Pentax 20-40mm DC WR Limited and Q 08 Wide Zoom Officially Announced

Wired · 11-06-2013, 09:43 PM

I'm pretty excited about this lens. I have been since it was rumored on the timeline over a year ago... and the price is right in line with what I expected.

Here is the way I see it, I got three options when it comes to wide-normal zoom range:
- DA*16-50 f2.8 (which I already own)
- DA 20-40 f2.8-4 Limited
- Sigma 18-35 f1.8

The DA*16-50 offers the most versatility, provides a wonderful image with pretty decent IQ. My copy has been impeccable with reliability, however we know thats not always the case. Finally it's large and heavy.

The Sigma 18-35 offers a faster aperture which would be beneficial for my live music shooting which is where my DA* gets the most action. However, its not long enough as I constantly find myself at either the 15 or 50 extremes when I'm shooting live music. The Sigma is also quite heavy and quite large.

The 20-40 is going to be small, compact, and could hide in any of bags quite easily without taking valuable space away from another lens. Chances are it would replace the spot where my DA* would normally reside as well as allow me to carry an additional Limited series/size lens. I don't use this focal range a lot as I favor the 50-135mm ranges for my photography (on APSC sensor anyways), but this would allow me to keep a lens capable of these wider angles for when I need it without adding considerable weight or taking up much bag space. At the end of the day, this lens wins over the Sigma to be added to my collection because it fits my needs. YMMV, but I know what I'm going to treat myself with this coming tax season.

Uluru · 11-06-2013, 09:56 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by filoxophy

I see this as a DA Limited in terms of build quality and (hopefully) IQ. But IMHO, size and ergo (variable aperture, different filter threads) were the main casualties.

The real definition of the DA Limiteds is this actually: odd focal length, weird lens cap, even weirder lens hood.

Nick Siebers · 11-06-2013, 10:08 PM

Originally posted by abacus07

This is almost like comparing the DA14 and the DA15. Different lenses and despite being slower the DA15 is far more popular and it's also better for some applications. Nothing wrong with the DA16-50 or the DA14 but everyone's preferences aren't the same.

Excellent analogy, DA14: DA15. Those who need speed and are willing to give up size and weight can go for the 16-50 or 18-35; I would far rather have small light and slightly smaller max aperture.

Bolt · 11-06-2013, 10:19 PM

$999 for a restricted standard zoom non-fixed aperture lens...

or

$999 for a wide to standard zoom with a fixed aperture... 16-50 DA* stays on top of the list.

**7samurai** · 11-06-2013, 11:43 PM

Originally posted by Uluru

The real definition of the DA Limiteds is this actually: odd focal length, weird lens cap, even weirder lens hood.

You just made my day

yyyzzz · 11-07-2013, 12:17 AM

Hope that it can get cheaper and Pentax can develop a retro body to go with it.

ranchy · 11-07-2013, 12:23 AM

The pricing is abit steep. I guess we have to wait for awhile to see if any price drop.
But it's WR And DC motor, look promising for a superb walkabout APS-C

However, I was comparing the size with DA 18-55mm WR,
DA 18-55mm WR: 68 x 67.5 mm , 230 g
DA 20-40mm : 71.0 x 68.5 mm , 283 g

Damn it is slightly heavier and bigger than the 18-55 WR???

repaap · 11-07-2013, 12:41 AM

I'll buy this lens when it comes down to 890€. Or so, after half a year or so. First I'll buy HD DA 15...

Looks great. Limited quality, WR! DC!. Great focal(I like this focals most, 20 mm, 28, 40.).

Alizarine · 11-07-2013, 12:43 AM

Originally posted by ranchy

Damn it is slightly heavier and bigger than the 18-55 WR???

I heard the DC motor is a ring-type... and max aperture at the wide side is f2.8. Wait where did you get those numbers?

Tonto · 11-07-2013, 12:49 AM

I would wait on the IQ results before passing judgement on price in both cases.
That limited zoom has got to be the perfect street walker lens if IQ is close to the primes.

Pablom · 11-07-2013, 01:36 AM

This looks like the optimal lens for me, great range, small size, limited (!), WR (!). I think the price was expected to be this high.
Maybe I'll wait a while and look for a trade with my beautiful but oh so big and heavy DA* 16-50

Pablom · 11-07-2013, 01:38 AM

is there any info on how the max aperture varies through the zoom range?

Uluru · 11-07-2013, 02:15 AM

Originally posted by ranchy

The pricing is abit steep. I guess we have to wait for awhile to see if any price drop.
But it's WR And DC motor, look promising for a superb walkabout APS-C
However, I was comparing the size with DA 18-55mm WR,
DA 18-55mm WR: 68 x 67.5 mm , 230 g
DA 20-40mm : 71.0 x 68.5 mm , 283 g
Damn it is slightly heavier and bigger than the 18-55 WR???

It was to be expected, somewhat.

However, let's not forget the design of 20-40 was not a matter of a clearly good choice, but of an ugly necessity.
20mm was chosen as an obvious beginning of the big gap in the DA Limited range, and 40mm as a merely ending point to a 2x construction zoom, and the (obviously) the focal length of the DA40 Ltd.

[Let's take DA35Ltd out because it is just a 50mm macro lens equivalent for the APS-C sensor]

Some other numbers might have been used for a more compact outcome, and, of course, different opening aperture. But I believe they didn't want to disappoint and start at narrower than f2.8 and ask such a price.

Mistral75 · 11-07-2013, 02:59 AM

Originally posted by Alizarine

I heard the DC motor is a ring-type... and max aperture at the wide side is f2.8. Wait where did you get those numbers?

DC motor is a micro-motor.

giu.behringer · 11-07-2013, 03:26 AM

Originally posted by abacus07

This is almost like comparing the DA14 and the DA15. Different lenses and despite being slower the DA15 is far more popular and it's also better for some applications. Nothing wrong with the DA16-50 or the DA14 but everyone's preferences aren't the same.

For me all the DA20-40 has to do is match the 16-50 IQ (within its range obviously) and I would easily buy it first. It's at the very top of my list and nothing is even close to it currently.

I see the point, and it probably hits the spot for lots of people. But I still find it too pricey for what it is. I may change my mind once I shoot with it

but not so far.

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11-06-2013, 09:43 PM	#61
Wired Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,519	I'm pretty excited about this lens. I have been since it was rumored on the timeline over a year ago... and the price is right in line with what I expected. Here is the way I see it, I got three options when it comes to wide-normal zoom range: - DA16-50 f2.8 (which I already own) - DA 20-40 f2.8-4 Limited - Sigma 18-35 f1.8 The DA16-50 offers the most versatility, provides a wonderful image with pretty decent IQ. My copy has been impeccable with reliability, however we know thats not always the case. Finally it's large and heavy. The Sigma 18-35 offers a faster aperture which would be beneficial for my live music shooting which is where my DA* gets the most action. However, its not long enough as I constantly find myself at either the 15 or 50 extremes when I'm shooting live music. The Sigma is also quite heavy and quite large. The 20-40 is going to be small, compact, and could hide in any of bags quite easily without taking valuable space away from another lens. Chances are it would replace the spot where my DA* would normally reside as well as allow me to carry an additional Limited series/size lens. I don't use this focal range a lot as I favor the 50-135mm ranges for my photography (on APSC sensor anyways), but this would allow me to keep a lens capable of these wider angles for when I need it without adding considerable weight or taking up much bag space. At the end of the day, this lens wins over the Sigma to be added to my collection because it fits my needs. YMMV, but I know what I'm going to treat myself with this coming tax season.

11-06-2013, 09:56 PM - 2 Likes	#62
Uluru Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Back to my Walkabout Creek Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,535	Originally posted by filoxophy I see this as a DA Limited in terms of build quality and (hopefully) IQ. But IMHO, size and ergo (variable aperture, different filter threads) were the main casualties. The real definition of the DA Limiteds is this actually: odd focal length, weird lens cap, even weirder lens hood.

11-06-2013, 10:08 PM	#63
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	Originally posted by abacus07 This is almost like comparing the DA14 and the DA15. Different lenses and despite being slower the DA15 is far more popular and it's also better for some applications. Nothing wrong with the DA16-50 or the DA14 but everyone's preferences aren't the same. Excellent analogy, DA14: DA15. Those who need speed and are willing to give up size and weight can go for the 16-50 or 18-35; I would far rather have small light and slightly smaller max aperture.

11-06-2013, 10:19 PM	#64
Bolt Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: N.S.W Posts: 47	$999 for a restricted standard zoom non-fixed aperture lens... or $999 for a wide to standard zoom with a fixed aperture... 16-50 DA* stays on top of the list.

11-06-2013, 11:43 PM	#65
7samurai Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 474	Originally posted by Uluru The real definition of the DA Limiteds is this actually: odd focal length, weird lens cap, even weirder lens hood. You just made my day

11-07-2013, 12:17 AM	#66
yyyzzz Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery Posts: 509	Hope that it can get cheaper and Pentax can develop a retro body to go with it.

11-07-2013, 12:23 AM	#67
ranchy Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 570	The pricing is abit steep. I guess we have to wait for awhile to see if any price drop. But it's WR And DC motor, look promising for a superb walkabout APS-C However, I was comparing the size with DA 18-55mm WR, DA 18-55mm WR: 68 x 67.5 mm , 230 g DA 20-40mm : 71.0 x 68.5 mm , 283 g Damn it is slightly heavier and bigger than the 18-55 WR???

11-07-2013, 12:41 AM	#68
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	I'll buy this lens when it comes down to 890€. Or so, after half a year or so. First I'll buy HD DA 15... Looks great. Limited quality, WR! DC!. Great focal(I like this focals most, 20 mm, 28, 40.).

11-07-2013, 12:43 AM	#69
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	Originally posted by ranchy Damn it is slightly heavier and bigger than the 18-55 WR??? I heard the DC motor is a ring-type... and max aperture at the wide side is f2.8. Wait where did you get those numbers?

11-07-2013, 12:49 AM	#70
Tonto Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969	I would wait on the IQ results before passing judgement on price in both cases. That limited zoom has got to be the perfect street walker lens if IQ is close to the primes.

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11-07-2013, 01:36 AM	#71
Pablom Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Usa Posts: 1,940	This looks like the optimal lens for me, great range, small size, limited (!), WR (!). I think the price was expected to be this high. Maybe I'll wait a while and look for a trade with my beautiful but oh so big and heavy DA* 16-50

11-07-2013, 01:38 AM	#72
Pablom Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Usa Posts: 1,940	is there any info on how the max aperture varies through the zoom range?

11-07-2013, 02:15 AM	#73
Uluru Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Back to my Walkabout Creek Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,535	Originally posted by ranchy The pricing is abit steep. I guess we have to wait for awhile to see if any price drop. But it's WR And DC motor, look promising for a superb walkabout APS-C However, I was comparing the size with DA 18-55mm WR, DA 18-55mm WR: 68 x 67.5 mm , 230 g DA 20-40mm : 71.0 x 68.5 mm , 283 g Damn it is slightly heavier and bigger than the 18-55 WR??? It was to be expected, somewhat. However, let's not forget the design of 20-40 was not a matter of a clearly good choice, but of an ugly necessity. 20mm was chosen as an obvious beginning of the big gap in the DA Limited range, and 40mm as a merely ending point to a 2x construction zoom, and the (obviously) the focal length of the DA40 Ltd. [Let's take DA35Ltd out because it is just a 50mm macro lens equivalent for the APS-C sensor] Some other numbers might have been used for a more compact outcome, and, of course, different opening aperture. But I believe they didn't want to disappoint and start at narrower than f2.8 and ask such a price.

11-07-2013, 02:59 AM	#74
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,526	Originally posted by Alizarine I heard the DC motor is a ring-type... and max aperture at the wide side is f2.8. Wait where did you get those numbers? DC motor is a micro-motor.

11-07-2013, 03:26 AM	#75
giu.behringer Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 33	Originally posted by abacus07 This is almost like comparing the DA14 and the DA15. Different lenses and despite being slower the DA15 is far more popular and it's also better for some applications. Nothing wrong with the DA16-50 or the DA14 but everyone's preferences aren't the same. For me all the DA20-40 has to do is match the 16-50 IQ (within its range obviously) and I would easily buy it first. It's at the very top of my list and nothing is even close to it currently. I see the point, and it probably hits the spot for lots of people. But I still find it too pricey for what it is. I may change my mind once I shoot with it but not so far.