| Author: | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783 | | Review Date: March 25, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $350.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Small, compact, high contrast and strong colour | | Cons: | Could be sharper in the corner stopping down | | New or Used: New
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I bought this lens primarily for street shots. The lens is very light, small and non-intimidating.
For landscape, the images quality are reasonable. The contrast and colour are in deed typically pentax. The compact size makes it a good companion for outdoor adventure
My DA 21mm f3.2 shots
A very worthwhile lens
| | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: December, 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, MI. USA. Earth. Posts: 139
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 27, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $370.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | color and contrast, sharpness, size, build quality | | Cons: | barrel distortion | |
The lens feels very solid, and I like the included hood and metal lens cap. Focus is smooth with good grip, though it can be difficult, due to the size, in some positions to use the ring without letting your bent hand get in the frame.
Colors are saturated and punchy. the lens is very sharp (not extremely sharp), and the awesome contrast intensifies this for practical purposes. The only downside is the noticeable but not extreme barrel distortion.
It's fast enough for indoor work under normal lighting conditions, and has a very useful focal length. Those qualities combined with its size has made it the lens that stays on the camera just in case I need to take a quick photograph.
| | | | | Giveaway winner! Registered: December, 2007 Location: beantown Posts: 944
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 28, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $395.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | weight, size, quality of build, sharp | | Cons: | cost relative to performance | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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It has been handy to have and I like the results so far. The side by side comparing against my DA 16-45mm set to 21mm was given almost identical levels of performance, but at times I detect a slight edge from the 21mm. The place where the lens shine is in the daily use area. It gives a nice shoot from the hip FOV and the 3.2 is a little more wiggle room and as well as easy pouch carry. Focus is a little better in low light. Stopped down to around 5.6 it is very solidly sharp, but very nice wide too. Wish I could have found it a little cheaper, but don't regret getting it.
| | | | | Moderator
Site Supporter Registered: June, 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Posts: 17,377
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 27, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $350.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Size, Build, Performance | | Cons: | speed | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: New
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I really like this lens. It is built like one would expect a DA ltd to be built. I got it primarily to use on trips by air travel when space for gear was limited. I had to leave my 20-40mm f2.8 sigma and missed some shots because I didn't have a wide lens on that trip. C.A. are very well controlled for a lens in this focal range.
 | | | | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2009 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: July 4, 2009 | Recommended
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | perfect for snapshots, walkround, landscape | | Cons: | hood design | |
a little bit heavier than i expected when i first hold it, but still it is very attractive on its weight and size.
my K100D super is now rountinely mounted with this lens. A very high quality prime lens, really nothing else to say.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: September, 2006 Location: UK Posts: 53
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 4, 2009 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Compact, sharp, great FoV, superb contrast, ideal street shooter | | Cons: | f3.2 not enough for some? | |
I feel a bit predictable giving this a 9, but I can't give it any less. Thing is, already owning the DA35 and DA70, I kind of knew what to expect - supreme quality in a beautifully built, small package. And that's exactl what you get!
I don't review lenses as a career, I don't do statistics - I put the lens on my camera, I go out and I shoot.
So, what this lens offers me in use is:
the obvious - compact size. I see people lugging big Canons around or big zooms, and I have a sense of smugness that I am getting so much quality out of such a small, unassuming lens. It's been said before, but for street shooting, this makes it ideal.
Great contrast - I convert a lot of my photography to black and white, and the contrast you get out of the DA primes makes for beautiful B&W conversions.
Sharp - well, it's a DA prime, nuff said
Fast AF - no complaints here
I think this lens gets overlooked because of it's f3.2 widest aperture, but people shouldn't judge a lens on this alone. The DA21 offers so much and I am more than happy to recommend it to any and everyone. I just wish I was going somewhere like Venis where I could give it a thorough work out!!
Cheers
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 13
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 5, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $426.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | size, focus speed, build quality | | Cons: | can't use filter and hood at the same time | |
At the time of my purchase, I had a 50mm 1.4 prime in my bag, and desperately wanted something other than a bulky zoom lens for use as a quick, and relatively wide lens. The 21mm was very good to me, and became my primary lens (i never use the 50mm). It handles well, the focus ring is placed just right, and it's as good at night as it is in the day.
It's not as sharp as the FA35 that I thought would fill the gap between the 21mm and 50mm, but it focuses faster than the 35 and the 50, while producing good images. Focus speed is important to me. It's colors were nearly always spot on as well.
One of my favorite aspects of the lens though is how compact it is. Everywhere I went, the 21mm went with me, and did not stand out at all. Coupled with my K200d, this combo looked like an advanced point and shoot. It's portability allowed me to take quick, off-the-hip shots, something no zoom can do.
I regrettably sold off all my primes in order to fund the purchase of the DA* 16-50. The source of the regret was because of how poorly my time with the DA 16-50 has gone. My plan now is to purchase a zoom to complement my new-to-me F 28mm. Maybe a 16-45. Either way, i never knew how good I had it with all my primes, and in particular, my 21mm. HIGHLY recommended.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: August, 2009 Location: Montana Posts: 213
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 23, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $350.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Small size, fast focusing, sharp at optimum apertures | | Cons: | sharpness drops after f/5.6, odd filter | |
I would say this lens is a conservative wide angle. It's not really meant for interiors or for extreme wide angle so it's a bit of a gap lens. I find that I really enjoy shooting with it aside from a couple of peculiarities. It is exceptionally sharp at f/5.6 which took a bit to get used to. I've shot wide angle zooms for quite a while and was very used to hitting the lens sweet spot at f/8 or even f/11 with some of my lenses. This lens begins to lose sharpness at apertures smaller than f/5.6 so I have to watch my focus points while doing landscape. The fairly generous depth of field prevents this from being an issue, however. I anticipate purchasing a 15mm f/4 simple to have a slower lens for landscape-specific work. This might seem counter to the prevailing "faster is always better" philosophy but I really need extremely deep DOF's for most of my landscape work.
The 21mm, therefore, is a great lens for full length outdoor portrait shots. A moderate wide angle for mid-distance subjects, and for smaller landscape shots, such as in an urban setting (not including buildings). Overall I really like the 21mm and find that I am learning its quirks. I love how fast it focuses and how accurate it is when locking on to a target. The colors and contrast are simply brilliant! There is simply no comparison between this lens and a consumer zoom. You can definitely tell you're shooting a prime lens when you see the results that this can produce. I have an outdoor head and shoulders portrait of my wife where you can see the finest of hairs and make out individual eyelashes. The photos also sharpen up beautifully in PP if you do happen to shoot at f/8 or smaller. I'd like to see a bit sharper images at f/11 and f/16 but there is only so much optical magic that can be crammed into such a tiny lens.
Overall, highly recommended for those looking for a dependable mid-wide prime and are willing to work around a little softening at smaller apertures. The contrast and colors that it produces produce incredible prints and are really the purpose of the lens. If you're a pixel peeper and just have to have 100% sharpness, you might have a bone to pick with this lens but if you simply love to travel light, love great punch to your photos and are looking for a lens that can give you a little width, this is a great choice.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 2,978
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 26, 2009 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | size, focal length, quick-shift. | | Cons: | f3.2 | |
Rating system here is flawed, as increments in whole number doesn't work well for lenses. So, I guess it is a 9. It is miles better than the 18-250 which I loved, mostly in par with my F28/2.8 which is an underrated but lovely lens.
I bought this almost a year ago, and gave as much chance as possible to get used to it. However, this can never be confused with the other Limiteds I own, including the FA 43 and FA 77 which are leaps and bounds better than the DA21 in every aspect except size and focal length. In fact I have to rate the F135/2.8 and my sigma 100-300 F4 higher than the DA21, as these two lenses are almost in par with the FA43 and FA77. I've tried all theses lenses in my k10D and the K-7.
The other limiteds are better in rendering. The DA21 can never even come close to anything resembling 3-D. and the peak sharpness is not there like the 43 or 77. Build quality is almost good.
I still couldn't live without it. It is an ideal pair with my FA43 and I can carry the K-7 and one lens attached and the other in the pocket for a very small indiscreet package. Amazing focal length and wonderful for panos as well. Has very rich colors and shows lights well.
Some rough and dirty samples...
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2006 Location: EU/Slovenia Posts: 774
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 7, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Size, hood, build quality | | Cons: | none I can think of | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 9
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Let me start with the funky hood design. One screws the 43mm filter inside the hood and then puts the hood on the lens. Now unless you feel sorry for the filter you don't have to use lens cap as the hood coupled with filter provides all the protection needed.
I bought this lens for it's weight, focal length and famous limited build and image quality. I must say it more than lived to my expectations And at that time I'd give it 10. But since then I got the 40/2.8 and 70/2.4 Limited and realized that corner sharpness of 21/3.2 is a notch below perfect. I'd give this lens 9.5.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450 | | Review Date: October 30, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $330.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, color rendition, contrast | | Cons: | Haven't figured out how to best exploit the focal length yet :) | |
I have no complaints with regard to build quality, sharpness, contrast, or colors. Like all DA Ltds it's extremely sharp from wide open, the build is unparalleled, and the compactness is amazing.
I do wish it were a little faster, but for most things you'd use a 21mm for, it's not necessary.
My only real issue with the lens is that I haven't yet figured out how to best exploit the focal length--haven't learned to "see" in 21/31.5mm yet.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2008 Location: Israel Posts: 932 | | Review Date: January 7, 2010 | Recommended
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Build, quick shift AF, rendering | | Cons: | relatively slow, not FF | |
This is excellent lens fully deserving the "Limited" title. It saved me a number of times and indeed, one could produce a whole travel photo diary with just this lens. I am taking one point off for it being not full frame (yes, I know, but it is my review, and in my opinion it is a pity) and one more point for it being only f/3.2 which, in some cases, is somewhat slow.
Recently I bought FA 20/2.8 and I need to figure out yet, how do these two compare. Likely it will be a coin toss, though FA is ever so slightly faster.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 9,830 | | Review Date: January 8, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Compact, great build, sharp | | Cons: | Could be a tad faster | |
Part of my compact complement. Paired with the DA40ltd, you have a very small but capable array. Autofocus is quick. Nice sharpness at all apertures, and a very catchy rendition in digital. I have no real complaints about this lens, other than that I wish it could have been a full f/2.8.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: August, 2007 Location: Cambridge, United States Posts: 57
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 17, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $420.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Colour, size, build, AF speed, sharpness, aesthetic | | Cons: | Odd focal length (for me) | |
This is a beautiful lens. Everything about it is fantastic: it AFs like a charm, it's brilliantly sharp, the closest focusing distance lets you get up close and personal with your subject, its rendering of colour is great... My only problem with this lens is that the fl just doesn't work for me that well. I've been forcing myself to use it more lately, and have already started to warm up to it.
I've had my DA 21 for 2 and a half years, and I've not used it enough. Have thought about letting it go a few times, but in the end it always surprises me and it stays in my bag.
Aside from the optics, the lens is tremendously well made, aesthetically pleasing in and of itself. I always laugh at my friends who shoot Nikon/Canon, because the limiteds are just so much more aesthetically appealing than their lenses.  .
The compact size is also brilliant, on my old K100D I had a light, portable combo.
Some examples (most can be blown up to full size):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandekadt/5804843142/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandekadt/3638033609/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandekadt/4277074834/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandekadt/4276326913/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandekadt/4209422308/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandekadt/3638036957/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandekadt/4457501014/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandekadt/4479617389/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandekadt/4479620719/ | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2009 Posts: 1,291
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 19, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build quality, size, weight, sharpness, contrast, unobtrusiveness, fast AF, focal length, DOF scale, close focusing distance | | Cons: | Barrel distortion is noticeable sometimes. Then I'm scratching for bad points. chromatic aberration (pretty minimal), f3.2 (but see below), some vignetting in viewfinder (not much in images) | |
This is basically a really great lens.
Good stuff:
I have found the 21mm focal length really useful and easy to get used to on the 'cropped-sensor' K-7. Full frame equivalent is between the classic moderate wides of 28mm and 35mm.
Lens is already sharp from f/3.2, and pretty good at borders. Very use-able. Nice contrast and colour, resolution very nice f/4-8. Bokeh seems pretty nice, I'm used to zooms and compared to them it looks very good but can't compare it to other primes myself.
Build is wonderful, obviously very small and light. I personally very much like the hood and cap, the hood seems very effective while keeping the whole package small, and my lens cap does not come off easily but can be removed very quickly. Trade-off is that filters either can't be used with the hood or need to go inside the hood.
Great lens for street, very unobtrusive due to very small overall size as well as small front element. Screw-drive AF is fast on K-7. Would prefer silent AF but in this tiny package screw drive is fine, it's not overly loud at all.
Bad stuff:
Some barrel distortion, can be a problem. Correctable in post-processing with some loss of the sides of your image.
Some CA, but seems well controlled and is a minor complaint.
Only f/3.2. This is still pretty decent speed. The trade-off is for the small size and moderate wide angle at that size. I'd love f/1.4 but personally I think f/3.2 was a good balance, especially because the lens is already good at f/3.2 - some minor fall-off in corners but overall nice.
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