Pentax SMC DA 40mm F2 8 Limited Review | 54 Data compared

The Pentax SMC P-DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited, reviewed by ePHOTOzine, is an ultra-compact "pancake" lens for cropped-sensor DSLRs that delivers outstanding central sharpness, negligible distortion, and excellent flare resistance. Pros include its 90-gram, 15mm-thick design, high-quality build, and sharp performance, particularly when stopped down to f/8. However, the lens has drawbacks, including poor corner sharpness at wide apertures, a high price, and a challenging, fiddly handling experience due to its small size. Additionally, the rotating focus ring during autofocus and limited 0.13x maximum magnification make it unsuitable for close-up photography, according to ePHOTOzine.

The Pentax 40mm f/2.8 Limited SMC P-DA is an exceptionally thin, lightweight, and durable "pancake" prime lens built with an all-metal construction that offers great portability for everyday walk-around photography. Optically, the lens delivers outstanding sharpness across the frame, especially when stopped down to f/11, and exhibits virtually non-existent chromatic aberration. It features an imperceptible 0.1% average barrel distortion and benefits from Pentax's "quick-shift" focus system, which allows users to seamlessly override the very fast autofocus mechanism for immediate manual adjustments. However, the lens suffers from notable usability issues, primarily stemming from its frustratingly small screw-on combination lens hood and 30.5mm cap insert, which are cumbersome to use and easy to lose. Mechanically driven autofocus produces a loud, noisy whine, and because the lens lacks an aperture ring, it cannot be used effectively on older film camera bodies. Additionally, it displays minor corner shading (vignetting) at its widest setting of f/2.8 and is poorly suited for macro work, offering a low 0.13x maximum magnification and a restrictive 40cm close-focus distance.

The Pentax SMC-DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited is an ultra-compact "pancake" lens specifically engineered for the APS-C sensor format, yielding a 60mm full-frame focal length equivalent. Reviewer Klaus Schroiff highlights several key pros, most notably the exceptional all-metal build quality and its highly portable, ultra-flat physical profile (63 x 15 mm) weighing only 90 grams. Because the focus group is remarkably lightweight, the lens features very fast and accurate autofocus capabilities when mounted on cameras like the Pentax K10D. Additionally, Pentax managed to price this high-quality addition to their street-photography lineup at a relatively moderate level. YouTube ·Scott J. Waldron 📷 Conversely, the review points out several notable cons, starting with its unconventional 60mm equivalent focal length and maximum f/2.8 aperture, which falls outside the typical sweet spot of street photography desires. Due to its incredibly miniature size, the manual focus control ring is extremely small, giving the impression that it was "made for elfs" and providing very little physical space to grip. Furthermore, because the lens lacks an internal autofocus motor, it relies on a slotted drive screw driven directly...

The Pentax SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited is an ultra-slim, 90g pancake lens offering excellent build quality and outstanding center sharpness between f/8 and f/11. It features a non-rotating filter thread, fast autofocus, and a compact design, though edge sharpness is lower at f/2.8 and it lacks weather sealing. Limitations include a 40cm minimum focus distance with low 0.13x magnification and a front element that extends during focusing. Additionally, the friction-fit lens cap is easily lost, and the premium price makes it less competitive than the newer XS version.

The smc Pentax-DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited is a highly compact, 90g metal-bodied pancake lens that provides excellent center sharpness at f/2.8, with peak performance achieved by f/8, according to the PentaxUser review. It features a rapid screw-driven autofocus system, Quick-Shift manual override, and a non-rotating filter thread for ease of use. Cons include lower edge resolution at maximum aperture, a noisy autofocus mechanism, and a lack of a hyperfocal scale, the PentaxUser review notes. Additionally, the 1cm manual focus ring rotates during operation, and the 0.13x maximum magnification restricts close-up performance.

The SMC Pentax-DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited is a highly regarded, ultra-portable "pancake" prime lens offering exceptional sharpness, contrast, and build quality, specifically noted for its compact 15mm length and all-metal construction. Its primary pros include outstanding center performance from f/2.8, minimal distortion, and the inclusion of a low-profile metal lens hood and Quick-Shift Focus. Conversely, the lens is limited by its screw-drive AF, lack of weather sealing, and a fiddly focusing ring, along with a tedious screw-on lens cap. It also faces competition from the lower-cost, optically similar DA 40mm f/2.8 XS, as noted in the user reviews.

The Pentax SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited is an ultra-compact pancake prime lens designed specifically for APS-C format cameras, providing a full-frame equivalent focal length of 60mm. A standout pro of this lens is its exceptional, high-quality build that utilizes metal rather than plastic, making it a durable yet remarkably lightweight choice at just 90 grams. Furthermore, because its internal focus group is incredibly light, autofocussing on cameras like the Pentax K5 is very fast. Pentax has also priced this "Limited" lineup lens at a relatively moderate level, making it an accessible option for street photography enthusiasts. On the downside, its 60mm equivalent field-of-view is somewhat awkward, as it does not sit in the traditional "sweet spot" of standard focal lengths preferred by most photographers. Handling can also be difficult; the focus control ring is so tiny that it "seems to be made for elfs," leaving virtually no space for comfortable manual adjustments. Additionally, the lens lacks an internal autofocus motor and relies entirely on the camera's slotted drive screw, which generates a moderate amount of noise during operation.