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Reportage · 03-19-2009, 09:00 AM

worth to bite US$330 for a 2nd hand 21mm?

**SCGushue** · 03-19-2009, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by Reportage

worth to bite US$330 for a 2nd hand 21mm?

It is not clearly easy to give you an answer as these lenses do not fundamentally overlap in their FOV.

If I graded the output only, the DA 40 ltd would be my choice. Excellent optic, with very good sharpness, contrast and tone rendering. The 21 ltd lags somewhat in my opinion.

Stephen

axl · 03-19-2009, 11:16 AM

according to photozone tests, 40 is sharper. But you'll find many happy owners of 21 too. I would be nice to have both to be honest, just shame 21 is not f2.8 too, I wouldn't hesitate a second to purchase one, but as it is I'm after FA*24 or FA20/2.8 both are scary rare and expensive

I'd love Pentax to bring out new DA24/2.8, and it wouldn't even have to be pancake.... OMG, sorry for the rant...
yes, 40 shoudl be sharper, but then 21 lets you see a whole lot more from the world, and supposedly both are doing very well in resistin flare...

but I onlo own 40 so what do I know

BR

ILoveVerdi · 03-19-2009, 11:35 AM

The 40 is probably sharper based on everyone's praise and some images I've seen, but the 21 is not bad. I've had shots with the 21 that were so sharp that any extra in PP made them look unnatural. A month ago I got it from Amazon for 380, but it seems to be at 450 now there.

**Just1MoreDave** · 03-19-2009, 03:53 PM

I don't see how you can make a meaningful comparison of vastly different focal lengths. Probably the DA 40 is sharper, but unless you make panoramas, it doesn't do 21mm.

**Sailor** · 03-19-2009, 03:56 PM

I have and use both lenses. The 40 is - to my blearly old eyes - noticeably sharper - probably the sharpest lens I own, but the biggest weakness of the 21 is some distortion - what I think is called barrel distortion. Even so, my 21 gets lots of use owing to it's FOV and generally good optical performance.

However, comparing the two is analogous to . . . . . you know . . . . . . comparing apples to oranges. I love 'em both.

Jer

roentarre · 03-19-2009, 04:33 PM

Da 21mm ltd appeals due to its small size for certain applications of photography.

Da 40mm f2.8 is no doubt to be sharper than Da 21mm ltd with pop for sure.

03-19-2009, 09:00 AM	#1
Reportage Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 739	21mm and 40mm Ltd. Which has better optics? worth to bite US$330 for a 2nd hand 21mm?

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03-19-2009, 10:41 AM	#2
SCGushue Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,449	Originally posted by Reportage worth to bite US$330 for a 2nd hand 21mm? It is not clearly easy to give you an answer as these lenses do not fundamentally overlap in their FOV. If I graded the output only, the DA 40 ltd would be my choice. Excellent optic, with very good sharpness, contrast and tone rendering. The 21 ltd lags somewhat in my opinion. Stephen

03-19-2009, 11:16 AM	#3
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	according to photozone tests, 40 is sharper. But you'll find many happy owners of 21 too. I would be nice to have both to be honest, just shame 21 is not f2.8 too, I wouldn't hesitate a second to purchase one, but as it is I'm after FA*24 or FA20/2.8 both are scary rare and expensive I'd love Pentax to bring out new DA24/2.8, and it wouldn't even have to be pancake.... OMG, sorry for the rant... yes, 40 shoudl be sharper, but then 21 lets you see a whole lot more from the world, and supposedly both are doing very well in resistin flare... but I onlo own 40 so what do I know BR

03-19-2009, 11:35 AM	#4
ILoveVerdi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, MI. USA. Earth. Posts: 139	The 40 is probably sharper based on everyone's praise and some images I've seen, but the 21 is not bad. I've had shots with the 21 that were so sharp that any extra in PP made them look unnatural. A month ago I got it from Amazon for 380, but it seems to be at 450 now there.

03-19-2009, 03:53 PM	#5
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I don't see how you can make a meaningful comparison of vastly different focal lengths. Probably the DA 40 is sharper, but unless you make panoramas, it doesn't do 21mm.

03-19-2009, 03:56 PM	#6
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,203	I have and use both lenses. The 40 is - to my blearly old eyes - noticeably sharper - probably the sharpest lens I own, but the biggest weakness of the 21 is some distortion - what I think is called barrel distortion. Even so, my 21 gets lots of use owing to it's FOV and generally good optical performance. However, comparing the two is analogous to . . . . . you know . . . . . . comparing apples to oranges. I love 'em both. Jer

03-19-2009, 04:33 PM	#7
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Da 21mm ltd appeals due to its small size for certain applications of photography. Da 40mm f2.8 is no doubt to be sharper than Da 21mm ltd with pop for sure.

21mm and 40mm Ltd. Which has better optics?

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