[Hambino]

dang i didn't even see the first response mentioning the 21! I had considered the 21 but I figured I could always crop from the 15 if I really wanted to (I know, shame on me). That being said, this raises another interesting candidate. I mostly take photos of people/street type shooting, hence my affinity for the 50. However, more and more lately I'm wishing I could get wider shots to include more of the surroundings while not focusing so much on the people, hence my desire for the 15. If someone (or someoneS) could post samples of some street type shots with the 21 that would be awesome! Thanks, everyone!

[RickyFromVegas]

If the 40 wasn't such a pretty little thing I probably would have sold it by now, but I just can't bear to part with it since the size is so convenient.

I'm on the same boat!

[s.randy]

Less than a year ago I was having similar thoughts. I had a 18-55 kit and a M-50 f1.7, I was using the M-50 98.5% of the time but was really needing AF. I debated back and forth on the DA40 and the FA50 but ended up choosing the DA40 based off reviews and cool factor of the slim size. Sometimes I find myself wishing I had more than 2.8 but every time I think about switching it out I just can't entertain the thought, love that lens! To bring it back towards your situation I still have both the M50 and the DA40 but I only break out the M50 when I really want more of shallow depth than 2.8, hope this helps you in some way.

[Hambino]

Oh man..I went to flickr to browse the DA 21 group and now I'm stuck between the 21 and the 15, actually leaning towards the 21 *sigh*

[spicy cho]

Oh man..I went to flickr to browse the DA 21 group and now I'm stuck between the 21 and the 15, actually leaning towards the 21 *sigh*

The 21 is definitely the better choice for people photography I think. Plus it's slightly faster (3.2 vs 4), is smaller (only a bit longer than the 40 without hood), somewhat cheaper I think and has an awesome hood. I don't know though, I'm clearly biased and haven't used a 15.

[twitch]

DA21's pop up regularly in the market place and are not particularly "hot items"

[sterretje]

...So, I'm thinking about asking for the DA-40 since I do regularly wish that my 50 was just a smiiiiiidge wider and I often hear the praises of the DA-40 being sung. So, fellow Pentaxians, help a friend out! Ask for the DA-15 b/c the M-50 is just soooooo awesome and the DA-40 isn't that much better or go with the DA-40 b/c its sooooooo amazing and will quickly have me forgetting all about my beloved 50?!

You have a 35mm and the 18-200. So do you think that the 35mm is too wide? If so, the DA40 might be the right lens. You can simply test it by putting the 18-200 on 40mm for a few days.

In my opinion you already have the focal length covered, so it will be purely about qualities. I don't own the DA40, so I can't judge it's qualities. But I would rather expand my horizon with a lens of a different focal length.

Enjoy the decision making process

[reeftool]

I picked up a DA 40 this summer on a quick, spur of the moment purchase when I saw one in the Marketplace for a very good price. I have a few manual lenses in the 50-55mm range along with the 18-55 kit lens and an F 35-70. My biggest reason was a need for a relatively fast AF "normal" lens. I was really kicking around the DA 35 Macro also. It has been an excellent addition for the biggest reason I bought it and that was for low light, indoor shots. It is tack sharp at f 2.8 and has all the qualities you expect to find in a Limited such as flare resistance and good colors and contrast. To be honest, there isn't much difference between the 40 and some of my other lenses for landscapes and other outdoor shots with the lens stopped down. However if you need an f 2.8 AF lens, this little gem can't be beat. I don't use it often but with the cold weather approaching and a lot more indoor shooting, I expect to get a lot of use from it. The small size makes it easy to bring along just about anywhere.

[causey]

For about $700 you could have the DA 40mm and the Rokinon 14mm 2.8. The latter is a manual lens, with the A setting, heavy, but as sharp as the M 50mm 1.7. Sharpness is amazing corner to corner even wide open. I got mine yesterday, and after shooting about 150 photos around the house, I still can't believe the performance. I couldn't believe such sharpness was possible with a UWA.

Practical tip. Use flickr to examine photos, enlarge them full size, but take them with a grain of salt. Flickr pics can't tell you the full story of a lens' potential. My advice is: go to pentaxphotogallery.com, look at many pics taken with a certain lens and let yourself get the feel of it, then see many pics taken with a "competing" lens. (E.g., M or A 50mm 17 vs. DA 40mm)

[Colbyt]

Reason #938556523 why I love this forum: that helped out TREMENDOUSLY! Looking at the photos, focal length wise, there's a much bigger difference between 40 and 50 (much more than I was expecting) BUT there's a much smaller difference between the 35 (which I already have) and 40. I think this seals the deal for the DA 15!!! Thank you so much!!!

Here are some examples of the 50, 21 and the 40. The inside shots where I controlled the distance and aperture using all 3 lenses give you the best perspective.

These are not cropped, are heavily compressed and just snapshots so do not judge the lens quality by what you see here. The parking lot shot was from a seated parked position. The deck and kitchen shots are tripod fixed position shots.

Let's start with a distant parking lot shot using the 40 and the 21 from almost the same position:






Here is the 40 and the 21 from a fixed Tripod position where the focus point is at the same spot on the center tree. An approximate distance can be measured.






The best comparison is the kitchen shots. Fixed tripod, controlled aperture and 19' 6" from the camera to the mixing bowl. The Windex bottle, the focus point was a few inches less.







According to a member here, RioRico who I trust the 6MM between 21 and the 15 are significant and you would gain an even wider field of view. But make sure you can live with the bending and bowing of vertical lines at the edges of the photos.


Edit: The wife just walked in and saw the images of the dirty kitchen so if I turn up missing you will know why.

[kenafein]

For about $700 you could have the DA 40mm and the Rokinon 14mm 2.8. The latter is a manual lens, with the A setting, heavy, but as sharp as the M 50mm 1.7. Sharpness is amazing corner to corner even wide open. I got mine yesterday, and after shooting about 150 photos around the house, I still can't believe the performance. I couldn't believe such sharpness was possible with a UWA.

Practical tip. Use flickr to examine photos, enlarge them full size, but take them with a grain of salt. Flickr pics can't tell you the full story of a lens' potential. My advice is: go to pentaxphotogallery.com, look at many pics taken with a certain lens and let yourself get the feel of it, then see many pics taken with a "competing" lens. (E.g., M or A 50mm 17 vs. DA 40mm)

I just got my 14 too. It is a great lens, and not as heavy as I expected. The 2.8 is very useful.

[RioRico]

According to a member here, RioRico who I trust the 6MM between 21 and the 15 are significant and you would gain an even wider field of view. But make sure you can live with the bending and bowing of vertical lines at the edges of the photos.

My spreadsheet says the FOV angles of lenses around there (on an APS-C sensor) are:

15mm= 90deg
18mm= 80deg
21mm= 71deg

40mm= 41deg
50mm= 34deg

So 15vs21mm has over twice the difference of 40vs50mm, and 18vs21mm still has a greater difference than 40-50. Short mm's ARE fatter than long mm's!

Edit: The wife just walked in and saw the images of the dirty kitchen so if I turn up missing you will know why.

Couldn't you have switched your screen to something safe, like furry porn?

[creampuff]

...If someone (or someoneS) could post samples of some street type shots with the 21 that would be awesome! Thanks, everyone!

Here's a shot of Indian workers grinding spices in an old and dark provision shop.
The key to successful wide angle environmental people shots is to engage with the subject and get closer than you're comfortable with.
The DA21mm allows the subject to be photographed in context without the excessive perspective distortion of ultrawide angles.


K-5 DA 21mm

The very close focusing distance, wide DOF and quick AF allows the DA21mm to do very quick grab shots single handed like this one.
I didn't even need to put my eye to the viewfinder or rely on LV. Wide angle + AF = success. Got the shot before the bored cat walked away.

[Hambino]

Here are some examples of the 50, 21 and the 40. The inside shots where I controlled the distance and aperture using all 3 lenses give you the best perspective.

This is awesome! I think I'm leaning pretty hard towards the 21...we'll see how it goes when i give the the list haha

Thank you all for your recommendations, samples, and thoughts!!!

[Hambino]

FYI - DA 21 acquired!!!!!! Can't wait to get it in and post some shots! Thanks again, everyone!!!! I *heart* ya :-D