35mm macro

Not sure if this link has been posted before, but this conversation on the merits of the 35mm macro is worth a read.

http://photo.net/columns/mjohnston/pentax-35mm-lens/optical-discussion/


Jonathan

There should be a health warning on that article - reading it twisted my arm into parting with some hard-earned...

You are so right but it is a great little lens and very versatile, so money well spent

I have it permanently attached to either my K20 or K7, My fav lans at the moment. I used it for my daughters Baby shower party on the weekend and when I wasn't snapping ladies gushing over a pair of baby booties, I was snapping critters in the garden

Didn't have a lens change all day, very versatile lens.

Shame it's so close in focal length to the 31. I'd be tempted to get one, otherwise.

G

I keep saying that myself George, but Im still going to get the 31mm anyway

After a couple of months of ownership (where it's rarely left the camera) I have to agree with everything said in the linked article - I really am struggling to find a weak spot with this lens.

I spent the best part of a year dithering over whether to get this or the FA31 (couldn't really justify both of them) and I'm pretty happy with my final decision. Apart from the extra stop of speed it's hard imagine how the FA31 could be noticeably better. I think in years to come this lens will be regarded as one of the all-time classics.

1. It's bad for manual focusing in any but the macro range. Since I often skip AF, this was an issue for me.

2. It is not a focal length that feels comfortable to me on digital.

3. It is not fast.

It's a great lens, but there is no perfect lens.

Yes, the DA35 Limited macro is a wonderful lens. The things that I like about are:
1) it is almost the "standard" view lens yet with close focus ability,
2) It is relatively small
3) The IQ is outstanding on all accounts, sharpness, bokeh, colour rendition, CA, contrast.

Even though I have the FA31 and love it, I am more likely to put the DA35 on the camera.

1. I use Select AF and the AF button - never the shutter button. The Quick Shift (which the FA31 lacks of course) allows me to focus manually within around 2 meters and then a couple of quick thumb movements let me AF for anything further away. Works really well and the QS was a major selling point for me having been used to it in my other macro lens (the D-FA100) which I use in exactly the same fashion.

2. That's a personal taste thing but I rather like it - each to their own though.

3. That's one I can agree with (compared to the FA31 anyway) but at f/2.8 it's not slow either. If it was a car it'd be nippy.

You're right about there being no perfect lens - I wish there was then I'd never have to buy another!

Still, the DA35 is probably as close as I'm likely to get for the time being so I'm very pleased with it

Almost forgot that one - that was another reason it got the nod ahead of the FA31 for me.

Obviously the focal length is a personal thing depending on one's favourite subjects but as 35mm on digital has the same FOV as 52.5mm on film (i.e. between the classic standard lens lengths of 50mm and 55mm) I would have thought it is essentially a "standard lens" on APSC sensors? Having said that, for many years (on film) I just had a 50mm f/2 and a 28mm f/2.8. The 28mm was used probably 90% of the time.

Given current lens prices I am learning to appreciate the delights of a Jupiter-9 85mm lens thanks to hefty.

Best wishes, Kris.

I would expect nothing less!

G

I've been using the Sigma 70mm macro a lot and finding it very good, perhaps a little on the long side but I can usually take a step back.
See my post "Not Macro!" in the Your photos forum.

Well the one I sent you probably pre-dates some of your archeological digs so it should feel right at home