the new small option

My wife wants a 'small' camera.  The nx300 is a very good choice - and so is the K-r with its new DA 40mm XS.

Not even NX lenses come this thin (yet!); I expect that most people presume the XS is a fancy lens cap.  However it's optically the DA Limited 40mm in disguise, with nine aperture blades and all the talent within, merely modified by designer Marc Newsom to go with his K-01 dream camera.  Few actual photographers shared his dream but at $300 closeout prices people came around :-) and learned of its special talents (like standing on end on a flat surface for vertical shots!).

Every now and then this lens also can be had cheaply.  Lórien could use the K-r with a manual 50mm, but when I found this deal I knew the automation and exquisite Image Quality were for her!

One lens has yet to arrive in this K-mount realignment.. so another update soon.

two pancakes, one crêpe

Many have extolled the virtue of the Pentax DA pancakes: 21mm, 40mm and 70mm Limited primes that serve very well and are tiny to boot.  At one time I owned the DA40 and 70 at once, and I liked them very much but the budget demanded a sacrifice.  I later picked up the DA21 so my lifetime triple was complete!

Now I have picked up a new 40mm - not the DA Limited but the XS model that came with the K-01.  If the others are pancake lenses, this is surely a crêpe as it's substantially thinner.  It loses quick shift but is optically the same excellent lens; I look forward to using it to replace my lens cap! :^)  Actually the lens-cap for this is about the size of a rubber quarter, so hopefully I shall be able to keep track of it.

The fourth prime is a Sigma 105mm macro, which is larger and heavier than these three combined.  Hopefully I can justify carrying such a 'beast' now and then!