! Never used the 21mm pancake, but my guess is that the 12-24's IQ at 21mm is the same or better than the 21mm Limited's. As far as size goes, it's not a big lens, IMO.

03-19-2009, 10:38 AM	#14
SCGushue Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,449	In this particular case don't think about the money. Think instead about the quality of the lens and the image quality of the output. The DA21 ltd is nice. Personally, and having both and using both, the DA 12-24 is the superior lens of choice in nearly all situations. To me, it really is a simple choice. Stephen

03-19-2009, 11:18 AM	#15
sft Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 173	I used to own the DA21 (for about 1.5 years) - it's a very good lens generally but unless you really want a small & light pancake the DA12-24 makes much more sense to me. It's only 2/3 slower and has an amazing range with excellent IQ - that would be my choice anyways. Don't worry about cost differences if you can afford either and trust me once you get a 21 you might even want wider so better to get the range you want in the first place. I also had the DA70 and loved that lens - that's a different beast though. For portability and being discrete the DA21 is excellent though.