[lytrytyr]

Basically all the Pentax has going for it is WR and build.

Not to mention light weight,
small size (portable, less intimidating/attention-drawing for street use),
good flare resistance, . . .

[abacus07]

Some sites don't have full sized samples and just give a quick review. That place isn't my favourite site by any means.
But you can't deny it's overpriced, and the point about the Sigma lens is quite a valid one. Basically all the Pentax has going for it is WR and build. The Sigma has the speed and is probably a better all round lens.

Saying that for 16/17-50mm users who might have a fast prime in that range too I can't see a whole lot of point to either the Pentax or the Sigma

I think you have missed the entire point of the DA Limiteds. People don't buy the limiteds because they are fast. People buy the limiteds because they are tiny and they take great photos. That Sigma is a huge lens. Nothing against it but most of the time I don't want to lug around a heavy lens. If you do then that it is great that there are multiple options available to us.

[Mr Spocko]

SIze is not always an issue to many buyers, despite moans from some there are APS-C lenses that are quite a bit more compact and less weight then some FF equivalents.
As for flare well we shall see, again I've rarely had issues with flare even with older glass..some actually like a bit.

No I don't like that site much but hey the price is a bit silly for this lens. Worth pointing out they reviewed the K-3 and a number of limited lenses and gave them good marks. I'd wait for some real reviews though, but that won't change the not that fast, expensive, limited range comments it is quite likely to get from many review sites. I wouldn't hold out for a bunch of gold star, editors choice rewards etc etc it's not likely to get that.

As for the comments on speed we've been down this road before. Who finds their 50mm f1.4 huge, bulky and heavy? Ditto 35mm primes too
If I were Pentax I'd re-work some of the limited range say make the 40mm f2 which would broaden it's appeal even to zoom users.

[ElJamoquio]

SIze is not always an issue to many buyers, despite moans from some there are APS-C lenses that are quite a bit more compact and less weight then some FF non-equivalents.

FTFY, so we can avoid an argument.

[normhead]

Some of us know that there are lighter, smaller, cheaper ,better lenses for FF than there are for APs-c. And some of us know otherwise. Apparently, never the twain shall meet.

[monochrome]

Yep. People who have that range/aperture covered probably won't be interested in duplicating it; but that applies to just about just about anything, doesn't it?

As I've written before, maybe in this thread, this lens with a DA15 and a DA70 is a complete APSc kit in a waist pouch.

[lytrytyr]

this lens with a DA15 and a DA70 is a complete APSc kit in a waist pouch.

I would substitute the small and sharp (pseudo-Limited?) Voigtlaender 90/3.5 for the DA 70,
to get the macro coverage I'd be losing by not having the DA 35 Ltd.
Previously, I've used DA 15/35/70 Limiteds as a travel kit.

[monochrome]

I would substitute the small and sharp (pseudo-Limited?) Voigtlaender 90/3.5 for the DA 70,
to get the macro coverage I'd be losing by not having the DA 35 Ltd.
Previously, I've used DA 15/35/70 Limiteds as a travel kit.

Sure - that would work. You get my point though.

[lytrytyr]

You get my point though.

Absolutely, and a very cogent one it is.

[c.a.m]

I could see myself carrying a 2-lens kit of the 20-40 and DA* 50-135 (which I own). I'm intrigued by the 20-40, but admit the listed price is causing me to think twice. I'll wait to hear about the optical quality. To me, the question amounts to whether the performance, quality, and size will justify the price. I am also wondering if the focal length range will provide enough use to make it worth the cost. I have the DA 15mm Ltd but have a gap between 15 and 28mm.

- Craig

[Parallax]

Here's my dilema -
I have a 15Ltd, 31Ltd, 40Ltd, and a Sigma 18-250. I am torn between adding the Sigma 18-35 and the 20-40Ltd. If I get the 18-35 I can't really justify keeping the 31, so I could sell it and get the 18-35 making it, for practical purposes, free.
OTH, it would be a $1,000.00 expenditure, but if I get the 20-40 then none of the lenses I have, including the 31 are rendered superfluous, The 40Ltd is faster than the 20-40 (at 40mm), the 31 is much faster, and the 15 fits with either scenario.
I think the first step is going to be to pick up a K-5 on Black Friday.
Come to think of it, with the low-light capability of the K-5 I could still sell the 31 and get by with the 20-40.
Now my head hurts.........................

[Dice]

I am (and I suspect others?) are looking forward to more images coming out of this lens and it would be great to have a retailer in my area actually have one in stock that I could compare. I have a full stable of the DA primes....15, 21, 35, 40 and 70 and I'm seriously considering selling the 21, 35 and 40 for the convenience of the zoom and added bonus of WR. I do a fair amount of hiking/backpacking and a WR LTD is more than tempting. And with the LTD zoom i'd have a perfect kit (15, 20-40, 50-135, 300 and 70 macro) for the type of shooting that I do.

[Cynog Ap Brychan]

Interesting review of this lens by PC Magazine, but it seems to make the mistake of suggesting that the Sigma 18-35mm constitutes better "value", because it is cheaper, faster and covers a slightly wider angle (though losing out at the other end). Putting aside the conjecture that value is a subjective quality, I can't help feeling that they are missing the point of this lens. Pentax Limiteds are all about high quality construction, and smallness, which usually means that the maximum aperture is not class leading. Perhaps this is why Pentax put so much effort into high ISO performance. The other selling point of a Pentax system is its ruggedness, hence the weather sealing on the 20-40mm. So, basically, the Limited zoom can go places where the Sigma would be at a disadvantage, and vice versa. To my mind, these lenses are not competitors, but could be complimentary, depending on one's type of photography. And yes, the Pentax is expensive, but does that mean it's poor value? Only the individual can decide that.

[Kenntak]

Well, they also reviewed the Pentax HD DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited and stated "[i]t's one of the best macro lenses of this focal length that I've shot with, and as such earns our Editors' Choice award." I would love to get that lens one day, I just wish it was WR like the DA Limited 20-40. It makes deciding between these limited lenses tough when you cannot afford many!

[lytrytyr]

they also reviewed the Pentax HD DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited and stated "[i]t's one of the best macro lenses of this focal length that I've shot with, and as such earns our Editors' Choice award.

Well except for its optical clones,
the SMC DA 35 Macro Limited and the Tokina version,
there aren't that many 35mm macro lenses out there to compete.