| Author: | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2009 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 385
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 30, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | perfect starbursts, small size, clever lens hood | | Cons: | slightly soft corners | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-S2, K200D
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So much more than the sum of its parts!
The standout features of this lens don't fit neatly into the provided boxes. The colors are rich yet balanced. The lens is tiny and sturdy. And the starbursts (or sunstars) are astonishing.
I bought this lens second-hand because I wanted a green SMC Pentax-DA 15mm Limited for landscapes, but I couldn't find an affordable copy. So I got this, hearing that the starbursts were comparable. Well, they are not "comparable," they are "every bit as good." It has become my favorite lens, with the possible exception of my DA Fish-Eye.
It's hard to explain why this lens is so good. It's sharp, but not perfect. ƒ/3.2 isn't all that fast. 21mm on APS-C isn't particularly wide. This should be a ho-hum lens.
And yet. And yet. This lens delivers. It is so tiny, the colors are so good, and the starbursts are so sharp. I now own four Limiteds: the 15mm, 40mm, 70mm, and this one. This is the pick of the litter.
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2011 Location: Melbourne + Malvern East Victoria Australia Posts: 377 | | Review Date: January 3, 2021 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
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great lens
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2016 Posts: 8
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 2, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $470.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | my standard–go to lens since 2007 | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-10 through K-1
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I bought this lens for my first digital K-10 Pentax in 2007 and it has been my primary go-to lens through a succession of Pentax bodies, through the K-20d, K-5, K-3, K-1, and K-70 and, although I have added other limited primes since then, it is still my favorite.
FWIW, I almost always default to an f/8 aperture priority. Had to have it repaired locally for loose screws, but been great since. Given the opportunity, I might someday update to the newer version (red band, versus the green band). And waiting to see what the 21mm full-frame will be (and cost).
For many examples, see: https://originalrefrigeratorart.blogspot.com and https://ora2.blogspot.com | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2019 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: March 19, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $280.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax K-3
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My 'walkabout' lens for my K-3, on which it represents the full-frame equivalent of approx. 31.5mm.
Very sharp with nice colour rendition.
Personally I'm uncertain of the merits of its unique lens hood - mine has been replaced with a NOS Pentax 49mm standard 50mm 1.4/1.7/2.0 round plastic hood that gets covered with an Optech/USA mini Hood Hat in lieu of a lens cap.
Occasionally pressed into action on my K-1, it works rather well at it's 21mm focal length with my preferred 1x1 crop option.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2019 Posts: 7
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 28, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $260.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Colour & contrast | | Cons: | Bit soft at the edges.. but not by much | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K3
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This is my most used lens for walking about. Love the images it produces, great colour and contrast. Lightweight and compact. Sharp and focus is good.
Anyway not much of a lens reviewer... here's some images taken on a recent walkabout.
You can make your own mind up - all SOOC jpegs.
     | | | | | Forum Member Registered: September, 2021 Posts: 62
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 10, 2024 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Size, built quality, lens hood, focal length | | Cons: | Sharpness outside of the center, sharpness in general | |
Like many users said before, the size is just awesome and the lens hood is something I like a lot.
The focal length is perfect for a lot of purposes.
But one thing to notice is, that this lens does produce horrible images if it has not been stopped down to at least F8 !!
Purple areas are simply dramatic of not stopped down, as well as a significant lack of sharpness in the corners.
If there is enough light, or you are using a tripod so that stopping down is possible, it produces really nice pictures.
Just don't buy this lens if shooting wide open is something you need :-)
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