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03-17-2011, 08:31 AM   #1
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Do I need the 40MM???

I have the FA35 as well as a 50 1.4 and the DA70. I keep looking at the 40MM but I'm not sure if I really "need" it vice want it in my kit. Any advice?

03-17-2011, 08:38 AM   #2
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Logically speaking, it's about a step closer than the 35, so how much is taking one step worth to you
But of course you both need it and want it as these are so cute!

(Just this weekend I nearly bought a Rokkor 35/2.8 until I remembered my one Rokkor is the 40/2. I put the 35 down and got a sb-28 flash instead. In the Minolta world, I'm trying to keep myself to the minimum, and would buy a 58mm to go with the 40, and hope I won't end up picking up a 50)
03-17-2011, 08:48 AM   #3
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I'd probably let it go. There's probably nothing your DA40mm can do that can't be nearly replicated by stopping down the FA35 or FA50 to 2.8.

When I bought a DA40, I was enamored by its solid output and cute size (but in all honestly, shaving a few ounces off already small, light primes is not a real selling point for me, imho)
03-17-2011, 08:52 AM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by MShawn63 Quote
I have the FA35 as well as a 50 1.4 and the DA70. I keep looking at the 40MM but I'm not sure if I really "need" it vice want it in my kit. Any advice?
Seeing as you have a bit of duplication already, it makes no sense. However, that should not stop you from buying it :-)

03-17-2011, 08:54 AM   #5
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if you have to ask the question the answer is no, (and congratulations on avoiding LBA)
In reality the one step thing is true. the differences in perspective distortion between 35-40 are too negligible i would think as well. Now buying it for the size to use as a more stealthy lens for Street Photography may well change the answer to yes
if you had a 31 and a 50 i would say yes as the perspective difference is great enough to be noticeable
03-17-2011, 08:56 AM   #6
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Yes, of course you need a 40. And a 37, a 43, a 45, and probably a 31 also. We can't have any gaps in our lineups now, can we? So be sure to have a 50, a 55, a 58... but wait, there's a big gap between 58 and 70! What to do, what to do?!?!? Even a 31 on 2x TC leaves a hole! We must DEMAND that Pentax release a 66/2 immediately!!

I'm in a personal quandary. That big gap from my Schneider 60 to my Industar 75, another gap at 95, and a hole between 28 and 35 -- gotta get a 29, a 30, a 31. And I lost my 25, gotta get another. Down at the wide end, I only have a 12, a 16, a 21, and some 24's. So I need a 14, a 15, an 18, a 20, etc. My kit is just so incomplete. 200 lenses ain't enough -- I want MORE! MORE GLASS!! MORE GLASS!!
03-17-2011, 08:57 AM   #7
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Get a wider prime instead.

03-17-2011, 08:59 AM   #8
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Thanks for the feedback. As with anyone else the budget for my toys is limited so I really have to think about what I spend and what to buy. Now I can let this go and think about trading in the 50-135 for the Sigma 70-210.
03-17-2011, 09:01 AM   #9
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Rio you remind me of the presenter at a seminar I attended last year. He told everyone when it comes to glass you need them ALL, so morgage the house and tell the spouse of the absolute necessity to sanity and quality of life to have that much glass.
03-17-2011, 09:09 AM   #10
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I won't tell your wife but the answer is NO, you don't.
Buy a wide prime like 28/2.0 instead.
03-17-2011, 11:03 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by MShawn63 Quote
Rio you remind me of the presenter at a seminar I attended last year. He told everyone when it comes to glass you need them ALL, so morgage the house and tell the spouse of the absolute necessity to sanity and quality of life to have that much glass.
Have I mentioned that most of my glass is cheap? Mostly cheap old manual primes. Out of 200+ lenses I have one (1) autofocus prime (FA50/1.4), 8 AF zooms, 13 manual zooms (3 to be sold), and the rest all manual primes. Average cost of my AF's: US$327 each. Of the MF's: US$19 each. So AF capability adds over THREE HUNDRED BUCKS to each lens' cost. Yow. "Holy monopoly, Batman! This stuff is expensive!"

My 40mm lens? It's cheap and slow and sharp and tiny, a Meyer Helioplan 40/4.5 that cost all of $12.55 shipped. It nestles in between a Mir-1 BV 37/2.8 ($36) and a few 35's (including a great SuperTak 35/3.5, $24) and a Chinon 45/2.8 ($13.75).

See, no second (or third) mortgage is needed. No diversion of house funds, either. I have absolutely no discretionary income now, so I eBuy batches of old camera gear and resell them for enough profit to pay for more old camera gear, including some great lens deals. All it takes is patience and free time. My time is worthless anyway. Shall I brag about the CZJ Biotar 58/2 I bought yesterday for US$25 shipped? [/me gloats]

Back to the original question: Why ask US? You've got an 18-55 and a 28-105, among others. Shoot. Keep track of focal lengths. If you shoot around 40mm a lot, then buy a 40. If not, then don't. Simple, eh?

Last edited by RioRico; 03-17-2011 at 11:14 AM.
03-17-2011, 11:10 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by RioRico Quote
See, no second (or third) mortgage is needed. No diversion of house funds, either.
It helps when you can build a house just by stacking up all your lenses.
03-17-2011, 03:45 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by MShawn63 Quote
I have the FA35 as well as a 50 1.4 and the DA70. I keep looking at the 40MM but I'm not sure if I really "need" it vice want it in my kit. Any advice?
No you don't, but you do need a DA15
03-17-2011, 06:54 PM   #14
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Good advice Rico and I am in awe of your collection and thrifty methods of aquisition. I would probably go nuts with that many lenses and then trying to figure out which one to use when.

Twitch, I had not yet considered the DA15, but it's an option so is a 12-20 to have the range. I really wish there was someplace that I could actually put my hands on these lenses and try them it would really help making decisions.
03-17-2011, 07:34 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by MShawn63 Quote
Good advice Rico and I am in awe of your collection and thrifty methods of aquisition. I would probably go nuts with that many lenses and then trying to figure out which one to use when.

Twitch, I had not yet considered the DA15, but it's an option so is a 12-20 to have the range. I really wish there was someplace that I could actually put my hands on these lenses and try them it would really help making decisions.
Trying them out can be very dangerous for recovering LBA members. That's the prime (pun intended) reason Pentax left retail stores. They were trying to help us (vbg).
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