[Mlcinema]

@cheekygeek brought up a good lens, the Siggy 28mm 1.8 EX - fabulous lens, I recently sold mine but do miss it, I actually sold a Siggy 30mm 1.4 when I got the 28mm, always felt the 28 delivered in more ways the 30 did for me. As an added bonus, the 28mm can be used for wide angle macro work, it focuses extremely close...

I'll have to take a look at this lens.

[TER-OR]

Sample image using K-5 and Sigma 28mm Macro. The opposite of a landscape shot.

[hongzhibin1987]

What I
before you purchase the lens I guess you need to ask yourself several questions;
1) Is original Pentax important?
2) Does the feeling, building of a lens means important to me?
3) Is this a small investment, or you just think thie $500 will just be a middle station?
4) Is FF important to me in the future?


If all answers are yes============>Then FA43 LTD is the only one choice. This one is a little bit weird on APS-C, however for portrait it is still great. Metal build, very handy, and for a $500 to $600 it won't lose value after years. (probably when you sell it you might earn some extra $);
If #4 is not what you are considering, then think about the DA21 and DA40. DA21 is something FA31 on APS-C, it provides similar FOV. DA40 is one of the best pancakes here.
If #2 #3 and #4 doesn't mean anything to you, then DA35/2.4. It's a plastic miracle, and for a $170 lens, you won't lose a lot when you sell it.
If #1 is no, then you have tons siggy lens to choose.

If one word advice, then
For landscape: DA21
For Portrait: FA43

[Mlcinema]

Sample image using K-5 and Sigma 28mm Macro. The opposite of a landscape shot.

Nice!

[Mlcinema]

What I
before you purchase the lens I guess you need to ask yourself several questions;
1) Is original Pentax important?
2) Does the feeling, building of a lens means important to me?
3) Is this a small investment, or you just think thie $500 will just be a middle station?
4) Is FF important to me in the future?


If all answers are yes============>Then FA43 LTD is the only one choice. This one is a little bit weird on APS-C, however for portrait it is still great. Metal build, very handy, and for a $500 to $600 it won't lose value after years. (probably when you sell it you might earn some extra $);
If #4 is not what you are considering, then think about the DA21 and DA40. DA21 is something FA31 on APS-C, it provides similar FOV. DA40 is one of the best pancakes here.
If #2 #3 and #4 doesn't mean anything to you, then DA35/2.4. It's a plastic miracle, and for a $170 lens, you won't lose a lot when you sell it.
If #1 is no, then you have tons siggy lens to choose.

If one word advice, then
For landscape: DA21
For Portrait: FA43

Maybe I just need to settle on 2 lenses.

[vodanh1982]

If #2 #3 and #4 doesn't mean anything to you, then DA35/2.4. It's a plastic miracle, and for a $170 lens, you won't lose a lot when you sell it.

DA35/2.4 is FF
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31629-da-lens-...ts-thread.html

[ivanvernon]

For a blowout bargain, the Sigma 30 1.4 at B&H for only $289. To spend the entire $500, a used copy of the Pentax FA 43. You do not want manual focus,so that leave out Zeiss and lots of other fantastic lenses.

[Mlcinema]

DA35/2.4 is FF
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31629-da-lens-...ts-thread.html

Is the 35mm 2.4 sharp? Or should I ask...how sharp is it?

[Na Horuk]

Is the 35mm 2.4 sharp? Or should I ask...how sharp is it?

I wouldn't worry about its sharpness. Unlike many lenses, it is completely usable even wide open. At f2.4 the DoF is still pretty thin (that's just physics), but the IQ is great. If you stop down a little it only improves (optimal somewhere around f4). I really doubt you will regret buying this lens, and you can always just sell it off at almost the same price you bought it
Oh and if you want, you can order it from Japan in a random colour (in case you have a colourful camera)

[hongzhibin1987]

DA35/2.4 is FF
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31629-da-lens-...ts-thread.html

Oh sure it is FF =). Is this something like the FA 35 F2? Same structure, however the F is little bit slower.
I haven't looked into the two lenses' data. However----is the DA35 a EXACT copy of the FA35/2? Even the structure is the same....I doubt that.

[hongzhibin1987]

I wouldn't worry about its sharpness. Unlike many lenses, it is completely usable even wide open. At f2.4 the DoF is still pretty thin (that's just physics), but the IQ is great. If you stop down a little it only improves (optimal somewhere around f4). I really doubt you will regret buying this lens, and you can always just sell it off at almost the same price you bought it
Oh and if you want, you can order it from Japan in a random colour (in case you have a colourful camera)

BUY ONE FROM JAPAN....Hummm

[tclausen]

BUY ONE FROM JAPAN....Hummm

uzzled:

All but two of my lenses (the 35/2.8 and the Q 03) were bought at Yodobashi or Map Camera, Tokyo.....

[vodanh1982]

Is the 35mm 2.4 sharp? Or should I ask...how sharp is it?

It is sharp.
Pentax SMC DA 35mm f/2.4 AL - Review / Lens Test - Analysis
Compare to FA 31 1.8 limited
Pentax SMC FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited - Lab Test / Review - Analysis

[Mlcinema]

Well, I ordered a 43 1.9. I'm thinking (hoping) Pentax will release a FF, so now I will be prepared.

[monochrome]

Oh sure it is FF =). Is this something like the FA 35 F2? Same structure, however the F is little bit slower.
I haven't looked into the two lenses' data. However----is the DA35 a EXACT copy of the FA35/2? Even the structure is the same....I doubt that.

FA35/2 Lens Structure (6 elements in 5 groups)
DA35/2/4 Lens Structure (6 elements in 5 groups)