#343 in Digital camera lenses
Reddit mentions of Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 XS Lens
Sentiment score: 1
Reddit mentions: 1
We found 1 Reddit mentions of Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 XS Lens. Here are the top ones.
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- Designed by Marc Newson and with a profile that is .36 inches thin at 1.8oz
- Fixed focal length 40mm prime lens is equivalent to 61mm in the 35mm format
- Maximum f2.8 aperture is ideal for existing light photography and creative depth of field applications
- Pentax SP coating protects the exposed lens elements
- Pentax KAF mount is compatible with current and past K mount compatible cameras
Features:
Specs:
| Color | black |
| Height | 2.48031 Inches |
| Length | 0.35433 Inches |
| Number of items | 1 |
| Release date | June 2013 |
| Size | ultra-compact |
| Weight | 0.0992080179 Pounds |
| Width | 2.48031 Inches |
It's one of a few choices worth considering. It's going to give pick up pretty much where the kit lens leaves off, giving you a lot more reach. If you found yourself wishing you could zoom in more, the 55-300mm is pretty well regarded and should scratch that itch.
You could also consider the 50-200mm WR. It doesn't have quite as much reach, and doesn't seem to be quite as good optically, but it's considerably smaller and lighter (if that's a concern backpacking), and it's also weathersealed (like your kit lens, but unlike the 55-300mm you linked - there is a WR version of that available now, too, though).
Another consideration might be a fast prime of some kind - the 35mm f/2.4 or 50mm f/1.8 would be reasonable choices, and in fact you could probably get both for $250. If you're already using those focal lengths a lot on your existing lens, these will trade the flexibility of zooming for reduced size and weight, improved low light performance, and better image quality. The 50mm in particular is a good short portrait lens, particularly for the price. If you didn't often find yourself wishing for more reach from the kit lens, this is the option I'd probably take.
Taking the small and light to the extreme, the 40mm XS is also on the table. It's not as fast as the other primes at f/2.8 (though still better than the kit lens), and I'm not a huge fan of 40mm on APS-C cameras, but the thing is tiny, quite cheap, and weighs under 2 oz. If you're backpacking and space and weight are at a premium it might be worth it.
Finally, since it wasn't clear, if you're looking to replace your existing lens, not compliment it, I wouldn't do it with any of those (except maybe the 35/50mm pair). If that's what you're after - basically what you have, but better - a grey market Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 is probably the only real option. Better in low light, sharper, maybe a little wider, but not (officially) weathersealed.