DA 40mm LTD. is the perfect walk-around lens

tele_pathic · 08-04-2013, 04:31 AM

The family has been at Disney World for three days, and the 40mm has not left my camera. It's the perfect size. I bought the 18-135 thinking it would be perfect, but I haven't even used it yet. Thank goodness I picked up the 40mm before we left. Tomorrow is Animal Kingdom so I figure the 18-135 will get some use there.

Kozlok · 08-04-2013, 05:07 AM

I did the opposite, my 40 never went on, but I had non-stop rain!

Sandy Hancock · 08-04-2013, 05:32 AM

I never warmed to the DA40. Not that had any real flaws, just the focal length didn't suit me as a walk-around lens. The DA21 is not much bigger and not much slower, but is much more versatile for me as a one lens kit; it is usually easier to move in to make the subject big than it is to walk back to fit more in.

thomasw · 08-04-2013, 06:24 AM

Didn't have the DA40 when we were there, although the 18 - 135 never left the K5. We had rain two nights and the weather sealing worked great!

Na Horuk · 08-04-2013, 06:25 AM

I have the XS version, but optically they should be virtually identical. And I enjoy it. Very sharp lens, good colour rendering, pleasant OoF blur,.. Can be used for anything from architecture, landscapes, portraits.. a great lens and very compact.

tele_pathic · 08-04-2013, 06:26 AM

I should have qualified that: "It is the perfect walk-around lens FOR ME."

**RKKS08** · 08-04-2013, 07:38 AM

Quote:

For a professional or dedicated amateur the focal length of a walk-around lens would depend on the preferences of the person.

If you want to generalize it, however, it could mean a lens for "I have no idea what I will shoot today". This reasoning would apply for all the hundreds of P&S cameras the industry offered for the masses of holiday shooters for decades. All the lenses of these cameras were in the range of 34-42mm, with a peak at 35mm. This mild wide angle offered a usable AOV for small group portraits as well as general architecture and landscape photography. If needed, you could crop when enlarging.

On APS-C, this would correspondend with a focal length of 23-25mm. If you can take only ONE prime lens with you, this would be the universal "one fits all" length.

In post, you can always crop, but never extend the AOV.

I just copied what I wrote in another thread with roughly the same subject.

mickey · 08-04-2013, 08:16 AM

I've also got the 40mm XS lens.
I find it, after getting used to shuffling back and forth to get the shot in frame, a good pocketable lens when on a K-5.
I still think my Sigma 17-70 is a great all-rounder, but it's a big lens.

Mr Spocko · 11-16-2013, 06:39 PM

The sigma is decent covers a great range has to be said.
40mm is ok as a focal length, but there is no substitute for a wide angle when you need it.

Homo_erectus · 11-16-2013, 07:52 PM

I've been trying to lean to appreciate the 40mm XS that came with my K-01. It's a nice lens but it rarely seems to be "right". Still, when it's clicking for me I love the pics I get with it.

lesmore49 · 11-16-2013, 08:36 PM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

I have the XS version, but optically they should be virtually identical. And I enjoy it. Very sharp lens, good colour rendering, pleasant OoF blur,.. Can be used for anything from architecture, landscapes, portraits.. a great lens and very compact.

Not optically....but the field of view would be the same.

OP, I have the 40mm Limited and I really enjoy it. Got some great photos with it...wonderful perspective.

Na Horuk · 11-17-2013, 04:29 AM

Originally posted by lesmore49

Not optically....but the field of view would be the same.

Um, pretty sure they are identical optically - same elements, same groups. (I am talking about DA 40mm XS vs. DA 40mm limited, just to be clear) Difference is that the XS has advertised "rounded aperture blades" (though some say there is no difference), 27mm filter threads (not as convenient), no hood (ltd has a hood). Oh, and ltd has quick-shift and distance scales, while XS doesn't. But I really doubt there is any difference between the optics in them.

**foto guy** · 11-17-2013, 04:44 AM

Glad you're liking the 40--it's a great lens.
I often use my DA40 Limited as a general purpose lens. It's taken me awhile to get used to the focal length on digital, tho. A 31 Limited would serve me better in that regard.
I love the DA40 on my autofocus film SLRs much more. 35mm is too wide, whereas 40mm is just right. It's sharp and contrasty, as others have said. I suppose the 43mm would also serve me well.
Uh-oh! I can feel the LBA waking up again.

gf1 · 11-17-2013, 07:33 AM

can't agree more,, 40mm is always on my K5, compact, easy to carry, sharp, allows me to take my camera almost anytime I go out, a lens that fits the quote: "the best camera is the one you have with you"

**Ahab** · 11-17-2013, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by gf1

can't agree more,, 40mm is always on my K5, compact, easy to carry, sharp, allows me to take my camera almost anytime I go out, a lens that fits the quote: "the best camera is the one you have with you"

Same here.............and it's unobtrusive.

08-04-2013, 04:31 AM	#1
tele_pathic Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 292	DA 40mm LTD. is the perfect walk-around lens The family has been at Disney World for three days, and the 40mm has not left my camera. It's the perfect size. I bought the 18-135 thinking it would be perfect, but I haven't even used it yet. Thank goodness I picked up the 40mm before we left. Tomorrow is Animal Kingdom so I figure the 18-135 will get some use there.

11-17-2013, 04:29 AM	#12
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,183	Originally posted by lesmore49 Not optically....but the field of view would be the same. Um, pretty sure they are identical optically - same elements, same groups. (I am talking about DA 40mm XS vs. DA 40mm limited, just to be clear) Difference is that the XS has advertised "rounded aperture blades" (though some say there is no difference), 27mm filter threads (not as convenient), no hood (ltd has a hood). Oh, and ltd has quick-shift and distance scales, while XS doesn't. But I really doubt there is any difference between the optics in them. Last edited by Na Horuk; 11-17-2013 at 07:26 AM.

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08-04-2013, 05:07 AM	#2
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,104	I did the opposite, my 40 never went on, but I had non-stop rain!

08-04-2013, 05:32 AM	#3
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,594	I never warmed to the DA40. Not that had any real flaws, just the focal length didn't suit me as a walk-around lens. The DA21 is not much bigger and not much slower, but is much more versatile for me as a one lens kit; it is usually easier to move in to make the subject big than it is to walk back to fit more in.

08-04-2013, 06:24 AM	#4
thomasw New Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Photos: Gallery Posts: 16	Didn't have the DA40 when we were there, although the 18 - 135 never left the K5. We had rain two nights and the weather sealing worked great!

08-04-2013, 06:25 AM	#5
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,183	I have the XS version, but optically they should be virtually identical. And I enjoy it. Very sharp lens, good colour rendering, pleasant OoF blur,.. Can be used for anything from architecture, landscapes, portraits.. a great lens and very compact.

08-04-2013, 06:26 AM	#6
tele_pathic Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 292 Original Poster	I should have qualified that: "It is the perfect walk-around lens FOR ME."

08-04-2013, 07:38 AM	#7
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,240	Quote: For a professional or dedicated amateur the focal length of a walk-around lens would depend on the preferences of the person. If you want to generalize it, however, it could mean a lens for "I have no idea what I will shoot today". This reasoning would apply for all the hundreds of P&S cameras the industry offered for the masses of holiday shooters for decades. All the lenses of these cameras were in the range of 34-42mm, with a peak at 35mm. This mild wide angle offered a usable AOV for small group portraits as well as general architecture and landscape photography. If needed, you could crop when enlarging. On APS-C, this would correspondend with a focal length of 23-25mm. If you can take only ONE prime lens with you, this would be the universal "one fits all" length. In post, you can always crop, but never extend the AOV. I just copied what I wrote in another thread with roughly the same subject.

08-04-2013, 08:16 AM	#8
mickey Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,137	I've also got the 40mm XS lens. I find it, after getting used to shuffling back and forth to get the shot in frame, a good pocketable lens when on a K-5. I still think my Sigma 17-70 is a great all-rounder, but it's a big lens.

11-16-2013, 06:39 PM	#9
Mr Spocko Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 254	The sigma is decent covers a great range has to be said. 40mm is ok as a focal length, but there is no substitute for a wide angle when you need it.

11-16-2013, 07:52 PM	#10
Homo_erectus Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 410	I've been trying to lean to appreciate the 40mm XS that came with my K-01. It's a nice lens but it rarely seems to be "right". Still, when it's clicking for me I love the pics I get with it.

11-16-2013, 08:36 PM	#11
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 11,115	Originally posted by Na Horuk I have the XS version, but optically they should be virtually identical. And I enjoy it. Very sharp lens, good colour rendering, pleasant OoF blur,.. Can be used for anything from architecture, landscapes, portraits.. a great lens and very compact. Not optically....but the field of view would be the same. OP, I have the 40mm Limited and I really enjoy it. Got some great photos with it...wonderful perspective.

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11-17-2013, 04:44 AM	#13
foto guy Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vernon, Connecticut Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 291	Glad you're liking the 40--it's a great lens. I often use my DA40 Limited as a general purpose lens. It's taken me awhile to get used to the focal length on digital, tho. A 31 Limited would serve me better in that regard. I love the DA40 on my autofocus film SLRs much more. 35mm is too wide, whereas 40mm is just right. It's sharp and contrasty, as others have said. I suppose the 43mm would also serve me well. Uh-oh! I can feel the LBA waking up again.

11-17-2013, 07:33 AM	#14
gf1 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 27	can't agree more,, 40mm is always on my K5, compact, easy to carry, sharp, allows me to take my camera almost anytime I go out, a lens that fits the quote: "the best camera is the one you have with you"

11-17-2013, 07:46 AM	#15
Ahab Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arnold, Md. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 762	Originally posted by gf1 can't agree more,, 40mm is always on my K5, compact, easy to carry, sharp, allows me to take my camera almost anytime I go out, a lens that fits the quote: "the best camera is the one you have with you" Same here.............and it's unobtrusive.