Just bought the 40mm XS on a complete whim

ZombieArmy · 11-21-2014, 11:08 PM

Didn't really need another standard lens, I have plenty of manuals and zooms that fit this particular area

But it was 100 bucks on KEH with the 15% off and that makes it my first auto focus prime from pentax.

What should I expect from this lens? I hear it's good but do you guys have any examples

JinDesu · 11-21-2014, 11:16 PM

Here's my album of samples: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jindesu/sets/72157646716764640/

jimr-pdx · 11-21-2014, 11:38 PM

It's a budget version of the least expensive Limited.. and as good as any f2.8 prime I know.

Paul the Sunman · 11-22-2014, 12:00 AM

I have the DA 40 Limited. Very nice lens, very even across the frame. So small it fits in jeans pocket!

ZombieArmy · 11-22-2014, 12:37 AM

Originally posted by JinDesu

Here's my album of samples: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jindesu/sets/72157646716764640/

ooo nice. I like the contrast, and the bokeh is really pretty.

Codazzle · 11-22-2014, 01:41 AM

I like the colors on the DA40 Ltd the most out of any lens I have, and I have a few decent lenses (FA31, FA43, DA*55). I have no desire to sell it even though its pretty redundant based on some of my "superior" lenses

Na Horuk · 11-22-2014, 02:23 AM

Its a limited, so it will give you high contrast and good sharpness! It has rounded aperture blades, so the bokeh is quite nice even stopped down. AF is fast, too. The main drawback with that lens is the 27mm filter threads and lack of lens hood. But most of us can live without that

Its quite good at f2.8, but fringing and CA disappear if you stop down even just to f3.2 and its really great up until diffraction sets it. I use it as an everything lens, its great for vibrant colours and man-made objects. Might not be the perfect portrait lens, but it can do that as well. Its great for full body shots, I remember some pros used the 40mm LTD version for that; and the XS is optically identical.
It has its own lens club here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/203708-da-4...nder-club.html
But its not a very big thread, since the XS is a bit of a niche lens - was only available bundled with the K-01 for a long time. Anyway, for the price, its hard to beat! Enjoy it, and try not to lose the lens cap

ZombieArmy · 11-22-2014, 02:34 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

I remember some pros used the 40mm LTD version for that; and the XS is optically identical.

I know he's not the perfect definition of a pro, but I remember Kai absolutely raving about this lens and the LTD version. In fact he speaks very highly of pentax lenses in general

Really excited about this lens.

Na Horuk · 11-22-2014, 03:37 AM

I think our very own Ron Hendriks likes to use it, and I think Benjamin Kanarek used to, as well.(He mentions it here In the Wind Behind the Scenes Video | Benjamin Kanarek Blog and as an "all time favourite lens" back in 2009 http://www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/2009/11/06/my-all-time-favorite-lenses/)
These are the ones that spring to mind, I'm sure many PF users enjoy it as well

**robgski** · 11-22-2014, 06:48 AM

the 40mm XS was the first prime I bought after purchasing the K-5. I have some older manual lenses but I wanted a prime with AF, and the compact size means it's very convenient to carry and use, especially since it's got a fast AF response when I need it. (I try to stay on manual setting all the time, but in certain conditions it's great to have options.)

I cycle through various lenses, but the 40mm tends to stay on my camera for weeks at a time, it's so versatile and sharp!

The compactness allows me to put my K-5 in a cargo pocket or a jacket pocket, great if I am hiking or walking around a city. It weighs almost nothing, as well, so I can move and respond to opportunities immediately. It's also very low profile, most people do not react to it as the do a to an SLR with some giant lens on it. I spend a day and an evening at Baltimore's Inner Harbor, and it worked for street photography, night shots, and impromptu portraits of my kids.

I can't overstate the convenience of its compact size, I'll get the 21mm version next.

You made a great purchase. I look forward to seeing your photos.

Rimfiredude · 11-22-2014, 06:51 AM

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

ooo nice. I like the contrast, and the bokeh is really pretty.

I have often thought of one also. The price is right and the results are quite astonishing.

jimr-pdx · 11-22-2014, 01:53 PM - **1 Like**

I recently added a Samsung nx300 to my kit and their 30mm f/2 pancake will arrive soon. It will interesting to compare that to memories of my time with the xs40.

**filoxophy** · 11-23-2014, 05:53 AM

Don't have any samples to share ATM, but I think you will like it. I keep mine sans caps in one of these: https://www.google.com/search?q=auvio+earbuds+case&client=ms-android-sprint-...75653815738824

**csa** · 11-24-2014, 11:38 AM

Looking forward to seeing images with this lens! It really sounds interesting, and one I had not considered!

manntax · 11-24-2014, 11:44 AM

This is a fantastic lens indeed - make sure your copy is uniformly sharp - there were reports about them being dropped and easily knocked out of alignment. Here are two reference shots at f2.8 and F5.6 Right-click on each image and click on 'View image' or similar - to see them in full quality.

f2.8

~~f8.0 if I recall~~ Nope, it was F5.6 !

11-21-2014, 11:08 PM	#1
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	Just bought the 40mm XS on a complete whim Didn't really need another standard lens, I have plenty of manuals and zooms that fit this particular area But it was 100 bucks on KEH with the 15% off and that makes it my first auto focus prime from pentax. What should I expect from this lens? I hear it's good but do you guys have any examples

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11-21-2014, 11:16 PM	#2
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Here's my album of samples: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jindesu/sets/72157646716764640/

11-21-2014, 11:38 PM	#3
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	It's a budget version of the least expensive Limited.. and as good as any f2.8 prime I know.

11-22-2014, 12:00 AM	#4
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,846	I have the DA 40 Limited. Very nice lens, very even across the frame. So small it fits in jeans pocket!

11-22-2014, 12:37 AM	#5
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210 Original Poster	Originally posted by JinDesu Here's my album of samples: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jindesu/sets/72157646716764640/ ooo nice. I like the contrast, and the bokeh is really pretty.

11-22-2014, 01:41 AM	#6
Codazzle Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Calgary Photos: Albums Posts: 122	I like the colors on the DA40 Ltd the most out of any lens I have, and I have a few decent lenses (FA31, FA43, DA*55). I have no desire to sell it even though its pretty redundant based on some of my "superior" lenses

11-22-2014, 02:23 AM	#7
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Its a limited, so it will give you high contrast and good sharpness! It has rounded aperture blades, so the bokeh is quite nice even stopped down. AF is fast, too. The main drawback with that lens is the 27mm filter threads and lack of lens hood. But most of us can live without that Its quite good at f2.8, but fringing and CA disappear if you stop down even just to f3.2 and its really great up until diffraction sets it. I use it as an everything lens, its great for vibrant colours and man-made objects. Might not be the perfect portrait lens, but it can do that as well. Its great for full body shots, I remember some pros used the 40mm LTD version for that; and the XS is optically identical. It has its own lens club here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/203708-da-4...nder-club.html But its not a very big thread, since the XS is a bit of a niche lens - was only available bundled with the K-01 for a long time. Anyway, for the price, its hard to beat! Enjoy it, and try not to lose the lens cap

11-22-2014, 02:34 AM	#8
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210 Original Poster	Originally posted by Na Horuk I remember some pros used the 40mm LTD version for that; and the XS is optically identical. I know he's not the perfect definition of a pro, but I remember Kai absolutely raving about this lens and the LTD version. In fact he speaks very highly of pentax lenses in general Really excited about this lens.

11-22-2014, 03:37 AM	#9
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	I think our very own Ron Hendriks likes to use it, and I think Benjamin Kanarek used to, as well.(He mentions it here In the Wind Behind the Scenes Video \| Benjamin Kanarek Blog and as an "all time favourite lens" back in 2009 http://www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/2009/11/06/my-all-time-favorite-lenses/) These are the ones that spring to mind, I'm sure many PF users enjoy it as well

11-22-2014, 06:48 AM	#10
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,817	the 40mm XS was the first prime I bought after purchasing the K-5. I have some older manual lenses but I wanted a prime with AF, and the compact size means it's very convenient to carry and use, especially since it's got a fast AF response when I need it. (I try to stay on manual setting all the time, but in certain conditions it's great to have options.) I cycle through various lenses, but the 40mm tends to stay on my camera for weeks at a time, it's so versatile and sharp! The compactness allows me to put my K-5 in a cargo pocket or a jacket pocket, great if I am hiking or walking around a city. It weighs almost nothing, as well, so I can move and respond to opportunities immediately. It's also very low profile, most people do not react to it as the do a to an SLR with some giant lens on it. I spend a day and an evening at Baltimore's Inner Harbor, and it worked for street photography, night shots, and impromptu portraits of my kids. I can't overstate the convenience of its compact size, I'll get the 21mm version next. You made a great purchase. I look forward to seeing your photos.

11-22-2014, 06:51 AM	#11
Rimfiredude Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Washington Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,176	Originally posted by ZombieArmy ooo nice. I like the contrast, and the bokeh is really pretty. I have often thought of one also. The price is right and the results are quite astonishing.

11-22-2014, 01:53 PM - 1 Like	#12
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	I recently added a Samsung nx300 to my kit and their 30mm f/2 pancake will arrive soon. It will interesting to compare that to memories of my time with the xs40.

11-23-2014, 05:53 AM	#13
filoxophy Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 1,133	Don't have any samples to share ATM, but I think you will like it. I keep mine sans caps in one of these: https://www.google.com/search?q=auvio+earbuds+case&client=ms-android-sprint-...75653815738824

11-24-2014, 11:38 AM	#14
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Looking forward to seeing images with this lens! It really sounds interesting, and one I had not considered!

11-24-2014, 11:44 AM	#15
manntax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	This is a fantastic lens indeed - make sure your copy is uniformly sharp - there were reports about them being dropped and easily knocked out of alignment. Here are two reference shots at f2.8 and F5.6 Right-click on each image and click on 'View image' or similar - to see them in full quality. f2.8 ~~f8.0 if I recall~~ Nope, it was F5.6 !