DA21 ltd vs DA35 ltd... Which has the most useful focal length?

Impartial · 09-13-2011, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

The only reason I can think of to skip the DA 21 is how it integrates into a set of primes. It might be a little close to the DA 15. My choice would be something like 15-24-35-55-85-120, but Pentax needs to make a few more lenses to make that work, and I might need money.

What he said. I started out to build essentially that kit, except that there isn't anything affordable in AF at the 55 or 85 focal lengths, so instead I have an FA 50/1.4, which effectively becomes an 85mm with the teleconverter attached.

On the other hand, if you aren't drawn to the DA 15 (i.e. it hasn't controlled your mind :-) ), then DA 21- DA 35 - DA 70 is a nicely spaced kit, and a very small one . . .

RBellavance · 09-13-2011, 01:08 PM

Originally posted by Noam

I own the 21 Ltd and the FA 35/2.

These FLs don't conflict but rather complement. Two different beasts that are both worth owning. The priorities are purely yours, based on your needs and preferences. The 21mm is a very useful wide-angle whereas the 35 is an equally useful normal FOV.

I also own both these lenses, and fully agree with you. I wouldn't want to be without either.

Colbyt · 09-13-2011, 03:18 PM

Dave, I bought the 40 and was tickled pink until I tried to photo some airplanes in a hanger. I bought the 21 cause I am not sure I have the skill to take the shots I want with the 15.

For a first limited, all purpose walk around, go with the 21. Add the 40 later.

Just one guys opinion.

reeftool · 09-13-2011, 10:01 PM

As time goes on, you will want them both. Start with the 21. My first Limited was the 15 and then I added the DA 40, mostly because it popped up one morning in the Marketplace for a very good price and, well, now it's mine. I'm planning on the 21 as my next lens. I would like the 35 but I really don't shoot that size often. It's down the list for me but it will probably end up in my collection, especially if I see it available at a good price. As with many of us, prices and availability determine a lot of our lens choices.

Blue · 09-19-2011, 12:18 PM

As other have stated, it depends on your shooting preferences. I started with the 35 first and the DA 21 was my 2nd LTD. If I were doing it today, I would do it that way again. However, I use the 35 in many ways including macro and it is excellent for close up work.

Bob from Aus · 09-19-2011, 01:26 PM

One more thought from me following Blue. I first got my 35mm macro and mostly used it for macro. I didn't start leaving a prime on the camera until I got the 21mm.

SpecialK · 09-19-2011, 06:09 PM

Never had a 35 but there is more barrel distortion with the 21 than expected, certainly more than I like (yes I know it can be corrected in PP - still don't like it).

As I think was mentioned more than once, one focal length is not "better" than another focal length, as it depends what the subject is.

Wheatfield · 09-19-2011, 06:53 PM

For myself, I'd buy the 35mm. Having said that, I use my 31mm about a million times more than I use the 35 or 21 combined.
Forget about all the technocr@p that is spewed out and look at the focal length.
That is all that matters.
What doesn't matter is whether one is a girly pube sharper than the other, or whether the bokeh is somehow more special, or any of the other metrics that are applied.
What matters is, what focal length is it in terms of angle of view?
That's really all that matters.
This is just my useless opinion but I think everyone should start with a fixed lens in or around the standard for that format.
It gives a field of view that is comfortable to look at, and works easily with many scene types.

RioRico · 09-19-2011, 09:09 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Forget about all the technocr@p that is spewed out and look at the focal length.
That is all that matters.
What doesn't matter is whether one is a girly pube sharper than the other, or whether the bokeh is somehow more special, or any of the other metrics that are applied.
What matters is, what focal length is it in terms of angle of view?
That's really all that matters.

And that's why I posted FL's and AOV's above. IMHO a sharp lens in the 28-31 range is just about perfect on our crop sensors. Some prefer to stretch that to a long-normal 35-37, or a slightly-wide 24-25, or a bit beyond in either direction -- all a matter of personal taste. Personally, if I'm going long-normal to short-tele, I'll use the FA35-70 that cost me US$11 shipped. Going short to wide, I whip out the Tamron 10-24 (it cost a bit more). But for normal, I'll stick to some great 28.

twitch · 09-20-2011, 09:25 AM

The FA31 is head and shoulders above both, but then it's the best lens Pentax currently makes.

If I had to choose between the 21 and 35 though I'd get the 21, it's an excellent lens, small and versatile.

deadwolfbones · 09-20-2011, 01:08 PM

I like my DA 35 a lot more than my FA 31. It's probably the most versatile lens in my bag, for any system.

johnmflores · 09-20-2011, 03:54 PM

I've got both. They are both excellent - the differences in IQ are negligible. What focal length you like is more important in this case. As others have mentioned, they are both excellent. Personally, I think that the 21 requires a willingness to get right up in peoples' business for portraits and candids, otherwise subjects can get lost in the background. The 35 allows a little more working distance if people is your thing.

The good news is that no matter the decision you are purchasing an excellent lens!

09-19-2011, 12:18 PM	#20
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	As other have stated, it depends on your shooting preferences. I started with the 35 first and the DA 21 was my 2nd LTD. If I were doing it today, I would do it that way again. However, I use the 35 in many ways including macro and it is excellent for close up work. Last edited by Blue; 09-19-2011 at 01:18 PM.

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09-13-2011, 12:31 PM	#16
Impartial Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 208	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave The only reason I can think of to skip the DA 21 is how it integrates into a set of primes. It might be a little close to the DA 15. My choice would be something like 15-24-35-55-85-120, but Pentax needs to make a few more lenses to make that work, and I might need money. What he said. I started out to build essentially that kit, except that there isn't anything affordable in AF at the 55 or 85 focal lengths, so instead I have an FA 50/1.4, which effectively becomes an 85mm with the teleconverter attached. On the other hand, if you aren't drawn to the DA 15 (i.e. it hasn't controlled your mind :-) ), then DA 21- DA 35 - DA 70 is a nicely spaced kit, and a very small one . . .

09-13-2011, 01:08 PM	#17
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Originally posted by Noam I own the 21 Ltd and the FA 35/2. These FLs don't conflict but rather complement. Two different beasts that are both worth owning. The priorities are purely yours, based on your needs and preferences. The 21mm is a very useful wide-angle whereas the 35 is an equally useful normal FOV. I also own both these lenses, and fully agree with you. I wouldn't want to be without either.

09-13-2011, 03:18 PM	#18
Colbyt Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Kentucky Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,417	Dave, I bought the 40 and was tickled pink until I tried to photo some airplanes in a hanger. I bought the 21 cause I am not sure I have the skill to take the shots I want with the 15. For a first limited, all purpose walk around, go with the 21. Add the 40 later. Just one guys opinion.

09-13-2011, 10:01 PM	#19
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	As time goes on, you will want them both. Start with the 21. My first Limited was the 15 and then I added the DA 40, mostly because it popped up one morning in the Marketplace for a very good price and, well, now it's mine. I'm planning on the 21 as my next lens. I would like the 35 but I really don't shoot that size often. It's down the list for me but it will probably end up in my collection, especially if I see it available at a good price. As with many of us, prices and availability determine a lot of our lens choices.

09-19-2011, 01:26 PM	#21
Bob from Aus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,094	One more thought from me following Blue. I first got my 35mm macro and mostly used it for macro. I didn't start leaving a prime on the camera until I got the 21mm.

09-19-2011, 06:09 PM	#22
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Never had a 35 but there is more barrel distortion with the 21 than expected, certainly more than I like (yes I know it can be corrected in PP - still don't like it). As I think was mentioned more than once, one focal length is not "better" than another focal length, as it depends what the subject is.

09-19-2011, 06:53 PM	#23
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	For myself, I'd buy the 35mm. Having said that, I use my 31mm about a million times more than I use the 35 or 21 combined. Forget about all the technocr@p that is spewed out and look at the focal length. That is all that matters. What doesn't matter is whether one is a girly pube sharper than the other, or whether the bokeh is somehow more special, or any of the other metrics that are applied. What matters is, what focal length is it in terms of angle of view? That's really all that matters. This is just my useless opinion but I think everyone should start with a fixed lens in or around the standard for that format. It gives a field of view that is comfortable to look at, and works easily with many scene types.

09-19-2011, 09:09 PM	#24
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Wheatfield Forget about all the technocr@p that is spewed out and look at the focal length. That is all that matters. What doesn't matter is whether one is a girly pube sharper than the other, or whether the bokeh is somehow more special, or any of the other metrics that are applied. What matters is, what focal length is it in terms of angle of view? That's really all that matters. And that's why I posted FL's and AOV's above. IMHO a sharp lens in the 28-31 range is just about perfect on our crop sensors. Some prefer to stretch that to a long-normal 35-37, or a slightly-wide 24-25, or a bit beyond in either direction -- all a matter of personal taste. Personally, if I'm going long-normal to short-tele, I'll use the FA35-70 that cost me US$11 shipped. Going short to wide, I whip out the Tamron 10-24 (it cost a bit more). But for normal, I'll stick to some great 28.

09-20-2011, 09:25 AM	#25
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	The FA31 is head and shoulders above both, but then it's the best lens Pentax currently makes. If I had to choose between the 21 and 35 though I'd get the 21, it's an excellent lens, small and versatile.

09-20-2011, 01:08 PM	#26
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	I like my DA 35 a lot more than my FA 31. It's probably the most versatile lens in my bag, for any system.

09-20-2011, 03:54 PM	#27
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	I've got both. They are both excellent - the differences in IQ are negligible. What focal length you like is more important in this case. As others have mentioned, they are both excellent. Personally, I think that the 21 requires a willingness to get right up in peoples' business for portraits and candids, otherwise subjects can get lost in the background. The 35 allows a little more working distance if people is your thing. The good news is that no matter the decision you are purchasing an excellent lens!