SAMSUNG D-Xenogen 35mm

Currys are selling the SAMSUNG D-Xenogen 35mm for £275.50 (5% off). Is it worth that sort of money?

5% off? Be still, my beating heart!

Aren't we suffering from the weakness of the pound?

Regards,

Andrew

If this is the Samsung equivalent of the 35/f2 then it's a steal. I have the Pentax version which is a full frame lens and it is superb. If in doubt it's the lens I put on the body as it just performs. Focusses fast, deliver sharp pleasing images. I can't say if the Samsung lens will do the same as the coatings may differ but if it is the same lens yes that's a good price.

Pete,
Have a look here:

http://www.photozone.de/pentax/123-pentax-smc-fa-35mm-f2-al-photozone-review--te...

I think it is a great price!

It looks a great lens, and 35mm is a sweet focal length both for film or digital IMO. Wanting a DA 35mm puts me off a bit though.

But how useful is a 35 macro? I have a 50 macro and use it a lot but it's practically touching the subject at 1:1 so a 35 would be even more difficult to use. I am a bore about this lens it is just superb and a steal at that price. I paid £235 just before Pentax discontinued it as I wanted a fast lens and I have not regretted it once. It was also my first new prime and got me hooked.

I was looking at getting something a bit faster than the 18-250 for low light on my trip to Florida. Either the 35mm or a Tamron/Sigma 17/18-50mm f2.8.

Well I have the Tamron 17-50 as well and it no longer gets used because the 35/f2 (and other primes) outperforms it but is clearly not as flexible. When I first got the Tamron I used endlessly and it does deliver excellent images - so that's not helped you make a decision!

The difference between f2 qand f2.8 isn't much and both can be used wide open with confidence - always subject to the rider 'in my experience' YMMV.

I was also thinking about a K-x!

It looks a great lens, and 35mm is a sweet focal length both for film or digital IMO. Wanting a DA 35mm puts me off a bit though.I'd be chuffed with either lens tbh! You must admit the 35 macro is also a beaut

I agree the 35 DA is excellent but how useful? the 50 macro seems a better compromise.

Would the FA 35mm f2 on my K100D be Ok for fireworks/night time photos etc, or would the K-x be a better choice?

fireworks - doesn't matter: tripod, f/8 and 1/4. 35 or 50 is all good, depending on how far away you are.

If you don't know why you want to upgrade, don't.

Bret

Excellent advice which I sometimes wish I took! I have made some odd/poor purchases but I do think you would love to own and use a good prime.

The 35/f2 seemed to work well on my K100D, then my K10D and finally on my K20D but as Bret has observed you won't need F2 for fireworks. The only reason I have an f2 and f1.4 lens is to get limited DOF not for low light work. Shooting at f2 on 35mm gives pretty limited DOF which can make it unusable in some circumstances.

It's quite possible the Tamron 17-50 might be the better choice as a replacement for the kit lens.

Thank you for the adice Gentlemen, I will pop in to SRS tomorrow and see what they have new or used. Has anybody used the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro as it's a bit cheaper than the Tamron. It had a good review in March's Digital Photo mag?