Originally posted by pearl.ish The Pentax A 35mm f2 is waaaaaaaaaaaay better than the Pentax 40mm f2.8 Limited...
The two lenses aren't even in the same stratosphere.
The DA40/2.8 Ltd is, if I'm not mistaken, is a refit of the M40/2.8 into a nicer suit of clothes.
The A35/2.8 is pretty much an M35/2.8 in a tuxedo.
The 40 was designed to be a lens cap on the ME series of bodies, making a pocketable SLR camera.
It's primary design parameter was small, so everything else was compromised to a certain extent.
I don't think the 40 Ltd is much more than a novelty. It's an OK lens, but that's about it, and it's has no ergonomics. I like cradling the lens with my left hand, and the 40 gives nothing to cradle.
I have the A35/2.8 and found it to be excellent in every way. It's imaging qualities are as good as any Pentax lens in its range from what ive seen, including coming very close to the 31Ltd in rendering quality.
It's a superb lens. I'm on your side on this one.