DA-L 35 test shots vs DA 35 Macro

There are some sample shots from the new lens on the other forum, which gives a useful opportunity to discuss the elephant in the room: what do those who have the DA35 think of this new lens?

Obviously this is important to the Pentax system, but I must confess to an element of self-interest here: I've had an eye on the DA35 for quite some time and want to confirm that it'll offer me something more over the DA-L

A lens hood for a start .

You have seen Mike has one for sale?

Easy enough to put a lens hood on the DA-L version. I'll bet the usual Chinese copyshops will start making something to fit if the lens is a success.

To be honest I don't use a hood on my existing short primes, and I don't seem to have much trouble with flare. Obviously if it has a built-in hood then I'll use it.

The new lens looks excellent (I'd expect nothing less though) and is half a stop faster than the DA35 Limited.

Having said that I (as the owner of a DA35 Limited) don't need that half stop of speed but I would miss the Quick Shift, the built in hood and the ability to keep focussing up close until the lens is almost touching the subject.

If I was looking to buy a 35mm lens now I'd still go for the Limited, but I can see equally valid reasons (weight, cost, speed) why people with different needs to mine might go for the DA-L.

It's nice to have a choice in the 35mm arena again.

That's my current thinking too: f2.4 isn't going to produce lots more bokeh (not at this focal length anyway) and (IMHO at least) in situations where f2.8 isn't fast enough f2.4 probably won't be either. Plus the DA35 is so shiny

I suppose I should be grateful that the DA*30 f2 Unicorn didn't make it to this year's Photokina, though when Pentax replace the lens motors in the DA* series with the new (hopefully) reliable ones I'm going to have other LBA issues!

Don't forget the build quality

Must say though that the DAL35 looks sharp wide open and I like the bokeh it produced in those photos.