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03-08-2011, 05:27 PM   #1
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FA43 or DA35 Macro or Both? Sanity check

I bought a new DA35 Macro few weeks back. Then i came across a good deal on a 2nd hand FA43. Now i have both lenses!

Since their FL is very close. I need to justify keeping both or letting go 1 of them.
I know the DA35 is 'walkaround' lens with macro while the FA43 is strong with portraits.

I would like to hear from owners who own/owned both lenses.

Thank you,
Oliver

03-08-2011, 05:44 PM   #2
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I would decide based on your shooting preferences and then sell the other and buy a different lens with the money.
03-08-2011, 07:39 PM   #3
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QuoteQuote:
I would decide based on your shooting preferences and then sell the other and buy a different lens with the money.
Yeah, really sometimes the simple answer is the right one :-) I would lean toward the 43.
03-08-2011, 07:45 PM   #4
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I couldn't decide, and kept both. Though I am much better at buying lenses than selling them.

35 is a great all-around lens, when there can be only one. But the 43 just adds that extra something to portraits....and handy in lower light situations.

I tend to use the 43 more often, but my fast moving 2yr old son, is my primary subject these days might explain that. Gun to my head, I would give up the 35, and keep the 43.

03-08-2011, 07:47 PM   #5
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I love my 43mm ltd, but I would also love a Macro lens, but all the same I would want a little more working distance from one as well, more like the D FA 100mm WR Macro or the Tamron 90mm Macro. To choose between the 35 and 43 excluding Macro ability I think its splitting hairs as I have not shot with the 35mm to be able to see the differences. But for indoor shooting how can you beat the f1.9 compared to the f2.8?
03-08-2011, 07:55 PM   #6
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43= normal!

I traded a 35 DA Macro for an FA43, and it was the smartest thing I think I ever did. I simply LOVE the 43, it is truly (for my eye) the "normal" lens for this camera. The FOV is totally natural to my eye, and then you add the 3D quality and color rendering, and you've got a winner.

I have a D FA 50mm macro that I love, so the 35 (don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful lens) was sort of redundant. It took wonderful pictures, but didn't deliver the famed FA "dust" that we hear so much about.

DA 35s will be in production a long time is my guess and there are plenty to go around... I'd pick up an FA 43 now and watch for a good used DA 35 to float by.

But as others have said... either lens would make a great buy.
03-08-2011, 08:31 PM   #7
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thank you for all the thoughts.

I will try out both lens and decide again. I got a strong feeling i will keep the FA43.

03-08-2011, 09:10 PM   #8
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They're very different lenses and you should keep, use and enjoy both of them. When it comes to lenses, polygamy is ok.
03-08-2011, 09:13 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by dadipentak Quote
When it comes to lenses, polygamy is ok.
It's ok unless you don't have time to love them all equally, and then you just end up with jealous lenses
03-08-2011, 09:23 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by dgaies Quote
then you just end up with jealous lenses
Don't you just hate when that happens?
03-08-2011, 09:25 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by dgaies Quote
It's ok unless you don't have time to love them all equally, and then you just end up with jealous lenses
which is your jealous lens? the 35 or 43?
03-08-2011, 09:46 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by dadipentak Quote
Don't you just hate when that happens?
Yeah, but I have no one to blame but myself and my uncontrollable LBA

QuoteOriginally posted by tommyx Quote
which is your jealous lens? the 35 or 43?
Actually, they're both jealous of the 31 most of the time
03-08-2011, 09:55 PM   #13
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My 43mm Ltd is jealous of the 31mm Ltd I don't own, or have the budget for OR the need for it before filling many other focal ranges. But my LBA craves one... possibly after a Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 macro.
03-09-2011, 06:10 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by dgaies Quote
they're both jealous of the 31 most of the time
Same here. ;~)
03-09-2011, 09:13 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by dadipentak Quote
They're very different lenses and you should keep, use and enjoy both of them. When it comes to lenses, polygamy is ok.
+1 yessiree bob!

I have the DA 35 f2.4 and the FA 35mm f2.0 and the FA 43 ltd. I will probably sell the FA 35 to help fund my new K-5, but I think there is enough difference between 35mm and 43mm to justify owning both.

NaCl(LBA? what LBA? I just like owning lenses!)H2O
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