[henryjing]

DAL 35 better view-angle larger apeture cheaper

[wlachan]

I love well made metal lenses, but practically, I feel 35mm is more useful on aps-c.

[SpecialK]

I got the 40 rather than the 35 because Gene really liked it, it's the smallest DA Limited, and it doubles the 21 focal length which fits my rule of primes. Of course the 70 doubles the 35, but I was working from the bottom up. :-)

[ElJamoquio]

the "WiFe 1.0" seems to be slowing the LBA down.

For me it may be the opposite. Mrs. ElJamoquio just bought a Pentax and now I don't seem to own a 35mm Macro any more.

[simonkit]

I currently own the DA 35mm F2.4 and my initial impressions are that it's very good, nice colour/contrast and pretty sharp - I also previously owned the 40mm pancake and would say that it produced slightly sharper shots than the 35mm, perhaps colour/contrast were slightly nicer too although it's a pretty close thing I think. Personally I find the 35mm a more convenient size, the panacke was a little "fiddly" for me.

The main difference for me though is that despite there being seemingly little difference between 40mm and 35mm I find the latter much more convenient to use indoors, which is the main reason I have the lens, the 35mm is slightly faster too

Simon

[GeneV]

I got the 40 rather than the 35 because Gene really liked it, it's the smallest DA Limited, and it doubles the 21 focal length which fits my rule of primes. Of course the 70 doubles the 35, but I was working from the bottom up. :-)

You won't be unhappy.

[bassek]

This was not easy. Too many votes for the DA35. I guess I have to go and try it.

The lens of the week was the M135 f3.5 in the original box. Almost mint.
The lens of next week was supposed to be the F35-70 but I missed it by half an hour. For the WiFe to take flower pics in garden. The M's are too complicated for her.

I guess the F or FA 28 could be an option, I have not seen many offered lately. I seem to take a lot of pics with the kit lens in the range below 30mm.

But I guess I have to take the M135 for a stroll when the temperature is above zero F. This morning it was -18F / -28C.

Seb

[twitch]

If you buy the DA40 are you going to latter wish you bought the DAL35? I doubt it, the 40 is all metal and glass and likely to last.

If IQ is essentialy a wash, then go for build quality. 1 year down the track you won't be second guessing yourself.

But of couse if you buy the FA31 would you give either of those lenses even a passing thought?

[Metalwizards]

I just pulled the trigger on the 40 after considering the two for a while. Ultimately sounds like the 40mm has better over all iq and I love the small form factor and solid construction. I think either are great options though. Time for pentax to make an all plastic fast 50...

[shadmanaj]

I was going to open a thread for this specific "issue". :-D Can anyone post DA4o and DA35L portrait samples? And what are fair prices for these lenses, new or used? Any chance the 35mm will decrease in price???

[paperbag846]

Just a unicorn here.

DA 40 disadvantages are simply - slow maximum aperture. If you like shooting your 50 below f2.8 often, the 40 might frustrate you. Luckily the 40 is very good wide open, unlike most faster lenses.

If you opt for it (and I actually think it might make more sense to go with the 35 since you own a 50), but it used. I was originally planning on buying the 35 when it came out. I realized that 220 + shipping and tax was coming dangerously close to the price of the 40 used (270-300)... that might be something to consider.

[dcmsox2004]

i'd gotten the new dal 35mm f2.4 a while back... thought the preliminary results were good, nice color rendition, pretty sharp.... just 'tripped' over a 40mm f2.8, at a good price.... looking forward to using this and updating this thread.... seems the biggest difference in forum reviews is that the 40mm seems to yield a 3-d like effect..... can't wait to give it a test ride asap........
dave m..