DFA 21 f/2.4 Limited

**Digitalis** · 10-14-2021, 05:26 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

The bokeh in those sample images is to die for.

It does look unusually good for a wideangle lens, most of which are atrocious at producing good bokeh.

Originally posted by photoptimist

What I await is an astrophotography image @ f/2.4. That will show just how sharp they made the corners and whether the lens will do nicely for Milky Way images.

11 elements in 8 groups optical design with a GMo aspheric and extensive use of ED glass I'd say this lens will be very well corrected.

ChatMechant · 10-14-2021, 07:55 PM

Ah, sweet torture. Been waiting a while for this one but it's a little out of reach for me. Hopefully it comes down in price eventually.

**mlt** · 10-14-2021, 08:04 PM

Still waiting for the official USA release announcement and price. 2 days and counting.

Paul the Sunman · 10-14-2021, 08:15 PM

Originally posted by mlt

Still waiting for the official USA release announcement and price. 2 days and counting.

Australia too.

---------- Post added 15-10-21 at 02:16 PM ----------

Originally posted by ChatMechant

Ah, sweet torture. Been waiting a while for this one but it's a little out of reach for me. Hopefully it comes down in price eventually.

15%-off sales expected before Christmas here. That's when I'll buy.

Franc · 10-14-2021, 11:31 PM

HD PENTAX-D FA 21mmF2.4ED Limited DC WR
on pre-order €1499

Snakeisthestuff · 10-14-2021, 11:53 PM - **1 Like**

Looks promising, filling a gap in the lineup and playing the strength of the position of the FF cameras (landscape).

Just a little sad to see that now the last bastion of nostalgic backwards compatible lens line has switched to KAF4 mount and therefore cannot be enjoyed on all our older Pentax cameras.
On the other hand this makes the old FA Limited line more attractive for people who still use older Pentax bodies besides the new one and like to share their lenses between those.

biz-engineer · 10-15-2021, 12:16 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

11 elements in 8 groups optical design with a GMo aspheric and extensive use of ED glass I'd say this lens will be very well corrected.

I'm skeptical of associating the use of some superlative glass elements with superior image properties. Some Pentax (OEM) lenses that have none of these super glass perform better than some Sigma and Tamron that claim use of a lot of ED and SLD glass. I prefer to look at the image results.
Where are full size images taken with that lens, I've only seen small size images, it's difficult to judge about the quality.

cxdoo · 10-15-2021, 12:46 AM

@biz-engineer

HD PENTAX-D FA 21mmF2.4ED Limited DC WR / Limited / Wide-Angle Lenses / K-mount Lenses / Products | RICOH IMAGING

Sample images are clickable.

house · 10-15-2021, 12:51 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

I'm skeptical of associating the use of some superlative glass elements with superior image properties. Some Pentax (OEM) lenses that have none of these super glass perform better than some Sigma and Tamron that claim use of a lot of ED and SLD glass. I prefer to look at the image results.
Where are full size images taken with that lens, I've only seen small size images, it's difficult to judge about the quality.

I've linked to full size images in this thread. Have a look here HD PENTAX-D FA 21mmF2.4ED Limited DC WR / Limited / Wide-Angle Lenses / K-mount Lenses / Products | RICOH IMAGING scroll down and open upp full size images with the magnification icon. Or just click the following.

https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/wide/hdpentax-dfa-21/img/ex-pic02.jpg
https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/wide/hdpentax-dfa-21/img/ex-pic03.jpg
https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/wide/hdpentax-dfa-21/img/ex-pic01.jpg
https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/wide/hdpentax-dfa-21/img/ex-pic04.jpg
https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/wide/hdpentax-dfa-21/img/ex-pic05.jpg
https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/wide/hdpentax-dfa-21/img/ex-pic06.jpg
https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/wide/hdpentax-dfa-21/img/ex-pic07.jpg

You're right that you can do very well without exotic glass. To reach current high end levels however it's pretty obvious it's required. Even more so with a "compact" wide angle.

biz-engineer · 10-15-2021, 01:00 AM

Look homogeneous edge to edge (corners can't be checked on these samples), and a little soft wide open. Actually , it a pretty sexy walk-around and travel lens. Ricoh knows how to seduce customers.

**Serkevan** · 10-15-2021, 01:13 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

Look homogeneous edge to edge (corners can't be checked on these samples), and a little soft wide open. Actually , it a pretty sexy walk-around and travel lens. Ricoh knows how to seduce customers.

If you haven't, check the development diary (it's been linked throughout in the thread but just in case I'm leaving it here again), it's a lovely write-up. They explicitly call out some softness wide-open as being desirable - it is the compromise for the delicious rendering, I guess.

However it clears up when closing down about a stop; the crop at f/4 is razor sharp, and I'd be none the wiser if you'd told me it's taken with a macro lens

. The lens looks just so enticing to me.

Development Story | PENTAX Limited Lens Special site | PENTAX Limited Lens | RICOH IMAGING

**Digitalis** · 10-15-2021, 01:47 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

I'm skeptical of associating the use of some superlative glass elements with superior image properties. Some Pentax (OEM) lenses that have none of these super glass perform better than some Sigma and Tamron that claim use of a lot of ED and SLD glass. I prefer to look at the image results.
Where are full size images taken with that lens, I've only seen small size images, it's difficult to judge about the quality.

Difficult to say with any certainty until we have the lens in hand, yes there are different grades of ED glass in used lens design. The SMCP-FA31mm f/1.8 uses ED and HRLD as well as a GMo Aspheric, and the FA31 performs very well on the K-1. Considering the qualities evident in the image samples posted so far things look promising.

Though I do see some transverse chromatic aberration present in that image in what I take to be a metal lathe control wheel. Also there is no mention of any in-camera optical corrections were used in the sample images posted.

house · 10-15-2021, 02:36 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Digitalis

Also there is no mention of any in-camera optical corrections were used in the sample images posted.

The low res cityscape samples from the japanse camerastore was perfectly rectilinear. I also wondered about in camera corrections because it looked perfect and that's unheard of at 21mm. I searched for chromatic aberrations in the shiny metal thing in the official sample but hardly found any.

again for reference:

repaap · 10-15-2021, 03:56 AM

Actually it does seem to be amazing! not too much of compromises made, and that price does also give a nod to that direction.

Mistral75 · 10-15-2021, 03:59 AM

According to the EXIF data from the official samples, these pictures were taken between 11 June and 7 July 2021 and are straight out-of-camera jpegs. Oddly enough, the K-1 Mark II used to take them had an outdated firmware: version 1.05, dating back to June 2020, the current version being 1.21.

10-15-2021, 01:47 AM	#117
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by biz-engineer I'm skeptical of associating the use of some superlative glass elements with superior image properties. Some Pentax (OEM) lenses that have none of these super glass perform better than some Sigma and Tamron that claim use of a lot of ED and SLD glass. I prefer to look at the image results. Where are full size images taken with that lens, I've only seen small size images, it's difficult to judge about the quality. Difficult to say with any certainty until we have the lens in hand, yes there are different grades of ED glass in used lens design. The SMCP-FA31mm f/1.8 uses ED and HRLD as well as a GMo Aspheric, and the FA31 performs very well on the K-1. Considering the qualities evident in the image samples posted so far things look promising. Though I do see some transverse chromatic aberration present in that image in what I take to be a metal lathe control wheel. Also there is no mention of any in-camera optical corrections were used in the sample images posted. Last edited by Digitalis; 10-15-2021 at 02:29 AM.

10-15-2021, 02:36 AM - 1 Like	#118
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Originally posted by Digitalis Also there is no mention of any in-camera optical corrections were used in the sample images posted. The low res cityscape samples from the japanse camerastore was perfectly rectilinear. I also wondered about in camera corrections because it looked perfect and that's unheard of at 21mm. I searched for chromatic aberrations in the shiny metal thing in the official sample but hardly found any. again for reference: Last edited by house; 10-15-2021 at 05:09 AM.

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10-14-2021, 05:26 PM - 2 Likes	#106
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock The bokeh in those sample images is to die for. It does look unusually good for a wideangle lens, most of which are atrocious at producing good bokeh. Originally posted by photoptimist What I await is an astrophotography image @ f/2.4. That will show just how sharp they made the corners and whether the lens will do nicely for Milky Way images. 11 elements in 8 groups optical design with a GMo aspheric and extensive use of ED glass I'd say this lens will be very well corrected.

10-14-2021, 07:55 PM	#107
ChatMechant Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Matsuyama Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,284	Ah, sweet torture. Been waiting a while for this one but it's a little out of reach for me. Hopefully it comes down in price eventually.

10-14-2021, 08:04 PM	#108
mlt Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,159	Still waiting for the official USA release announcement and price. 2 days and counting.

10-14-2021, 08:15 PM	#109
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,842	Originally posted by mlt Still waiting for the official USA release announcement and price. 2 days and counting. Australia too. ---------- Post added 15-10-21 at 02:16 PM ---------- Originally posted by ChatMechant Ah, sweet torture. Been waiting a while for this one but it's a little out of reach for me. Hopefully it comes down in price eventually. 15%-off sales expected before Christmas here. That's when I'll buy.

10-14-2021, 11:31 PM	#110
Franc Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Hoevelaken Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,211	HD PENTAX-D FA 21mmF2.4ED Limited DC WR on pre-order €1499

10-14-2021, 11:53 PM - 1 Like	#111
Snakeisthestuff Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 136	Looks promising, filling a gap in the lineup and playing the strength of the position of the FF cameras (landscape). Just a little sad to see that now the last bastion of nostalgic backwards compatible lens line has switched to KAF4 mount and therefore cannot be enjoyed on all our older Pentax cameras. On the other hand this makes the old FA Limited line more attractive for people who still use older Pentax bodies besides the new one and like to share their lenses between those.

10-15-2021, 12:16 AM	#112
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,225	Originally posted by Digitalis 11 elements in 8 groups optical design with a GMo aspheric and extensive use of ED glass I'd say this lens will be very well corrected. I'm skeptical of associating the use of some superlative glass elements with superior image properties. Some Pentax (OEM) lenses that have none of these super glass perform better than some Sigma and Tamron that claim use of a lot of ED and SLD glass. I prefer to look at the image results. Where are full size images taken with that lens, I've only seen small size images, it's difficult to judge about the quality.

10-15-2021, 12:46 AM	#113
cxdoo Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Limassol, Cyprus Posts: 1,150	@biz-engineer HD PENTAX-D FA 21mmF2.4ED Limited DC WR / Limited / Wide-Angle Lenses / K-mount Lenses / Products \| RICOH IMAGING Sample images are clickable.

10-15-2021, 12:51 AM	#114
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Originally posted by biz-engineer I'm skeptical of associating the use of some superlative glass elements with superior image properties. Some Pentax (OEM) lenses that have none of these super glass perform better than some Sigma and Tamron that claim use of a lot of ED and SLD glass. I prefer to look at the image results. Where are full size images taken with that lens, I've only seen small size images, it's difficult to judge about the quality. I've linked to full size images in this thread. Have a look here HD PENTAX-D FA 21mmF2.4ED Limited DC WR / Limited / Wide-Angle Lenses / K-mount Lenses / Products \| RICOH IMAGING scroll down and open upp full size images with the magnification icon. Or just click the following. https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/wide/hdpentax-dfa-21/img/ex-pic02.jpg https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/wide/hdpentax-dfa-21/img/ex-pic03.jpg https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/wide/hdpentax-dfa-21/img/ex-pic01.jpg https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/wide/hdpentax-dfa-21/img/ex-pic04.jpg https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/wide/hdpentax-dfa-21/img/ex-pic05.jpg https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/wide/hdpentax-dfa-21/img/ex-pic06.jpg https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/wide/hdpentax-dfa-21/img/ex-pic07.jpg You're right that you can do very well without exotic glass. To reach current high end levels however it's pretty obvious it's required. Even more so with a "compact" wide angle.

10-15-2021, 01:00 AM	#115
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,225	Look homogeneous edge to edge (corners can't be checked on these samples), and a little soft wide open. Actually , it a pretty sexy walk-around and travel lens. Ricoh knows how to seduce customers.

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10-15-2021, 01:13 AM	#116
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976 Original Poster	Originally posted by biz-engineer Look homogeneous edge to edge (corners can't be checked on these samples), and a little soft wide open. Actually , it a pretty sexy walk-around and travel lens. Ricoh knows how to seduce customers. If you haven't, check the development diary (it's been linked throughout in the thread but just in case I'm leaving it here again), it's a lovely write-up. They explicitly call out some softness wide-open as being desirable - it is the compromise for the delicious rendering, I guess. However it clears up when closing down about a stop; the crop at f/4 is razor sharp, and I'd be none the wiser if you'd told me it's taken with a macro lens . The lens looks just so enticing to me. Development Story \| PENTAX Limited Lens Special site \| PENTAX Limited Lens \| RICOH IMAGING

10-15-2021, 03:56 AM	#119
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	Actually it does seem to be amazing! not too much of compromises made, and that price does also give a nod to that direction.

10-15-2021, 03:59 AM	#120
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,526	According to the EXIF data from the official samples, these pictures were taken between 11 June and 7 July 2021 and are straight out-of-camera jpegs. Oddly enough, the K-1 Mark II used to take them had an outdated firmware: version 1.05, dating back to June 2020, the current version being 1.21.