HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm f/2.8-4 Limited DC WR Lens Review

HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR Handling and Features

The build quality of this lens is very solid indeed with a metal lens mount and a mixture of high quality plastics and metal used for the construction of the lens barrel. It appears to have a touch of retro styling going on, with a zoom ring reminiscent of how the focus rings were on the old screw-mount Takumar lenses from the era of the Spotmatic SLR. The lens is lightweight, weighing only 291g with the lens hood attached and it balances well with the Pentax K-5 IIs body used for testing.

Focusing isn't performed internally, so the lens barrel extends during focusing and during zooming. Even so, the filter ring does not rotate, which makes it perfect for use with polarising and graduated filters. A shallow metal hood is supplied with the lens that screws into the 55mm filter thread.


The manual focusing ring rotates during auto-focus, so care may need to be taken to it catching your fingers as it moves back and forth. Manual focusing action is smooth although there is very little damping on the focus ring, which can make applying fine adjustments tricky. The Pentax 'Quick Shift' focusing system has been implemented on this lens, which means manual adjustments can be applied once the lens has focused automatically. Auto focus is powered by a motor in the lens, but it isn't as quiet as you might expect from an ultrasonic lens. The minimum focus distance of 28cm is typical for a lens of this type and it is close enough to pose no issues when shooting in claustrophobic environments.

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