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Review Summary
2019-06-06T09:22:48
A great compact light weight lens for everyday use. This lens focuses quickly and quietly. The only drawback is the fixed focal length at 40 mm; after using my camera with a 17 - 70 mm zoom for years it seems limiting in what pictures can be taken. A good lens for everyday shots but for varying subject distances it can seem restrictive.
DWIGHT J.
2014-06-30T21:00:00
The Pentax Limited lenses have a well-earned reputation. I owned this before but sold when finances were tight. This barely-used lens was priced low so I'm happy to own it again. Thanks Adorama for dealing in used gear and pricing it well!
Jim P.
2013-05-10T21:00:00
This lens pretty much stays on my K5. Great for street photography very unobtrusive. I use both Canon and Pentax for my pro work and the image quality of this lens rivals my "L" lenses which cost thousands more. It is a wonderful lens I take with me everywhere.
Sifu
2012-12-16T19:00:00
A very perfect lens.
Netsoft
2012-01-23T19:00:00
Since I received this lens, I see that my pictures have a sharper, true colors, beautiful bokeh. The very fast autofocus and aperture to 2.8 contribute to a real pleasure in low light photography. This lens takes place on my Pentax for a long time.
Bruno
2011-09-24T21:00:00
Excellent compact, sharp, contrasty, fun lens to use. Great Value...
ERIC K.
2010-09-19T21:00:00
Very very high image quality, colour and contrast. Nice focal length for an APS-C sensor camera. Compact lens size doesn't put people off of having their photo taken.
Jack
2010-09-07T21:00:00
The "tiny Tim" of Pentax DSLR lenses. Compact to a fault, bridges the gap from point and shoot to the prosumer DSLR enthusiast. Unique appearance and probably the all around, go to everyday carry Prime for the Pentax lover. Get a gaggle of these limited lens-15mm, 40mm & 70mm and don't forget the Pentax case for them-outstanding! Don't forget to read the Pentax Forum reviews on this baby.
Grandpa F.
2010-07-26T21:00:00
With this lens on my K-x, I have a very compact and lightweight camera. Yet despite it's small size, the lens feels very powerful. The AF is quick and the MF is decent and quite usable, despite the thin focus ring. This lens is a very good short portrait lens and the bokeh is very pleasant and smooth, which adds a lot of emphasis to the subject.
Jacob
2010-04-15T21:00:00
Saturated colors, slightly cooler than typical Pentax lenses. Sharp. Small enough most people don't notice I'm there. Sharp. Oh, and did I say sharp? Wonderful bokeh.
Tim
2010-03-05T19:00:00
This is the smallest pancake lens ever, I think. If you have a K-x, which may be the smallest DSLR, then DA40 will give you the most tiny combination for travelling. In addition, high performance in high ISO on K-x makes D40 quick enough. And bokeh is great when at f2.8. No Purple Fring.
Henry
2009-05-06T21:00:00
This lens is super sharp. It has excellent contrast and very saturated colors. There were few complaints from other users about the lens cap but it did not bother me too much. The ability to be able to carry the lens in your shirt pocket more than make up for the it. When shooting super high contrast image at 2.8 there is slight loss of detail (low contrast)in the shadow. But under normal shooting, it should not show. This lens is as good or better than other manufacturer for far less of your hard earned money.
nico
2008-09-23T21:00:00
I got this lens due to feedbacks, and it's size. I have found it to be a very nice lens, and it really cuts down on the size of the camera. Sharpness and color meet my needs. I did not subject this to any real deep testing. I looked at my results and am pleased with it's performance. It's speed is helpful in low light conditions. It is a set lens at 40mm which is roughly the equivelant of a 60mm in 35 film. For general photography I am happy with it. The cap is very small and screws on which secures it well, but could be easily lost if you're careless at all. All in all it's a nice space saving lens and may well become one of those "remember the old "pancake lens" Pentax used to make, wish I had one". Well, I do. Dan
danielp
2008-06-16T21:00:00
I use this for my Favorite subject! My 2 1/2 year old Grand daughter! This lense is all I expected and more.
Russell R.
2008-02-19T19:00:00
I using this lens on my K100D. This lens weight so light and easy carying anywhere. I also bought the Pentax DA70 too. Both them is very good lens and pic so clear, sharp. I strong command must buy this lens with your pentax camera.
Kany
2007-10-25T21:00:00
I use this on my back up camera; Pentax DL-2 (same as the DL-1). The combo is the worlds smallest DSRL/lens combo. The lens is a mini work of art. I use it for travel and when in the car (mostly). When people see the camera they are not aware (sometimes) that the lens is on it... The fact that it is a high quality and very well made lens makes this a MUST have.
Pentax F.
2007-02-04T19:00:00
I use this lens exclusively with my 35mm film bodies, an *ist and a ZX-L. The lens works perfectly on both of them, and makes for a very compact outfit, perfect for carrying around. The DA 40mm is a sharp, excellent lens.
Unca M.
5 elements in 4 groups
39° ( when used with *istD, *istDS)
f/2.8 to f/22
15.7 inches
0.13X
49mm-size filter on the lens or a 30.5mm-size filter on the lens hood).
1.24 x 0.59"
3.17 oz
027075111004


Excellent lens for 35mm, too
By Unca M.
I use this lens exclusively with my 35mm film bodies, an *ist and a ZX-L. The lens works perfectly on both of them, and makes for a very compact outfit, perfect for carrying around. The DA 40mm is a sharp, excellent lens.
A Must Lens for K-x
By Henry
This is the smallest pancake lens ever, I think. If you have a K-x, which may be the smallest DSLR, then DA40 will give you the most tiny combination for travelling. In addition, high performance in high ISO on K-x makes D40 quick enough. And bokeh is great when at f2.8. No Purple Fring.
Designed for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras, the unique pancake style standard lens measures a mere .59 inches in length and weighs just 3.17 ounces. Combined with the popular PENTAX *ist DS digital SLR, the PENTAX DA 40mm F2.8 Limited lens will offer the smallest and lightest digital SLR combination available from any manufacturer.
As part of the PENTAX Limited Series, the lens will offer exceptional image quality and construction, high contrast, high resolution, and minimal aberrations. Also compatible with the *ist D digital SLR, this ultra thin lens will offer overall maneuverability during shooting as well as portability and storage convenience. This everyday standard lens will provide outstanding performance in a range of applications including snapshots, portraiture, indoor shooting and landscape photography.
Featuring a sophisticated appearance that incorporates an aluminum lens barrel, hood and cap, the lens offers a perspective similar to the naked eye with its 40mm focal length (equivalent to 61mm in the 35mm format), a large maximum aperture of F2.8, and a minimum focusing distance of 40 centimeters.
The PENTAX DA 40mm also features the PENTAX Quick Shift Focus System for instant switching to manual focus operation, a nine blade diaphragm to assure true-to-life reproduction of out-of-focus areas, and filter attachment versatility (a 49mm-size filter on the lens or a 30.5mm-size filter on the lens hood).
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