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nostatic · 04-05-2008, 05:48 PM

some shots and crops...very quick and dirty

k100d · 04-05-2008, 05:54 PM

sweeeet
what are your first impressions? focus speed and accuracy, construction, size, IQ

nostatic · 04-05-2008, 06:10 PM

build quality is excellent...its a limited.

AF is quick. It'll run in and out like a typical macro will do in low light. Size is great...it it not a big or heavy lens. AF accuracy is off just a tad (this is shooting from about 5" away and handheld, but that's how I shoot), but the beauty of the K20d is that I tweaked it and it is spot on.

Manual focus is perfect, and it does quick shift so you can get close with AF then fine tune if you're doing close/fine work. For anything beyond a couple feet AF is fine.

I need to shoot more but my quick impression is that color and bokeh are very nice, and there is some 3D and pop to the lens. I'm very happy with it...it is a good substitute for the 31ltd and more versatile (but a tad slower).

Ole · 04-05-2008, 06:22 PM

Bokeh looks very nice!

roentarre · 04-05-2008, 06:38 PM

Wow, you already got the lens!

Could you test foreground bokeh as well?

I would love to know how this macro perform with highlight bokeh and bokeh with metallic surfaces. Thanks

nostatic · 04-05-2008, 06:48 PM

a few more random shots. Tomorrow I'll be able to get more (losing the light and need to do some cooking and cleaning)

Fritz · 04-05-2008, 08:12 PM

Looks very nice.

Looking forward to seeing more.

aegisphan · 04-05-2008, 08:51 PM

Originally posted by roentarre

Wow, you already got the lens!

Could you test foreground bokeh as well?

I would love to know how this macro perform with highlight bokeh and bokeh with metallic surfaces. Thanks

That would be one tough test. Can I add to the list a CA test as well? So far, this lens looks good.

Peter Zack · 04-06-2008, 03:43 AM

The IQ in all respects looks great with the lens. For me it seems like a bit of an odd focal length for a macro. I realize it replaces the 50mm length with the crop factor. But since Pentax has no P-TTL ring light and this focuses to 5.5" or so, it's going to have a fairly specialized use. Not much of a bug lens unless they are dead IMO.
B&H sells the P-D FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro at $398, P-D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro at $524. This lens comes in at $599. Sure it's a Limited but I'd like to see how much better it is than the 50mm macro or the 35mm f2.

Btw. B&H still list it as coming soon. Where did you find it?

JJJPhoto · 04-06-2008, 06:13 AM

I have to confess that I'm seriously debating the purchase of this lens ... but I'm trying to avoid a severe case of LBA.

I've already got the DA 40 Limited (which I absolutely love. and I have two zoom lenses that cover 35mm (one of which is a f/2.8 constant aperture zoom. I also have a dedicated macro lens (but it's a longer focal length).

The rational part of my mind tells me I don't have any need at all for the DA 35 Limited Macro, but I keep coming back to look at sample photos taken with it.

Must ... resist ... must ... give in ... must ... aaarrrrggghhh !!!

VeijoM · 04-06-2008, 06:59 AM

Originally posted by roentarre

Wow, you already got the lens!

Could you test foreground bokeh as well?

I would love to know how this macro perform with highlight bokeh and bokeh with metallic surfaces. Thanks

Hi!

I tested the lens for some minutes (not mine) and got following results of highlight bokeh (full unresized crop of background area)...

http://www.kolumbus.fi/veijo.matikainen/Galleriat/Sekalaiset/DA35bokehrings.jpg

-Veijo-

aegisphan · 04-06-2008, 08:24 AM

Which camera did you use for the test?

k100d · 04-06-2008, 08:50 AM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

B&H sells the P-D FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro at $398, P-D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro at $524. This lens comes in at $599.

i don't understand how Canada got so lucky and we have this lens for $449 or less

VeijoM · 04-06-2008, 10:05 AM

K20D, handheld (shows in the pic as some shake, sorry, but had no time or tripod), but tells about the shape of the circle. Strong ring, light gathering around the ring, not so nice, but seems that you get that kind of bokeh rings from macro lenses.

-Veijo-

nostatic · 04-06-2008, 10:37 AM

Bought it from my local shop (Bel Air Camera). They like me. I shot with K20d, handheld, available light.

Here are a few more images. Apologies for the poor "testing" but I really don't do the focus chart, brick wall, etc. My testing usually is shooting things that I know, and comparing with "good" shots. These are attempts to get fomr foreground bokeh, ca, and show distant sharpness. Just walked out the door and snapped some things. Hopefully this afternoon I'll get to do a proper walkabout but just too many stupid little errands that have to be attended to right now.

My initial impressions are that this is well worth the money, is a great walkaround lens, and allows very close focus. It will *not* get you insect eyeball shots, and if you're into "macro" this likely cannot be your only lens for that task...just not enough magnification.

04-05-2008, 05:48 PM	#1
nostatic Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: socal Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,575	35mm ltd macro is in some shots and crops...very quick and dirty

04-06-2008, 06:59 AM	#11
VeijoM Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 21	Highlight bokeh Originally posted by roentarre Wow, you already got the lens! Could you test foreground bokeh as well? I would love to know how this macro perform with highlight bokeh and bokeh with metallic surfaces. Thanks Hi! I tested the lens for some minutes (not mine) and got following results of highlight bokeh (full unresized crop of background area)... http://www.kolumbus.fi/veijo.matikainen/Galleriat/Sekalaiset/DA35bokehrings.jpg -Veijo-

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04-05-2008, 05:54 PM	#2
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	sweeeet what are your first impressions? focus speed and accuracy, construction, size, IQ

04-05-2008, 06:10 PM	#3
nostatic Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: socal Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,575 Original Poster	build quality is excellent...its a limited. AF is quick. It'll run in and out like a typical macro will do in low light. Size is great...it it not a big or heavy lens. AF accuracy is off just a tad (this is shooting from about 5" away and handheld, but that's how I shoot), but the beauty of the K20d is that I tweaked it and it is spot on. Manual focus is perfect, and it does quick shift so you can get close with AF then fine tune if you're doing close/fine work. For anything beyond a couple feet AF is fine. I need to shoot more but my quick impression is that color and bokeh are very nice, and there is some 3D and pop to the lens. I'm very happy with it...it is a good substitute for the 31ltd and more versatile (but a tad slower).

04-05-2008, 06:22 PM	#4
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,409	Bokeh looks very nice!

04-05-2008, 06:38 PM	#5
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Wow, you already got the lens! Could you test foreground bokeh as well? I would love to know how this macro perform with highlight bokeh and bokeh with metallic surfaces. Thanks

04-05-2008, 06:48 PM	#6
nostatic Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: socal Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,575 Original Poster	a few more random shots. Tomorrow I'll be able to get more (losing the light and need to do some cooking and cleaning)

04-05-2008, 08:12 PM	#7
Fritz Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tillamook, OR Posts: 1,222	Looks very nice. Looking forward to seeing more.

04-05-2008, 08:51 PM	#8
aegisphan Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 815	Originally posted by roentarre Wow, you already got the lens! Could you test foreground bokeh as well? I would love to know how this macro perform with highlight bokeh and bokeh with metallic surfaces. Thanks That would be one tough test. Can I add to the list a CA test as well? So far, this lens looks good.

04-06-2008, 03:43 AM	#9
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	The IQ in all respects looks great with the lens. For me it seems like a bit of an odd focal length for a macro. I realize it replaces the 50mm length with the crop factor. But since Pentax has no P-TTL ring light and this focuses to 5.5" or so, it's going to have a fairly specialized use. Not much of a bug lens unless they are dead IMO. B&H sells the P-D FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro at $398, P-D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro at $524. This lens comes in at $599. Sure it's a Limited but I'd like to see how much better it is than the 50mm macro or the 35mm f2. Btw. B&H still list it as coming soon. Where did you find it?

04-06-2008, 06:13 AM	#10
JJJPhoto Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 419	I have to confess that I'm seriously debating the purchase of this lens ... but I'm trying to avoid a severe case of LBA. I've already got the DA 40 Limited (which I absolutely love. and I have two zoom lenses that cover 35mm (one of which is a f/2.8 constant aperture zoom. I also have a dedicated macro lens (but it's a longer focal length). The rational part of my mind tells me I don't have any need at all for the DA 35 Limited Macro, but I keep coming back to look at sample photos taken with it. Must ... resist ... must ... give in ... must ... aaarrrrggghhh !!!

04-06-2008, 08:24 AM	#12
aegisphan Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 815	Which camera did you use for the test?

04-06-2008, 08:50 AM	#13
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	Originally posted by Peter Zack B&H sells the P-D FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro at $398, P-D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro at $524. This lens comes in at $599. i don't understand how Canada got so lucky and we have this lens for $449 or less

04-06-2008, 10:05 AM	#14
VeijoM Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 21	K20D, handheld (shows in the pic as some shake, sorry, but had no time or tripod), but tells about the shape of the circle. Strong ring, light gathering around the ring, not so nice, but seems that you get that kind of bokeh rings from macro lenses. -Veijo-

04-06-2008, 10:37 AM	#15
nostatic Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: socal Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,575 Original Poster	Bought it from my local shop (Bel Air Camera). They like me. I shot with K20d, handheld, available light. Here are a few more images. Apologies for the poor "testing" but I really don't do the focus chart, brick wall, etc. My testing usually is shooting things that I know, and comparing with "good" shots. These are attempts to get fomr foreground bokeh, ca, and show distant sharpness. Just walked out the door and snapped some things. Hopefully this afternoon I'll get to do a proper walkabout but just too many stupid little errands that have to be attended to right now. My initial impressions are that this is well worth the money, is a great walkaround lens, and allows very close focus. It will not get you insect eyeball shots, and if you're into "macro" this likely cannot be your only lens for that task...just not enough magnification.

35mm ltd macro is in

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