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10-18-2010, 01:10 PM   #16
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I'll keep my FA 35, but great to see this new 35 is a solid performer and superb value.

Thanks for all your work Frank. I loved your street photo set.

10-18-2010, 01:12 PM   #17
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nice work done, frank!
10-18-2010, 01:18 PM   #18
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Wow! What a great review and comparison! You are hired!

The new DA(L) 35/2.4 looks like a winner that's for sure. With an eventual street price under $200 USD, it is poised to be the value queen of 35mm AF lenses.

I want to thank you for including the DA 35 Macro, FA 35, and A 35 in the test. Much as been written about the excellence of the DA 35 Macro and it is good to see the FA 35 holding its own (or besting?) its successor in a head-to-head evaluation.


Steve
10-18-2010, 01:21 PM   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pentaxor Quote
if Pentax does that, prepare to say bye bye to the FA31, FA43, DA35, DA40.

surely Pentax doesn't want one lens to cannibalize the market of it's other lens.
It is already going to compete to some degree with the DA 35/2.8 ltd and the DA 40/2.8 ltd.

10-18-2010, 01:43 PM   #20
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Frank,
A multitude of thanks goes out to you! Thanks for deciding what my Christmas present will be

Wonderful review!
10-18-2010, 02:18 PM   #21
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Frank,

Very impressive comparison. You did those lenses proud! I love that this new lens shows some characteristics of previous versions.
10-18-2010, 02:39 PM   #22
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And I thought I had all the lenses I'd. Well done, exceptional work here.

Pentax continues to pull high quality rabbits out of the hat.

10-18-2010, 02:46 PM   #23
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Thanks Frank,

I have been waiting for just this review since the DA35 2.4 was announced.
10-18-2010, 03:08 PM   #24
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QuoteOriginally posted by Blue Quote
It is already going to compete to some degree with the DA 35/2.8 ltd and the DA 40/2.8 ltd.
I forgot about the DA 40. With the DA 35 at f/2.4, is there any advantage to the 40mm beyond focal length? It seems the 5mm difference would not be a really big deal. And even though the 40mm is heralded for its IQ, the 35 is looking none too shabby either. And if pricing will eventually be under $200, why buy the DA 40?
10-18-2010, 03:15 PM   #25
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QuoteOriginally posted by einstrigger Quote
I forgot about the DA 40. With the DA 35 at f/2.4, is there any advantage to the 40mm beyond focal length? It seems the 5mm difference would not be a really big deal. And even though the 40mm is heralded for its IQ, the 35 is looking none too shabby either. And if pricing will eventually be under $200, why buy the DA 40?
Other than the 5mm, the 40 has the build quality of the ltd, and it is also the most compact lens currently in production. The current BH price of the 40 is ~ $339 shipped.
10-18-2010, 03:34 PM - 16 Likes   #26
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Thanks guys for your feedback.

From the results you can see that DA35macro certainly has the best center and corner sharpness, that's inline w/ my experiences with this wonderful lens. FA35 might have slightly better resolution, but the difference really isn't much especially considering we are viewing at 100% crops on a 16.3mp sensor. You probably won't feel the difference during actual shooting.

DAL35 is very comparable to the other 3 lenses in other aspects too, actually I like the slight softer and smoother bokeh from DAL35 better than the others. The difference is there if I view those bokeh samples on my Dell WFP2408 monitor side by side, but I can't see much difference on my laptop screen where I have to scroll all the samples up and down to compare.

The new lens might have some improved coatings as well, it seems to let more light pass through at the same aperture. Or maybe Pentax should call it DAL 35/2.2? It's just a number, you won't see any difference during actual use though.

Anyway, I guess you won't see much difference between the FA35 and DAL35 during actual shooting, the A35 is probably too old to compare w/ the new lenses, DA35macro is truly one of the best lens in sharpness and resolution test. But when shooting at a subject some distance away, it's not the best lens out there.

I'm glad that Pentax released such a reasonably priced little lens with very good optical quality. Hope we'd see some similar 50/85mm lenses in the future.

Oh btw, big thanks to Clicker for upgrading my photobucket account to a pro one without my knowing it, otherwise we won't be able to see these sample photos but the 'bandwidth exceed' sign.
10-18-2010, 03:35 PM   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by einstrigger Quote
I forgot about the DA 40. With the DA 35 at f/2.4, is there any advantage to the 40mm beyond focal length? It seems the 5mm difference would not be a really big deal. And even though the 40mm is heralded for its IQ, the 35 is looking none too shabby either. And if pricing will eventually be under $200, why buy the DA 40?
actually it's thin size makes it attractive. although I dont have any use for the DA40, it's build just draws me to it.
10-18-2010, 03:43 PM   #28
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Frank,

I suspect the difference you are seeing in light transmission could very well be the glass characteristics which could be due to materials, or the fact that the elements are 1mm less in diameter than the elements in the FA 35. I don't think there is any appreciable difference in the coatings other than the SP on the front element. Both have the Ghostless based on Japanese documents about the DA/2.4.


QuoteQuote:
2. High-quality image description
Incorporating a hybrid aspherical optical element in its optics, this new lens delivers high-quality images with enhanced sharpness and contrast — from minimum focusing distance to infinity — and assures exceptional image-resolving power with outstanding brightness levels even at the edges — even at an open aperture — while effectively compensating various aberrations to a minimum. It is also treated with the PENTAX-original Ghostless Coating to minimize the adverse effects of flare and ghost images, assuring true-to-life images even under demanding conditions such as harsh backlighting.

. . .


5. Other features

High-performance optics designed exclusively for PENTAX digital SLR cameras and optimized for the characteristics of digital images

Minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters

PENTAX-original SP (Super Protect) Coating applied to the front surface to repel dust, water and grease

http://www.pentax.jp/english/news/2010/201015.html

Last edited by Blue; 10-18-2010 at 03:50 PM.
10-18-2010, 03:51 PM   #29
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pentaxor Quote
actually it's thin size makes it attractive. although I dont have any use for the DA40, it's build just draws me to it.
At 90 grams, the DA 40 ltd is still lighter than the DA 35/2.4 at 124 grams.
10-18-2010, 04:55 PM   #30
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Thanks Frank, finally you have succeeded to bring us the first ever review of Pentax 35mm lenses with actual images, something that has never been done before and most definitely deserves to be made a sticky.

I think this is the most important ever lens shootout because this focal length is the most versatile from my experience. Everybody should actually have at least one 35mm lens in their arsenal imo.

But I agree with you that regardless of the static test results, the most important is for us to go out and shoot and any of the lenses you've reviewed would do well. I think this test most definitely proves that modern lens design has moved forward a huge amount with improved optical coating, better manufacturing tolerances all delivering superior optical performance. I for one will stick with new lens designs from now on... the difference is clear, the new DA 35mm f/2.4 is a terrific lens on all counts. Thanks again bro for helping me make a no brainer decision to get one.
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