DA40mm difficult to handle

kevinschoenmakers · 11-11-2010, 09:01 AM

I think this page is not aimed at people who know what's what. We're simply not the target audience here.

kittykat46 · 11-11-2010, 09:37 AM

The DA 40 Limited is a gem of a lens that's either mounted on my camera or always close at hand in the camera bag.....I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

The only area which I could think of as a bit "difficult" is manual focus, because of the limited focus throw and the narrow focus ring - its a really compact pancake, after all.
I use it almost exclusively with AF.

Parallax · 11-11-2010, 09:55 AM - **1 Like**

to the Lens forum.

Frank B · 11-11-2010, 06:00 PM

I would have thought that the more advanced a user was the more likely they could deal with any particular lens shortcomings.

As for the DA40 - it's a great lens. Manual focus is not really all that bad (considering that it's an AF lens and considering the focusing screens on our dSLR's). If you want manual focus most of the time there are others lenses to consider. I actually really like the quick shift focus feature (or whatever it is called).

Adam · 11-11-2010, 06:07 PM

There isn't must left to hold when you're using the 40mm- so people who are comfortable with/used to larger lenses could see the da pancake as simply too small!

Originally posted by kevinschoenmakers

I think this page is not aimed at people who know what's what. We're simply not the target audience here.

Yeah- that page is for people who haven't had much experience with the Pentax system or photography in general.

Nick Siebers · 11-11-2010, 09:49 PM

I've used mine on my super program - works fine! Thank goodness I am not too advanced.

r0ckstarr · 11-12-2010, 05:06 AM

I've never had any problems with the DA40.

**Rondec** · 11-12-2010, 05:35 AM

I think it is clear that you all are intermediate photographers. Someday you will be able to see clearly what this reviewer is talking about.

GeneV · 11-12-2010, 05:45 AM

One minor issue with the DA40 that is not mentioned is that it is one of the chirpier lenses while autofocusing. (A reason why you need to fiddle with that thin focus ring) Its sound from my camera drew all eyes at an outdoor wedding a couple of years ago, and I promptly sought the DA17-70 with SDM for the next wedding.

trevorgrout · 11-12-2010, 07:06 AM

I am a 'beginner' and I absolutely love the da 40. Some of the pictures I have taken with that lens are absolutely amazing. It is a great walk around lens.

greymda · 11-12-2010, 07:14 AM

btw, what's the use-case of the DA40 in your case?

philippe · 11-12-2010, 07:31 AM

Originally posted by GeneV

One minor issue with the DA40 that is not mentioned is that it is one of the chirpier lenses while autofocusing. (A reason why you need to fiddle with that thin focus ring) Its sound from my camera drew all eyes at an outdoor wedding a couple of years ago, and I promptly sought the DA17-70 with SDM for the next wedding.

All the sudden, I had that noisy problem too, but with a DA 21mm, send it in for repair and all was good again.

**Michaelina2** · 11-12-2010, 07:32 AM

Originally posted by Adam

There isn't must left to hold when you're using the 40mm- so people who are comfortable with/used to larger lenses could see the da pancake as simply too small!

Yeah- that page is for people who haven't had much experience with the Pentax system or photography in general.

To be fair, why don't you change the write-up to just say something like this...?

"There isn't must left to hold when you're using the 40mm- so people who are comfortable with/used to larger lenses sometimes need to adjust the way they hold their camera to get the best results."

I do and it works fine for me.

Cheers...

11-11-2010, 06:07 PM	#20
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	There isn't must left to hold when you're using the 40mm- so people who are comfortable with/used to larger lenses could see the da pancake as simply too small! Originally posted by kevinschoenmakers I think this page is not aimed at people who know what's what. We're simply not the target audience here. Yeah- that page is for people who haven't had much experience with the Pentax system or photography in general. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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11-11-2010, 09:01 AM	#16
kevinschoenmakers Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shanghai Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,509	I think this page is not aimed at people who know what's what. We're simply not the target audience here.

11-11-2010, 09:37 AM	#17
kittykat46 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 923	The DA 40 Limited is a gem of a lens that's either mounted on my camera or always close at hand in the camera bag.....I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone. The only area which I could think of as a bit "difficult" is manual focus, because of the limited focus throw and the narrow focus ring - its a really compact pancake, after all. I use it almost exclusively with AF.

11-11-2010, 09:55 AM - 1 Like	#18
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	to the Lens forum.

11-11-2010, 06:00 PM	#19
Frank B Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 149	I would have thought that the more advanced a user was the more likely they could deal with any particular lens shortcomings. As for the DA40 - it's a great lens. Manual focus is not really all that bad (considering that it's an AF lens and considering the focusing screens on our dSLR's). If you want manual focus most of the time there are others lenses to consider. I actually really like the quick shift focus feature (or whatever it is called).

11-11-2010, 09:49 PM	#21
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	I've used mine on my super program - works fine! Thank goodness I am not too advanced.

11-12-2010, 05:06 AM	#22
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	I've never had any problems with the DA40.

11-12-2010, 05:35 AM	#23
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,662	I think it is clear that you all are intermediate photographers. Someday you will be able to see clearly what this reviewer is talking about.

11-12-2010, 05:45 AM	#24
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	One minor issue with the DA40 that is not mentioned is that it is one of the chirpier lenses while autofocusing. (A reason why you need to fiddle with that thin focus ring) Its sound from my camera drew all eyes at an outdoor wedding a couple of years ago, and I promptly sought the DA17-70 with SDM for the next wedding.

11-12-2010, 07:06 AM	#25
trevorgrout Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Albums Posts: 105	I am a 'beginner' and I absolutely love the da 40. Some of the pictures I have taken with that lens are absolutely amazing. It is a great walk around lens.

11-12-2010, 07:14 AM	#26
greymda Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Moldova, EU Posts: 150	btw, what's the use-case of the DA40 in your case?

11-12-2010, 07:31 AM	#27
philippe Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Flanders Fields Posts: 463	Originally posted by GeneV One minor issue with the DA40 that is not mentioned is that it is one of the chirpier lenses while autofocusing. (A reason why you need to fiddle with that thin focus ring) Its sound from my camera drew all eyes at an outdoor wedding a couple of years ago, and I promptly sought the DA17-70 with SDM for the next wedding. All the sudden, I had that noisy problem too, but with a DA 21mm, send it in for repair and all was good again.

11-12-2010, 07:32 AM	#28
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,302	Originally posted by Adam There isn't must left to hold when you're using the 40mm- so people who are comfortable with/used to larger lenses could see the da pancake as simply too small! Yeah- that page is for people who haven't had much experience with the Pentax system or photography in general. To be fair, why don't you change the write-up to just say something like this...? "There isn't must left to hold when you're using the 40mm- so people who are comfortable with/used to larger lenses sometimes need to adjust the way they hold their camera to get the best results." I do and it works fine for me. Cheers...