Name: HD DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited
Brand: Pentax
SKU: 36628
Rating: 3.7 (7 reviews)

4.0

based on all reviews

Consumer ratings:

4.7 / 5

cold metal touch and exceptionally smooth but adequate manual focus both
Manual focus is pretty reasonable
quality Limited build

poor on the edges
misses the point
sharp

Elements: 8
Autofocus: yes
Max format size: APS-C (crop)
Focal length: , 21 mm
Image stabilisation: no
Lens type: Normal

Pentax HD DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited - Pros & Cons

cold metal touch and exceptionally smooth but adequate manual focus both
Manual focus is pretty reasonable
quality Limited build
lightweight pancake
moderate wide angle
joy fantastic colour and sharpness
this lens is perfect for street photography and also for architecture
It is quite sharp even wide open and gets better stopped down
A pleasure to carry and useful in many situations
Contrast and colour rendering are excellent
The lens is really well built
It makes for a very compact SLR
higher sharpness and better uniformity than

poor on the edges
misses the point
sharp
purple fringing
weak edges and corners
The lens has some illumination fall off
fairly high barrel distortion
The front element does not rotate so using a polarizer is no problem
only a marginal improvement
weather sealing
modest falloff in brightness at the corners of the frame
Chromatic aberration is more troublesome
optical system sharpness is a little disappointing
vignetting can still be seen at f4 in the corners
5% barrel distortion in the corners
somewhat boring stretched effect of ultra-wides
that is not ideal
The lens is somewhat soft at f/3
An attached filter will not rotate while focusing

Pentax - Video Reviews (1)

Pentax HD DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited - Full Specifications

Lens type	Normal
Lens mount	Pentax KAF

Aperture max	3.2
Aperture min	22
Aperture ring	no
Number of diaphragm blades	7
Aperture features	Rounded diaphragm

Elements	8
Groups	5
Special elements / coatings	High-grade multi-layer HD coating

Weight	4.73 oz
Diameter	2.48 in
Length	0.98 in
Filter size	1.93 in

Max Format size	APS-C
Focal length	< 21
Focal Length 35mm Equivalent	< 32
Angle of View	< 68
Maximum magnification	0.17 x
Image stabilisation	no

Autofocus	yes
Autofocus motor type	Screw drive from camera
Full-time Manual focusing	yes
Closest focusing distance	0.2
Distance scale	yes
Depth of field (DoF) scale	yes

Colour of product	Black Silver
Body materials	Aluminium
Lens Cap Type	Dedicated
Tripod collar	no
Hood supplied	yes

Pentax HD DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited - Q&A

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Pentax HD DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited Pentax - Editorial Reviews (4)

3.5

Based on 4 reviews

Pentax HD DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited HD Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited Reviews - DA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

pentaxforums.com

HD Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited Reviews - DA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

HD Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited lens reviews and detailed specifications. The HD Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited is a compact "pancake" lens designed for use on Pentax DSLRs only

Pentax HD DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited Pentax 21mm f/3.2 Limited SMC P-DA Review

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Published: 23.05.2006

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Looking for a Pentax 21mm lens review? Read on to find out what we uncovered in our objective optical lab tests.

Pentax HD DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited Pentax HD DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited Review

PCMAG

Published: 22.11.2013

Pentax HD DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited Review

3.5

The Pentax HD DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited isn't the sharpest lens wide open, but it's impressively small and well built.

Pentax HD DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited Pentax HD DA 21mm f3.2 AL Limited lens review: Enhanced image quality

DXOMARK

Published: 13.01.2014

Pentax HD DA 21mm f3.2 AL Limited lens review: Enhanced image quality

Pentax has revamped the DA Limited lens range adding a rounded diaphragm opening and new HD coatings for improved rendering, transmission and lower ghosting and flare. Read on to find out how well the new HD DA 21mm f3.2 pancake model performs.