To DA 40 or not to DA 40?

Vantage-Point · 05-18-2011, 08:32 AM

Hello Everyone,
I am trying to round out my prime lenses that I use for portrait photography. I have a DA 35 limited F2.8, a DA40 F2.8, a Sigma 50 F1.4, a Helios 58mm44K-4 F2, a DA70 F2.4, and a Tamron 90 F2.8 lenses. Should I keep the DA 40, or sell that and get a FA43 lens?

Nick Siebers · 05-18-2011, 09:22 AM

I picked up a 43 to compare with my DA40, which was my favorite lens. I haven't really used the 40 since. It is not a huge improvement in IQ, but it is a small one, and the extra stop is nice too.

builttospill · 05-18-2011, 12:27 PM

I've had the 43 for a long time and it's still my favorite lens. I bought a 40 to compare a while ago. Needless to say I don't have the 40 anymore.

twitch · 05-18-2011, 03:24 PM

I would sell the 35 & the 40 and buy the FA31. That would give you a better spread of focal lengths as well as the chance to own what is IMHO the best lens Pentax currently makes.

Last edited by twitch; 05-18-2011 at 05:18 PM.

selar · 05-18-2011, 05:13 PM

Originally posted by twitch

I would sell the 35 & the 40 and buy the FA31.

+1 on that recommendation.

Nick Siebers · 05-18-2011, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by selar

+1 on that recommendation.

Not me! I prefer the 43mm over the 31mm. Maybe even the DA40 over the 31... the extra stop+ is somewhat outweighed by the larger size and weight. Plus, while the 31 can make magic, I found it a little temperamental, while the DA40 seemed to be easier to get good shots. Just my 2 cents!

Blue · 05-18-2011, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by twitch

I would sell the 35 & the 40 and buy the FA31. That would give you a better spread of focal lengths as well as the chance to own what is IMHO the best lens Pentax currently makes.

Not me. The DA 35mm Ltd will be the last limited or even the last APS-C lens I would ever get rid of. Besides, he would have to sell a 3rd lens to get to the 31mm.

Blue · 05-18-2011, 08:45 PM

Originally posted by Nick Siebers

Not me! I prefer the 43mm over the 31mm. Maybe even the DA40 over the 31... the extra stop+ is somewhat outweighed by the larger size and weight. Plus, while the 31 can make magic, I found it a little temperamental, while the DA40 seemed to be easier to get good shots. Just my 2 cents!

Nick, how does that F 50/1.4 stack up against the DA 40, FA 43 and perhaps the M 50 1.4 & 1.7? I have really been thinking about that F/1.4 in lieu of a 43 for a long time.

huh · 05-19-2011, 11:37 AM

Yeah, I would appreciate comments on the 50mm f/1.4 too. How useful do you feel it given you already have da70 and da40?

paperbag846 · 05-19-2011, 02:39 PM

Originally posted by jusfun21

Hello Everyone, I am trying to round out my prime lenses that I use for portrait photography. I have a DA 35 limited F2.8, a DA40 F2.8, a Sigma 50 F1.4, a Helios 58mm44K-4 F2, a DA70 F2.4, and a Tamron 90 F2.8 lenses. Should I keep the DA 40, or sell that and get a FA43 lens?

If you use the 40 for portraits, and want more speed, the 43 is a reasonable substitution... however, I would sell the 40 and the 50, so you have a 35mm - 43 mm - 58 mm spread. You simply have too many lenses in the short end IMHO.

Primes are a pretty expensive way of covering everything you do. Might be better to use a good zoom to cover your favorite ranges, and use primes to exploit your favorite specific lengths.

If you don't use the macro function, you could also sell the 35 for a slightly wider lens, such as the 31, a 28mm, or even the 21mm. The 35mm is a killer lens though.

paperbag846 · 05-19-2011, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by huh

Yeah, I would appreciate comments on the 50mm f/1.4 too. How useful do you feel it given you already have da70 and da40?

I've owned all of these, and stuck with the 50 (though I do also have access to the 77). It's a great portrait lens... though for something specific to portraits, I would use the 70.

The 50 is the best deal in the pentax line up IMHO, especially at the going used price of about 250 - 300.

alan_smithee_photos · 05-19-2011, 05:49 PM

Originally posted by jusfun21

I have a DA 35 limited F2.8, a DA40 F2.8, a Sigma 50 F1.4, a Helios 58mm44K-4 F2, a DA70 F2.4, and a Tamron 90 F2.8 lenses.

I feel like I'm in a similar boat. My lenses are similar in FL and make.

I think for me it's a 43mm vs. a 40mm Ultron vs. a 31mm decision. The 31's a dream but very dear. The 40 and 43 seem very comparable. The 43 has AF, which is nice, but not quick-shift which I use a lot with my 35 Ltd (not having a K-5). I'm leaning 43 lately but, man, I have to admit that I love Voigtlander glass...

Sorry, no answers for you, just commiseration.

Blue · 05-19-2011, 07:14 PM

Originally posted by paperbag846

I've owned all of these, and stuck with the 50 (though I do also have access to the 77). It's a great portrait lens... though for something specific to portraits, I would use the 70.

The 50 is the best deal in the pentax line up IMHO, especially at the going used price of about 250 - 300.

We were specifically referring to the F 50/1.4 and not the FA. Nick has it in addition to the FA 43 ltd and DA 40 ltd.

Nick Siebers · 05-19-2011, 09:22 PM

Well, I like the F 50/1.4, although obviously not too much as it is up for sale in the marketplace. :-) I haven't done rigorous testing but it seems about as sharp wide open as my M 50/1.7, which was definitely sharper than my A 50/1.4. It is small, focuses well and quickly, gives an overall very pleasing image. Colors and contrast are great, warmer than the F50/1.7. It doesn't quite have the twinkle of the FA43, for lack of a better word. I also have the A 50/1.2, which is softer wide open but stopped down looks very similar. I go back and forth about which to keep to pair with the 43, for "even lower light" shooting.

paperbag846 · 05-20-2011, 12:39 AM

Originally posted by Blue

F 50/1.4 and not the FA

Are they different other than build quality? Sorry for misreading...

05-18-2011, 08:32 AM	#1
Vantage-Point Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York Posts: 516	To DA 40 or not to DA 40? Hello Everyone, I am trying to round out my prime lenses that I use for portrait photography. I have a DA 35 limited F2.8, a DA40 F2.8, a Sigma 50 F1.4, a Helios 58mm44K-4 F2, a DA70 F2.4, and a Tamron 90 F2.8 lenses. Should I keep the DA 40, or sell that and get a FA43 lens?

05-18-2011, 09:22 AM	#2
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	I picked up a 43 to compare with my DA40, which was my favorite lens. I haven't really used the 40 since. It is not a huge improvement in IQ, but it is a small one, and the extra stop is nice too.

05-18-2011, 12:27 PM	#3
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	I've had the 43 for a long time and it's still my favorite lens. I bought a 40 to compare a while ago. Needless to say I don't have the 40 anymore.

05-18-2011, 03:24 PM	#4
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	I would sell the 35 & the 40 and buy the FA31. That would give you a better spread of focal lengths as well as the chance to own what is IMHO the best lens Pentax currently makes. Last edited by twitch; 05-18-2011 at 05:18 PM.

05-18-2011, 05:13 PM	#5
selar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,042	Originally posted by twitch I would sell the 35 & the 40 and buy the FA31. +1 on that recommendation.

05-18-2011, 06:47 PM	#6
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	Originally posted by selar +1 on that recommendation. Not me! I prefer the 43mm over the 31mm. Maybe even the DA40 over the 31... the extra stop+ is somewhat outweighed by the larger size and weight. Plus, while the 31 can make magic, I found it a little temperamental, while the DA40 seemed to be easier to get good shots. Just my 2 cents!

05-18-2011, 08:40 PM	#7
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by twitch I would sell the 35 & the 40 and buy the FA31. That would give you a better spread of focal lengths as well as the chance to own what is IMHO the best lens Pentax currently makes. Not me. The DA 35mm Ltd will be the last limited or even the last APS-C lens I would ever get rid of. Besides, he would have to sell a 3rd lens to get to the 31mm.

05-18-2011, 08:45 PM	#8
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Nick Siebers Not me! I prefer the 43mm over the 31mm. Maybe even the DA40 over the 31... the extra stop+ is somewhat outweighed by the larger size and weight. Plus, while the 31 can make magic, I found it a little temperamental, while the DA40 seemed to be easier to get good shots. Just my 2 cents! Nick, how does that F 50/1.4 stack up against the DA 40, FA 43 and perhaps the M 50 1.4 & 1.7? I have really been thinking about that F/1.4 in lieu of a 43 for a long time.

05-19-2011, 11:37 AM	#9
huh New Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 16	Yeah, I would appreciate comments on the 50mm f/1.4 too. How useful do you feel it given you already have da70 and da40?

05-19-2011, 02:39 PM	#10
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by jusfun21 Hello Everyone, I am trying to round out my prime lenses that I use for portrait photography. I have a DA 35 limited F2.8, a DA40 F2.8, a Sigma 50 F1.4, a Helios 58mm44K-4 F2, a DA70 F2.4, and a Tamron 90 F2.8 lenses. Should I keep the DA 40, or sell that and get a FA43 lens? If you use the 40 for portraits, and want more speed, the 43 is a reasonable substitution... however, I would sell the 40 and the 50, so you have a 35mm - 43 mm - 58 mm spread. You simply have too many lenses in the short end IMHO. Primes are a pretty expensive way of covering everything you do. Might be better to use a good zoom to cover your favorite ranges, and use primes to exploit your favorite specific lengths. If you don't use the macro function, you could also sell the 35 for a slightly wider lens, such as the 31, a 28mm, or even the 21mm. The 35mm is a killer lens though.

05-19-2011, 02:42 PM	#11
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by huh Yeah, I would appreciate comments on the 50mm f/1.4 too. How useful do you feel it given you already have da70 and da40? I've owned all of these, and stuck with the 50 (though I do also have access to the 77). It's a great portrait lens... though for something specific to portraits, I would use the 70. The 50 is the best deal in the pentax line up IMHO, especially at the going used price of about 250 - 300.

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05-19-2011, 05:49 PM	#12
alan_smithee_photos Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 844	Originally posted by jusfun21 I have a DA 35 limited F2.8, a DA40 F2.8, a Sigma 50 F1.4, a Helios 58mm44K-4 F2, a DA70 F2.4, and a Tamron 90 F2.8 lenses. I feel like I'm in a similar boat. My lenses are similar in FL and make. I think for me it's a 43mm vs. a 40mm Ultron vs. a 31mm decision. The 31's a dream but very dear. The 40 and 43 seem very comparable. The 43 has AF, which is nice, but not quick-shift which I use a lot with my 35 Ltd (not having a K-5). I'm leaning 43 lately but, man, I have to admit that I love Voigtlander glass... Sorry, no answers for you, just commiseration.

05-19-2011, 07:14 PM	#13
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by paperbag846 I've owned all of these, and stuck with the 50 (though I do also have access to the 77). It's a great portrait lens... though for something specific to portraits, I would use the 70. The 50 is the best deal in the pentax line up IMHO, especially at the going used price of about 250 - 300. We were specifically referring to the F 50/1.4 and not the FA. Nick has it in addition to the FA 43 ltd and DA 40 ltd.

05-19-2011, 09:22 PM	#14
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	Well, I like the F 50/1.4, although obviously not too much as it is up for sale in the marketplace. :-) I haven't done rigorous testing but it seems about as sharp wide open as my M 50/1.7, which was definitely sharper than my A 50/1.4. It is small, focuses well and quickly, gives an overall very pleasing image. Colors and contrast are great, warmer than the F50/1.7. It doesn't quite have the twinkle of the FA43, for lack of a better word. I also have the A 50/1.2, which is softer wide open but stopped down looks very similar. I go back and forth about which to keep to pair with the 43, for "even lower light" shooting.

05-20-2011, 12:39 AM	#15
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by Blue F 50/1.4 and not the FA Are they different other than build quality? Sorry for misreading...