40mm f2.8 limited vs 43mm f1.9 limited

pentaz · 06-29-2013, 05:17 AM

Originally posted by MPrince

A few years ago I rented the FA 43 and after trying it decided to buy a limited lens. I decided to buy the DA 40 in order to save a couple hundred dollars.

I have no regrets about that decision. At all.

So did you like few the 43mm?

Last edited by pentaz; 06-29-2013 at 05:25 AM.

dmort · 06-29-2013, 09:45 AM

You can glean from this thread that although the two lenses are close in focal length, they differ in character. If you can, I'd try them out in a shop, or rent them. Someone pointed out that if you buy a used 43mm, which aren't that hard to find, and you decide you don't like it, you'll be able recoup your investment and spend it on the 40mm pretty easily.

The only other thing worth mentioning is that the 43mm covers a full frame sensor while the 40mm isn't built to do that. Many of us are ready to jump on a full frame pentax camera if it ever comes to fruition. If that happens, prices on FA lenses are probably going to go up, particuarlly in the used area. Some speculate that this full frame is coming later this year, others aren't as sure. No one really knows. So, if you are concerned about the possibility of price increase, I'd go for the 43mm now. It actually might be worth more in 6 months to a year.

Keep in mind the above is pure speculation. Anyways, I would stop worrying about which lens, buy one, and go shoot!

MPrince · 06-29-2013, 11:28 AM

Originally posted by pentaz

So did you like few the 43mm?

I liked the 43, it rendered colors beautifully, but so did my M50 1.4 and A 50 2.0, and I didn't see anything particularly magical about the 43. Both 50s cost me under $100 (and a K1000 was attached to the M 50) so to my way of thinking I just figured the 40 was a better value. So I bought the 40 and never looked back.

reeftool · 06-29-2013, 11:59 AM

I've really tried to like my DA 40 but struggle with it. The size just doesn't work for me and I don't know why. I shot with 55/1.8 for years and I still use it more than the 40 even though the field of view of the 40 on aps/c is similar to the 55 on film. The 40 is sharp, small, and does what I need it to do but I am more inclined to use my 18-55 kit lens unless I really need f/2.8. I wanted the DA 35 but bought the DA 40 used and for a very good price. I'm not getting rid of it as it didn't cost me much and the fact that I can carry it in my shirt pocket is a big plus. From what I've seen of DA 43 shots, I would be inclined to choose that one over the DA 40 if I was to do it over but that focal length just doesn't fit well in my photography at this time. I still want the DA 35 Limited and will add it eventually.

pentaz · 06-29-2013, 03:16 PM

Here other reviews

The 40mm win again

Pentax SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited Pancake Lens Review

SMC Pentax-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Lens Review

tclausen · 06-29-2013, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by pentaz

Here other reviews

The 40mm win again

Pentax SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited Pancake Lens Review

SMC Pentax-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Lens Review

I'm starting to think that they have something against the FA Ltd's - weren't those the guys you (or somebody else) just recently posted a link to, which said that the FA77Ltd sucked....?

In my experience (owning both), between the DA40 and the FA43, there's really no contest: while both a nice, the FA is faster, has a much, much more pleasant rendering and bokeh and is overall just nicer.

The perhaps only thing that the DA40 has up on the FA43 is, that the DA40 has quick-shift and the FA43 doesn't.

I'd get the FA43, without any hesitation.

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06-29-2013, 05:17 AM	#16
pentaz Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 47 Original Poster	Originally posted by MPrince A few years ago I rented the FA 43 and after trying it decided to buy a limited lens. I decided to buy the DA 40 in order to save a couple hundred dollars. I have no regrets about that decision. At all. So did you like few the 43mm? Last edited by pentaz; 06-29-2013 at 05:25 AM.

06-29-2013, 09:45 AM	#17
dmort Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Bronx, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 415	You can glean from this thread that although the two lenses are close in focal length, they differ in character. If you can, I'd try them out in a shop, or rent them. Someone pointed out that if you buy a used 43mm, which aren't that hard to find, and you decide you don't like it, you'll be able recoup your investment and spend it on the 40mm pretty easily. The only other thing worth mentioning is that the 43mm covers a full frame sensor while the 40mm isn't built to do that. Many of us are ready to jump on a full frame pentax camera if it ever comes to fruition. If that happens, prices on FA lenses are probably going to go up, particuarlly in the used area. Some speculate that this full frame is coming later this year, others aren't as sure. No one really knows. So, if you are concerned about the possibility of price increase, I'd go for the 43mm now. It actually might be worth more in 6 months to a year. Keep in mind the above is pure speculation. Anyways, I would stop worrying about which lens, buy one, and go shoot!

06-29-2013, 11:28 AM	#18
MPrince Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,495	Originally posted by pentaz So did you like few the 43mm? I liked the 43, it rendered colors beautifully, but so did my M50 1.4 and A 50 2.0, and I didn't see anything particularly magical about the 43. Both 50s cost me under $100 (and a K1000 was attached to the M 50) so to my way of thinking I just figured the 40 was a better value. So I bought the 40 and never looked back.

06-29-2013, 11:59 AM	#19
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	I've really tried to like my DA 40 but struggle with it. The size just doesn't work for me and I don't know why. I shot with 55/1.8 for years and I still use it more than the 40 even though the field of view of the 40 on aps/c is similar to the 55 on film. The 40 is sharp, small, and does what I need it to do but I am more inclined to use my 18-55 kit lens unless I really need f/2.8. I wanted the DA 35 but bought the DA 40 used and for a very good price. I'm not getting rid of it as it didn't cost me much and the fact that I can carry it in my shirt pocket is a big plus. From what I've seen of DA 43 shots, I would be inclined to choose that one over the DA 40 if I was to do it over but that focal length just doesn't fit well in my photography at this time. I still want the DA 35 Limited and will add it eventually.

06-29-2013, 03:16 PM	#20
pentaz Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 47 Original Poster	Here other reviews The 40mm win again Pentax SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited Pancake Lens Review SMC Pentax-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Lens Review

06-29-2013, 03:31 PM	#21
tclausen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,397	Originally posted by pentaz Here other reviews The 40mm win again Pentax SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited Pancake Lens Review SMC Pentax-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Lens Review I'm starting to think that they have something against the FA Ltd's - weren't those the guys you (or somebody else) just recently posted a link to, which said that the FA77Ltd sucked....? In my experience (owning both), between the DA40 and the FA43, there's really no contest: while both a nice, the FA is faster, has a much, much more pleasant rendering and bokeh and is overall just nicer. The perhaps only thing that the DA40 has up on the FA43 is, that the DA40 has quick-shift and the FA43 doesn't. I'd get the FA43, without any hesitation.