Pentax has pulled the covers off its newest lens and the HD PENTAX-D FA 21mm F2.4ED Limited DC WR is set to be a firm favourite with fans of the brand’s Limited range of optics. The lens is designed for use on full-frame K-mount DSLRs such as the robust, 36-megapixel Pentax K-1 Mark II.
When paired with one of Pentax’s APS-C crop-sensor DSLRs such as the K-3 Mark III the focal length switches up to 32mm, making this lens an excellent choice for everything from landscapes and wedding photography to wider-angle portraiture work and street photography.
Pentax’s Limited lenses carry a rich heritage and include premium features such as a machined aluminium lens barrel. The 21mm F2.4ED Limited DC WR, which is the first D FA Limited-series lens featuring a 21mm ultra-wide angle, is available in black or silver colour designs and is weather resistant.
The ‘11 elements in 8 groups’ construction includes four ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and one Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical elements to minimise chromatic aberration and prevent colour bleeding, along with a a large-aperture negative meniscus optical element, a biconvex aspherical glass-mold optical element, and a high-refraction glass optical element so there is a big emphasis on high image quality.
With a fast maximum aperture of f/2.4, the lens will not only enable sharp images in low light conditions, but will also deliver impressive bokeh thanks to a rounded diaphragm – both highly desirable features for street photographers in particular. The lens tips the scales at 416g, so won’t weigh you down and measures just 74x89mm.
With a closest focusing distance of only 18cm, users of the 21mm F2.4ED Limited DC WR will be able to capture frame-filling shots of smaller subjects and other features include a build-in DC motor along with Pentax’s Quick-Shift Focus System for instant shift to the manual-focus mode.
