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I wonder what the focus-throw is? how easy is the manual focussing? I own a DA17-70 zoom and i like the reach of it and optical it is good enough to mix with the limited primes, but i hate the poor AF in the long end 50-70 mm and also the DC motor is not reliable! Also the focus-throw is way to short. but that is just the DA17-70. For the DA20-40, I would have preferred a screwdriver approach like the other Limiteds.
But stil I like the Idea of a limited standaard zoom :-)
afair, the 17-70/4 is based on "SDM" rather than the newer "DC"-design. In any case: you are right about the amount of focusing-throw.
Especially with SDM lenses where the focus-ring does not move during AF operation, this could be provided by adjusting the gearing of the manual ring differently than the internal AF-drive.
On a limited lens though, I think the focus-rings do not disengage during AF, so the need for compromise might arise, getting it right for a specific purpose. My preference for such a lens would be a longer throw, as well - since for events/sports -where fast AF is actually needed - we usually would chose another type of lens.
Is this lens full frame compatible? If not, and I have strong doubts as there is already vignetting even at 40 mm, it is worthless for me. Being a bit smaller and lighter is not enough.
I think it's APS-C. The price in England is £849. That's crazy for a lens that's f4 at 40mm with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. Perhaps it's UK pricing but there's no way I'd buy such a lens at that price.
Okay it is WR (but I've had WR before that has failed from Pentax). The Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 Art is a much better proposition if it becomes available in K-mount.
I hope you understand that Zigma’s lens iz a shared dezign for different mountz, and that Zigma can achieve a price lower than DA 20-40’s price though the economy of scale. Considering the quality, and the fact it iz a unique Pentax lenz, DA20-40 iz a bargain. It can be the one and only lenz for a photographer with grain of salt … it coverz moderate wide to moderate tele, good for 90% of needz.
No matter how you look at it, it is too expensive, I think about 200$ too expensive for what it is. But, I think Pentax, or rather, Ricoh realise this. But since they go through with it, I guess this is OK for them.
I just bought the lens and am positively surprised by its build and image quality.
However, for a limited it is IMHO just a bit too large. So time will tell if I will use it very often. On an APS-C body, it may well replace the 21mm, 31mm, 35mm and 40mm for most applications. Seeing it that way, the size is maybe not too big.
Side remark: I find it surprising that it is f/2.8 at 20mm and f/4 at 40mm, considering that the 21mm Ltd is f/3.2 and the 40mm Ltd. is f/2.8.
Can somebody with more optical know-how enlighten me why the max. aperture of the 21mm is smaller than the 40mm, yet with the zoom-limited it is the other way around? Is this easy to understand?
Yes it is easy to understand; Look at the size of the lens and the definition of max. aperture : therefore the decrease from 20 to 40. Then read about refrofocus design.
If Leica had it launched this lens, And I don´t believe it is worst than the average of them, nobody would bother on it apertures and it price. Oh, poor crying babies.
I've got mine DA20-40 and I can say that this lens is the sharpest lens which I have. It's sharper than ALL DA limited at my K-5IIs. It's sharp as FA43 and has better corner sharpness. The lens is sharp at the center wide opened at ALL focal length. The corners are sharp from f4.5 at ALL focal range. It's razor sharp lens. It's ZOOM with IQ of prime.
The cost of this peculiar wee thing is not far off that of a Nikkor 24-70/2.8. The cost benefit of quality crop format over professional weapons grade full frame is no longer there in my opinion. At least not with Pentax current pricing.
APS-C line is very important in the current market situation. Pentax (or Ricoh) should really strengthen this line with high quality lenses. Look what Fuji is doing now, the put the camera and lens price tag really really high, and no one complain it.
I believe Pentax-Ricoh will have FF this year. Let's wait for CP+, in the mean time, why don't you try K-3 :) ? I don't know if you frequently still visiting PF, but I found really interesting news: check this: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/search.php?sea...
A few days after I got my 20-40... it's hard to take it off the camera, just because it is so much fun shooting with it. OGL is right, it's razor sharp, and I might add, even when pixel peeping on the K-3 (24M) it is razor-sharp. Although pixel-peeping does not make you a good photographer.
I believe it was an excellent decision of Ricoh to push the K-3, and to push this lens out. It was also an excellent idea to make the first Limited that is (i) zoom (ii) WR (iii) DC. (BTW, focusing is silent and fast).
Only drawback: the size is about that of the FA31. Well compared to Nikkors and Canons... but who compares to them, huh :-)
Logging you in...
6x7 · 585 weeks ago
I wonder what the focus-throw is? how easy is the manual focussing?
I own a DA17-70 zoom and i like the reach of it and optical it is good enough to mix with the limited primes, but i hate the poor AF in the long end 50-70 mm and also the DC motor is not reliable! Also the focus-throw is way to short. but that is just the DA17-70.
For the DA20-40, I would have preferred a screwdriver approach like the other Limiteds.
But stil I like the Idea of a limited standaard zoom :-)
Heiko · 584 weeks ago
In any case: you are right about the amount of focusing-throw.
Especially with SDM lenses where the focus-ring does not move during AF operation, this could be provided by adjusting the gearing of the manual ring differently than the internal AF-drive.
On a limited lens though, I think the focus-rings do not disengage during AF, so the need for compromise might arise, getting it right for a specific purpose. My preference for such a lens would be a longer throw, as well - since for events/sports -where fast AF is actually needed - we usually would chose another type of lens.
jean · 585 weeks ago
Lovepentax · 585 weeks ago
Okay it is WR (but I've had WR before that has failed from Pentax). The Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 Art is a much better proposition if it becomes available in K-mount.
Mike Kawasaki · 585 weeks ago
Lovepentax · 585 weeks ago
Anonimity is Great · 585 weeks ago
Lish · 584 weeks ago
Andrés · 584 weeks ago
Chris · 585 weeks ago
However, for a limited it is IMHO just a bit too large. So time will tell if I will use it very often. On an APS-C body, it may well replace the 21mm, 31mm, 35mm and 40mm for most applications. Seeing it that way, the size is maybe not too big.
Side remark: I find it surprising that it is f/2.8 at 20mm and f/4 at 40mm, considering that the 21mm Ltd is f/3.2 and the 40mm Ltd. is f/2.8.
Can somebody with more optical know-how enlighten me why the max. aperture of the 21mm is smaller than the 40mm, yet with the zoom-limited it is the other way around? Is this easy to understand?
optimus prime · 584 weeks ago
jean · 584 weeks ago
Chris · 584 weeks ago
Andrés · 584 weeks ago
OGL · 584 weeks ago
It's sharper than ALL DA limited at my K-5IIs. It's sharp as FA43 and has better corner sharpness.
The lens is sharp at the center wide opened at ALL focal length. The corners are sharp from f4.5 at ALL focal range.
It's razor sharp lens. It's ZOOM with IQ of prime.
RiceHigh 110p · 584 weeks ago
OGL · 584 weeks ago
RiceHigh 110p · 584 weeks ago
fullframeisbetter · 584 weeks ago
phoenix15 · 584 weeks ago
I believe Pentax-Ricoh will have FF this year. Let's wait for CP+, in the mean time, why don't you try K-3 :) ? I don't know if you frequently still visiting PF, but I found really interesting news: check this: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/search.php?sea...
Chris · 584 weeks ago
I believe it was an excellent decision of Ricoh to push the K-3, and to push this lens out. It was also an excellent idea to make the first Limited that is (i) zoom (ii) WR (iii) DC. (BTW, focusing is silent and fast).
Only drawback: the size is about that of the FA31. Well compared to Nikkors and Canons... but who compares to them, huh :-)