Pentax SMCP-DA 21mm f/3.2 AL HD Limited Edition Lens, Black

2010-11-01T21:00:00

Alot of people overlook this lens and go for the DA15 (which is another amazing lens), but this is a great way to fill the gap between 15 and 40. It's a great walk around lens for everyday use. If close-range street photography is your thing, then this lens will probably never leave your camera. The colors are excellent, the contrast is great, and the focal length is just right. Not too long, and not too wide. The only complaint I have with it, is the lens hood. The lens hood snaps on over the filter rings, so there is no way to use a filter and the supplied lens hood at the same time. It's either one or the other. You can, however, get one of the universal lens hoods that screws into the filter threads and put it on over top of your filters. The supplied lens hood is metal, and delivers a substantial amount of protection to the lens due to its shape and coverage. Most of the time, you don't need a filter anyways, but if you like to use a CPL, then get the universal lens hood to go with it. Other than that, I have no complaints. This lens was designed and built with quality, and you can feel it when you using it.

BRIAN O.

2009-10-14T21:00:00

Since I favor the 35 and 28mm focal lengths for many of my travel shots on film, this lens covers both, making up the difference with a little shoe-leather zoom. Barrel distortion mentioned in some reviews is unnoticeable. If it bothers you, it is easily dealt with in a Photoshop CS application if you shot in RAW. The big advantage, though, is its diminutive size. It frees me from walking around the woods cradling a 72 filter size beer bottle zoom. I also carry the FA35 f2 and and A 50 f1.7.

the p.

2009-09-20T21:00:00

It is on 90% of the time. Discrete, sharp, and great for travel

Wei L.

2008-09-23T21:00:00

This Pentax lens combines, for me, the most useful focal length for general photography in a moderate wide-angle setting (for a digital-use lens). It is lightweight, with excellent build quality, and has a good compromise of lens speed versus size and weight. Photographic quality is "clearly" superior to the zoom kit lens at 21mm, with low aberrations and nice bokeh. If it were possible to gain a faster lens (f1.4)without the added weight that would be great but it is not possible.

GARY H.

2008-08-24T21:00:00

Great lens with a focal length that is versatile enough to stay on my k10d all day long. Perfect size for travel.

Leah