[HoBykoYan]

Why no love for the DA 40 XS? Not as widely accepted than the Plastic wonder that is...

Is it because of the unusual focal length? (close enough to 50mm and we have a lot to choose from) or is it the price compared to the DA 35? (which is a lot cheaper).

Whatever the reasons are, for me am really glad I've tried it... Now it's the most used lens I've ever had (considering owning other great lenses like the DA 70 ltd, DA 40 ltd, DA 35, DA 50-135, FA 50 1.7, M 50 1.4, A 50 1.4, Revuenon 55 1.2, Super Tak 55 1.8, Super Tak 50 1.4... etc) and loving each and every time I am using this lens...

If i had to keep only 1 lens, i would surely keep this one (a do it all lens for me).

What i love about it? everything....
Sharpness, rendering, bokeh, color, weight....

I really think we should have 1 in the lens club.... some pics (4 of the first 10 shots from this lens, only resized)

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[HoBykoYan]

More pics, all taken wide-open (2.8) except for the 2nd @ f8

[wanderography]

another reason why I sold it, that bokeh doesn't make you dizzy or motion sick??? cant even look at those images with out making my eyes going crossed...

[gtl]

Not really digging the bokeh in the 1st shot....

[Aegon]

I like its bokeh. I like the pronounced edges on the bokeh which pronounce the edges without adding color shift. I like the bokeh shown on the leaves.

[Na Horuk]

The 40mm XS is a great lens, its tiny to carry around, has round aperture blades, fast AF, and its sharp. Sure, it doesn't have a smooth natural bokeh, sure it may fringe a little wide open, and sure its filter thread is unorthodox, but none of that is unique to this lens and none of that detracts from its strengths. Of all the DA lenses, I think this one is the most justified in not having an aperture ring or distance scales, because it is so very small. Its not necessarily a lens for bokeh closeup type shots, but I like it for landscape and near-landscape shots.

Here are some shots with that lens straight out of the K-01, shot as jpeg without filters and without hood:

Camera
PENTAX K-01

Focal Length
40mm

Aperture
f/16

Exposure
1/180s

ISO
100

Camera
PENTAX K-01

Focal Length
40mm

Aperture
f/3.5

Exposure
1/125s

ISO
100

Camera
PENTAX K-01

Focal Length
40mm

Aperture
f/8

Exposure
1/350s

ISO
100

Hope the images aren't considered too big, but that host isn't exactly forum-friendly.

[hchan]

I love this little lens! Cross-posting from another thread...

[johnnie518]

I love this little lens! Cross-posting from another thread...

Dammit hchan... really making me regret selling that lens! I went through some old pics of the 40 XS and it's a great lens for the price, quality and functionality!

[hchan]

LOL Thanks again for the lens, it's been great to go hiking with! I do need something wider for landscape shots though, I think I can faintly hear a 15mm Ltd calling my name... Here's another shot, this time from a recent caving trip.

[NickLarsson]

[JinDesu]

I can live with that bokeh, doesn't look so bad to me

[normhead]

Am I the only one still using this lens? This lens is so small, there's no excuse for not taking it everywhere. A year without a post... come on people.

[yusuf]

Am I the only one still using this lens? This lens is so small, there's no excuse for not taking it everywhere. A year without a post... come on people.

Actually I liked this too for it's size, however FL is so close to 50mm and slow at f2.8 so let it go which I regret sometime.

[Na Horuk]

Small, sharp, with a little of that Tessar-style rendering. Crisp, vibrant, even frame. Rounded blades means the bokeh is nice and smooth even when you stop down. And I don't see the point about complaining that it is only f2.8. Yes, that is what it is, and it delivers a very compact package with fast AF and good IQ. If f2.8 is so utterly dark and unacceptable for you then buy a big ol' f1.2 lens lol You can't fault a lens for something that it was meant to be, its like buying a macro lens and complaining that its minimum focus distance is too small. It was a conscious design decision, and its part of the optical design.
Here are samples at f2.8 and f6.7. Sharp and nice bokeh in all of them, if you ask me. And there is something about its.. character.

[bdery]

Why no love for the DA 40 XS?

There is a LOT of love for that lens. It's generally regarded as being close to the 40 limited regarding IQ, lacking only the quick-shift and craftsmanship.