Mar 30, 2015

HD Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited

Introduction

Sometimes referred to as the "King of Pancakes", the HD Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited is the latest heir to the diminutive throne. But beyond the size and weight, do the optics in this truly tiny lens deserve the title?

Tracing its lineage to the 1976 SMC Pentax-M 40mm F2.8, the latest version has Ricoh's HD coatings, promising excellent contrast with minimal ghosting or flare. Compared to the SMC Limited variant, the HD Limited added Pentax's Super Protect coating to repel water and dust, and rounded aperture blades for smoother out-of-focus rendering. 

The HD variant of the lens is available in both black and silver (pictured).

While the technology has advanced, the DA 40mm Limited's size has not. Weighing a scant 89 grams and protruding just 15mm from the camera, the lens looks almost comically tiny mated to a DSLR. Given how small and lightweight it is, there is little reason not to carry this lens in your bag.

Perhaps just as important as any attribute in light of the announcement of a full-frame Pentax, the DA 40mm Limited does in fact cover the full 24x36mm frame.

With almost 40 years of pancake heritage, the DA 40mm Limited has some big (tiny) shoes to fill if it expects to remain the "King".