Recent Forum Discussions
- ME Super foam
- The relationship between Limited FA...
- How to get the best out of FA43
- Bracketing and Remote on K30
- "there is no such thing really as...
Pentax Exclusives
Lens Review Database
Complete with all Pentax Lenses ever made, photos, technical data and THOUSANDS of reviews
Find your perfect Lens
Latest News Comment
Fearlessness, Not...
Posterization isnt in my orginal files so Im not sure why I suddenly have it going...
By Dorn88
Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Review
Review Navigation:
>
>
Introduction
The SMC Pentax-DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited is a fixed focal length lens. The lens is relatively compact and provides one-to-one magnification in a normal focal. The DA Limited lenses are constructed of high grade aluminum and feature quality optics with tight tolerances. The new price for the lens starts at just below $700 in the USA. The used price is considerably cheaper, with an average of $450. The DA 35mm lens has an equivalent field of view of 53.5mm, which is the closest thing to the old 50mm normal lens you can purchase in a prime lens for a digital SLR.
 |  |  |  |  |
Table of Contents
Lens Overview and Handling
The DA 35mm is a dedicated Advanced Photo System type-C (APS-C) lens with a KAF lens mount. The KAF lens mount relies on a slotted drive screw operated by the camera for auto-focus. The lens cannot be used on a film camera, because it was designed to fill a 23.4 x 15.6 negative; a 35 mm negative is 36 x 24 mm. In addition, the lens lacks an external adjustable aperture ring. The lens is designed as both a macro and a normal prime lens. The dual role necessitates that the focus ring turn approximately 140 degrees from infinity to 1-to-1 magnification. The lens lacks a focus limiter, which would ideally limit the travel in both macro and non-macro use. The DA 35 mm lens does feature a Quick-Shift mechanism that allows manual focus before or after autofocus AF.S (Single shot mode). The DA 35mmf/2.8 lens features an engraved distance scale in meters and feet, with a depth-of-field scale for apertures f11 and f22. Since the lens is also a macro, it includes a reproduction ratio alongside the meter and feet distance scale. The lens has a slip-on felt- lined aluminum cap that fits over the built-in lens hood
What's in the Box
The package includes the lens, lens hood, lens cap, carrying pouch, user manual, and warranty papers.
Review originally published on August 26th, 2011
