DAL 35mm available

Which one? Still completely flummoxed here, but leaning vaguely towards the DA Limited.

Matt has just posted he has one on order. The DAL35.
But a comparison might be nice.

Don't worry, there will be plenty of test shots on both digital and film!

Planning to try a couple of frames with it on my Super A to prove whether it's full frame compatible or not, just to prove the point. It will probably become the most-used lens on my K-m unless I specifically need a wide angle.

There was a post on the Other Forum suggesting that it might be, on the basis that (the poster believes) this lens is a derivative of the FA35.

Yep, that's why I'm bothering to try! I did have a brief go at using my DA 18-55mm on film but the vignetting was visible in the viewfinder, so I didn't bother.

So thinking Portraits hands up everybody which is best. Asssume price is not the issue. (Trouble is I quite like the Quick Shift & MFD of the 2.8 Mac

I'll wait for the dangermouse files. Apart from that there are 225 other good reasons why I more than likely will get a DAL35.

I think in my case it'll be replacing my A 50mm f1.7 (no AF and a bit long for walkabout digital use) and my K 28mm f3.5 (no AF, no A setting, a bit slow) in my standard bag (also contains 18-55, K 120mm f2.8, and F 80-200mm or A 200mm f4).

That said, I'd love to see Pentax bring back the K 28/3.5 with AF and an auto aperture. It's an absolutely gorgeous lens and will be moving to my film collection, most likely on my KX. I will be testing the DA 35mm against this lens as IMO it's one of the finest walkabout lenses available for a DSLR.

You may have been thrown by the double negative there! What I was suggesting was that, because I was perfectly happy with the bokeh of an f4 shot, the fact that the Limited is slightly slower than the new lens isn't necessarily a Big Deal for me.

Hmmn, I tend to see buying lenses are long-term lens rental, really. Eventually I'll trade in most of them against something else.

If you wait for a good second-hand DA 35mm 2.8, my guess is that you'd be able to sell it for most of what you paid for it. Say, 225 to 250 or so on a 300 squids lens. Not a bad rental for a year or two of use, say, if you decide it's not for you. What I do know with any of the limiteds is that if a shot doesn't work it is never down to the lens but to me. Not sure I could say that about every lens out there. These primes are the whole point of Pentax, imho. Rejoice and get the best ones.

I know that the 35 Limited would be a fabulous lens, my only question is whether the smoother bokeh (and sharpness at non-macro distances?) and minor speed advantage of the DA-L 35 is worth getting that instead.

No clear winner yet then

My DA 35mm f2.4 is here - managed a few test shots before it had to be wrapped up (it's supposed to be a birthday present in just over a month's time!)

A bit rushed but here's one of a brick barbeque at f2.4, ISO 400:

[IMG]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x21/Kingofthemountains/IMGP3961.jpg[/IMG]

Up the garden at f3.5, ISO 400:

[IMG]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x21/Kingofthemountains/IMGP3964.jpg[/IMG]

and finally a lavender flowerhead at f2.4, ISO 100 - demonstrates the bokeh pretty well I think, and it's very sharp indeed if you zoom in:

[IMG]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x21/Kingofthemountains/IMGP3966.jpg[/IMG]

In short, worth every penny and then some!

Looks good, but I would be interested whether it's decently tough, and whether the flare resistance is up to DA ltd standard.

I only used it for about 5mins but it feels well made, better than the 18-55 DA-L. No quickshift but it's badged as a DA (no L). It clicks onto the camera positively despite the plastic mount and weighs next to nothing. Can't comment on flare control but I see no reason for it not to keep up with other SMC-coated lenses.

Now looking for a PH-S49 lens hood (which fitted the M 28mm and 35mm, so should work on this too), no luck yet.