Thank you all very much for the feedback. Just one thing I was wondering about. Is the stated viewing angle also affected by that 1.5x difference between APS-C and 35mm format. It's just the older FA 35mm has an angle of 66 degrees, whilst the DA states 44. But obviously 44 x 1.5 is 66. Just wondering if that's the case or if the two lenses actually do have different viewing angles.

I suppose I was tempted by the lens because of it's sharpness. It's actually aharper than a lot of other longer focal length macro lenses, but has the added bonus of being a good focal length for normal photography. Whereas I'm unlikely to use a 100mm macro as a standard lens because it would only really be good for portraits.

In terms of working distance; it says that the minimum focus distance is 13cm, is that from the tip of the lens to the subject, or is the working distance less than the stated focus distance.

Because before I got my K20D, I had a bridge camera with macro function that let you focus at ten centimetres, although obviously with very poor magnification in comparrison to a proper macro lens. However I managed to get pretty good picture of bees etc. despite having to chase them around to get the lens 10cms away from them.

Since the macro lens has much greater magnification I don't see there being a problem with working distance.

Also, I know that people keep saying that 35mm gives about the same perspective as the human eye. The level of magnification means it looks about the same but obviously you get a much shorter viewing angle. Meaning you'd have to be at least twice the distance away from your subject in order to see it all. Like I said i'll have to try sticking to 35mm on my 18-55 and see if it actually does become a burden.

I also looked at wideanlge primes for Pentax but none of them have macro, or are anywhere near as good in terms of sharpness or distortion control etc.

I found an Australian website that sells them

http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod5148.htm ]link[/link]

There was a UK website but it didn't actually give a price.

Hope that's some kind of help

Ian

Hi, I've noticed this lens going for quite a reasonable price as lenses go. I've read mostly excellent reviews of it but I was wondering I anyone on here has any first hand experience with this lens. I like the fact that it's Macro, and could also be used as a general purpose lens.

Although I'm not sure whther it would really be general purpose for me, since I tend to use the wideangle of my 18-55 more regularly than any other. Thought I might try sticking at 35mm on it and seeing what it's like trying to do photography with the reduced viewing angle.

But any general comments about this lens would be very helpful, thankyou. It's still quite a lot of money.