[axl]

who those who own both (or at least have had experience with both).
Can you please advise me here. I have Sigma 10 - 20 (first version) and I regard it very highly. Truth is, 95% pics I take with it are @ 10mm betveen f5.6 and f11. I very rarely zoom it from 10mm. One reason being I like 10mm and other is rather "iffy" AF of my K10D with this lenns (though last time I was checking before I debugged and AF adjusted.
Now, I do like primes (easy to do hyperfocal, and even mighty DA*50-135 didn't change my opinion - I'm selling it! ), and usualy I treat Sigma as 10mm f4 (onne reason I'm not tempted by DA14 and 15.
... but DA21...
I''m more and more interested in this lens.
I have Sigma 24/2.8 AF but CA's are higher then I like. And DA is smaller, lighter, has SMC, roughly the same distortion, it's only 1/3 of stop slower, it would make lovely companion to 31ltd, 40ltd and F50/1.7.
BUT! Is it too close to Sigma?
Obviously for indoor use it's 1&2/3 stop faster, and for long walks it's much smaller lighter.
Is it worth having both? Or shall I just start using my 10-20 @ 20?
TIA for any opinions.

BR
Peter

[joeyc]

One major difference would be how each distorts. The DA21 has some noticeable barrel distortion, whereas the Sigma has a slight pincushion at 20. Otherwise, the size and speed would be a factor. While the DA21 is not fast, there is a big difference between 5.6 and 3.2. And the 21 is tiny in comparison. I really don't think you can have one without the other as they serve different purposes. So, it wouldn't be redundant if you wanted the DA21for the size and/or speed.

[pcarfan]

I don't know what to say about the sigma 24/2.8 as related to this whole situation. But, one thing is for sure, the DA21 and the sigma 10-20 do not clash with one another at all. Like you, I use the sigma like a 10/F4 lens, and rarely ever use it...it's large and unweilding (I find it easier to use the sigma 100-300 with the K-7 over the sigma 10-20). The DA21 is a very versatile lens. Great for landscapes 90% of the time, a great pair with my FA43 for all indoor use (small package) and a great pair for outdoor use as well (I only took those two lenses to Vegas recently and had a blast).

However, the DA21 IMO doesn't render the same as any of the other Pentax limiteds (35,40,43,70,77), which are all much better and has that limited look to them. But, the versatility, focal length and the size along with IQ (at least in par with the sigma 10-20, but I think I like the DA21 a bit better) makes it a very worthy lens. Recently, I got the FA*24/f2 for low light, and it is as sharp as the other primes in the cenetr when stopped down (unlike the DA21), but I need more time to form a proper opinion on the FA*24/f2 as compared to the DA21 or sigma 10-20.

[Alfisti]

I have the 21 and only use it if hiking and carrying a larger, long lens. Otherwise the 12-24 matches it at 21mm and at f/8 ... the 18-250 is not that far off frankly.

[axl]

The Sigma 24/2.8 is related to this in a way as a lighter/faster wide(ish) option inn my line up.
10 being to wide for many applications, yet 31 nowhere near wide enough for many applications. 24 fits the bill and sits in the middle. But IQ is laccking, and that's why I'm thinking of replacing it by 21ltd.
The opinion on FA*24 is too polarised for me to take the risk and order it from states (it's very hard to get in UK). And 21 couldfit the bill.
But how much is the rendering different from 40???
There is always the option of A24/2.8 but how good is it compared to Sigma 24/2.8 annd DA21???

BR
Peter

[Gooshin]

i had a post up a long time ago but i deleted the pics (although they are somewhere on my HD)

conclusion

sigma 10-20 is just as, if not sharper than the DA, and has less barrel distortion at 20mm

it also has 10-19mm extra focal length than the DA21.

however, if weight and size is an issue, then it is a no brainer. But the Sigma i feel is a better lens if you are after IQ only.

[axl]

i had a post up a long time ago but i deleted the pics (although they are somewhere on my HD)

conclusion

sigma 10-20 is just as, if not sharper than the DA, and has less barrel distortion at 20mm

it also has 10-19mm extra focal length than the DA21.

however, if weight and size is an issue, then it is a no brainer. But the Sigma i feel is a better lens if you are after IQ only.

I remember that post Gooshin. And I remember very well the conclusions you presented. The pics you posted were very convincing.
It's just that lately I see a lot of great shots with 21 and I'm not always bothered to carry 10-20 which with f5.6 is fairly limited inddoors. But I'm not really happy with Sigma 24. It's good indoors but inn sunlight the CA's are bit too much for my taste.

[Gooshin]

I remember that post Gooshin. And I remember very well the conclusions you presented. The pics you posted were very convincing.
It's just that lately I see a lot of great shots with 21 and I'm not always bothered to carry 10-20 which with f5.6 is fairly limited inddoors. But I'm not really happy with Sigma 24. It's good indoors but inn sunlight the CA's are bit too much for my taste.

yeah for indoors thats like almost a full stop (on the other hand, its just a full stop.. haha)

my own personal experience shooting indoors has been that more and more i am using external flash as i'm getting better using it (particulary in wireless mode)

but yeah..

check out the sigma 20 F1.8? ive always wanted to give that sucker a go...

[axl]

yeah for indoors thats like almost a full stop (on the other hand, its just a full stop.. haha)

my own personal experience shooting indoors has been that more and more i am using external flash as i'm getting better using it (particulary in wireless mode)

but yeah..

check out the sigma 20 F1.8? ive always wanted to give that sucker a go...

If, then I'd be interested in 24/1.8 but then again, my wide to normal would be 10-20, 24/1.8, 31/1.8
nothing really small
oh, well.....

and I was trying external flash, especialy bounced (since my main gun is AF280T) and it delivers good results, but that doesn't bother all that much, it's the outdoor/landscape part which is bothering me. 24 has FOV that I quite like but, I'm getting very harsh colour shadows around dark/bright transitions. Not the PF as with many Pentax lenses but it's more cyan/turqouise (if I spelled it correctly) colour. I may post example later.

BR
Peter

[Eduard]

i had a post up a long time ago but i deleted the pics (although they are somewhere on my HD)

conclusion

sigma 10-20 is just as, if not sharper than the DA, and has less barrel distortion at 20mm

it also has 10-19mm extra focal length than the DA21.

however, if weight and size is an issue, then it is a no brainer. But the Sigma i feel is a better lens if you are after IQ only.

Is that a joke, Da21 is as sharp as sigma 10-20? Check out 100% center crop picture taken by me today, ive tested those two lenses for several hours with different f stops and lighting situations... DA21 outperforms sigma 2x times!!!