[Yamakasi]

Thanks everyone for your input.

Yamakasi: thanks a lot for the pictures. They do look close but I and my wife tried "blind testing" and the winner in both cases was the photo from FA 31mm. So it makes it even more difficult for me now to make the decision

pentax 31 is one of the best, if not the best, lens that Pentax had made...even for me..if it really boils down to just owning just either the FA 31 or HD 20-40..i will still choose FA 31...but then if i can keep both lenses then why not...for me..the HD 20-40 is good enough even tho its not the best

here are 2 more shot on f5.6 for those who might want to compare both lenses stopped down

DA20-40 @31mm f5.6 iso100
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/1...1c0938c1_o.jpg

FA31 f5.6 iso100
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/1...63f37d17_o.jpg

---------- Post added 05-29-14 at 05:12 PM ----------

Very impressive, and really hard to tell the two apart. Mind you, the FA31 has an extra two stops up its sleeve if needed.
But this is not where the zoom is weakest (or where mine was at least). I would be very interested in some comparisons at 21mm vs the DA21 at f/3.2 and f/5.6.

I may well have had a bad copy, but I don't regret returning it without replacement.

i do have a 21..lets see if i can find some time to do a comparison over the weekends...

Meanwhile here are some pics taken at either 20mm or 21mm on the DA20-40..they look good enough for me

20mm f4.5



21mm f4

[subidoc]

One can always consider the HD 20-40 coupled with the FA35 f2 for the benefits of sharpness and low light advantages. Both are excellent in performance.

BTW - that dying chicken is sharp but grosses this vegan out.

[Apapukas]

It would be fantastic to see some comparisons between 20-40 and 21 at various apertures (wide open, stopped down)

[bdery]

It would be fantastic to see some comparisons between 20-40 and 21 at various apertures (wide open, stopped down)

I'd be happy to test everything you cuold dream of if you buy me a 20-40. I'll do the same with the DA40, at no extra cost

[Yamakasi]

One can always consider the HD 20-40 coupled with the FA35 f2 for the benefits of sharpness and low light advantages. Both are excellent in performance.

BTW - that dying chicken is sharp but grosses this vegan out.

oophs...sorry...let me know if you prefer me to take this down

[lytrytyr]

I've often wondered why there isn't more excitement over this lens on this forum.
Attached is what it is giving me. This is hand held with minimal pp.

That wonderful way with color is one of the many attractions of the DA 20-40.
Oh, and for a lens with an aspheric element, the bokeh isn't too shabby either.

[subidoc]

oophs...sorry...let me know if you prefer me to take this down

No hassles, bro. It's just fine by me. I hope you were not offended. I came to the realization a long time ago that art is not art enough if it does not stir emotion. Peace.

[ruggiex]

I keep debating if I should sell DA* 16-50 and DA 35 Ltd for this lens. I definitely want WR in this range and this lens is about half the weight of DA*. I really wish the price was a bit lower... Or maybe it's just my LBA...

[TroutHunterJohn]

I keep debating if I should sell DA* 16-50 and DA 35 Ltd for this lens. I definitely want WR in this range and this lens is about half the weight of DA*. I really wish the price was a bit lower... Or maybe it's just my LBA...

I took that plunge, Ruggiex.

I sold my 16-50, da21, and da40. Replaced them all with the 20-40, with enough left to help buy the 1.4 tc.

I have no regrets.

[bdery]

I sold my 16-50, da21, and da40

The 16-50 I can see, but really, you don't miss the f2.8 of the DA40? Or the star bursts of the DA21? And their small form factor? As much as I would like to own the 20-40, I could hardly justify keeping those lenses alongside it.

[TroutHunterJohn]

As my style of shooting evolved, I found it more convenient to use the quality zoon (20-40), over switching lenses to maximize IQ with the primes. I don't like changing lenses in windy, dusty, foggy, outdoor environments.

I did compare "brick wall shots" from the 21 and 40 to the 20-40, and the primes were indeed sharper. I won't deny that. My DA 40 was the sharpest lens I owned. But for what I shoot, mostly landscapes, family, travel, etc., I didn't see a real significant difference.

And . . . I'm on a limited budget; so had to make some tough choices.

[bdery]

When I mount the 21 or 40, I tend to stick with it and not change lenses that often. I wtill worry that I would miss the f2.8 of the 40, considering that I sold my fast 50 to purchase it.

[ogl]

Hi guys,

Would you, please, help me to make a buying decision?

I have two FA limiteds 31mm and 77mm

Very low QC of DA20-40. I've changed mine to FA31 and I can advise to avoid 20-40.

I don't think that FA31 is the best, but fixed lenses has better corners sharpness and much easier AF calibration.
DA20-40 is big puzzle, I had unpredictable AF even with K-5IIs.

---------- Post added 05-31-2014 at 07:39 AM ----------

I've often wondered why there isn't more excitement over this lens on this forum.


Attached is what it is giving me. This is hand held with minimal pp.

I would say it's no good sample...

[lytrytyr]

Very low QC of DA20-40.

What sample size are you using to justify this claim?

fixed lenses has better corners sharpness

That is not what the resolution tests on Optyczne/Lenstip show.
While the DA 20-40 reaches a corner resolution of 40 lp/mm on the K-5,
both the DA 21 and DA 40 (<34 lp/mm on the K10) Limiteds fall short of that.
Even the FA 31 only makes it to 43 lp/mm.

(BTW, the English-language Lenstip version does not show the DA 40 Ltd.)

DA20-40 is big puzzle, I had unpredictable AF even with K-5IIs.

Which AF method did you try?

[ogl]

What sample size are you using to justify this claim?

Mine 20-40 was in service for 3 weeks and I've changed it to FA31 with some additional payment.

welcome to this thread
DA 20-40 Puzzle: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

I had been using cameras for 34 years. As for DSLR - 8 years. I have no any sense to answer your questions about AF.