SMC-DA 40 f/2.8 Limited

This is the first version of the minimal Pentax “pancake” lens made for the DSLR with a half-size sensor that effectively increases the focal length to 61 mm. Despite the large aperture of F2.8, it is very small and light (90 grams), adding very little to the already compact camera frame. The focal length makes it ideal not only for portraits, but also in many other common situations.
It has since been followed by almost equally compact 21mm and 70mm lenses.

Lisa and Kokoro (on the lens cap) with the diminutive 40mm pancake lens, lens hood screwed on.

Impressions

This amazing and unique lens is almost to small to handle. There simply is not much metal to hold on to when attaching it to the camera, or when manually adjusting the focus. But I can live with that. Focus is usually on automatic and it is a good idea not to change lenses too often. This lens is often the perfect companion to compact Pentax DSLRs such as the *ist DS, as well as the new multicolored K-x, but it looks equally well on my K-7!

Examples

Late afternoon photo (1/250 f/6.7).

December photo of plank wall with window and thermometer (1/500 f/8.0).

Unretouched detail from the original image (3008 x 2000 pixels).

Specifications

Lens construction: 5 elements in 4 groups
Angle of view: 39° (when used with DSLR)
Number of diaphragm blades: 9
Minimum aperture: f/22
Minimum focusing distance: 0.4m
Filter size: 49mm
Maximum magnification: 0.13X
Dimensions (diameter x length): 63mm x 15mm
Weight: 90g (w/o hood)

Links

Pbase samples from smc P-DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited
Pentax lens info (USA) smc P-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited
Pentax lens info (Japanese) DA40mmF2.8 Limited
DCWatch [size] comparison with DA 21mm F3.2AL Limited (Japanese) DA 21mm F3.2AL Limited
Mo’s Pentax Lens Reviews

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