Pentax DA 21987 35mm
Its 124g weight and weather sealing distinguish this Pentax 35mm f/2.4 APS-C prime, which uses Super Protect coating and a fast f/2.4 maximum aperture for a natural perspective. The lens provides a budget-friendly entry to prime shooting, with six elements including an aspherical lens for sharp edge-to-edge resolution and a pleasingly blurred background. It suits Pentax DSLR beginners and travel photographers seeking an ultralight, all-weather wide-angle lens for everyday snapshots.
Snapshot
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q4 2018100/100
Buyers praised the lens for its image quality, color accuracy, and solid construction, finding it a versatile all-purpose option.
- Great image quality and accurate colors
- Solid construction and ease of use
- Versatile focal length for all-purpose shooting
- Good value as a 35mm lens option
- Q1 2012100/100
Buyers in Q1 2012 praised this lens as a sharp, affordable bargain, ideal for those unable to afford higher-end models.
- Excellent value for money, a relative bargain.
- Sharp image quality, often the sharpest lens owned.
- Compact design with excellent image output.
- Some wish for more telephoto reach or higher-end alternatives.
- Q4 201190/100
Buyers praised this lens as cheap, impressive, and versatile for indoor and outdoor use. They were very satisfied with its performance and value.
- Excellent value for money, cheap and impressive.
- Crisp, clear photos in low light and outdoors.
- Highly recommended, buyers would buy again.
- Great all-around lens for general use.
Based on 37 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Prime |
| Focal Length Min | 35 |
| Focal Length Max | 35 |
| Elements | 6 |
| Groups | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| Coating | PENTAX Super Protect (SP) coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.4 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 6 |
Build
| Mount | Pentax K |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | No |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.3 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 49 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 300 |
| Max Magnification | 0.17x |
vs Competition
| Spec | Pentax DA 21987 35mm | Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Sigma Contemporary 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Sony G SELP28135G.SYX | Viltrox Pro AF 27mm f/1.2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 35mm | 17-70mm | 28-70mm | 17-28mm | 28-135mm | 27mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Pentax K | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon Z | Sony E | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | false | false | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 124 | 544 | 470 | 450 | 420 | 560 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | RXD | stepping motor | Stepping Motor | SSM | STM |
| Lens Type | prime | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | prime |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentax DA 21987 35mm | 53.6 | 5.9 | 94.7 | 39 | 42.7 | 19.4 | 30 | 33.8 | 82.1 | 36.8 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.6 | 85.8 | 69.4 | 85.1 | 91.3 | 82.6 | 63.9 | 89.6 | 86.2 | 82.6 |
| Sigma Contemporary 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Compare | 87.2 | 85.8 | 74.5 | 95.1 | 95.6 | 82.6 | 0 | 77.5 | 86.2 | 36.8 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 87.2 | 85.8 | 76 | 85.1 | 88.4 | 82.6 | 91.1 | 68.3 | 71.5 | 36.8 |
| Sony G SELP28135G.SYX Compare | 94.5 | 76.3 | 77.8 | 35.2 | 88.4 | 64.5 | 63.9 | 92.6 | 59.7 | 93.6 |
| Viltrox Pro AF 27mm f/1.2 Compare | 87.2 | 98.7 | 68.2 | 38.5 | 82.6 | 98.5 | 91.1 | 33.8 | 90.3 | 36.8 |
