Prime Advice

[creampuff]

Personally, I prefer an FA over a DA (*/limited remaining constant). But if you ever realize, all but one DA prime is either a limited or a * (Now, some clever Pentaxian quick tell me which is the only non-*, non-limited DA prime).

Aiyah, this one easy lah... DA 14mm f/2.8ED (IF)
Do I get a prize? :bsmilie:

 

[creampuff]

No. FA35 is discontinued and very out of stock globally. Definitely not available in local retail. You may chance upon them in Pentaxforums or ebay still if you look hard. SHould cost some $500USD.

DA35 is easily available. Used copies go for as low as some $550SGD.

Both are very sharp wide open. DA as that ubiquitous DA modern rendering. FA renders accurate (not tat much pixie dust).

FA 35mm is NOT discontinued lah.
Just because can't find locally don't mean out of stock.
Point is this lens has shot up in price, so current agent like previous agent probably think twice to bring it in because not sure got local buyers prepared to pay whatever the eventual retail price will be.

 

[creampuff]

Cool. It's around that price now. Used to be some $500 and I had found it a tad expensive. $782 makes you want go straight to FA31 or at least the FA43 at the expense of 8mm longer which may not be a bad thing?

Wah FA35mm f/2 used to be around S$500... too ex for you to consider then, now S$782 it falls into "now in your can consider" price zone. Power ah!!!

FA43mm Ltd maybe comparable cost wise, but at S$1400 how to "make you want to go straight to FA31mm Ltd"??? :sweat:

 

[creampuff]

I did a quick and dirty test of the two Pentax 35mm lenses that I have, the DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro versus the A 35mm f/2. Crop of a test chart.
Even at f/4 (one stop from maximum aperture), sharpness is really very good for the Macro. DA shows a little higher contrast. A 35mm has punchier color rendition.
DA 35mm Macro is on the left, A 35mm is on the right.

 

[RadioX]

I did a quick and dirty test of the two Pentax 35mm lenses that I have, the DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro versus the A 35mm f/2. Crop of a test chart.
Even at f/4 (one stop from maximum aperture), sharpness is really very good for the Macro. DA shows a little higher contrast. A 35mm has punchier color rendition.
DA 35mm Macro is on the left, A 35mm is on the right.


Thanks all for the inputs. Took the plunge and got the last copy of FA35mm F2 from SLR at $782.:sweat:
Love the Focal length but not the price.

 

[creampuff]

Yeah saw it a few days ago, but ooooh, that's a stiff price. Congrats on the new lens.
Post some nice pictures for us to be poisoned, err I mean to see. :sweat:

 

[RadioX]

too bad FA31 definately out budget, FA 43 not wide enough, sigma 30mm F1.4 dunno good or not (dunno has QC problem or not), DA35 not fast enough
so left with the ''cheaper'' FA35.

 

[snapoverip]

maybe consider SMC Pentax-f FA28 F2.8,else, there is another one FA*24

 

[airconvent]

The FA lenses are great but if you don't intend to use it for a FF camera, better to stick the DA Limited lenses. There are expensive ones and cheaper. But i find the best value-for-money package has to be the 21-40-70 combination. if you have more money, can look at the 15mm too.

 

[CorneliusK]

I am quite happy with DA 15/35/70, its a very versatile combo

 

[pinholecam]

too bad FA31 definately out budget, FA 43 not wide enough, sigma 30mm F1.4 dunno good or not (dunno has QC problem or not), DA35 not fast enough
so left with the ''cheaper'' FA35.

Don't worry about the choice of 35mm. All of them are good. Don't let physical appearances fool you. What the FA35 can deliver is certainly not 'cheaper'

Straight from camera f2.8

100% crop

 

[pinholecam]

I am quite happy with DA 15/35/70, its a very versatile combo

That's a nice combo. I would go for this exact selection if choosing DA ltd primes only.