Pentax DA 35 f2.8 Macro Limited edition

[tim71]

Just wondering how forum members rate this lens (Pentax DA 35 f2.8 Macro Limited edition)?

[ricktas]

Welcome to AP, hopefully a pentaxian here can answer, but in the meantime, join in, show us some of your photography.

[tim71]

Thanks Ric,

I have only just come over to the Digital SLR world after mothballing all my old spotmatics and takumars many years ago; well I guess I can bring the takumars out of retirement using the k-mount adapter. I have some half decent photos from a Panasonic TZ1 and will get better with the K-7. So hopefully will have some photos to post soon.

cheers,

Tim

[Master12]

I want this lens too!

[Ellen]

Me tooo!!! lol

[KevPride]

Just wondering how forum members rate this lens (Pentax DA 35 f2.8 Macro Limited edition)?

On Pentax Forum some 33 people have posted reviews with an average of 9.63 out of 10. I would say this is a gem & one I would love to have.

Its a Limited Lens - say no more!!

[JM Tran]

its NOT the best Limited prime I have used, myself along with some other users, and some reviews, have seen that the non macro shots from the lens are not as good as some other Limiteds - such as the DA40 which is its closest focal length competitor.

I still rate the DA40, FA31 and FA77 far above it for corner to corner sharpness and absolute IQ

go here for a lens test of the DA35
http://www.photozone.de/pentax/393-pentax_35_28?start=2

[tim71]

thanks I will go to photozone and have a look at the review

[Tonto]

I have also looked into this lens and it looks a gem but not quite as good as FA31 or DA40 for standard shots - it is after all a very important focal length on APSC (effective 47.5mm).
My guts would go for the above and grab a macro in another FL - perhaps the very good Tamron 90 or brand new Pentax 100 WR. Advantage being your wont shadow fall on subjects or spook them. Disadvantage is you wont get as close with your macro flash in small dark spots.
Alternative to go for 50mm or even one of many old MF lenses which can be had for peanuts:efelant:
Having said all that if F2.8 is all you need and on the spot macro is what your after then I say jump! - It is by all accounts a wonderfull lens not just in Pentax land but across systems!
My 2c.

[tim71]

thanks Tonto,

sage advice

cheers,

Tim

[Cage]

Hi,

For what its worth, I have the DA40 Limited. It is an awesome lens and rates close to '10' on most forums, but only just shades the '35'.

For macro I have the Sigma 105 (also a brilliant lens) but at times I wish I had the 180, to get a little further away from the subject to get more depth of field, and more peace of mind when the subject has a stinger or fangs.

The Sigma 105 also makes an excellent portrait and short telephoto lens.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

[tim71]

Thanks Trublubiker,

After not being able to decide which limited lens to get I have just ordered a DA70 Limited for portrait work as this is probably where I will concentrate for the moment. It would be nice to have a few limiteds but one is a good start!

The DA40 and DA70 seem to get better reviews than the DA35 limited. It was close race between the 40 and the 70 for me but I have a few lenses around the 35-55 mark hence going for a less covered focal length for me.

I agree that I am better off with a dedicated macro lens, will put this on the two year plan! I have an old super tak 50mm macro that suffices for the moment.

cheers,
Tim

[Wizofoz]

at the risk of re-awakening a dead thread...

Are people aware of this review http://photo.net/columns/mjohnston/pentax-35mm-lens/optical-discussion/ where respected reviewer Mike Johnston states this lens "ranks right up there with the best lenses I’ve ever used in any format"?

If I didn't have the FA31 limited I'd be buying one of these.

Wayne

[kyteflyer]

I love my 35mm Ltd. Its on the camera all the time now, rarely off unless I need to take a very long shot with my 70-300. A couple of examples follow:
http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/745/scraps.jpg

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/2912/tomcute.jpg

What did you decide to do, in the end, Tim?

[tim71]

G'day Kyteflyer,

I ended up buying the DA70 Ltd as I am taking lots of portraits at the moment, the colour rendition is fantastic. The DA 35 Ltd is still on the list though as at times the 70mm is too long.

[Lance B]

Hi Tim.

The DA35 macro is a gem and I rate it very higly, amongst Pentax's best. What I like about it is that it is a "standard view" lens with macro capabilities, sensational colur rendering, sharp as a tack and very nice bokeh.

Some interesting reviews:

http://photo.net/columns/mjohnston/pentax-35mm-lens/optical-discussion/

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2008/08/just-published.html

Some of my pics from it are here:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/da35_f28_macro

A couple of others:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/116929090/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/116929088.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/115527623/original.jpg

[kyteflyer]

Hi Tim.

The DA35 macro is a gem and I rate it very higly, amongst Pentax's best. What I like about it is that it is a "standard view" lens with macro capabilities, sensational colur rendering, sharp as a tack and very nice bokeh.

Some interesting reviews:

http://photo.net/columns/mjohnston/pentax-35mm-lens/optical-discussion/

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2008/08/just-published.html

Some of my pics from it are here:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/da35_f28_macro

A couple of others:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/116929090/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/116929088.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/115527623/original.jpg

Oh yeah, thats the thing... its a wonderful wonderful lens :) Great shots, Lance :)

[tim71]

Thanks Lance,
yes the colours are wondeful, you have some great shots on your pbase site.
You have convinced me to grow the DA 35Ltd future fund even faster!

regards,
Tim

[Lance B]

Thank you for the very kind words and taking the time to look and comment on my PBase Site. Very much appreciated, Tim! :)

[Lance B]

Oh yeah, thats the thing... its a wonderful wonderful lens :) Great shots, Lance :)

Thank you for your very nice comments, kyteflyer. Much appreciated! :)

[kyteflyer]

G'day Kyteflyer,

I ended up buying the DA70 Ltd as I am taking lots of portraits at the moment, the colour rendition is fantastic. The DA 35 Ltd is still on the list though as at times the 70mm is too long.

Missed your post earlier, Tim... The DA70 or FA77 is on my list of must haves.... along with other limiteds as well. I went with the 35 first because I was looking for a good macro. I'll also get the Tammy90 in all likelihood. You need also to start looking at the 15 and 21 :)

[chrisg]

Nice images Lance

[birdsrus]

I am a bit late for this thread. My 35mm macro limited goes everywhere with me. Sensational prime for anyone else reading this thread at a later date. Lenses like this is why I own Pentax.