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SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited Review RSS Feed

SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited

Sharpness 
 8.8
Aberrations 
 8.6
Bokeh 
 8.4
Autofocus 
 9.4
Handling 
 9.4
Value 
 8.7
Reviews Views Date of last review
96 382,538 Sat February 10, 2024
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
95% of reviewers $404.17 9.11
SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited

SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited
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SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited
supersize
SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited
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Description:
The SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited is a compact "pancake" lens designed for use on Pentax DSLR's only.

SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
APS-C
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
No
Diaphragm
Automatic, 7 blades
Optics
8 elements, 5 groups
Mount Variant
KAF
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F3.2
Min. Aperture
F22
Focusing
AF (screwdrive)
Quick-shift
Yes
Min. Focus
20 cm
Max. Magnification
0.17x
Filter Size
49 mm
Internal Focus
No
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 68 ° / 59 °
Hood
MH-RBA 43mm
Case
Dedicated pouch
Lens Cap
Dedicated metal push-on
Coating
SMC,SP
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Diam x Length
63 x 25 mm (2.5 x 1 in.)
Weight
140 g (4.9 oz.)
w/ Hood: +15g
Production Years
2006 to 2013
Engraved Name
smc PENTAX-DA 1:3.2 21mm AL Limited
Product Code
21590 (black)
Reviews
User reviews
In-depth review
Unofficial Full-Frame Compatibility Tests by Pentax Forums
☆☆☆ No coverage at any setting
Show details
Notes
The filter thread on the lens is 49 mm. The dedicated hood which screws into the filter thread has a 43 mm filter thread.
One aspherical element.
Variants

Black and silver

Features:
Screwdrive AutofocusQuick ShiftAutomatic ApertureAPS-C Digital OnlyDiscontinued
Purchase: Buy the SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited
In-Depth Review: Read our SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited in-depth review!
Sample Photos: View Sample Photos
Price History:



Add Review of SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited Buy the SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited
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Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 16-30 of 96
Senior Member

Registered: August, 2008
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 119
Review Date: May 28, 2012 Recommended | Price: $410.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: good all around lens
Cons: none
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-7   

(I still shoot film so I think in 35 mm terms)

I always wanted something a little wider than 35mm but not a 28mm. Leave it to Pentax to design a lens that is equivalent to a 32mm lens. What is even better is the size with the lens hood on. Makes it very portable and similar to the old rangefinder in size. What matters is the picture quality. I can point, shoot and crop. It is so good, I am thinking about selling my other lenses. However, I need that 35 macro limited for close work.
   
Senior Member

Registered: March, 2010
Location: Svealand
Posts: 172
Review Date: April 29, 2012 Recommended | Price: $530.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: build quality, size, all optical performance
Cons: lenshood

Outstanding lens for street photography and standard lens to keep on the camera.

Very anoying lenshood because one can't use any kind of filters with the lenshood mounted and sometimes I like to use ND or polarizers toghether with the lenshood. I have therefore bought a third party 49mm lenshood
   
Veteran Member

Registered: July, 2007
Location: North West UK
Posts: 390

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: April 3, 2012 Recommended | Price: $300.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Size, Build, sharpness.
Cons: Slight pincushioning, slight CA, can't use hood with poloriser.
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-5   

One of a pair of Limiteds I have recently bought, the other was the 40mm. Both are my first ownership of Limiteds.
To be honest, I can't believe it has taken this long to indulge in some Limited lenses.

So, what do I think? Well I love the build, the size, and even more, the sharpness. This lens is something special.
Lets mention the Build. Well metal bodied (like K and M lenses of yesteryear) so it is a tactile delight. The focus ring is beautifully damped and smooth, you just want to keep turning it.
So the size. Well it is tiny, but not small enough to be useless. On the contrary, it is a nice discreet lens that people won't notice.
Sharpness? One thing I can say is yes. This lens is sharp!
Dedicated hood. Great, nice thinking Pentax, a small hood that works. Only downside is that you can't use it with a poloriser.
Oh and yes, as with all Limiteds (save the 40mm) you get a velvet lined cap. How luxurious is that? Wonderful!

Downsides (and they are minor)
The hood, as mentioned above
There is a slight pincushion in the images. I did'nt notice until I processed through LR3, and then it was "oh gosh there IS pincushion" Still, throw it through software and what is there can be easily corrected.
There CA, but again it is only in extremis, and again Software will rid it.

Overall.
Yes, it is "only" F3.2, but in reality that is not a problem, this lens is small and you are more than likely use it at its sweet spot of F8-F11 anyway, especially for landscapes and cityscapes (remember it is a wide lens and at these apertures most things will be in focus anyway - well for panoramas)

Conclusion
A lens that clearly matches the old legends, and if you get this the 15mm, 35mm and 40mm Limiteds, you will never want to use a zoom again.


MediaCityUK by IHD Photography, on Flickr
   
Veteran Member

Registered: June, 2011
Location: Near Sydney, NSW
Posts: 331
Review Date: November 25, 2011 Recommended | Price: $720.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Focal length with f3.2, bokeh, clarity, COLOURS, CONTRAST, size, build quality... everything?
Cons: There aren't enough limiteds
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: New   

Honestly, I didn't think I'd like a 21mm. I mean, it's not THAT wide, but it's not long. But it just makes landscapes look perfect. Horizons are SO straight - lines are SO straight... and all of them are in stunning detail, contrast and colour. I can't get enough of this lens - all I wish was that there was a Pentax LTD of 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30, 40 (there is a 40), 50 (why isn't there a 50!!), 60, 70 (again, there is one), 80... and every 30mm through to 400mm! If there was that, I'd be extremely broke.

Absolutely gorgeous lens - if it's $600 US or less, buy it. That simple.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: April, 2010
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 4,884

5 users found this helpful
Review Date: May 1, 2011 Recommended | Price: $650.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: size, sharpness, lens hood
Cons: In ability to use filters with lens hood

This lens was not a priority on my list as I already had the DA15 so I bought it on a whim (well with some unexpected money burning a whole in my pocket...). I used it daily for the month of March and found the focal length awkward at first - too wide or not wide enough. What I have found over time is that this lens has a very nice way of rendering detail and in good light can easily be stopped down to 9.5 or smaller to produce amazingly deep DOF handheld. The ability of the lens to capture texture allows for very effective monochrome conversion. I am looking forward to using this lens if and when spring arrives in earnest.

I hear many debating between this lens and the DA 15 Ltd. If you are not sure about the ultrawide which can bring challenges of composition, this would be the lens to start with. If you are naturally a wide angle shooter I would start with the 15 because for some landscape and architecture uses 21 will not be wide enough. Both lenses you will be pleased to know, produce those fine and fun starbursts. And, in the end, having both is not redundant, the lenses complement each other (or any other limited prime for that matter).

Some images with the DA 21 Ltd:

Retired fighter #2 by jmschrei, on Flickr

Rocky outcrop by jmschrei, on Flickr

Solitary tree - B&W by jmschrei, on Flickr

Downtown reflected by jmschrei, on Flickr
   
New Member

Registered: March, 2010
Location: North of switzerland
Posts: 1
Review Date: February 22, 2011 Recommended | Price: $710.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: build qualitiy, construction, Limited lens, AF, IQ, sharp
Cons: filter attachment, cost, "only" 7 blades

Really a good lens. Nice wide angle focal lenght. I love the Limited's build and construction quality. The lens is super slim and a real lightweight. The lens has an excellent sharpness. Mechanical and optical quality is excellent. Uncommon but cool lenshood. Highly recommended.
   
New Member

Registered: November, 2010
Posts: 13
Review Date: January 20, 2011 Recommended | Price: $400.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: small, construction, quality
Cons: some times to much distorsion on lens

I would recomend this lens for all street photographers. Discrete lens, sharp and small...it's a goal for travel photography too.
Love the colours
   
New Member

Registered: August, 2009
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 15

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: December 3, 2010 Recommended | Price: $500.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp, Fast Autofocus, Small size, Build Quality
Cons: Lens hood/ Filter usage
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: New   

My take on this lens is as follows:
1) It had great image quality, I find that the colors are very pleasing to the eye. I find that the colors are saturated but not overly so. The Bokeh is also very nice, which comes in handy when you are close-focusing with this lens. Speaking of close-focusing, this lens does focus in close very nicely. Although it is not a true macro lens. I find myself using it to get up close with many of my subjects.
2) The auto focus is very fast and accurate. I especially like the manual focus adjustments that are capable with Pentax lenses. If you feel that the focus is a little off you can make manual corrections to the focus without having to switch the lens to manual focus to do it.
3) The build quality of the DA limited series lens is superb. They are almost works of art themselves. It has an all metal construction with a metal lens mount. I find this to be very important especially if you change lenses often. The wear and tear on a plastic lens mount would become a problem over time.
4) Compact size. This lens goes with me everywhere because it's just so portable. The lens comes with a lens pouch, when you put the lens in it you can easily fit the lens into a jacket pocket. It takes up almost no room in any camera bag even if it's in the pouch.
5) The only real negative for me, and it's not much of one, is that the lens hood locks on to the outer edge of the lens which means that you can not use screw in filters and the lens hood at the same time.

This really is my favorite lens in my arsenal.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: December, 2008
Location: NJ, USA
Posts: 428

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: December 3, 2010 Recommended | Price: $375.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: size, weight, sharpness, contrast
Cons: wish it were a 2.8

QuoteQuote:
A sweet pancake with pleanty of fruit.
This is my first pancake but not my first limited. A very useful lens and its FL is great for indoor usage and landscapes. Also good for group photos but of course not good for individual portraits.

The build quality is excellent. All metal with an integrated lens hood. The hood can be a bit tricky and feels like it can come off easily. but it has not. THe size makes a camera almost invisible and easy to handhold.

Focus is fast but a bit noisy.

Optically, very sharp at all aperatures and very contrasty with excellent color saturation and rendition (see photo). Also very flair resistant. Bokeh is nice.



Compared to my FA*24 2.0, it is much easier to hold. The FA* garners comments on how big my lens is. However, the speed difference makes the DA 21 push the ISO up quite a bit when used indoors. I have seen some of my indoor picturs go to ISO 1600 on a K5 or Kx it might not matter. However, the 3.2 aperature is very sharp and contrasty where as the FA 24 at 2.0 is not very contrasty.

summary:

Sharpness: 10
Contrast: 10
Bokeh: 9
Build Quality: 10
Usefulness: 9 (faster aperature would make this a 10).
   
Site Supporter

Registered: December, 2007
Location: Montreal
Posts: 1,249

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 9, 2010 Recommended | Price: $400.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: sharp, punchy colors, light, build quality, close focus
Cons: barrel distortions, "only" f/3.2, vignetting wide-open, some flare in contra-light
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 5   

I feel this is one of the most underrated limited prime lens. I think there are many reasons for this:
- the focal length feels odd for some. Interestingly it would have the same FOV as the FA 31mm Ltd mounted on a FF camera. Myself I like the FOV.
- It's "only" f/3.2. For a WA lens I don't think this is significant, especially considering the diminutive size.
- Barrel distortion. It annoys me too but since more and more software correct it (in-camera, LR3, etc.) it becomes a non-issue and most of time I don't see it.
- A bit expensive compared to the DA 40mm Ltd but not out of touch for a WA lens.

The rendering is special, the colors are very punchy, it seems that the lens is optimized for Landscape rendering.

There are also some vignetting wide-open, I kind of like it actually as I sometimes add vignette to my pictures.

The min. focus distance is quite short and close-ups are possible, add a Raynox DCR-250 and you almost have a macro lens.

In the end I use this lens much more than I thought because of its small size, it always finds a place in the bag.


Rue de la Couronne (Quebec City)


With the Raynox DCR-250


Butterfly and Orange Flower

Pictures taken with this lens
   
Pentaxian

Registered: March, 2008
Location: Quebec city, Canada
Posts: 9,352

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: May 7, 2010 Recommended | Price: $340.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharpness, colours, contrast, size, AF speed, quick-shift, 3D effect
Cons: None
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 9    Value: 9    New or Used: Used   

I believe each lens should be considered with its intended use in mind. A portrait photographer has no need for an ultra-wide lens.

So what is the intended purpose of the DA 21? For me, its purpose is to work as a portable, handheld task force with the F50 f1,7. Those two lenses allow me to leave home for night shoots without a tripod, and without anything except the camera and a small coat pocket.
Seen in this optic (no pun intended) the DA 21 is perfect. f3.2 is more than enough for handholding shots at 21 mm with SR and ISO 800. AF is extremely fast and reliable. Flare is minimal even without the hood. The size is amazing, hard to believe until you actually hold the lens in your hand. Optical qualities are what I would have expected from a limited. I have not used a test chart but in real life, I see no obvious differences in sharpness between f3.2 and smaller apertures.

Close focusing is a nice addition : it’s not a macro but allows for nice close-ups. Which brings me to another unique feature : bokeh. This lens is far from the smooth, perfectly creamy bokeh of the FA 50 macro (or similar lenses) but its busier bokeh actually contributes in a large part to creating what many have called the “3D effect” this lens produces. The pictures below are the best examples:




The effect is hard to describe, but quite visible to me. And it is a great perk of this lens.

The build quality is nothing less than what I expected. Light but rugged, gorgeous to behold, smooth focus (though my used copy is tighter at short focus distances. I’ll have to investigate that). I like the hood design but tend not to use it much. For starters, it’s not really needed. It also hides the beautiful red LIMITED lettering on the front, and adds something like 25% to the length of the lens… I confess that part of me does not want to use the hood just so I can show off… I might bet to use it in time.

People complaining that it gets less sharp at smaller apertures than f8 : why did you ever purchase this lens? It is meant to be used at wide apertures. There is no need for a limited prime to shoot at f16! And with a wide lens, DOF increases extremely fast anyway.

There is nothing wrong with this lens. Again, that statement is true for the purpose I have in mind. So it’s a clear 10 for me.

EDIT : I had the lens serviced because of the tight focus ring (at a local Quebec city shop). The lens came back today, some bearings were misaligned apparently (it looks like the lens got a hit from the pervious owner, apparently). The AF speed, now that the lens has been fixed, is nothing short of blazing! Fast, extremely reliable, and did I mention fast?
   
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: 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   

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.
   
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.
   
Inactive Account

Registered: September, 2008
Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia
Posts: 1,784

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: March 23, 2009 Recommended | Price: $270.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Small size, quality build, great IQ
Cons: Odd hood design

I picked up my DA 21mm for a really nice price from a local forum member and was immediately pleased with the FOV. It gives you a film "wide" angle of 31mm which is sufficient for most of my needs.

Tack sharp, fast focus (although it does sometimes focus off but that's more of a camera issue than the lens itself), and very nice contrasty, saturated output makes this one a keeper for me.

My only concern is that hood is a special design am not quite sure if you can fit a filter under the hood; also, it has the same velvet lined metal lens cap as the FA Limiteds. Beautiful pieces of work but I'm deathly afraid of dropping one and damaging it!
Add Review of SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited Buy the SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited



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