Pentax 21mm DA limited.....Question

Dlanor Sekao · 08-26-2013, 01:34 PM

Will this lens be usable if Pentax comes out with a FF DSLR down the road ? When I say usable , will it fill the FF sensor ? Other than the 18-55 WR that came in the kit, this is the only other Lens Im considering buying new. I already have several legacy primes from 28mm to 55mm. I vowed myself to not buy anything at all that cant be used of FF down the road. I just need wider and since used legacy wide glass is about the same price or more as a new 21mm Limited , Im seriously considering this and my wallet isn't too deep...... Thanks

goubejp · 08-26-2013, 01:36 PM - **1 Like**

No; If you want a FF lens, buy a second hand FA 20 mm f2.8

twitch · 08-26-2013, 01:37 PM - **1 Like**

No, the DA21 is no where near FF capable.

Look at the Sigma options (20/1.8 & 24/1.8) around this focal length. Not small lenses but are fast and FF capable.

EDIT: FA 20/2.8 is a good option too ^

Dlanor Sekao · 08-26-2013, 01:50 PM

Originally posted by twitch

No, the DA21 is no where near FF capable.

Look at the Sigma options (20/1.8 & 24/1.8) around this focal length. Not small lenses but are fast and FF capable.

EDIT: FA 20/2.8 is a good option too ^

Thanks. I wasn't sure if DA 21mm Limited would cover it or not.
The FA 20/2.8 has such high reviews that I don't think I could go wrong at all. My only complaint about it is its quite ugly/fugly looking.
I NEED some fast glass about 15mm to 20mm for landscape and having sticker shock finding good glass. I have everything else covered except this.....Let me go look some more at FA prices.
***I want the FA 20/2.8 but once again it seems quite elusive like the SMC 28mm 3.5 and 35mm 3.5.. ! Doesn't seem to be around when a guy has actual $$$ in his pockets.****

Last edited by Dlanor Sekao; 08-26-2013 at 02:15 PM. Reason: add to post

icywindow · 08-26-2013, 03:14 PM

Expect to pay $600 or so for a good used copy of the FA 20. You could put a "Wanted" post up in the marketplace - you might find someone willing to sell.

carrrlangas · 08-26-2013, 03:26 PM - **1 Like**

why do need fast for landscapes? I´d go DA15/4 without thinking it twice

twitch · 08-26-2013, 03:48 PM

There is also a Sigma 12-24 (not the much more common 10-20!), which is FF and weather sealed.

alan_smithee_photos · 08-26-2013, 04:41 PM

If you don't mind going the MF route I'd highly recommend the Voigtlander Color Skopar 20mm 3.5. Still available new and a real pleasure to use.

MBike74 · 08-26-2013, 05:53 PM - **1 Like**

For what it's worth...I have a DA21 and it is great. Many times it is the only lens I will bring. So small and maneuverable, with Great image quality. I get it, you want FF though...however that is somewhat of a unicorn right now. Buy it used. I bought mine right here for a great price after a little searching. You will surely find it cheaper and easier than the FA20mm 2.8. When the magical FF comes out, you will have plenty of time to resell your used DA21 for close to if not all of what you paid (I think there is always someone looking for a 21...it's that good) before the FF is available to purchase. Even if you lose $20 or $40...think about all the great times you had with your snappy little 21...and nobody can take your pictures away from you, unless they are pictures you didn't take because you were waiting for the perfect FF lens.

Just my 2 cents...let us know how it goes.

lytrytyr · 08-26-2013, 06:04 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by az1895

I want the FA 20/2.8 but once again it seems quite elusive like the SMC 28mm 3.5 and 35mm 3.5.. ! Doesn't seem to be around when a guy has actual $$$ in his pockets.

If you've got $695 to burn, there's one on KEH right now!

Pentax Autofocus Fixed Focal Length Lenses - KEH.com

Dlanor Sekao · 08-26-2013, 08:22 PM

I would just use my 28mm or 35mm and stitch . I worry though since I like storms and that composition times with manual lenses and moving clouds would complicate things. Im thinking about the 21mm Limited again. Does seem very capable.

Louicio · 08-26-2013, 10:46 PM

If you bought it and decided you were going to buy a FF when (if) it comes out, you could always sell the 21mm ltd?

calsan · 08-27-2013, 03:33 AM - **1 Like**

There's no guarantee that the FA20 2.8 will be any good on a FF digital. The problem is that the lens needs to be designed such that the light hits the sensor at as close to 90 degrees as possible, which it only does in the centre of the frame on a wide angle film lens.
Film collects light from any angle, a sensor is a lot of little buckets with micro lenses, which can only do so much to pick up incident light.

Edit
I might just add that I have no regrets having sunk my hard earned money into my DA15+35 limiteds, both of which are "only APS", but both of which are exceptional.

lytrytyr · 08-27-2013, 07:14 AM

Originally posted by calsan

There's no guarantee that the FA20 2.8 will be any good on a FF digital. The problem is that the lens needs to be designed such that the light hits the sensor at as close to 90 degrees as possible, which it only does in the centre of the frame on a wide angle film lens.

The FA 20 (and its A20 optical twin) are retrofocus designs, so they should be fine on FF digital.
(Maybe some Canon FF user can give us their actual experience here.)

Also, if you look at the MTF charts I posted on my recent review of the A20
(SMC Pentax-A 20mm F2.8 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database),
you will see that there is actually some improvement of performance
as you move out to FF from the corners of the APS-C frame.

Dlanor Sekao · 08-27-2013, 10:01 AM

Originally posted by carrrlangas

why do need fast for landscapes? I´d go DA15/4 without thinking it twice

I just saw that....lol. I meant to say "wide" glass and somehow said "fast" ! I thought about the 15/4 , but since being new to a DSLR and Photo software didn't know If I would run into problems stitching with wider lenses ?

08-26-2013, 01:34 PM	#1
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Pentax 21mm DA limited.....Question Will this lens be usable if Pentax comes out with a FF DSLR down the road ? When I say usable , will it fill the FF sensor ? Other than the 18-55 WR that came in the kit, this is the only other Lens Im considering buying new. I already have several legacy primes from 28mm to 55mm. I vowed myself to not buy anything at all that cant be used of FF down the road. I just need wider and since used legacy wide glass is about the same price or more as a new 21mm Limited , Im seriously considering this and my wallet isn't too deep...... Thanks

08-26-2013, 01:50 PM	#4
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457 Original Poster	WOW ! FA20/2.8 has awesome reviews ! Originally posted by twitch No, the DA21 is no where near FF capable. Look at the Sigma options (20/1.8 & 24/1.8) around this focal length. Not small lenses but are fast and FF capable. EDIT: FA 20/2.8 is a good option too ^ Thanks. I wasn't sure if DA 21mm Limited would cover it or not. The FA 20/2.8 has such high reviews that I don't think I could go wrong at all. My only complaint about it is its quite ugly/fugly looking. I NEED some fast glass about 15mm to 20mm for landscape and having sticker shock finding good glass. I have everything else covered except this.....Let me go look some more at FA prices. *I want the FA 20/2.8 but once again it seems quite elusive like the SMC 28mm 3.5 and 35mm 3.5.. ! Doesn't seem to be around when a guy has actual $$$ in his pockets.** Last edited by Dlanor Sekao; 08-26-2013 at 02:15 PM. Reason: add to post

08-27-2013, 03:33 AM - 1 Like	#13
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,548	There's no guarantee that the FA20 2.8 will be any good on a FF digital. The problem is that the lens needs to be designed such that the light hits the sensor at as close to 90 degrees as possible, which it only does in the centre of the frame on a wide angle film lens. Film collects light from any angle, a sensor is a lot of little buckets with micro lenses, which can only do so much to pick up incident light. Edit I might just add that I have no regrets having sunk my hard earned money into my DA15+35 limiteds, both of which are "only APS", but both of which are exceptional. Last edited by calsan; 08-27-2013 at 03:41 AM.

08-27-2013, 10:01 AM	#15
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457 Original Poster	I meant wide Originally posted by carrrlangas why do need fast for landscapes? I´d go DA15/4 without thinking it twice I just saw that....lol. I meant to say "wide" glass and somehow said "fast" ! I thought about the 15/4 , but since being new to a DSLR and Photo software didn't know If I would run into problems stitching with wider lenses ?

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08-26-2013, 01:36 PM - 1 Like	#2
goubejp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France Photos: Albums Posts: 804	No; If you want a FF lens, buy a second hand FA 20 mm f2.8

08-26-2013, 01:37 PM - 1 Like	#3
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	No, the DA21 is no where near FF capable. Look at the Sigma options (20/1.8 & 24/1.8) around this focal length. Not small lenses but are fast and FF capable. EDIT: FA 20/2.8 is a good option too ^

08-26-2013, 03:14 PM	#5
icywindow Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 303	Expect to pay $600 or so for a good used copy of the FA 20. You could put a "Wanted" post up in the marketplace - you might find someone willing to sell.

08-26-2013, 03:26 PM - 1 Like	#6
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761	why do need fast for landscapes? I´d go DA15/4 without thinking it twice

08-26-2013, 03:48 PM	#7
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	There is also a Sigma 12-24 (not the much more common 10-20!), which is FF and weather sealed.

08-26-2013, 04:41 PM	#8
alan_smithee_photos Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 844	If you don't mind going the MF route I'd highly recommend the Voigtlander Color Skopar 20mm 3.5. Still available new and a real pleasure to use.

08-26-2013, 05:53 PM - 1 Like	#9
MBike74 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Litchfield Park AZ Posts: 78	For what it's worth...I have a DA21 and it is great. Many times it is the only lens I will bring. So small and maneuverable, with Great image quality. I get it, you want FF though...however that is somewhat of a unicorn right now. Buy it used. I bought mine right here for a great price after a little searching. You will surely find it cheaper and easier than the FA20mm 2.8. When the magical FF comes out, you will have plenty of time to resell your used DA21 for close to if not all of what you paid (I think there is always someone looking for a 21...it's that good) before the FF is available to purchase. Even if you lose $20 or $40...think about all the great times you had with your snappy little 21...and nobody can take your pictures away from you, unless they are pictures you didn't take because you were waiting for the perfect FF lens. Just my 2 cents...let us know how it goes.

08-26-2013, 06:04 PM - 1 Like	#10
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by az1895 I want the FA 20/2.8 but once again it seems quite elusive like the SMC 28mm 3.5 and 35mm 3.5.. ! Doesn't seem to be around when a guy has actual $$$ in his pockets. If you've got $695 to burn, there's one on KEH right now! Pentax Autofocus Fixed Focal Length Lenses - KEH.com

08-26-2013, 08:22 PM	#11
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457 Original Poster	I would just use my 28mm or 35mm and stitch . I worry though since I like storms and that composition times with manual lenses and moving clouds would complicate things. Im thinking about the 21mm Limited again. Does seem very capable.

08-26-2013, 10:46 PM	#12
Louicio Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Melbourne Posts: 432	If you bought it and decided you were going to buy a FF when (if) it comes out, you could always sell the 21mm ltd?

08-27-2013, 07:14 AM	#14
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by calsan There's no guarantee that the FA20 2.8 will be any good on a FF digital. The problem is that the lens needs to be designed such that the light hits the sensor at as close to 90 degrees as possible, which it only does in the centre of the frame on a wide angle film lens. The FA 20 (and its A20 optical twin) are retrofocus designs, so they should be fine on FF digital. (Maybe some Canon FF user can give us their actual experience here.) Also, if you look at the MTF charts I posted on my recent review of the A20 (SMC Pentax-A 20mm F2.8 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database), you will see that there is actually some improvement of performance as you move out to FF from the corners of the APS-C frame.