DA40

I know quite a few people on here have this - is it as sharp wide open as Photozone suggests? I've been eyeing the DA35 for a while, but wondering whether having a non-macro lens with fast AF (is it really that quick?) would be a more useful addition to my current flock than the DA35. Am I mad?

PS: The collector/sentimentalist in me wants to get the DA35 in order to complete the 'set'

Yes the DA40 is really quick and I actually bought the DA40 over the DA35 since the macro didn't interest me and would only slow down the AF and make the lens more expensive.

It certainly focusses fast!! faster certainly than the DA 35 (being a similar collector/sentimentalist type I have ended up with both ) - of course the DA 40 only has a few millimeters total travel so it's bound to be quick. I find it a great walkabout lens - especially on holiday. It weighs very little, has a pleasing field of view for 'snaps' whilst also being a top quality lens, and because it protrudes so little from the front of the camera it means I can squeeze the camera into whatever bag I am using more easily. All in all a sound purchase I reckon.

Regards

The DA40 is a great lens and another advantage is that you can take the camera out with just that lens and it's really compact.

Tony

Forget the fast focus .. forget the compact size and forget the IQ.

Just see on how sexy it looks on the camera

Better still - the FA 43Ltd. Slightly deeper true but practically a stop quicker @ f1.9 v f2.8 AND it will work with any K mount body, not just the crippled KAF2.

Got better curves as well


Steve

Doesn't have quick-shift though

Last time I looked the FA 43mm Ltd was over twice as expensive as the 40mm. I'd love both, but I'm more likely to scrape the cash together for the 40mm with this in mind!

Would love to tell you how good it is, but it is permanently attached to Fiona's camera and I never get to play with it! She does swear by it though, and her results are fantastic.

Best lens ever?

Looks good on the camera too!

On the 'just one lens' front I think the DA35 actually narrowly takes it, given being slightly wider and having macro for 'take any shot you like'. For me at least, the DA40's size is more about fitting it into a bag/pocket (it doesn't look much thicker than the lens cap ) rather than making the camera easier to carry.


Aaargh, don't say that


Well the occasional reactions of "WTF is that" would add some comedy to my photographic life! Out of interest Mike, what is that foam keyring-like thing on your K7?

The DA35+K7 looks the business. The DA40 certainly looks better than it ever did on the K20d!

Yes it is that fast to focus and yes it is that sharp.

The shot below was taken at f5.4, IQ is superb!

I can vouch for the 40 also Mr C - it is an impressive lens all round, in form as well as function.

The 40 is an excellent lens. I too wanted the 35 macro ( which is also excellent and perfect for a digital walkabout lens) but I bought the 40 when I stumbled across a new one for a shade over £200. Now I can't justify getting the 35.
The 40 is so tiny that I can get my K20 in a coat pocket when that lens is attached. I focuses faster than any of my other lenses and is incredibly sharp, even wide open (and it turns Canikon owners green)

I ashamed to say it doesn't really get as much use as it deserves as it could probably cover 75% of my photographic needs if I moved about a little bit more.

The 40 is my favourite lens of all time