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mikeyew

mikeyew

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Would it be redundant to buy a DA40 if I already have a FA35? I would like to start
using primes and the DA21 and DA40 are the two on my list. Thanks.
 
I don't understand how one can answer that for you. There are obviously differences in FL. Maybe you could just set your kit zoom to a FL of 40 and see if that suits your needs ?
--
Younes ( Paris, FR)
K100D, 70-300,18-55
 
The DA40 is so small it is pocketable. Makes my K100D almost P&S-like.
Not sure what else it would have over the FA.

Pete
--
K100D some Len
 
DA40 is a whole 'nuther critter. It is just bigger than a body cap. You can carry it in your pocket without even knowing it's there.

When I have my 18-250 on my k-7, I usually have the DA40 on me somewhere just in case I need the sharpness, DOF, and sharpness...
 
mikeyew said:
Would it be redundant to buy a DA40 if I already have a FA35? I would like to start
using primes and the DA21 and DA40 are the two on my list. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Well, yes, it would be redundant. Other than size and slightly less CA, the DA 40 has nothing on the FA 35. The 35 is one stop faster, slightly higher resolution, more traditional fov.

That didn't stop me though, I own both. I use the DA 40 on my K-x, the FA 35 on my K20D. Both are great lenses. It was a little silly of me to buy the 40 when I have an FA 35 and 50, but the size of the DA 40 + K-x was irresistible and I got the lens a great price during Pentax Canada's rebate program. I could sell it right now for what I paid, but I don't intend to do that.

Whether you should buy one depends on why you want it. If you're looking for an IQ boost over the FA 35, you're going to be disappointed. If you're looking for a low light lens, you already have the right one. If you're looking for a great all-rounder with pancake size, the DA 40 is the smallest and fits the bill.

--
Dan
 
Thanks for your replies, the general opinion appears to be that the advantage of the DA40

over the FA35 is its "pancake" size. I intended to use the DA40 for street shots and

landscapes, perhaps the DA21 is the only one I should be interested in. I hoped the DA40 and other limited lenses would show improved image quality over the FA35 and my other
lenses.

I also have the FA50 and a number of zooms, Sigma 10-20, FA 16-45, the two WR kit lenses, and Tamron 70-300, but I do a lot of biking and hiking where the smaller lenses would be much easier to handle.

Thanks again.
 
Wanganuilad said:
The DA40 is so small it is pocketable. Makes my K100D almost P&S-like.
Not sure what else it would have over the FA.

Pete
Click to expand...
Why pixie dust of course! ;)

Really right now if you are in the US B&H, Adorama have the DA40ltd at $339 which is a probably far better deal than the new 35mm lense. In fact isn't it less expensive?
 
I had both FA35 and DA40 at one point. FA35, while I loved it, it just wasn't sharp wide-open, which pretty much negated the stop advantage over the DA40. My copy of DA40 on the other hand was sharp wide open. Besides, the collection of limited DA primes is just too charming to not have them all.
audiobomber said:
mikeyew said:
Would it be redundant to buy a DA40 if I already have a FA35? I would like to start
using primes and the DA21 and DA40 are the two on my list. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Well, yes, it would be redundant. Other than size and slightly less CA, the DA 40 has nothing on the FA 35. The 35 is one stop faster, slightly higher resolution, more traditional fov.

That didn't stop me though, I own both. I use the DA 40 on my K-x, the FA 35 on my K20D. Both are great lenses. It was a little silly of me to buy the 40 when I have an FA 35 and 50, but the size of the DA 40 + K-x was irresistible and I got the lens a great price during Pentax Canada's rebate program. I could sell it right now for what I paid, but I don't intend to do that.

Whether you should buy one depends on why you want it. If you're looking for an IQ boost over the FA 35, you're going to be disappointed. If you're looking for a low light lens, you already have the right one. If you're looking for a great all-rounder with pancake size, the DA 40 is the smallest and fits the bill.

--
Dan
Click to expand...
 
nrgpill4 said:
I had both FA35 and DA40 at one point. FA35, while I loved it, it just wasn't sharp wide-open, which pretty much negated the stop advantage over the DA40. My copy of DA40 on the other hand was sharp wide open.
Click to expand...
I don't see the point of comparing the FA 35 at 2.0 with the DA 40 at 2.8. Yes, the DA 40 is the sharper lens wide open, but with both at 2.8, the FA 35 is sharper. At 2.0, the FA 35 is useable, whereas the DA 40 isn't in the game.
nrgpill4 said:
Besides, the collection of limited DA primes is just too charming to not have them all.
Click to expand...
There are a lot of lenses I'd love to have. Unfortunately I can't have them all.

--
Dan
 
The FA35 is a better lens than the DA40 - in every possible way other than build quality. The FA35 is no slouch there either - it just isn't a full-metal design. The speed is very usable, it's sharp/contrasty, and you already own it.

--
My Website
http://www.andrewallenphoto.com

My Pentax Street Gallery - Arranged By Lens Used
http://photobucket.com/andy_allen
 
mikeyew said:
Thanks for your replies, the general opinion appears to be that the advantage of the DA40

over the FA35 is its "pancake" size. I intended to use the DA40 for street shots
Click to expand...
The other thing I would mention is that that the DA40 is tack sharp edge to edge.

and
mikeyew said:
landscapes, perhaps the DA21 is the only one I should be interested in. I hoped the DA40 and other limited lenses would show improved image quality over the FA35 and my other
lenses.

I also have the FA50 and a number of zooms, Sigma 10-20, FA 16-45, the two WR kit lenses, and Tamron 70-300, but I do a lot of biking and hiking where the smaller lenses would be much easier to handle.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
--

Nothing is more admirable than the fortitude with which millionaires tolerate the disadvantages of their wealth.
  • Rex Stout
 
Well, for FA35, CA can be an issue; for DA 40 there is almost no CA at all.

John
 
mikeyew said:
mikeyew wrote:

Would it be redundant to buy a DA40 if I already have a FA35? I would like to start
using primes and the DA21 and DA40 are the two on my list. Thanks.
Click to expand...
All new Pentax cameras render old lenses, well, old.

When equaled at f2.8, DA40 is much sweeter and overall, smarter. Some people here prefer FA lenses, but I've found DAs to be sweeter, much smarter lenses, and optically rivalling and bettering FAs. If I were you, I'd sell FA35 and get myself DA21. But that's also a matter of personal taste, and someone may disagree.

As for DA21, yes, that one is a gem also.
You cannot go wrong with them.
 
This is the same conclusion I made when I was in a position to sell either the FA limiteds or the DA limiteds. I finally decided to sell the FA limiteds to fund D700. Well, that ended up being a mistake because the only Nikon body I have now is an old F5. Anyway, the point is that I have decided at some point that for me the DA limiteds are the most charming aspect of owning a Pentax system. I have since added a few more primes (DA*55 + Sigma 30mm) to "feel" a bit more complete. However, YMMV.
Zvonimir Tosic said:
Zvonimir Tosic said:
mikeyew wrote:

Would it be redundant to buy a DA40 if I already have a FA35? I would like to start
using primes and the DA21 and DA40 are the two on my list. Thanks.
Click to expand...
All new Pentax cameras render old lenses, well, old.

When equaled at f2.8, DA40 is much sweeter and overall, smarter. Some people here prefer FA lenses, but I've found DAs to be sweeter, much smarter lenses, and optically rivalling and bettering FAs. If I were you, I'd sell FA35 and get myself DA21. But that's also a matter of personal taste, and someone may disagree.

As for DA21, yes, that one is a gem also.
You cannot go wrong with them.
Click to expand...
 
Both lenses have longitudinal CA - as does nearly every lens aside from modern APO designs. Definitely not a reason to make a purchase of one lens over another - particularly as it can be handled effectively with nearly any PP software. I don't think there is a Pentax lens that doesn't have longitudinal CA.
J_K said:
Well, for FA35, CA can be an issue; for DA 40 there is almost no CA at all.

John
Click to expand...
--
My Website
http://www.andrewallenphoto.com

My Pentax Street Gallery - Arranged By Lens Used
http://photobucket.com/andy_allen
 
True, CA can be corrected; however, such a correction will lead to a slight reduction of sharpness. As for LoCA, also true - most of the lenses have it; still, DA 40 seems to be slightly better corrected in this regard than FA 35.

Best,
John
 
J_K said:
True, CA can be corrected; however, such a correction will lead to a slight reduction of sharpness.
Click to expand...
Longitudinal CA occurs behind and in front of the focus point ... primarily in what is called the 'bokeh'. I don't want sharp bokeh - perhaps we just shoot differently. I notice in your next statement you begin talking about longitudinal CA as if something else was being discussed here ... strange. (I think what you are looking for is 'lateral' CA - aka purple fringing). Even easier to correct, but we'll the forum this overworked line of discussion and lens analysis; if you've used both lenses and prefer one, so be it.
 
thxbb12 said:
Hi Andy,
Click to expand...
Hello Florent
thxbb12 said:
How about the bokeh?
Click to expand...
Quite personal as to preference I'd say, but naturally (do to the slightly longer focal length/narrower FOV) the 40 will have more chance to produce bokeh - though I'm sure it's close with the FA35 @f2 and the DA40 @ f2.8; minimum focus distance taken into account. I think Photozone did a fair review of both lenses, but unfortunately didn't give much feedback as to bokeh - probably assuming it wouldn't be a major concern at this focal length. The FA35 isn't the FA31 by any means, but I never found it to be particularly objectionable - a few (old) examples. I'm not into lens collecting so when I wanted the 31, I sold the 35 (and FA50) for it. All shot with the K100D Super.

f2.4



f2



f2.5



f2.5



f3.5



f3.5


thxbb12 said:
I've always thought the DA40 would have better bokeh as it features 9 blades instead of 6.
Click to expand...
Could be - but don't discount the major impact of aperture 'size', and focus distance.
thxbb12 said:
I own the FA35 and I really like it, except for the bokeh in some instances (although it can be the case with any lens).
Click to expand...
Indeed - things are quite subjective in this area, but luckily Pentax didn't produces many slouches when it comes to bokeh.
thxbb12 said:
--
Florent

http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/florentgluck
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thxbb12/
Click to expand...
--
My Website
http://www.andrewallenphoto.com

My Pentax Street Gallery - Arranged By Lens Used
http://photobucket.com/andy_allen
 
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