Da 40mm f/2.8

Lemkes · 10-24-2010, 04:27 AM

Yes, the choice is indeed complex, but still more inclined to DA 70mm.

**Ahab** · 10-24-2010, 07:49 AM

Originally posted by Lemkes

Yes, the choice is indeed complex, but still more inclined to DA 70mm.

Luv the 40, have a Tamron 90 for the longer end.

JHD · 10-25-2010, 02:16 AM

Originally posted by Ahab

Luv the 40, have a Tamron 90 for the longer end.

Same here and that's why I have no use for the DA 70. I wouldn't give up the Tammy for the DA70 either. It's a great macro.

elp! · 06-21-2011, 06:35 PM

Originally posted by kottier

Love my DA 40, only lens I took with me to Namibia (there were other camera's in the group). If you want examples: MobileMe Gallery.

The color in these photos is amazing. Really makes me want this lens (and a trip to Namibia!)

paperbag846 · 06-21-2011, 06:59 PM

Originally posted by Kirivon

The DA40 is as close to a technically perfect lens that exists. No barrel distortion, limited vignetting, sharp corner to corner at every aperture, almost zero CA's, etc. I've always liked the color, contrast, and bokeh I've seen from examples as well.

I second this - it's a phenomenal lens. Unlike faster lenses, there simply isn't a bad setting, and the autofocus speed is as good as it gets.

I sold mine for an FA 50 because I wanted the speed, but I'm considering jumping back. The DA 40 has killer colour rendition that my FA 50 can't match.

The 40 is a really great normal, but it's a little short for portraits. Beware on that front.

paperbag846 · 06-21-2011, 07:02 PM

Originally posted by Lemkes

And yet it is better to DA 40mm or 70mm?
I want to buy one of these two lenses and has not yet decided which one.

Very different uses. I think the 70 looks the best of all the limiteds, but the 40 is much more versatile. I would buy the 70 if you plan on shooting mostly portraits, and the 40 if you have no idea what you are going to come up against.

mkvlln · 06-21-2011, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by paperbag846

Very different uses. I think the 70 looks the best of all the limiteds, but the 40 is much more versatile. I would buy the 70 if you plan on shooting mostly portraits, and the 40 if you have no idea what you are going to come up against.

good advice!

GeneV · 06-22-2011, 12:27 AM

Originally posted by JHD

Same here and that's why I have no use for the DA 70. I wouldn't give up the Tammy for the DA70 either. It's a great macro.

I would not give up the Tammy, but if I had it I'd be picking up the FA77 rather than the DA70 for portraits. The effect wider open than 2.8 gives it an extra dimension for portraits beyond the excellent all-round DA70. (I have both)

To the original topic, I don't think any bag should be without the DA40. It is sharp, has nice contrast, tiny, light, a useful focal length and not terribly expensive. It can be slipped into all kinds of places in the bag where no other lens will fit.

RonHendriks1966 · 06-22-2011, 12:40 AM

Well the 40 was my first prime to purchase and some lovely pictare can be made with it.

reeftool · 06-22-2011, 07:01 AM

I recently purchased a DA 40. I was looking for a relatively fast AF prime and one turned up in the Marketplace for a very good price. I used it last weekend for some low light, wide open, inside shots in a poorly lit tavern after a softball game and was quite happy with the results. My limited use for other stuff has been very sharp and all one should expect from a Limited. The small size has given me some handling problems because I normally have the lens resting in my left hand some and it's not there. My preference was leaning towards the DA 35 Macro but now that I have this little jewel I will probably hang on to it.

**mattb123** · 06-22-2011, 02:15 PM

I'm another da40 lover. It's probably on my K-x 50% of the time (with the da15 on for 35%). My only complaint about it was the screw on lens cap. Mine is now somewhere in the SE Utah desert but I was able to find cheap clip on alternatives which I prefer for the speed of un-capping. Not as cool as the screw cap but way easier to use.

GeneV · 06-22-2011, 02:45 PM

Originally posted by mattb123

I'm another da40 lover. It's probably on my K-x 50% of the time (with the da15 on for 35%). My only complaint about it was the screw on lens cap. Mine is now somewhere in the SE Utah desert but I was able to find cheap clip on alternatives which I prefer for the speed of un-capping. Not as cool as the screw cap but way easier to use.

The DA40 and K-x were made for each other.

paperbag846 · 06-22-2011, 02:53 PM

Originally posted by GeneV

The DA40 and K-x were made for each other.

When pentax releases a K-mount ASPC evil, I'm going to replace my k20d with it, and buy another DA 40. That would be a match made in heaven!

RioRico · 06-22-2011, 06:21 PM

I'll spoil this love-fest by saying: 40mm does nothing for me. I have a couple 40's (Meyer and Kilfitt) and various zooms that hit 40. Oh sure, they're usable. But the most I've used 40 was with a beat-up M40-80. So 35 and 37 are barely in my visual frame, and 45 ain't bad, but 40? Meh.

[/me prepares for slings and arrows etc]

paperbag846 · 06-22-2011, 07:10 PM

Originally posted by RioRico

I'll spoil this love-fest by saying: 40mm does nothing for me. I have a couple 40's (Meyer and Kilfitt) and various zooms that hit 40. Oh sure, they're usable. But the most I've used 40 was with a beat-up M40-80. So 35 and 37 are barely in my visual frame, and 45 ain't bad, but 40? Meh.

Understandable.. it's just as much a no-mans-land focal length on digital as a 50mm is, which seems to rub a bunch of people the wrong way as well..

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10-24-2010, 04:27 AM	#16
Lemkes New Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Piter Posts: 13	Yes, the choice is indeed complex, but still more inclined to DA 70mm.

10-24-2010, 07:49 AM	#17
Ahab Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arnold, Md. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 762	Originally posted by Lemkes Yes, the choice is indeed complex, but still more inclined to DA 70mm. Luv the 40, have a Tamron 90 for the longer end.

10-25-2010, 02:16 AM	#18
JHD Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,406	Originally posted by Ahab Luv the 40, have a Tamron 90 for the longer end. Same here and that's why I have no use for the DA 70. I wouldn't give up the Tammy for the DA70 either. It's a great macro.

06-21-2011, 06:35 PM	#19
elp! Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Pacific NorthWest Posts: 19	Originally posted by kottier Love my DA 40, only lens I took with me to Namibia (there were other camera's in the group). If you want examples: MobileMe Gallery. The color in these photos is amazing. Really makes me want this lens (and a trip to Namibia!)

06-21-2011, 06:59 PM	#20
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by Kirivon The DA40 is as close to a technically perfect lens that exists. No barrel distortion, limited vignetting, sharp corner to corner at every aperture, almost zero CA's, etc. I've always liked the color, contrast, and bokeh I've seen from examples as well. I second this - it's a phenomenal lens. Unlike faster lenses, there simply isn't a bad setting, and the autofocus speed is as good as it gets. I sold mine for an FA 50 because I wanted the speed, but I'm considering jumping back. The DA 40 has killer colour rendition that my FA 50 can't match. The 40 is a really great normal, but it's a little short for portraits. Beware on that front.

06-21-2011, 07:02 PM	#21
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by Lemkes And yet it is better to DA 40mm or 70mm? I want to buy one of these two lenses and has not yet decided which one. Very different uses. I think the 70 looks the best of all the limiteds, but the 40 is much more versatile. I would buy the 70 if you plan on shooting mostly portraits, and the 40 if you have no idea what you are going to come up against.

06-21-2011, 08:10 PM	#22
mkvlln Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 122	Originally posted by paperbag846 Very different uses. I think the 70 looks the best of all the limiteds, but the 40 is much more versatile. I would buy the 70 if you plan on shooting mostly portraits, and the 40 if you have no idea what you are going to come up against. good advice!

06-22-2011, 12:27 AM	#23
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by JHD Same here and that's why I have no use for the DA 70. I wouldn't give up the Tammy for the DA70 either. It's a great macro. I would not give up the Tammy, but if I had it I'd be picking up the FA77 rather than the DA70 for portraits. The effect wider open than 2.8 gives it an extra dimension for portraits beyond the excellent all-round DA70. (I have both) To the original topic, I don't think any bag should be without the DA40. It is sharp, has nice contrast, tiny, light, a useful focal length and not terribly expensive. It can be slipped into all kinds of places in the bag where no other lens will fit.

06-22-2011, 12:40 AM	#24
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Well the 40 was my first prime to purchase and some lovely pictare can be made with it.

06-22-2011, 07:01 AM	#25
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,553	I recently purchased a DA 40. I was looking for a relatively fast AF prime and one turned up in the Marketplace for a very good price. I used it last weekend for some low light, wide open, inside shots in a poorly lit tavern after a softball game and was quite happy with the results. My limited use for other stuff has been very sharp and all one should expect from a Limited. The small size has given me some handling problems because I normally have the lens resting in my left hand some and it's not there. My preference was leaning towards the DA 35 Macro but now that I have this little jewel I will probably hang on to it.

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06-22-2011, 02:15 PM	#26
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	I'm another da40 lover. It's probably on my K-x 50% of the time (with the da15 on for 35%). My only complaint about it was the screw on lens cap. Mine is now somewhere in the SE Utah desert but I was able to find cheap clip on alternatives which I prefer for the speed of un-capping. Not as cool as the screw cap but way easier to use.

06-22-2011, 02:45 PM	#27
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by mattb123 I'm another da40 lover. It's probably on my K-x 50% of the time (with the da15 on for 35%). My only complaint about it was the screw on lens cap. Mine is now somewhere in the SE Utah desert but I was able to find cheap clip on alternatives which I prefer for the speed of un-capping. Not as cool as the screw cap but way easier to use. The DA40 and K-x were made for each other.

06-22-2011, 02:53 PM	#28
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by GeneV The DA40 and K-x were made for each other. When pentax releases a K-mount ASPC evil, I'm going to replace my k20d with it, and buy another DA 40. That would be a match made in heaven!

06-22-2011, 06:21 PM	#29
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	I'll spoil this love-fest by saying: 40mm does nothing for me. I have a couple 40's (Meyer and Kilfitt) and various zooms that hit 40. Oh sure, they're usable. But the most I've used 40 was with a beat-up M40-80. So 35 and 37 are barely in my visual frame, and 45 ain't bad, but 40? Meh. [/me prepares for slings and arrows etc]

06-22-2011, 07:10 PM	#30
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by RioRico I'll spoil this love-fest by saying: 40mm does nothing for me. I have a couple 40's (Meyer and Kilfitt) and various zooms that hit 40. Oh sure, they're usable. But the most I've used 40 was with a beat-up M40-80. So 35 and 37 are barely in my visual frame, and 45 ain't bad, but 40? Meh. Understandable.. it's just as much a no-mans-land focal length on digital as a 50mm is, which seems to rub a bunch of people the wrong way as well..