Just had a little browse on SRS, K-5 stock due on 14th? Take up must be strong on the cashback offer

43 & 77 are staying as is the 15. The 28-70 will stay or go depending on how it performs at a gig this weekend and I'm loath to let my 16-45 go as its a really sharp and tight sample. The K50 will go towards an upgrade to an A version. So I'll pick up a DA35 Limited and use that for a while and then sell it towards the FA31.
Or you might be on to something... Sell the 15, 16-45, 28-70 and 50, get the 31 and just become a FA Limited user only!

So the DA15 arrived this morning , nice size, build on my example is not up to FA Limited quality. And why on earth did they use fake leather for the pouch. Really disappointing.
As I sit here pondering i'm being drawn to the DA35 Limited as well. I'll expand a bit, the original set of 3 DA Limiteds (21, 40, 70) were / are compromise designs, i.e. they are built to a certain size. You can also compare 2 of them against 2 FA Limiteds and to my mind if image quality is the main criteria they lose out.
The 15 is regarded as being better than the 21, the best sample images from the 15 have a lot more punch than the 21s. I regard the DA15 and DA35 as brothers, children of the same design school, hence i'm being drawn to it. The DA35 is also a lot more attainable than the FA31 in the short term and relatively affordable. Another detour then for me before I get complete the collection of the 3 FA Limiteds. The perils of all these primes on offer.

K-5 replaced without quibble by SRS last December. AF issues in low light @ wider than f/2.8. Other than that no issues at all with new kit.

, none to your liking.

Another then, same day.
Shandon, Cork City - Basking in a Novembers afternoon glow.

FA*28-70, 70/6.3, ISO200, 1/100s



Comments, good, bad or ugly welcome and appreciated.

Ref the other thread, how about changing shops?

Prices have dropped a good 20% since last year to my mind. Some are selling off all their gear, others are upgrading, the usual suspects are still moving lens as per normal. Anyone want to bet on a run on 16-45s now that it is discontinued again?

True.. and over there have some very very vocal members, especially on DPR, PF have some crazies as well. The 50-135 is nearing legendary status I think, perhaps the best zoom on offer currently for a Pentax user.

I am surprised with the amount of DA*s listed. Going by the other forums they are Pentax's version of the antichrist. Howls of despair anytime someone mentions SDM

Long story short. Picked up a cosmetically mint copy of a FA*28-70 for less that £500. Previous owner had very honestly described it as having an "optical flaw preventing it taking critically sharp images". I took a punt and so far he was correct but at the same time I am being wowed by everything else except the absolute sharpness. Some from today.

FA28-70 F/2.8 - ISO80, 50mm, f/4, 1/1600s

Curious Cygnet




FA28-70 F/2.8 - ISO80, 65mm, f/5, 1/1000s

One Seriously Cranky Swan..




FA28-70 F/2.8 - ISO800, 33mm, f/2.8, 1/80s

Versatility showing



I think i'm begining to understand my copy a little bit better. It is all about the colours, the way it just catches them and throws them at the sensor. For sure my one is no where near 'critically optically sharp' but I think I can work around it, i'm enjoying this lens