The lure of the DA 40 Limited

jab2980 · 12-22-2021, 10:23 PM - **4 Likes**

I'd say that the SMC 40 Limited was my favorite lens on crop sensor (K-5II). Whenever I was composing a nature scene with my eyes, it would end up being exactly what I'd see through the 40mm lens. It had brilliant corner to corner sharpness. It was of course very lightweight and portable. I used it maybe once or twice on my K-1 and haven't really returned to it. It's brilliant, you should get it.

Here's a couple of my favorites with it if you don't mind:

**pentaxus** · 12-22-2021, 11:32 PM

Buy the lens. You will save money and time not having to clean up all that drool.

bdery · 12-23-2021, 06:35 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

No one (but Pentax) has thought, hey, 40mm would be a great focal length on APS-C. And they might not even have done it if they didn't have an optical design already, that fit with their pancake vision for the DA Limiteds.

That's a good point. You can of course use a FF lens on APS-C, but the DA40 is so small, it's quite unique.

Originally posted by ChristianRock

There's where we probably disagree... 50mm to me is a great focal length, it's been my favorite APS-C focal length for years.

OK

Originally posted by ChristianRock

The slight telephoto compression is super-flattering

I always find 50 to be either too much or too little.

Originally posted by ChristianRock

However now that I have the DA 70 Limited, I have been trying to make that my go-to lens for mild tele shots, and suddenly the 40mm starts to make a bit more sense...

Ah yes! 70 and 40 together are much more versatile than only 50.

Originally posted by UncleVanya

My lenscap:

I bought an cheap eBay actual clip-on cap for my 40 (which has now been replaced by the FA43, but I digress).

**pepperberry farm** · 12-23-2021, 07:31 AM - **3 Likes**

resident contrarian here:

there is another 40mm lens that has not been mentioned - biggest issue is that it is manual focus, rather than AF.....

but beyond that single issue, it beats the DA 40 Limited for just about anything else you care to throw at it...

Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f2 SL II

(just sayin')

ChristianRock · 12-23-2021, 08:08 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

resident contrarian here:

there is another 40mm lens that has not been mentioned - biggest issue is that it is manual focus, rather than AF.....

but beyond that single issue, it beats the DA 40 Limited for just about anything else you care to throw at it...

Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f2 SL II

(just sayin')

Agreed on the results...

Part of the lure of the 40mm is that it's so affordable in the used market, though...

**ehrwien** · 12-23-2021, 03:42 PM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

it won't happen until sometime next year, I'm sure

Bold statement to make with only 10 days left this year

Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II

But if you can get a HD DA 40mm f2.8 Ltd at a reasonable price

That's what made me get mine - it's still all-time low price for the lens new in the price comparison tool of my choice.

Some images I took with it: HD DA 40/2.8 Limited | Flickr

I think the unusual focal length made me work some more, made me look for interesting compositions. But perhaps that's just part of the Limited appeal for me in general.

ChristianRock · 12-24-2021, 08:21 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by ehrwien

Bold statement to make with only 10 days left this year

Well it could have been in time for Christmas

But I already know my Christmas gift, it'll be a steak knife set.

**robgski** · 12-25-2021, 06:34 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ChristianRock

But I already know my Christmas gift, it'll be a steak knife set.

Steak Knives?

Youtu.be

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12-22-2021, 10:23 PM - 4 Likes	#46
jab2980 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Albums Posts: 578	I'd say that the SMC 40 Limited was my favorite lens on crop sensor (K-5II). Whenever I was composing a nature scene with my eyes, it would end up being exactly what I'd see through the 40mm lens. It had brilliant corner to corner sharpness. It was of course very lightweight and portable. I used it maybe once or twice on my K-1 and haven't really returned to it. It's brilliant, you should get it. Here's a couple of my favorites with it if you don't mind:

12-22-2021, 11:32 PM	#47
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	Buy the lens. You will save money and time not having to clean up all that drool.

12-23-2021, 06:35 AM	#48
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by ChristianRock No one (but Pentax) has thought, hey, 40mm would be a great focal length on APS-C. And they might not even have done it if they didn't have an optical design already, that fit with their pancake vision for the DA Limiteds. That's a good point. You can of course use a FF lens on APS-C, but the DA40 is so small, it's quite unique. Originally posted by ChristianRock There's where we probably disagree... 50mm to me is a great focal length, it's been my favorite APS-C focal length for years. OK Originally posted by ChristianRock The slight telephoto compression is super-flattering I always find 50 to be either too much or too little. Originally posted by ChristianRock However now that I have the DA 70 Limited, I have been trying to make that my go-to lens for mild tele shots, and suddenly the 40mm starts to make a bit more sense... Ah yes! 70 and 40 together are much more versatile than only 50. Originally posted by UncleVanya My lenscap: I bought an cheap eBay actual clip-on cap for my 40 (which has now been replaced by the FA43, but I digress).

12-23-2021, 07:31 AM - 3 Likes	#49
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,645	resident contrarian here: there is another 40mm lens that has not been mentioned - biggest issue is that it is manual focus, rather than AF..... but beyond that single issue, it beats the DA 40 Limited for just about anything else you care to throw at it... Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f2 SL II (just sayin')

12-23-2021, 08:08 AM - 2 Likes	#50
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by pepperberry farm resident contrarian here: there is another 40mm lens that has not been mentioned - biggest issue is that it is manual focus, rather than AF..... but beyond that single issue, it beats the DA 40 Limited for just about anything else you care to throw at it... Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f2 SL II (just sayin') Agreed on the results... Part of the lure of the 40mm is that it's so affordable in the used market, though...

12-23-2021, 03:42 PM	#51
ehrwien Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 2,781	Originally posted by ChristianRock it won't happen until sometime next year, I'm sure Bold statement to make with only 10 days left this year Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II But if you can get a HD DA 40mm f2.8 Ltd at a reasonable price That's what made me get mine - it's still all-time low price for the lens new in the price comparison tool of my choice. Some images I took with it: HD DA 40/2.8 Limited \| Flickr I think the unusual focal length made me work some more, made me look for interesting compositions. But perhaps that's just part of the Limited appeal for me in general.

12-24-2021, 08:21 AM - 3 Likes	#52
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by ehrwien Bold statement to make with only 10 days left this year Well it could have been in time for Christmas But I already know my Christmas gift, it'll be a steak knife set.

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