[bdery]

Just got my hands on my first limited, the 21 mm. Now I understand a few things:

1-what people mean when they say the craftsmanship is gorgeous

2-what people mean when they talk about the 3D effect of some limiteds

3-how fun it will be to walk around town with just the 21 and my F50 f1,7 in my pockets

My zooms are still more convenient, but I did not realize how great images could look. The only lenses that come near is the FA 50 macro and the Vivitar series 1 70-210 v1. The former has a better bokeh and the later has great contrast but the 21 has something that I'm not yet able to define, but that I find amazing.

This is not a fantastic subject, but it does show what I like about that lens's output:



This is gonna be fun!

[cmitch]

Dream bit of kit.
Terrific perspective the lens helps give, as you say.
Look forward to seeing some more shots with it. Good luck!

[rfortson]

Congrats, I just bought that lens from here on the Marketplace myself. I have the DA40, and decided to get the DA21. Of course, now the DA70 will arrive Thursday along with the little case to hold them all.

Time to clean out some of the other lenses to make room. These little DA Limited are wonderful lenses. Here's an orchid taken with the DA21 that's so sharp, it can cut you. Not a great composition or anything, but dang, it's sharp!

[Hide]

Interesting bokeh characteristics

[rustynail925]

Its not fast enough but the ability for close focus on the 21 is realy a good advantage.

[oliver939]

Congrats, I just bought that lens from here on the Marketplace myself. I have the DA40, and decided to get the DA21. Of course, now the DA70 will arrive Thursday along with the little case to hold them all.

Time to clean out some of the other lenses to make room. These little DA Limited are wonderful lenses. Here's an orchid taken with the DA21 that's so sharp, it can cut you. Not a great composition or anything, but dang, it's sharp!

Did you make a crop on this pic?

I tried to do macro-like photo (of an orchid too ) with my 21 but due to the 'wide' angle and the not-so-short minimal focus distance, I couldnt get nice result as yours.

[bdery]

The orchid shot is great. I'll have to look into my lens, the focus ring is extremely tight at short focus distances (I knew before purchasing, but let's say it's worse than expected). Maybe a simple CLA will take care of it.

I honestly don't feel that f3.2 is too slow, because

1-at such a wide angle, it's easy to handhold at around 1/10 seconds exposure (for me at least)

2- f3.2 usable is better than soft f2.8. The 21 wide open is much better than my beloved Sigma 17-70 wide open. No contest there. Only the FA 50 macro is as good wide open.

I have the DA40, and decided to get the DA21. Of course, now the DA70 will arrive Thursday along with the little case to hold them all.

I don't feel that I need the DA 40, because even though it's not as well made, the F50 f1,7 is an amazing lens in its own right, and very light and small too. The 70 (or, why not 77) are too expensive for me, and not really needed right now. The few times I need 70 mm I use the Siggy. I'm not doing enough close portraiture to warrant using a 70 mm lens.

I got the 21 because the FOV of the 50 is too narrow sometimes, and I do a lot of low light without flash or tripod. You can always improve a kit, but now that I know how to use the 100-300, I believe I've got all important bases covered.

[Hide]

The 21 wide open is much better than my beloved Sigma 17-70 wide open. No contest there. Only the FA 50 macro is as good wide open.

This comment makes me rethink on a purchase for 17-50 / 17-70 either tamron or sigma to replace my kit lens.

[bdery]

This comment makes me rethink on a purchase for 17-50 / 17-70 either tamron or sigma to replace my kit lens.

Wait a second...

The Sigma 17-70 is my most used lens, the fact that I own the 21 LTD will not change that. The Siggy is extremely sharp, with great colours, a nice close focusing distance, decent bokeh (neutral, I'd say, which is good for a zoom). It's well built, and it's my go-to lens in normal situations.

Here is my kit as I see it:

General use : Sigma 17-70 + FA 100-300 f4,7 (also bring the F 50 f1.7 for emergencies)
Low light tele : M 150 f3.5
Low light : DA 21, F 50
Macro : FA 50 macro
Hiking, snowshoeing, risky conditions : DA 18-55 WR

A lineup for any situation.

The Siggy is larger than primes, heavier, clumsier perhaps. But it covers so many situations that I wonder if I could leave home for a long period without bringing it. It's a clear step above the kit, but the sheer quality of the DA 21 places it a step above the Siggy.

[Oggy]

I'd be interested to see how it copes with architecture type shots.

I had only recently found out that the DA* 16-50 ain't so clever for this type of picture at 16mm due to the pincushion distortion, so now I'm looking for a wide prime.

[Tuner571]

Congrats on the new lens; it really is a jewel of a lens and I sure hope to pick on up someday. I also like your first photo as well, as you said the lens really does produce a 3D look to the pictures it takes.

Hope to see some more photos soon.
Cory

[farfisa]

Hey, you finally got it, good for you, man!
(I remember you were eyeing the one I had in the marketplace)

Hope you enjoy it!

[SOldBear]

I'd be interested to see how it copes with architecture type shots.

I personally think 21mm is in many cases too long for architecture. I mainly use a DA 12-24 for that application.

I happen to have 2 photos taken with DA21 handy:

[bdery]

Hey, you finally got it, good for you, man!
(I remember you were eyeing the one I had in the marketplace)

Yeah. I got a bonus at work, and I figured the best way to spend it was to finally indulge this craving... and I'm glad I did!

[axl]

congrats bdery!
enjoy....