HD PENTAX-D FA 21mmF2.4ED Limited DC WR

An ultra-wide-angle snapshot lens that delivers distinctive image renditions in both close-range and distant photography, while creating a natural, beautiful bokeh effect for such subjects as a seashell-covered beach with a background of breaking whitecaps and the faraway horizon

This is the first D FA Limited-series lens featuring a 21mm ultra-wide angle.

When used for distant subjects such as landscapes, it delivers a sharp, clear image across the image field, depicting leaves and branch tips in detail and even expressing the dampness of misty mornings. In close-range photography, it lets you approach the subject to a distance of just seven centimeters from lens front, letting you capture images with exaggerated perspective by taking advantage of its ultra-wide-angle focal length. In close-range photography, it provides a mild bokeh (defocused) effect in the background while capturing the main subject in sharp, crisp focus. Since the background gradually and subtly fades out of focus, the image retains the prevailing ambience of the entire scene. This lens lets you experience the pleasure of photography by changing the imaging characteristics depending on the shooting distance and the selected aperture.

Its optics incorporates four ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and one Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical elements to minimize chromatic aberration and prevent color bleeding, not only in the main in-focus area, but also in the surrounding defocused areas. It also features a large-aperture negative meniscus optical element, a biconvex aspherical glass-mold optical element, and a high-refraction glass optical element in the first lens group, to reduce overall size despite its ultra-wide-angle design, and to deliver outstanding imaging performance for sharp, crisp images without any fuzziness, even in peripheral areas.

The lens was also subjected to a series of image quality assessments to optimize the ambience and rendition of captured images — properties not expressed simply in numerical values.

The exterior design boasts a high-grade texture and a solid appearance made possible by the use of a metallic material. The machined aluminum lens barrel assures the sense of precision; the fine details lead to the impression of reduced size; and the anodized exterior parts* project an image of quality and brilliance. Thanks to these exceptional features, this lens brings greater joy and inspiration to your photography.

Aperture: F2.8,    Shutter speed: 1/20sec,    Exposure compensation: -1EV,    Focal length: 21mm,    White balance: Auto,    ISO sensitivity: 100,    Finishing touch/Custom image: Bright,    Captured by PENTAX K-1 Mark II

Features / Specifications

A top-grade lens with optimized image rendition and fine texture

True to the design concept of the Limited series, this lens was developed with the goal of providing a distinctive visual expression. This could be achieved only by conducting a series of image quality assessments using a great number of captured images, along with various numerical evaluations using measuring instruments. To make the exterior design more attractive, the lens barrel, hood and cap have been meticulously machined to perfection. The lens itself is finished with the utmost attention to texture, including a shippoyaki (cloisonné)-finished mount pointer to enhance the ease of lens mounting.

Varying imaging characteristics based on the selected aperture and subject distance

At infinity, this lens provides uniform image rendition even at the edges, without any trace of fuzziness. At closed-down apertures, it delivers a sharp, clear, high-resolution image over the entire image field. In close-range photography, it produces sharp, crisp images of subjects positioned on the focal plane, with the distant background gradually and subtly fading out of focus. This creates an image in which the subject appears to float against the defocused background, recreating the true-to-life ambience of that particular scene. This lens lets you enjoy the transition of image rendition depending on the selected aperture and the subject’s distance at the time of shooting.

Exceptional optical design to minimize image fuzziness — a problem typical with ultra-wide-angle lenses — even at the edges

By incorporating a large-aperture negative meniscus optical element and a biconvex aspherical glass-mold optical element, this lens assures outstanding image performance for sharp, crisp images without any trace of fuzziness even at the edges. In addition, four ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and one Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical elements help reduce chromatic aberration to a minimum.

HD Coating to improve image description

This lens is treated with the high-grade, multi-layer HD Coating*.
HD Coating is a new-generation, multi-layer lens-coating technology, developed to provide better-quality optical characteristics in a greater number of lens products. It was designed to satisfy the demand for higher lens performance that is required by advances in digital cameras. 
* HD stands for High Definition.

Compared with conventional multi-layer coatings, this PENTAX-original coating assures higher light transmittance and less reflection (less than 50% of conventional coating) to deliver bright, high-contrast images free of flare and ghost images, even under demanding lighting conditions such as backlight.

Aperture: F2.4, Shutter speed: 1/200sec, Exposure compensation: -1.3EV, Focal length: 21mm, White balance: Auto, ISO sensitivity: 400, Finishing touch/Custom image: Bright, Captured by PENTAX K-1 Mark II

Eight-blade circular diaphragm for beautiful light beams and bokeh effect

This lens incorporates a newly designed diaphragm unit with a circular diaphragm, which produces a beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect at open and larger apertures. This unit also features an eight-blade diaphragm mechanism to capture beautiful light beams in nightscape photography.

Internal lens motor for smooth autofocus operation

A DC motor for the autofocus (AF) incorporated within the lens enables smooth autofocus operation. A non-rotating mechanism is also used for locking the focus ring during autofocus so that the lens is held in the same position as manual focus.

*The compatible models are: K-1/K-1 Mark II/K-3 Mark III/ K-3II/K-3/KP/KF/K-S2/K-S1/K-70/K-50/K-30/K-5 II/K-5IIs/K-5/K-01/K-7/K-r/K-x/K-m/K20D/K200D/K10D/K100D Super.
(Depending on the modell, the actual firmware is required)

When mounted on other camera bodies, the focus mode is automatically switched to manual.

Aperture: F2.4, Shutter speed: 1/100sec, Exposure compensation: -0.7EV, Focal length: 21mm, White balance: Auto, ISO sensitivity: 200, Finishing touch/Custom image: Bright, Captured by PENTAX K-1 Mark II

Dependable, airtight weather-resistant construction for use in the rain and mist and at locations prone to water splashes

For use in demanding conditions — such as at waterfronts or in sudden rainfall — the lens features a dependable, weather-resistant construction. The mount section to the camera body and other movable parts, such as the focus ring, are all designed to resist the intrusion of rain and water into the lens interior.

More Features 

• Quick-Shift Focus System
  After focusing using the autofocus, the focus ring can be turned to allow immediate focus adjustment using the manual focus.
  This feature enables smooth operability by eliminating the need for an AF/MF switching operation. This is useful during closeup photography, for instance, when you want to shoot while making fine adjustments to the focus
  
  
• SP (Super Protect) Coating 
  

  SP coating is a PENTAX-original special coating that provides superior performance in repelling water and oils. It is used on the front surface of the first high-performance lens for effective protection of the lens surface. This coating not only prevents adhesion of dust, water drops, oils, and other substances, but it also makes it easy to wipe off objects that adhere to the lens.

Comparison of wipe-off (oil-based ink) 

A lens surface treated with SP Coating can be wiped clean more easily and completely, even after the ink has dried.

Read the Development Story: 

Please find more information about the Lens specification in our lens glossary ... (link)

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Aperture: F2.4,    Shutter speed: 1/200sec,    Exposure compensation: -0.3EV,    Focal length: 21mm,    White balance: Auto,    ISO sensitivity: 200,    Finishing touch/Custom image: Bright,    Captured by PENTAX K-1 Mark II

Aperture: F2.4,    Shutter speed: 1/500sec,    Exposure compensation: -0.7EV,    Focal length: 21mm,    White balance: Auto,    ISO sensitivity: 100,    Finishing touch/Custom image: Bright,    Captured by PENTAX K-1 Mark II