Pentax SMC-DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited - Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict |
Lens Reviews -
Pentax
|
Page 3 of 3
Sample Images
Here're some sample images KINDLY PROVIDED AND COPYRIGHT BY PATRICK PIHL taken with the K10D
and RAW-converted via ACR 2.4 (and compressed with JPEG level 8).
Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window). Please note that the originals are FULL SIZE
(=several megabytes) which requires quite some bandwidth for downloading so please don't waste the limited resources here.
Make |
PENTAX Corporation |
![Click for preview picture of "_IGP4138 (2592 x 3872)"](http://images.opticallimits.com/8Reviews/lenses/pentax_21_32/thumbs/_IGP4138.jpg)
|
Model |
PENTAX K10D |
ISO Speed |
100 |
Focal Length |
21.0mm
|
Exposure Data: |
f/3.2 @ 1/200s |
Size |
2592x3872 |
|
Make |
PENTAX Corporation |
![Click for preview picture of "_IGP4202 (2592 x 3872)"](http://images.opticallimits.com/8Reviews/lenses/pentax_21_32/thumbs/_IGP4202.jpg)
|
Model |
PENTAX K10D |
ISO Speed |
100 |
Focal Length |
21.0mm
|
Exposure Data: |
f/4.5 @ 1/30s |
Size |
2592x3872 |
|
Make |
PENTAX Corporation |
![Click for preview picture of "_IGP4272 (3872 x 2592)"](http://images.opticallimits.com/8Reviews/lenses/pentax_21_32/thumbs/_IGP4272.jpg)
|
Model |
PENTAX K10D |
ISO Speed |
100 |
Focal Length |
21.0mm
|
Exposure Data: |
f/5.6 @ 1/250s |
Size |
3872x2592 |
|
Make |
PENTAX Corporation |
![Click for preview picture of "_IGP4287 (3872 x 2592)"](http://images.opticallimits.com/8Reviews/lenses/pentax_21_32/thumbs/_IGP4287.jpg)
|
Model |
PENTAX K10D |
ISO Speed |
100 |
Focal Length |
21.0mm
|
Exposure Data: |
f/8.0 @ 1/250s |
Size |
3872x2592 |
|
Verdict
The Pentax SMC-DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited is a very good lens but it is not as special as
its longer cousins (specifically the Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited) nor is this really
possible because of the increasing design problems when pushing things towards wide
and ultra-wide angles. The center performance is exceptionally high whereas the borders
require f/5.6 to achieve very good levels. The amount of barrel distortions and vignetting
are Ok but nothing to rave about for a new fix-focal lens. CAs are quite well controlled.
The coolest aspects of the lens are naturally the extremely small size, the very
low weight and a relatively moderate price tag of around 450€/US$. Combined with
the "longer" pancakes lenses, the DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited and DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited, you'd
have a complete yet very unobtrusive fix-focal lens setup for street photography.
Optical Quality: |
![](/images/8Reviews/rating/3star.gif) |
Mechanical Quality: | ![](/images/8Reviews/rating/4hstar.gif) |
Price/Performance: | ![](/images/8Reviews/rating/4star.gif) |
|