Pentax 21mm F/3.2 AL Limited Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras

by Pentax

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.5 x 2.5 x 1 inches ; 5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000FZ2VXY
• Item model number: 21590
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

With newly developed, high-performance optics, this new lens measures only one inch (25 millimeters long) and weighs a mere 4.9 ounces (140 grams). Mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body, the lens protrudes very little from the camera's front panel, making it an ideal choice for carry-everywhere, instantaneous snapshot photography. This versatile angle of view produces natural images with a moderate perspective and an expanded depth of field (or a wide in-focus area), making it ideal for many different types of subjects and occasions, including snapshots, landscape, travel photos, and architecture. The DA 21mm incorporates a hybrid aspherical lens in its eighth optical element to effectively compensate for a variety of aberrations, which cause adverse effectson overall image quality. In order to assure high-quality image reproduction over the entire focusing range, it also features a floating mechanism, which is designed to adjust the degree of aberration compensation in relation to the focusing distance.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Lens, February 9, 2008

By 

Marion D. Philpott (Ball Ground, GA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pentax 21mm F/3.2 AL Limited Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I love this lens. The focal length is directly in the "sweet spot" for street photography, indoors, landscapes and even aerial photos. It focuses amazingly close for dramatic macro-like effects, and when you combine this with a small aperture you can get a very wide depth-of-field, as well. Overall, a very well-made "stealth" lens that is a versatile must-have!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lot of lens in a petite package!, September 19, 2008

By 

Steve Wildermuth (Ghent, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pentax 21mm F/3.2 AL Limited Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

Back in the '80's I owned a Pentax ME Super and I thereafter soon bought several "M" lenses to go with it (most notably the 28mm F2.8 and the 135mm F3.5). These lenses were given the "M" classification because of their Miniature size. I always loved the optical and mechanical performance of those little wonders. I have now finally found in the 21st Century an equivalent (actually they're even a bit better!) in the Pentax Limited Series. I am now the proud owner of three of that breed: the DA 21mm f3.2, the DA 35mm f2.8 Macro and the DA 70mm f2.4. I love the 21mm- it's perfect for street photography,landscapes, all around "snapshots" and, with it's close focusing, even near macro. It's small in size and light in weight which makes it a joy to carry and it is actually made of real metal! It focuses quite fast with AF and if needed it can be overridden to manual focus without pushing any buttons or moving any levers. While it is in the wide angle family, it is not an ultra wide, so there is little to no distortion to be found. I would highly reccomend this lens (and any member of the Pentax Limited Series, for that matter) to anyone who wishes to push the boundaries of their photographic experience and invest in some superior quality primes. You can see the difference!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars moderate wide-angle -- to go, January 16, 2008

By 

Ben Rosengart (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pentax 21mm F/3.2 AL Limited Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

Without getting into the optical qualities in detail, I can only say that I find the drawing and color properties pleasing. Focus is fast, and the build quality is excellent.

Combined with the Pentax K10D, this is my sketchpad -- the kit I carry when I don't carry much.