D FA 21mm f/? Rumor(s)?

Mistral75 · 10-01-2021, 03:52 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ProfessorBuzz

Our good friend Biz probably meant the lens will be worth the wait. His accuracy on predictions is pretty high; not so much autocorrect on his spelling.

And I was probably joking.

VictorDA · 10-06-2021, 06:46 AM - **1 Like**

We want it, and we want it NOW!
(or at least: we want to know the expected retail price so we can stop waiting in vain and ~~go out to take pictures~~ start complaining)

house · 10-07-2021, 11:57 PM - **2 Likes**

(old) images just to keep the flame going...

**RobA_Oz** · 10-08-2021, 12:20 AM

I’m happy to wait, while my finances recover from the K-3iii.

**fs999** · 10-08-2021, 12:27 AM

Oh no ! It's a F4

OoKU · 10-08-2021, 12:46 AM - **1 Like**

We'll soon find out.
The texture of the lens is very good, similar to FA Limited instead of DA 20-40.

house · 10-08-2021, 01:34 AM

Originally posted by OoKU

We'll soon find out.
The texture of the lens is very good, similar to FA Limited instead of DA 20-40.

Does the DA2040 differ from the other DA limiteds or just from the FA's? I only own black lenses so I've not been aware of differences in silver finish.

**RobA_Oz** · 10-08-2021, 02:17 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by fs999

Oh no ! It's a F4

I think you’re just stirring the pot, Frederic.

For what it may be worth, that front element looks to be of similar size to that of the FA20/2.8.

**Serkevan** · 10-09-2021, 01:08 AM

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

I think you’re just stirring the pot, Frederic.

For what it may be worth, that front element looks to be of similar size to that of the FA20/2.8.

The glass itself is, in fact, close in size to that found in the Nikon 20/1.8G.

house · 10-09-2021, 01:34 AM

Originally posted by Serkevan

The glass itself is, in fact, close in size to that found in the Nikon 20/1.8G.

Have you estimated the size? The DFA21 front element looks a fair bit smaller to me. It's easy to be fooled by the relative size of things and I haven't tried to scale/measure it thought.

**Serkevan** · 10-09-2021, 01:38 AM

Originally posted by house

Have you estimated the size? The DFA21 front element looks a fair bit smaller to me. It's easy to be fooled by the relative size of things and I haven't tried to scale/measure it thought.

Something like 39mm for the DFA vs 44 for the Nikon, if memory serves.
Do note that I haven't found any photo of the DFA that is really looking at the front head-on and the glass is somewhat bulbous, so take the number with a grain of salt (I didn't care enough to bother with proper corrections that accounted for perspective

).

Mostly I'd take that difference to mean the DFA can be faster than 2.8 - I don't expect it will be faster than f/2 and frankly I don't need it to

.

house · 10-09-2021, 02:21 AM

Originally posted by Serkevan

Mostly I'd take that difference to mean the DFA can be faster than 2.8 - I don't expect it will be faster than f/2 and frankly I don't need it to .

Sounds like a reasonable speculation about the size, 5mm is a noticable difference so that could be what I'm seeing.

Somewhere between 2-2.8 sounds about right to me. I wasn't to bothered by the f4 of the da15 but having used the Samyang 24 f1.4 I do like a bit more speed now even with my wa's. I definitely don't want the handling and size of the Samyang though... I really dislike using that lens.

I've said it before but I think a limited could get away with so, so performance wide open. Changing characteristics depending on aperture would be fine as long as it clears up across the frame by f4 or so. So a stop or so wider than it "should" would be useful.

**Rondec** · 10-09-2021, 02:44 AM

Originally posted by house

Sounds like a reasonable speculation about the size, 5mm is a noticable difference so that could be what I'm seeing.

Somewhere between 2-2.8 sounds about right to me. I wasn't to bothered by the f4 of the da15 but having used the Samyang 24 f1.4 I do like a bit more speed now even with my wa's. I definitely don't want the handling and size of the Samyang though... I really dislike using that lens.

I've said it before but I think a limited could get away with so, so performance wide open. Changing characteristics depending on aperture would be fine as long as it clears up across the frame by f4 or so. So a stop or so wider than it "should" would be useful.

I think the big thing is that you want decent sharpness wide open. The DA 15 really needs stopping down to f5.6 to have any semblance of edge sharpness and I usually shoot it at f8. If this is, say, a 21mm f2 that is usable at f2, that would be better than a lens like the FA 50 f1.4, where the widest apertures are soft with really poor contrast.

house · 10-09-2021, 02:53 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

I think the big thing is that you want decent sharpness wide open. The DA 15 really needs stopping down to f5.6 to have any semblance of edge sharpness and I usually shoot it at f8. If this is, say, a 21mm f2 that is usable at f2, that would be better than a lens like the FA 50 f1.4, where the widest apertures are soft with really poory contrast.

Thats where I disagree. As long as the good aperture is fast enough its quite nice having that dreamy f1.4 of the fa 50 f1.4.

When f4 is wide open its quite a different story... but even there f4 for close ups with centralish subject is quite nice with the da15. Its unfortunately not someting I use the lens for.

**Rondec** · 10-09-2021, 02:55 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by house

Thats where I disagree. As long as the good aperture is fast enough its quite nice having that dreamy f1.4 of the fa 50 f1.4.

When f4 is wide open its quite a different story... but even there f4 for close ups with centralish subject is quite nice with the da15. Its unfortunately not someting I use the lens for.

The issue with the FA 50 is that it not only doesn't have much sharpness wide open, it has really poor contrast. I really didn't like that lens and currently shoot with a DA *55 as a result.

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10-01-2021, 03:52 PM - 1 Like	#46
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Originally posted by ProfessorBuzz Our good friend Biz probably meant the lens will be worth the wait. His accuracy on predictions is pretty high; not so much autocorrect on his spelling. And I was probably joking.

10-06-2021, 06:46 AM - 1 Like	#47
VictorDA Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lyon area, France Posts: 718	We want it, and we want it NOW! (or at least: we want to know the expected retail price so we can stop waiting in vain and ~~go out to take pictures~~ start complaining)

10-07-2021, 11:57 PM - 2 Likes	#48
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	(old) images just to keep the flame going...

10-08-2021, 12:20 AM	#49
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	I’m happy to wait, while my finances recover from the K-3iii.

10-08-2021, 12:27 AM	#50
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,639	Oh no ! It's a F4

10-08-2021, 12:46 AM - 1 Like	#51
OoKU Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 740	We'll soon find out. The texture of the lens is very good, similar to FA Limited instead of DA 20-40.

10-08-2021, 01:34 AM	#52
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Originally posted by OoKU We'll soon find out. The texture of the lens is very good, similar to FA Limited instead of DA 20-40. Does the DA2040 differ from the other DA limiteds or just from the FA's? I only own black lenses so I've not been aware of differences in silver finish.

10-08-2021, 02:17 PM - 1 Like	#53
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	Originally posted by fs999 Oh no ! It's a F4 I think you’re just stirring the pot, Frederic. For what it may be worth, that front element looks to be of similar size to that of the FA20/2.8.

10-09-2021, 01:08 AM	#54
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by RobA_Oz I think you’re just stirring the pot, Frederic. For what it may be worth, that front element looks to be of similar size to that of the FA20/2.8. The glass itself is, in fact, close in size to that found in the Nikon 20/1.8G.

10-09-2021, 01:34 AM	#55
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Originally posted by Serkevan The glass itself is, in fact, close in size to that found in the Nikon 20/1.8G. Have you estimated the size? The DFA21 front element looks a fair bit smaller to me. It's easy to be fooled by the relative size of things and I haven't tried to scale/measure it thought.

10-09-2021, 01:38 AM	#56
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by house Have you estimated the size? The DFA21 front element looks a fair bit smaller to me. It's easy to be fooled by the relative size of things and I haven't tried to scale/measure it thought. Something like 39mm for the DFA vs 44 for the Nikon, if memory serves. Do note that I haven't found any photo of the DFA that is really looking at the front head-on and the glass is somewhat bulbous, so take the number with a grain of salt (I didn't care enough to bother with proper corrections that accounted for perspective ). Mostly I'd take that difference to mean the DFA can be faster than 2.8 - I don't expect it will be faster than f/2 and frankly I don't need it to .

10-09-2021, 02:21 AM	#57
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Originally posted by Serkevan Mostly I'd take that difference to mean the DFA can be faster than 2.8 - I don't expect it will be faster than f/2 and frankly I don't need it to . Sounds like a reasonable speculation about the size, 5mm is a noticable difference so that could be what I'm seeing. Somewhere between 2-2.8 sounds about right to me. I wasn't to bothered by the f4 of the da15 but having used the Samyang 24 f1.4 I do like a bit more speed now even with my wa's. I definitely don't want the handling and size of the Samyang though... I really dislike using that lens. I've said it before but I think a limited could get away with so, so performance wide open. Changing characteristics depending on aperture would be fine as long as it clears up across the frame by f4 or so. So a stop or so wider than it "should" would be useful.

10-09-2021, 02:44 AM	#58
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by house Sounds like a reasonable speculation about the size, 5mm is a noticable difference so that could be what I'm seeing. Somewhere between 2-2.8 sounds about right to me. I wasn't to bothered by the f4 of the da15 but having used the Samyang 24 f1.4 I do like a bit more speed now even with my wa's. I definitely don't want the handling and size of the Samyang though... I really dislike using that lens. I've said it before but I think a limited could get away with so, so performance wide open. Changing characteristics depending on aperture would be fine as long as it clears up across the frame by f4 or so. So a stop or so wider than it "should" would be useful. I think the big thing is that you want decent sharpness wide open. The DA 15 really needs stopping down to f5.6 to have any semblance of edge sharpness and I usually shoot it at f8. If this is, say, a 21mm f2 that is usable at f2, that would be better than a lens like the FA 50 f1.4, where the widest apertures are soft with really poor contrast.

10-09-2021, 02:53 AM	#59
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Originally posted by Rondec I think the big thing is that you want decent sharpness wide open. The DA 15 really needs stopping down to f5.6 to have any semblance of edge sharpness and I usually shoot it at f8. If this is, say, a 21mm f2 that is usable at f2, that would be better than a lens like the FA 50 f1.4, where the widest apertures are soft with really poory contrast. Thats where I disagree. As long as the good aperture is fast enough its quite nice having that dreamy f1.4 of the fa 50 f1.4. When f4 is wide open its quite a different story... but even there f4 for close ups with centralish subject is quite nice with the da15. Its unfortunately not someting I use the lens for.

10-09-2021, 02:55 AM - 1 Like	#60
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by house Thats where I disagree. As long as the good aperture is fast enough its quite nice having that dreamy f1.4 of the fa 50 f1.4. When f4 is wide open its quite a different story... but even there f4 for close ups with centralish subject is quite nice with the da15. Its unfortunately not someting I use the lens for. The issue with the FA 50 is that it not only doesn't have much sharpness wide open, it has really poor contrast. I really didn't like that lens and currently shoot with a DA *55 as a result.