[vinceloc]

I don't know why anyone would recommend such a limited focal range for a DIGITAL SLR. It becomes a 30-52.5mm lens. Very restricted for a zoom, not particularly wide, not particularly fast. Should be great to use on your ZX-L though!

Depends if you are after superior IQ or just plain convenience. If its convenience that your after, then super zooms are the way to go. But if you are after superior IQ, then zooms that offer too wide a FOV range generally are low in the IQ level. For example, the FA 20-35mm is considered nearly at par with some of the better pentax primes in terms of IQ. The primes may be brighter, but other than a wider opening, your results with the FA 20-35 can come real close.

[vinceloc]

I have a SIGMA 24-135mm f/2.8-4.5, and to get the colors and contrast I get in my FA 20-35mm, I have to boost saturation during PP with CS2. With the FA 20-35, the colors really pop out and any further increase in saturation during PP only degrades the images.........

[vinceloc]

Here is another test of the FA 20-35mm' prowess.

This photo was taken with my DS at f/4, ISO 800, 35mm, in RAW and PP using Raw Shooter Essentials + CS@ for final refinement....




Center of the same photo at 100% crop. No sharpening applied during PP........

[kjao]

Re: 28mm being 'normal', that's exactly how I feel too. I have got both FA35 and FA28 and I find myself reaching for the FA28 90% of the time when I want to go out with just one prime. I find 35mm just a little too long. So I just sold my FA35 a couple of days ago.

And yes, I wish Pentax would come out with a DA28/2 or DA28/1.8!

Kenny

One interesting note on focal lengths: Apparently there is an agreement among some (if not most) photographers that the most pleasing perspective can be achieved with focal length that matches the diagonal of a film/sensor. For 35mm film it is ~43.3mm. I believe it is no coincidence that Pentax decided to go with 43mm for their first Limited film lens (FA43/1.9). I also find M40/2.8 very useful on my MX and I use it more often than 50mm, 35mm or 28mm.

Since APS-C sensor diagonal is ~28.3mm the perfect "normal" lens for APS-C would be 28mm. FA20-35 fits that bill perfectly: 28mm is right in the middle of the range covered! So FA20-35 is to me something like an "adjustable" perfect prime for the APS-C format DSLR.

(Considering all this I am surprised that there is nothing like DA28/2 Limited on the DA lens road map.)

[clawhammer]

Nice phone

I wonder if pentax feels that the "old" FA 31mm Limited is adequate in regards to the "perfect" digital lens *shrugs*