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**Lowell Goudge** · 12-28-2012, 08:49 AM

I was surprised to see an old film kit lens, the FA-J 18-35, which was also shipped with the initial release *istD selling open box for $149 at Henry's next to a basket of DA and DA-L 18-55 lenses for $39

Is the FA-J really 3 times better. It surprised me. I have both, I guess I should do some side by side comparisons

ihasa · 12-28-2012, 08:54 AM

Suspect people want the added bonus of using it on film (as a UWA) as well as keeping their FF options open?

**blackcloudbrew** · 12-28-2012, 08:57 AM

Don't forget that the J in the FAJ stands for junk. I wouldn't bother with any FAJ lens. I've owned a few (note the past tense).

Docrwm · 12-28-2012, 09:10 AM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

I was surprised to see an old film kit lens, the FA-J 18-35, which was also shipped with the initial release *istD selling open box for $149 at Henry's next to a basket of DA and DA-L 18-55 lenses for $39

Is the FA-J really 3 times better. It surprised me. I have both, I guess I should do some side by side comparisons

A basket of DA18-55 lenses and they're $39 each? Wow.

**DDoram** · 12-28-2012, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

I was surprised to see an old film kit lens, the FA-J 18-35, which was also shipped with the initial release *istD selling open box for $149 at Henry's next to a basket of DA and DA-L 18-55 lenses for $39

Is the FA-J really 3 times better. It surprised me. I have both, I guess I should do some side by side comparisons

The FAJ 18-35 is likely better than the kit lenses but has too narrow of a range compared to a kit lens. I have had both.

Dale

timo · 12-29-2012, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

I was surprised to see an old film kit lens, the FA-J 18-35, which was also shipped with the initial release *istD selling open box for $149 at Henry's next to a basket of DA and DA-L 18-55 lenses for $39

Is the FA-J really 3 times better. It surprised me. I have both, I guess I should do some side by side comparisons

I got the 18-35 with the original D. It's extremely light and might make a good travel supplement to something longer. It got a lot of stick at the time for being rather soft. I haven't tried mine for years - worth a go with the K5. My impression is that the 18-55 is quite a lot better, but that's not based on any proper comparison. Certainly a more useful range.

12-28-2012, 08:49 AM	#1
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	Is an FA-J 18-35f4-5.6 better than a DA-L 18-55? I was surprised to see an old film kit lens, the FA-J 18-35, which was also shipped with the initial release *istD selling open box for $149 at Henry's next to a basket of DA and DA-L 18-55 lenses for $39 Is the FA-J really 3 times better. It surprised me. I have both, I guess I should do some side by side comparisons

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12-28-2012, 08:54 AM	#2
ihasa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: West Midlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,066	Suspect people want the added bonus of using it on film (as a UWA) as well as keeping their FF options open?

12-28-2012, 08:57 AM	#3
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,461	Don't forget that the J in the FAJ stands for junk. I wouldn't bother with any FAJ lens. I've owned a few (note the past tense).

12-28-2012, 09:10 AM	#4
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge I was surprised to see an old film kit lens, the FA-J 18-35, which was also shipped with the initial release *istD selling open box for $149 at Henry's next to a basket of DA and DA-L 18-55 lenses for $39 Is the FA-J really 3 times better. It surprised me. I have both, I guess I should do some side by side comparisons A basket of DA18-55 lenses and they're $39 each? Wow.

12-28-2012, 10:08 AM	#5
DDoram Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Canada Posts: 632	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge I was surprised to see an old film kit lens, the FA-J 18-35, which was also shipped with the initial release *istD selling open box for $149 at Henry's next to a basket of DA and DA-L 18-55 lenses for $39 Is the FA-J really 3 times better. It surprised me. I have both, I guess I should do some side by side comparisons The FAJ 18-35 is likely better than the kit lenses but has too narrow of a range compared to a kit lens. I have had both. Dale

12-29-2012, 10:09 PM	#6
timo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: former Arsenal football stadium Photos: Gallery Posts: 431	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge I was surprised to see an old film kit lens, the FA-J 18-35, which was also shipped with the initial release *istD selling open box for $149 at Henry's next to a basket of DA and DA-L 18-55 lenses for $39 Is the FA-J really 3 times better. It surprised me. I have both, I guess I should do some side by side comparisons I got the 18-35 with the original D. It's extremely light and might make a good travel supplement to something longer. It got a lot of stick at the time for being rather soft. I haven't tried mine for years - worth a go with the K5. My impression is that the 18-55 is quite a lot better, but that's not based on any proper comparison. Certainly a more useful range.

Is an FA-J 18-35f4-5.6 better than a DA-L 18-55?

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