Designed for use with Pentax K-mounted full-frame digital SLR cameras, this ultra-wide-angle single-focus lens is the newest model of the Pentax Limited series of lenses, highly acclaimed for their distinctive image rendition and superb exterior design. It is also the first D FA-series lens in the Pentax Limited series lineup, designed to optimize the visual characteristics of digital images. This ultra-wide-angle lens covers the image circle of 35mm full-frame digital SLR cameras. The 21mm ultra-wide-angle focal length, not previously available in the FA Limited series, adds a new perspective of visual expression for the Limited series.

Exclusive Limited-Series Quality

True to the Limited series design concept, this lens was developed to provide a distinctive visual expression. When used for distant subjects such as landscapes, it assures solid, uniform image rendition across the image field. By further closing the aperture down, it delivers sharp, clear, high-resolution images, even at the edges. Its optical characteristics change for close-range photography. At open aperture, it provides a mild bokeh (defocused) effect in the background while capturing the main subject in sharp, crisp focus, allowing you to make the subject stand out against a defocused background, with the exaggerated perspective typical of ultra-wide-angle lenses. At a minimum focusing distance of 18 centimeters, it can create a variety of visual expressions, depending on the subject being captured. The lens barrel, hood and cap are meticulously machined from high-grade aluminum for an attractive appearance and beautiful texture.

Exceptional Optics

The lens optics incorporates four ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass and one Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical element 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 the overall size despite the ultra-wide-angle design, while delivering outstanding imaging performance for sharp, crisp images without fuzziness, even in the peripheral areas. The lens also features Pentax-original HD Coating*. Compared with conventional multi-layer coatings, this high-grade, multi-layer coating reduces the average reflectance in the visible spectrum to less than 50 percent, effectively minimizing flare and ghost images even in demanding lighting conditions such as backlighting.

Electromagnetic Diaphragm Mechanism

This lens incorporates an electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism* to assure high-precision exposure control when used in combination with compatible digital SLR cameras. It assures smooth, worry-free video shooting in locations prone to considerable brightness changes, such as a stage with rapidly changing lighting conditions, or a forest with filtering sun rays.

Dependable Weather-Resistant Construction

This lens features a dependable weather-resistant construction for use in demanding conditions. By pairing it with a Pentax weather-resistant digital SLR camera body, the user can create a highly dependable, airtight digital imaging system that performs superbly even in the most demanding shooting locations — in rain or mist, or at locations prone to splashing water.