Limited Conundrum...
The one issue which you should be aware of is the differences in focusing between the DA35 Macro and the FA43. Obviously macro lenses can be ponderous if they decide to hunt, but as far as I'm aware the FA Limiteds aren't exactly speed demons either. The difference I want to highlight is in how the focusing range is distributed: the DA35 Macro has only a very slight turn from 2 feet to infinity, so I don't imagine MF would be much fun in non-macro situations. Also (and unusually - uniquely? - for a quickshift lens) the DA35 Macro's focusing ring turns during AF operation, so you need to find something else to hold when AF is on!
As far as hypothetical 'full frame' goes, the DA70 can be used on film cameras without vignetting whereas the DA35 Macro cannot. If full frame digital (or film) concern you then perhaps either the new DA 35 f2.4 or the DA 40 f2.8 would be more suitable: both of these give full-frame coverage.
Do you want your new kit to have a macro capability? If so then I wouldn't rely on the DA 35 Macro - in my (limited*) experience the working distance is simply too short for 1:1 (great for indoor 'closeups' though). If you envisage doing a lot of 1:1 flower shots (etc.) then the DFA 100 should be top of your list.
*pun unintended
Doesn't help much really...
K.
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
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Guess that makes me a Pussie!
I like the 35 Macro but not for it's Macro ability, more for the sheer enthusiasm in which it is regarded around here! I'm back with Pentax after 25 Yrs so Basically any AF Lens I try you can pretty much say it'll be the first time! I bought the 43 and 77 as I say with an eye on FF but more for the high regard they are held in by members of the Forum, I love the colour rendition and the beautiful Sharpness, do I get the same with the 40/70/100? I'm leaning away from the 35 Macro as I have the 21mm and thinking more of the 40 for better balance in my setup if I spring for a 100 Macro. The thinking is if I sway away from the 70mm and Get the new Macro then the 35 would kinda be redundant anyway and for some reason 40-100mm seems a lot less than 35-100mm
Cheers Jules...
My viewfinder is 576,000,000 pixels.
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I miss Quickshift on my 43 and 77 lenses so I sympathise with your position. Still don't think I'll be in any rush to swap them for the DA equivalents just yet, although the DA35 Macro is easily in the same league optically imo (hence me never actually buying a FA31).
I'm considering the 35 macro as well. I want a decent prime in the 21 to 35 mm range, and the macro seems to be worth the money.... but Gerri likes to use af, and I worry that if she got the 35 macro on during a wedding shoot in low light the hunting for focus will be a problem for her... yet I know the 31 ltd price will definitely be a problem for her.....
See why sleeping with your boss can have adverse effects on your job?
I can't exactly fire her and hire somebody that has better eyesight and tell them to use manual focus....
I can't just go out and buy a 31 ltd and send in a reciept....
and I'm having no luck finding a decent used copy of a 28 or 35.....
my only hope is that the new 35 performs....
I think Quick Shift is a superb feature and I miss it on any lens that doesn't have it.
Same here.
I almost use manual focus constantly but sometimes for when you need to get focus fast i'll use the AF, since those moments happen very fast you don't have time to switch from MF to AF.
I've my camera setup so that AF is only on/working when i pres the AF button and not the shutter, that way i can have MF and AF at the same time if the lens has quickshift.
About primes.
Pentax only has now one fast prime if we don't count the fa limited and that's the DA*55 f/1.4
I really think they should produce some more fast primes.
DA*30 f/1.4 is still on my wanting list and maybe a fast prime 90mm.
90mm sounds strange but that has the equivalent as 135mm on 135format.
If they can make a DA*90mm f/2 i would be very happy
I miss Quickshift on my 43 and 77 lenses so I sympathise with your position. Still don't think I'll be in any rush to swap them for the DA equivalents just yet, although the DA35 Macro is easily in the same league optically imo (hence me never actually buying a FA31).
I'm considering the 35 macro as well. I want a decent prime in the 21 to 35 mm range, and the macro seems to be worth the money.... but Gerri likes to use af, and I worry that if she got the 35 macro on during a wedding shoot in low light the hunting for focus will be a problem for her... yet I know the 31 ltd price will definitely be a problem for her.....
Just buy one - you'll both love it!
And mine doesn't hunt anything like as much as my D-FA100. It's not perfect but it's pretty good considering the range it has to cover. AF is generally quick as it's quite a small lens physically (less glass for the camera to push back-and-forth).
I'm sure the new DAL35 will be excellent too, and cheaper and faster. I also reckon the DA35 Macro will be better and more versatile though...
I miss Quickshift on my 43 and 77 lenses so I sympathise with your position. Still don't think I'll be in any rush to swap them for the DA equivalents just yet, although the DA35 Macro is easily in the same league optically imo (hence me never actually buying a FA31).
I'm considering the 35 macro as well. I want a decent prime in the 21 to 35 mm range, and the macro seems to be worth the money.... but Gerri likes to use af, and I worry that if she got the 35 macro on during a wedding shoot in low light the hunting for focus will be a problem for her... yet I know the 31 ltd price will definitely be a problem for her.....
Just buy one - you'll both love it!
And mine doesn't hunt anything like as much as my D-FA100. It's not perfect but it's pretty good considering the range it has to cover. AF is generally quick as it's quite a small lens physically (less glass for the camera to push back-and-forth).
I'm sure the new DAL35 will be excellent too, and cheaper and faster. I also reckon the DA35 Macro will be better and more versatile though...
Hello, how versatile is the DA35 Macro? Does it perform well when used for landscapes for example?
[quote:3496ace15f="hefty1"]Hello, how versatile is the DA35 Macro? Does it perform well when used for landscapes for example?
Yes, very well indeed. In fact I've yet to find a subject it doesn't do well (although probably not the lens you'd choose for birds and wildlife).
A lot of people seem to think that because it's a macro lens then it'll only work well at close distances, however, mine's virtually stuck to the camera and gets used for pretty much everything. It really is quite superb regardless of what I point it at.
maybe a fast prime 90mm.
90mm sounds strange but that has the equivalent as 135mm on 135format.
If they can make a DA*90mm f/2 i would be very happy
Actually.
There are 85mm f/1.4 so 90mm f/1.4 shouldn't be a problem either...
However, in my view, the DA70 is even better.
They're both keepers though.
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2342 posts
13 years
Storbritannia
It's the quickshift or rather the lack of it. I also own the 15 and the 21mm and find that when I'm landscaping I like to use Manual Focus sometimes. however I'm approaching fifty I'm having senior moments and keep on forgetting to move the Focus lever back to AF on my K7 when using the 43 and 77 and it only happens of course when the next shot appears in a hurry doesn't it?
So apart from F1.8/1.9 what would I miss if I sold them on and got hold two of either the 35mm F2.8 DA Macro/40mm F2.8 DA or 70mm F2.4 DA/100mm F2.8 DFA WR Macro. I'm not much of a portrait shooter and don't think I'll miss the fast apertures, also I've a K5 coming so probably won't mind low light with the DA's either.
Also I must admit buying them with one eye on "Full Frame" (Hate that term) but then I feel that if Pentax ever did produce such a beastie then they'd eventually stump up a few nice new SDM Primes to go with it?
Anyway back on my topic, what do you guys think?
Cheers Jules...
My viewfinder is 576,000,000 pixels.
My other viewfinder is 5.76,000,000.
www.exaggeratedperspectives.com