I stumbled on this in 2024 and have to agree 100%. With my back issues weight limits my carry around. I found on vacation (river and ocean cruises especially) the Limited are great choices. The 20-40 is sharp, beautiful color, and incredibly versatile. I carry it, the 70 limited, and the 50mm macro FA. It’s a lightweight combo and covers all bases.
Aww in his tumultuous on and off relationship it seems Ed is in love with Pentax again....adorable. The 20-40 is an excellent lens, the early website reviewer didn't understand its capabilities (there's virtually zero dissatisfied users, they all love it) The optical formula is so good that you can crank the ISO past 3200 on a K3 and it will produce less noise than even the Sigma 18-35/f1.8( Better T/stops). From my own experience with both lenses in practice although the 20-40 is f2.8-4, because of its ability to perform up to ISO 3200 it makes a stop faster, closing the gap with the Sigma Art 18-35/f1.8 (which shows noise at 1600 ISO on the K3.)
APS-C is good for me I don't need a FF. Why? Higher resolution or narrower depth of field? I think most amateurs don't know why they need a FF they just buy it because some Pros use it. But pros also use Olympus or Fuji and they are not FF. I never noticed a situation where I would need full frame. I just updated to the K3 :)
I just picked up the K-3 to replace my old 20D. I'm not a professional but I use my cam to capture restaurant food and scenery for my Sales job. I also picked this lens up instead of buying into the kit option. What Zoom in the 50-135 or 60-250 range would you recommend that will complement this lens in offering me an equal level of quality, ease of use, and K-3 compatibility?
I started with a ks 1 with the 2 kit lenses and a 50mm prime, 18 months later I'm now a owner of a k 3ii with a 18 to 135mm and this little 20 to 40mm baby on the way, all I'm waiting on is a decent prime at roughly 50 to 70mm, any ideas?
Thanks for the review Ed. Yeah, what is with the other reviews on the 20-40, I never figured that out also. Apart from being a limited I never understood the reason for releasing the 20-40, when the 16-50mm DA* was available. In the end I went with the 16-50 and I am happy.. If you want all limited lens your choice makes a lot of sense.
I got into Pentax k-3 because SR with fast lenses. I have the Sigma 18-35mm 1.8. Which I think is the best lens EVER!! But it's not weather sealed!! This 20-40 lens interests me but how bad is the AF? Is it like a mirrorless camera?
On the topic of Pentax full frame vs aps-c... Sorry to bring up Sony but bear with me... I did some testing with my Sony A7 and Pentax DA 18-55 mkII lens. I don't have a k-mount adapter (yet) but I held the lens with my hand in front of Minolta and Konica adapters and it seems it probably works just fine with full frame sensor, at 30-55mm. At 18mm not so much, at that focal length the vignetting is pretty bad. Of course, I wasn't able to control the aperture so that was f22 or something. More testing needs to be done with this stuff but seems like you may be able to use some Pentax aps-c lenses with full frame.
Ed thanks for this review. I'm not sure why I didn't think of that kit either. I've been thinking about having a three lens kit of the 21mm limited, 43mm limited, and the 70mm limited mostly because I like the face they all have pretty much the sane size body on them. I have to admit though probably the best lens I've ever owned was the 15mm
I figure a top 24-mb sensor like that on the K-3, coupled with top quality glass like the Limited's, and that's all most people will ever need, excepting speciality needs like sports or astro. I know you have now moved over to the old Fuji XPro 1, a regressive step in some ways. How's it working out for you Ed?
Agreed. Once you put your hands on that cool zoom ring, it's almost like addiction. It is on my k3 mostly. Though, I think da 21's got its own color. So for me, I can't really replace 21 with 20-40.
I've been looking for a replacement for my Tamron 17-50 and this might just fit the bill. I'll loose a bit on either end, but that's what I've got feet for. Thanks for the review.
20-40mm makes sense to me. Limited zoom range makes it easier to make the image quality good at all focal ranges and 20mm and 40mm and anything in between are just great for the kind of stuff I shoot. I don't have that Pentax lens but I love my Konica Hexanon 40mm f1.8 and Tamron Adaptamatic 21mm f4... and the several 28mm lenses I have, I just love them to bits....
I looked at the K-1 and decided it was too much camera for me. Then I ended up buying a new K-S2 and the 20-40mm Limited lens. It's a solid combination! I think that Pentax, under the umbrella of Ricoh, have been running a hot streak lately.
Pentax announced the K3 II with pixel shift technology as predicted will find its way on to a Pentax, was expecting this to be on the FF first, plus some additional interesting features. What now? These new features we can only expect will be on the FF, plus more perhaps. So was the release of the K3 II premature, should they have released the FF followed by the K3 II since I assume a lot of us, especially those that own a K3, are going to wait to see what the FF is like.
Sometime I think I'm crazy for investing in pentax stuff in 2021. However I'm a little bored with all the new stuff. Older Fuji stuff is also starting to be sought after. People are looking for sensors with character.
Hi Ed, thanks for the review. The DA 20-40 Limited is an interesting lens, and as you say has had mixed reviews. Sean Reid also recently reviewed the DA 20-40 Limtied (subscription only) and compared it with / considered it the Pentax version of the Leica Tri-Elmar, which is high praise. It is a lens that he also recommends. So I am thinking that the balance of lens reviews for this lens is shifting to favourable. I do a lot of travelling, and your review along Sean's has now tipped me to work toward purchasing this lens. The DA*16-50 which I own is also a good lens (and WR) but heavy enough that it doesn't count as a 'light' travel kit. I usually travel with the DA 55-300 WR which gives reach where you need it - with an acceptable balance of IQ and weight for a long zoom, and combined with the DA 20-40 Limited and say the DA15 makes for a very nice, light, WR for the zooms, cover all focal lengths 3 lens travel kit. Thank you for taking the time to make this review - I have found it really helpful.
I found the Pentax 20-40 color seems really washed out, and from centre out it’s very soft, compared to the Tamron 17-50 that is. Still going to use it though as it’s really light compared to the Tammi, and I’ll see how things go. Very interesting to hear your thoughts.
@@PHOTOUNIVERSE-wj6cc Thanks for info - I'm very much inspired by your videos. I actually engaged my "brain", did things differently, and got some smashing photos at the beginning of the week, so it pays to have a bit of a think.
Seems a little odd but would be a great indoor reportage lens. It gathers up roughly a 28mm a, 35mm and a 55mm. Those iconic focal lengths are great for environmental portraits and natural perspective shots. All without swapping glass on and off. Counterintuitive, unless you stop to think how great reportage shots look. Beyond that the 15mm would be a 24mm and the 70mm would be a 105mm portrait lens or a 50mm as a short portrait lens. That's like a classic Pentax SV or a Leica M3 reporters outfit in three lenses!
This is one lens that they are going to have to pry from my hands when I croak. Now if Pentax can make lenses this good in that size, why couldn't they offer something similar in the 50-85mm range ? Instead they went the way of Canon and Nikon who love to build these Behemoth lenses that one can barely carry or fit in their bag. This lens is not only solid, it's very light. All metal and the coating is amazing. After reading the review on Pentax Forums, tested this lens against a calendar on the wall. I could not reproduce the softness Pentax forum was talking about. Maybe they got a bad copy ? This lens is sharp, quiet and produces beautiful pictures. It is relatively fast too, although there are faster lenses mostly primes. I get a lot of ooh and ahs when carrying this lens. Just the size of it is what got me impressed. Forget the Pixel peeping and wall charts, if you want a nice walk around lens this is it ! Combine this with a lens with farther reach and you got a convenient 2 lens walk-around package.
Seems if you're already heavily invested in Pentax lenses and are not at professional level, this may not be for you; I've already got f/2.8 with my 40mm Pancake at the top end; f/4 just isn't good enough. I've got 18mm down to f/3.5 with my 18-250; that's only half a stop slower than the 20-40 zoomed out, with a slightly wider low end and the IQ is _good enough for what I do_. Why, then, should I buy this? (Rhetorical question.) OTOH if you're building your system from scratch, that's a very different kettle of fish - at one end, you can put the 21mm f/3.2 back on the shelf; at the other, you can similarly put back the 40mm f/2.8 pancake _if_ you don't mind losing that one stop of light. Somewhere in the middle, the 35mm lenses (the f/2.8 macro and the f/2.4 not-limited) likewise go by the wayside if you don't mind a slightly slower lens (the 31mm f/1.8 is in a different class) or you don't need a specific macro capability. There's your stack of primes IF you don't mind sacrificing speed, and you can sit down and think about something for the long end (e.g. that 70mm Limited, or a standard-to-long-tele zoom if you really need it).
Hi there, I know I've asked before but I do hope you create a video on what you found frustrating about the Fuji system ? Even Zack Arias has had some issues but trying to find what he really thinks about the frustrations I cannot find ( I'm guessing he doesn't want Fuji to see it ). As I've also said before I know you will be 100 % honest. One issue I do know is true is that you have to dig deep into the X-T1 menu to access the HIGH PERFORMANCE MODE to enable the autofocus system to perform at optimum level, which I think is totally unacceptable as a camera on this level and price point should perform properly straight from the box and I know there a some more issues with the cameras in general. You certainly know your craft and look forward to any feed back you have on the Fuji system, by for now and good health to you sir...........
"Pentax is doomed! > Here have a limited lens, you are not yourself when you don't have lenses. Better? > Better. Maybe Pentax will be ok" In all seriousness though, it's interesting you prefer the 20-40 over the 17-50. Makes me want to check out the limited zoom. Not that there is a retailer around to let me actually do it.
I have a 18-35 1.8 sigma lens and a sigma 70-200 2.8 . I have been playing around with cropping photos from the 18-35 to the same zoom length of the 70-200 .and comparing the photos. This is how sharp the 18-35 mm lens is . I can set the 18-35 on 35mm and crop it to the same size as the 200 mm setting on the 70-200 . You really have to pixel peep at high zoom on the computer to be able to tell which lens was used . I set up a tripod and took some photos of a brick house about 70 yards away and the bricks looked just as good from the 18-35 cropped as they did with the 70-200 set at 200mm. . If a photo can look just as sharp when its cropped all the way up to 200mm view there is no reason to carry other lens for every day walk around shots .
Ed, I'm a loyal viewer to your youtube channel and would like to ask a favor. Along with this review, you've also reviewed the 15mm limited and 21mm limited. With the Pentax K-1 (or whatever they call it) looming on the full frame horizon I'm sure we'll see interest in the 31, 43, and 77 peak, since they are FF lenses. I know you've owned the 43 and 77, since you've shown them in some of your earlier videos. If you wouldn't mind, I'd love to see you review the FA limiteds. So much has been said about them on pentaxforums.com, but I'd love to hear your views on them.
I just completed detailed comparisons of my 20-40mm lens to my 31mm ltd lens. While the 20-40 is very very good, it is clearly a notch or two below the 31mm ltd lens. You are either kidding yourself or you have not done critical, tripod mounted comparisons of the two lenses if you say that the 20-40 is as good as the 31mm lens. It flat out IS NOT!
I stumbled on this in 2024 and have to agree 100%. With my back issues weight limits my carry around. I found on vacation (river and ocean cruises especially) the Limited are great choices. The 20-40 is sharp, beautiful color, and incredibly versatile. I carry it, the 70 limited, and the 50mm macro FA. It’s a lightweight combo and covers all bases.
Ed, you are funny juggling and dropping those boxes. Made me smile while considering your thoughts.
Aww in his tumultuous on and off relationship it seems Ed is in love with Pentax again....adorable.
The 20-40 is an excellent lens, the early website reviewer didn't understand its capabilities (there's virtually zero dissatisfied users, they all love it) The optical formula is so good that you can crank the ISO past 3200 on a K3 and it will produce less noise than even the Sigma 18-35/f1.8( Better T/stops). From my own experience with both lenses in practice although the 20-40 is f2.8-4, because of its ability to perform up to ISO 3200 it makes a stop faster, closing the gap with the Sigma Art 18-35/f1.8 (which shows noise at 1600 ISO on the K3.)
APS-C is good for me I don't need a FF. Why? Higher resolution or narrower depth of field? I think most amateurs don't know why they need a FF they just buy it because some Pros use it. But pros also use Olympus or Fuji and they are not FF. I never noticed a situation where I would need full frame. I just updated to the K3 :)
I just picked up the K-3 to replace my old 20D. I'm not a professional but I use my cam to capture restaurant food and scenery for my Sales job. I also picked this lens up instead of buying into the kit option. What Zoom in the 50-135 or 60-250 range would you recommend that will complement this lens in offering me an equal level of quality, ease of use, and K-3 compatibility?
I started with a ks 1 with the 2 kit lenses and a 50mm prime, 18 months later I'm now a owner of a k 3ii with a 18 to 135mm and this little 20 to 40mm baby on the way, all I'm waiting on is a decent prime at roughly 50 to 70mm, any ideas?
Although not as fast, wondering if the 16-85 makes more sense.
Thanks for the review Ed.
Yeah, what is with the other reviews on the 20-40, I never figured that out also.
Apart from being a limited I never understood the reason for releasing the 20-40, when the 16-50mm DA* was available. In the end I went with the 16-50 and I am happy..
If you want all limited lens your choice makes a lot of sense.
I got into Pentax k-3 because SR with fast lenses. I have the Sigma 18-35mm 1.8. Which I think is the best lens EVER!! But it's not weather sealed!! This 20-40 lens interests me but how bad is the AF? Is it like a mirrorless camera?
On the topic of Pentax full frame vs aps-c... Sorry to bring up Sony but bear with me... I did some testing with my Sony A7 and Pentax DA 18-55 mkII lens. I don't have a k-mount adapter (yet) but I held the lens with my hand in front of Minolta and Konica adapters and it seems it probably works just fine with full frame sensor, at 30-55mm. At 18mm not so much, at that focal length the vignetting is pretty bad. Of course, I wasn't able to control the aperture so that was f22 or something. More testing needs to be done with this stuff but seems like you may be able to use some Pentax aps-c lenses with full frame.
Is the 20 -40 limited really as good as the 31 limited because I was going to buy the 31 43 I have 77 limited and it a beast
Ed thanks for this review. I'm not sure why I didn't think of that kit either. I've been thinking about having a three lens kit of the 21mm limited, 43mm limited, and the 70mm limited mostly because I like the face they all have pretty much the sane size body on them. I have to admit though probably the best lens I've ever owned was the 15mm
Ed, I'm seriously considering purchasing the 77 1.8 Any chance you might upload a review of it? Thanks in advance.
I figure a top 24-mb sensor like that on the K-3, coupled with top quality glass like the Limited's, and that's all most people will ever need, excepting speciality needs like sports or astro. I know you have now moved over to the old Fuji XPro 1, a regressive step in some ways. How's it working out for you Ed?
What type of camera bag is the green bag in your video?
Hi Ed, thanks for your excellent videos. Would you be so kind as to do a Canon 7D mk 2 review. Thanks.
Hey Ed, have you returned the limiteds yet? Or are they keepers?
Agreed. Once you put your hands on that cool zoom ring, it's almost like addiction. It is on my k3 mostly. Though, I think da 21's got its own color. So for me, I can't really replace 21 with 20-40.
I've been looking for a replacement for my Tamron 17-50 and this might just fit the bill. I'll loose a bit on either end, but that's what I've got feet for. Thanks for the review.
20-40mm makes sense to me. Limited zoom range makes it easier to make the image quality good at all focal ranges and 20mm and 40mm and anything in between are just great for the kind of stuff I shoot. I don't have that Pentax lens but I love my Konica Hexanon 40mm f1.8 and Tamron Adaptamatic 21mm f4... and the several 28mm lenses I have, I just love them to bits....
I looked at the K-1 and decided it was too much camera for me. Then I ended up buying a new K-S2 and the 20-40mm Limited lens. It's a solid combination! I think that Pentax, under the umbrella of Ricoh, have been running a hot streak lately.
Enjoyed the review, good to see you've come round from that review on Pentax marketing. You have voted with your wallet, well done!
Hi. Can you give us a lens update? Cheers
I''m not sure what you mean about, getting a good copy. What, are there bad copies out there? How does that happen?
When are you going to review the Metz AF64?
Pentax announced the K3 II with pixel shift technology as predicted will find its way on to a Pentax, was expecting this to be on the FF first, plus some additional interesting features.
What now? These new features we can only expect will be on the FF, plus more perhaps.
So was the release of the K3 II premature, should they have released the FF followed by the K3 II since I assume a lot of us, especially those that own a K3, are going to wait to see what the FF is like.
Sometime I think I'm crazy for investing in pentax stuff in 2021. However I'm a little bored with all the new stuff. Older Fuji stuff is also starting to be sought after. People are looking for sensors with character.
Hi Ed, thanks for the review. The DA 20-40 Limited is an interesting lens, and as you say has had mixed reviews. Sean Reid also recently reviewed the DA 20-40 Limtied (subscription only) and compared it with / considered it the Pentax version of the Leica Tri-Elmar, which is high praise. It is a lens that he also recommends. So I am thinking that the balance of lens reviews for this lens is shifting to favourable.
I do a lot of travelling, and your review along Sean's has now tipped me to work toward purchasing this lens. The DA*16-50 which I own is also a good lens (and WR) but heavy enough that it doesn't count as a 'light' travel kit.
I usually travel with the DA 55-300 WR which gives reach where you need it - with an acceptable balance of IQ and weight for a long zoom, and combined with the DA 20-40 Limited and say the DA15 makes for a very nice, light, WR for the zooms, cover all focal lengths 3 lens travel kit.
Thank you for taking the time to make this review - I have found it really helpful.
I found the Pentax 20-40 color seems really washed out, and from centre out it’s very soft, compared to the Tamron 17-50 that is. Still going to use it though as it’s really light compared to the Tammi, and I’ll see how things go. Very interesting to hear your thoughts.
@@PHOTOUNIVERSE-wj6cc Thanks for info - I'm very much inspired by your videos. I actually engaged my "brain", did things differently, and got some smashing photos at the beginning of the week, so it pays to have a bit of a think.
Seems a little odd but would be a great indoor reportage lens. It gathers up roughly a 28mm a, 35mm and a 55mm. Those iconic focal lengths are great for environmental portraits and natural perspective shots. All without swapping glass on and off. Counterintuitive, unless you stop to think how great reportage shots look. Beyond that the 15mm would be a 24mm and the 70mm would be a 105mm portrait lens or a 50mm as a short portrait lens.
That's like a classic Pentax SV or a Leica M3 reporters outfit in three lenses!
K3 II.. shifting. well that is something.... actually a surprise for me.. nice surprise..
This is one lens that they are going to have to pry from my hands when I croak. Now if Pentax can make lenses this good in that size, why couldn't they offer something similar in the 50-85mm range ? Instead they went the way of Canon and Nikon who love to build these Behemoth lenses that one can barely carry or fit in their bag. This lens is not only solid, it's very light. All metal and the coating is amazing. After reading the review on Pentax Forums, tested this lens against a calendar on the wall. I could not reproduce the softness Pentax forum was talking about. Maybe they got a bad copy ? This lens is sharp, quiet and produces beautiful pictures. It is relatively fast too, although there are faster lenses mostly primes. I get a lot of ooh and ahs when carrying this lens. Just the size of it is what got me impressed. Forget the Pixel peeping and wall charts, if you want a nice walk around lens this is it ! Combine this with a lens with farther reach and you got a convenient 2 lens walk-around package.
I appreciate your views. This lens may replace my 17-50 2.8.
unless size is the most important thing to you I see little point to this lens, the 16-50 has more range, a constant aperture and cheaper
Nice work again Ed...I still think youre missing your Fuji's though. ;-)
how about the 16-45mm? ever used it? It is a bit of a tank
+Joe blow I have one, it's image quality is somewhat better or on par with the DA* 16-50, just not as fast. It's one of my favourite lens.
Seems if you're already heavily invested in Pentax lenses and are not at professional level, this may not be for you; I've already got f/2.8 with my 40mm Pancake at the top end; f/4 just isn't good enough. I've got 18mm down to f/3.5 with my 18-250; that's only half a stop slower than the 20-40 zoomed out, with a slightly wider low end and the IQ is _good enough for what I do_. Why, then, should I buy this? (Rhetorical question.)
OTOH if you're building your system from scratch, that's a very different kettle of fish - at one end, you can put the 21mm f/3.2 back on the shelf; at the other, you can similarly put back the 40mm f/2.8 pancake _if_ you don't mind losing that one stop of light. Somewhere in the middle, the 35mm lenses (the f/2.8 macro and the f/2.4 not-limited) likewise go by the wayside if you don't mind a slightly slower lens (the 31mm f/1.8 is in a different class) or you don't need a specific macro capability. There's your stack of primes IF you don't mind sacrificing speed, and you can sit down and think about something for the long end (e.g. that 70mm Limited, or a standard-to-long-tele zoom if you really need it).
Hi there, I know I've asked before but I do hope you create a video on what you found frustrating about the Fuji system ? Even Zack Arias has had some issues but trying to find what he really thinks about the frustrations I cannot find ( I'm guessing he doesn't want Fuji to see it ). As I've also said before I know you will be 100 % honest. One issue I do know is true is that you have to dig deep into the X-T1 menu to access the HIGH PERFORMANCE MODE to enable the autofocus system to perform at optimum level, which I think is totally unacceptable as a camera on this level and price point should perform properly straight from the box and I know there a some more issues with the cameras in general. You certainly know your craft and look forward to any feed back you have on the Fuji system, by for now and good health to you sir...........
"Pentax is doomed! > Here have a limited lens, you are not yourself when you don't have lenses. Better? > Better. Maybe Pentax will be ok"
In all seriousness though, it's interesting you prefer the 20-40 over the 17-50. Makes me want to check out the limited zoom. Not that there is a retailer around to let me actually do it.
I have a 18-35 1.8 sigma lens and a sigma 70-200 2.8 . I have been playing around with cropping photos from the 18-35 to the same zoom length of the 70-200 .and comparing the photos. This is how sharp the 18-35 mm lens is . I can set the 18-35 on 35mm and crop it to the same size as the 200 mm setting on the 70-200 . You really have to pixel peep at high zoom on the computer to be able to tell which lens was used . I set up a tripod and took some photos of a brick house about 70 yards away and the bricks looked just as good from the 18-35 cropped as they did with the 70-200 set at 200mm. . If a photo can look just as sharp when its cropped all the way up to 200mm view there is no reason to carry other lens for every day walk around shots .
Ed, I'm a loyal viewer to your youtube channel and would like to ask a favor. Along with this review, you've also reviewed the 15mm limited and 21mm limited. With the Pentax K-1 (or whatever they call it) looming on the full frame horizon I'm sure we'll see interest in the 31, 43, and 77 peak, since they are FF lenses. I know you've owned the 43 and 77, since you've shown them in some of your earlier videos. If you wouldn't mind, I'd love to see you review the FA limiteds. So much has been said about them on pentaxforums.com, but I'd love to hear your views on them.
good boxes i mean nice review
I just completed detailed comparisons of my 20-40mm lens to my 31mm ltd lens. While the 20-40 is very very good, it is clearly a notch or two below the 31mm ltd lens. You are either kidding yourself or you have not done critical, tripod mounted comparisons of the two lenses if you say that the 20-40 is as good as the 31mm lens. It flat out IS NOT!
You are full of it. I have up after 9 minutes of bs, without talking about the 20-40 for one second. Never again.
Stick to the subject man. The US dollar has nothing to do with a 20-40mm lens.
go pound some sand