pancake 40mm 0r fa 50mm f1.4?

hi, i am trying to decide which of these two lenses to buy -(the smc fa 50mm f1.4 or the pancake 40m f2.8 limited). i currently own a pentax k5 and have the 18-55mm and 50-200mm kit lenses. i want a small sized lens for portraits/and street shots. my first thoughts were to go with the 50mm, but ive recently seen pics taken by the pancake lens and am very impressed by it. im also considering one of these two, as they are in my price range!. anyone out there, who has experiance of either/both?. love to hear what you think of them!!!-many thanks!

Both are good lenses, but I prefer the character of the 40mm, finding the 50mm f1.4 a little bland. Sharp but bland. I know these are subjective comments, but usually our favourite lenses have subtle characteristics that are not revealed by MTF tests alone.

john, would you say the 40mm is as, sharp as the 50mm?.also, the photos ive seen taken by the 40mm look to have amazing colour throughout. they really stand out, to me anyway, more so than those ive seen taken by the 50mm. - or is that just me? - thanks.

I agree with you. Yes, they are both very sharp. The 40mm is a very high quality Limited lens and focuses lightning fast as well, due to its short focusing throw.

thanks for your input john, i feel the 40mm calling me!,- i think! kind regards!

I don't think you would be disappointed whichever you chose.

The 50 has the advantage of speed but the 40 does have that 3d feel.

I should get one now and plan to get the other later!

I agree. The shallow DOF you can get at f/1.4 has a huge amount of character and depth.

I'd also through the Sigma 30mm/1.4 into the mix as well.

that is my experience.
I have both lenses and the DA gets the nod 95% of the time.
Benefits from the built in shade that the FA50 needs.

Pete

That last point is an excellent one - built in lens hoods are wonderful, compact and convenient. In the case of the 40mm we need never fail to use it, which is an excellent aid to lovely, saturated images.

thanks everyone for your input and advice. think i will be going for the 40mm,(it now, definately looks the better of the two for me). i might try and see if i can get the 50mm at a later stage (or a bargain price - if im lucky!). - thanks everyone!

The DA40 doesn't have a build in hood.
But i just leave the hood on most of the time, it's so small...

The DA 40mm has a hood that is integral to the design and can be left in place unobtrusively, which I think really amounts to the same thing. The only reason to remove it would be to fit a filter.

heck, you got me on a detail there !
Do you mean you take it off sometimes ?
Can't imagine why

Thing I could never work out, why is Pentax marked on the inside of the lens cap?

Maybe but it isn't the same thing though so saying the DA40 has a build-in hood is simply incorrect.



To fit the Pol filter on it
It use 49mm thread and the DFA100 also has that so they share the same filters.
The DA40 is always in my bag though, it's so small that i always have room for it but since i've most of the time the DA*16-50 with me it doesn't see so much action.