People First shots with my new DA40 : maternity

First shots with my new DA40 : maternity · 05:27 AM

I've got a new love in my life... my baby girl Anaïs, born last Saturday! I'll surely post some pictures of her soon, but in the meantime I share some shots I took of my wife while she was still pregnant. I did those shots to test my newly acquired DA40 LTD. This lens is meant to replace my F50 f1,7, I wanted something slightly wider for studio and on-location work, and 40mm is perfect.

The DA40 is amazing, sharp like crazy, even wide open, with beautiful colours, a smooth bokeh and a ludicrously compact size. My DA21 feels big now, for crying out loud.

So here are the shots. I gotta say, as much as I loved my F50, I don't miss it at all. I never used it wider than f2,8, and the DA40 is already great at that aperture, so I haven't lost anything.

**Kerrowdown** · 07-11-2013, 06:08 AM

Some size of bump that.

Good to hear all turned well, make the most of them when wee, as they don't stay wee long.

Also start right now saving for a uni fund, you have been warned.

bdery · 07-11-2013, 08:35 AM

Originally posted by kerrowdown

Some size of bump that

And imagine, she was a bit premature...

Originally posted by kerrowdown

Also start right now saving for a uni fund, you have been warned

Already doing that for my first boy, no worries!

seventysixersfan · 07-11-2013, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by kerrowdown

make the most of them when wee, as they don't stay wee long.

So very true. Some of the best shots I've taken of my daughter are before she started to crawl. Now she never wants to sit still for the camera. I'm lucky if any of my pictures of her now (at age 2.5) are sharply in focus!

Congrats on the new family addition and good luck! Yes, the DA40 is excellent for the kind of portraits you're capturing right now. DA 21 will be useful later for environmental portraits.

slowpez · 07-11-2013, 10:53 AM

Congrats on the new addition to your family. You will have many years of pleasure photographing her at different stages (when she is feeling cooperative that is.)

carrrlangas · 07-11-2013, 01:28 PM

I bought a DA40 to replace my F50 too.. I found out I rearly use it below f/2.8

bdery · 07-12-2013, 06:38 AM

Originally posted by carrrlangas

I bought a DA40 to replace my F50 too.. I found out I rearly use it below f/2.8

Yep, that was my point, with the wider angle also useful.

Thanks everyone for the good words!

**MSL** · 07-12-2013, 06:59 AM

You're not helping my LBA any. I've been wanting something wider than a 50, although I do shoot below 2.8 on a regular basis. My 50 is my only low light lens, and I also have fun experimenting at 1.7, or if I'm in the mood at 1.4 with a SuperTak. But I've been looking at getting a DA35/2.4 or the 40/2.8, and these shots only add fuel to the fire.

daacon · 07-12-2013, 07:13 AM

Congrats on the new addition to the family and some great shots.

bdery · 07-12-2013, 11:03 AM

Originally posted by MSL

You're not helping my LBA any. I've been wanting something wider than a 50, although I do shoot below 2.8 on a regular basis. My 50 is my only low light lens, and I also have fun experimenting at 1.7, or if I'm in the mood at 1.4 with a SuperTak. But I've been looking at getting a DA35/2.4 or the 40/2.8, and these shots only add fuel to the fire.

If you really need wider then it's the FA43 for you

I never felt comfortable using the F50 wide open unless there was no other option. The DOF is TOO narrow, I feel, and it's softer. When I want such a narrow DOF I take my DFA 100 macro WR anyway.

I'm really loving everything about the DA40. Size, IQ, AF speed, it's all good.

Originally posted by daacon

Congrats on the new addition to the family and some great shots.

Thanks!

**MSL** · 07-12-2013, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by bdery

If you really need wider then it's the FA43 for you I never felt comfortable using the F50 wide open unless there was no other option. The DOF is TOO narrow, I feel, and it's softer. When I want such a narrow DOF I take my DFA 100 macro WR anyway.

Well now you are getting to the heart of the problem, as a DFA or FA 100 is on my list, as is a DA70 or FA77....
I agree the DOF can get very small, and it makes it very hard to shoot, but it can give a lovely soft portrait if you get it just right.

bdery
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07-11-2013, 06:08 AM	#2
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Some size of bump that. Good to hear all turned well, make the most of them when wee, as they don't stay wee long. Also start right now saving for a uni fund, you have been warned.

07-11-2013, 08:35 AM	#3
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357 Original Poster	Originally posted by kerrowdown Some size of bump that And imagine, she was a bit premature... Originally posted by kerrowdown Also start right now saving for a uni fund, you have been warned Already doing that for my first boy, no worries!

07-11-2013, 08:52 AM	#4
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	Originally posted by kerrowdown make the most of them when wee, as they don't stay wee long. So very true. Some of the best shots I've taken of my daughter are before she started to crawl. Now she never wants to sit still for the camera. I'm lucky if any of my pictures of her now (at age 2.5) are sharply in focus! Congrats on the new family addition and good luck! Yes, the DA40 is excellent for the kind of portraits you're capturing right now. DA 21 will be useful later for environmental portraits.

07-11-2013, 10:53 AM	#5
slowpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 18,462	Congrats on the new addition to your family. You will have many years of pleasure photographing her at different stages (when she is feeling cooperative that is.)

07-11-2013, 01:28 PM	#6
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761	I bought a DA40 to replace my F50 too.. I found out I rearly use it below f/2.8

07-12-2013, 06:38 AM	#7
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357 Original Poster	Originally posted by carrrlangas I bought a DA40 to replace my F50 too.. I found out I rearly use it below f/2.8 Yep, that was my point, with the wider angle also useful. Thanks everyone for the good words!

07-12-2013, 06:59 AM	#8
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	You're not helping my LBA any. I've been wanting something wider than a 50, although I do shoot below 2.8 on a regular basis. My 50 is my only low light lens, and I also have fun experimenting at 1.7, or if I'm in the mood at 1.4 with a SuperTak. But I've been looking at getting a DA35/2.4 or the 40/2.8, and these shots only add fuel to the fire.

07-12-2013, 07:13 AM	#9
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914	Congrats on the new addition to the family and some great shots.

07-12-2013, 11:03 AM	#10
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357 Original Poster	Originally posted by MSL You're not helping my LBA any. I've been wanting something wider than a 50, although I do shoot below 2.8 on a regular basis. My 50 is my only low light lens, and I also have fun experimenting at 1.7, or if I'm in the mood at 1.4 with a SuperTak. But I've been looking at getting a DA35/2.4 or the 40/2.8, and these shots only add fuel to the fire. If you really need wider then it's the FA43 for you I never felt comfortable using the F50 wide open unless there was no other option. The DOF is TOO narrow, I feel, and it's softer. When I want such a narrow DOF I take my DFA 100 macro WR anyway. I'm really loving everything about the DA40. Size, IQ, AF speed, it's all good. Originally posted by daacon Congrats on the new addition to the family and some great shots. Thanks!

07-12-2013, 11:10 AM	#11
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	Originally posted by bdery If you really need wider then it's the FA43 for you I never felt comfortable using the F50 wide open unless there was no other option. The DOF is TOO narrow, I feel, and it's softer. When I want such a narrow DOF I take my DFA 100 macro WR anyway. Well now you are getting to the heart of the problem, as a DFA or FA 100 is on my list, as is a DA70 or FA77.... I agree the DOF can get very small, and it makes it very hard to shoot, but it can give a lovely soft portrait if you get it just right.