DA 35mm Available... in Japan.

Rico · 03-25-2008, 07:17 PM

Buddha what about this Charlotte Shop Biggs Camera?

Here is a list of Pentax shops in NC listed at Pentax Imaging.

Buddha Jones · 03-25-2008, 07:25 PM

Whoa!! Thanks Rico, I haven't hit these guys up yet. I will be calling them in the morning. I am so excited I have goose bumps! Hopefully they are worth while, I will gladly miss a round of golf for this!

**rparmar** · 03-25-2008, 07:59 PM

Originally posted by Buddha Jones

The problem with that is no shops around here carry any Pentax gear.

Think you've got problems? No shops in this entire country carry any Pentax gear.

Rico · 03-25-2008, 08:37 PM

Buddha I think Biggs is going to be glad to hear from you.

rparmar what about this outfit called Pixels?

Pentaxke · 03-26-2008, 04:10 AM

Originally posted by Buddha Jones

The problem with that is no shops around here carry any Pentax gear.

No shops which carry Pentax gear? Man, I feel for you...

**rparmar** · 03-26-2008, 04:43 AM

Originally posted by Rico

rparmar what about this outfit called Pixels?

Pixels stock no Pentax lenses and only bodies at extortionate rates. K10D for €1400... wow. Argos, the UK catalogue seller, has the same for less than half the price, €664.49. And those are available in Ireland, but I wouldn't count them as a retailer since all they do is hand over cardboard boxes. Oddly the one lens they sell is the fish-eye! Strange buying practices there.

But I did get my kit from Argos since there was no alternative.

séamuis · 03-26-2008, 05:02 AM

I have been saving a portion of my tax refund to buy this lens, I cant wait to get it its driving me nuts seeing all these people who already have it.

Pentaxke · 03-26-2008, 06:02 AM

Originally posted by seamuis

I have been saving a portion of my tax refund to buy this lens, I cant wait to get it its driving me nuts seeing all these people who already have it.

Amen to that! Can't wait...

Tingchaleun · 03-26-2008, 08:29 PM

Curious. With the new 35mm ltd. Macro coming, wouldn't it be an alternative to the 40mm ltd? I saw somewhere the 35mm is listed for $450. The 40mm is $300. On another note, is the FA35mm discontinued? (when did this happen? I am going to miss the F/2.0)

jsherman999 · 03-26-2008, 09:05 PM

.

I'm curious, are people going to be using this mostly as a macro lens, or mostly as a portrait/general lens (like 35 f/2 and 31ltd) with some macro work as a bonus?

Since it seems to be a dedicated macro lens, how will it perform as a portrait lens? Doesn't it drop to infinity focus quicker than a regular 35, meaning less control over focus after 20 feet or so?

Tell me I'm cracked so I can find an excuse to save for it also...

.

thePiRaTE!! · 03-26-2008, 10:40 PM

I'm going to give my copy of the 31 a run for its value against the 35. I find macros and close focus lenses tend to be very sharp, not to mention you have no minimum for closing in on things and getting awesome bokeh. Not something attractive for a portrait lens perhaps, but for product shots, architecture, etc its awesome. If this lens is as sharp, hopefully more resistant to purple fringe and with nice bokeh as the 31, I'd rather have it and a new ball head for the difference. Probably the main thing it would give up is the speed and extra 4mm the 31 can make use of in night architecture photography.

Macro is a nice bonus for me, but one that typically ensures overall sharpness.

nostatic · 03-26-2008, 11:08 PM

I have high expectations for this lens. I love to get close, and this should do it hopefully with great contrast and sharpness. 2.8 is plenty fast for me...as long as the AF behaves reasonably well I'll be happy. Quick shift is a good thing.

Pentaxke · 03-27-2008, 04:32 AM

Originally posted by jsherman999

.

I'm curious, are people going to be using this mostly as a macro lens, or mostly as a portrait/general lens (like 35 f/2 and 31ltd) with some macro work as a bonus?

Since it seems to be a dedicated macro lens, how will it perform as a portrait lens? Doesn't it drop to infinity focus quicker than a regular 35, meaning less control over focus after 20 feet or so?

Tell me I'm cracked so I can find an excuse to save for it also...

.

Well,

for me it will be like an ideal walk around lens. Think of it as a 50 f/2,8 macro, because giving the conversion factor it will be. Since when I started with photography, I always had a 50mm as my standard walkaround lens, and this lens is what I was waiting for. Ok, at f/2,8 it's not as bright as I wished it to be, but then again, back in the film days, you couldn't cranck up the ISO like you can now.

As a premium, given the fact that almost all macro's are very good optical performers and being a Limited, I expect this one to be as good or better as the 31 Ltd.

I don't know if I will sell my 31Ltd though...

**rparmar** · 03-27-2008, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by Pentaxke

Well, for me it will be like an ideal walk around lens. Think of it as a 50 f/2,8 macro, because giving the conversion factor it will be.

35mm is just too close to the 40mm and 43mm limited lenses, one of which I own already. In fact looking at the limited lineup it is apparent how much bunching there is in the focal lengths: 15, 21, 31, 35, 40, 43, 70, 77.

This would be fine if we were using film bodies, but these miss the sweet spot of digital crop sensors. There is a huge gap between 21 and 31mm and also between 15 and 21mm. I'd much prefer a 28mm perfect normal to the 35mm. Pentax hasn't had a 28mm in production for a while, which is doubly odd considering how popular that length used to be.

That said, I am waiting for more info on the 15mm with bated breath. It could really fit a niche.

Pentaxke · 03-27-2008, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by rparmar

35mm is just too close to the 40mm and 43mm limited lenses, one of which I own already. In fact looking at the limited lineup it is apparent how much bunching there is in the focal lengths: 15, 21, 31, 35, 40, 43, 70, 77.

This would be fine if we were using film bodies, but these miss the sweet spot of digital crop sensors. There is a huge gap between 21 and 31mm and also between 15 and 21mm. I'd much prefer a 28mm perfect normal to the 35mm. Pentax hasn't had a 28mm in production for a while, which is doubly odd considering how popular that length used to be.

That said, I am waiting for more info on the 15mm with bated breath. It could really fit a niche.

AMAF and AFAIC, I don't think the line up is so stupid anyway. Putting the FA limiteds aside (they were great with FF, but less so in APS, and as the 77 lmited is to be discontinued, I believe the others will be too), you get this:

15, 21, 35, 40 and 70

The 40 limited has some interest as a true pancake, so if you leave it out:
15, 21, 35, 70 and that is 23, 31, 50 and 105 in equivalent terms... For me it's more than enough (and when the 35 arrives then I have a great 21 ==> 70 line up with only three lenses...

)

Actually, I love the DA Limiteds: so small you can easily forget about them, manual override on AF, all metal, reasonably fast and excellent optical performance...

03-26-2008, 08:29 PM	#24
Tingchaleun Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 166	Curious. With the new 35mm ltd. Macro coming, wouldn't it be an alternative to the 40mm ltd? I saw somewhere the 35mm is listed for $450. The 40mm is $300. On another note, is the FA35mm discontinued? (when did this happen? I am going to miss the F/2.0) Last edited by Tingchaleun; 03-26-2008 at 08:44 PM.

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03-25-2008, 07:17 PM	#16
Rico Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,205	Buddha what about this Charlotte Shop Biggs Camera? Here is a list of Pentax shops in NC listed at Pentax Imaging.

03-25-2008, 07:25 PM	#17
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	Whoa!! Thanks Rico, I haven't hit these guys up yet. I will be calling them in the morning. I am so excited I have goose bumps! Hopefully they are worth while, I will gladly miss a round of golf for this!

03-25-2008, 07:59 PM	#18
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by Buddha Jones The problem with that is no shops around here carry any Pentax gear. Think you've got problems? No shops in this entire country carry any Pentax gear.

03-25-2008, 08:37 PM	#19
Rico Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,205	Buddha I think Biggs is going to be glad to hear from you. rparmar what about this outfit called Pixels?

03-26-2008, 04:10 AM	#20
Pentaxke Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Belgium Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 476	Originally posted by Buddha Jones The problem with that is no shops around here carry any Pentax gear. No shops which carry Pentax gear? Man, I feel for you...

03-26-2008, 04:43 AM	#21
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by Rico rparmar what about this outfit called Pixels? Pixels stock no Pentax lenses and only bodies at extortionate rates. K10D for €1400... wow. Argos, the UK catalogue seller, has the same for less than half the price, €664.49. And those are available in Ireland, but I wouldn't count them as a retailer since all they do is hand over cardboard boxes. Oddly the one lens they sell is the fish-eye! Strange buying practices there. But I did get my kit from Argos since there was no alternative.

03-26-2008, 05:02 AM	#22
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	I have been saving a portion of my tax refund to buy this lens, I cant wait to get it its driving me nuts seeing all these people who already have it.

03-26-2008, 06:02 AM	#23
Pentaxke Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Belgium Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 476	Originally posted by seamuis I have been saving a portion of my tax refund to buy this lens, I cant wait to get it its driving me nuts seeing all these people who already have it. Amen to that! Can't wait...

03-26-2008, 09:05 PM	#25
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	. I'm curious, are people going to be using this mostly as a macro lens, or mostly as a portrait/general lens (like 35 f/2 and 31ltd) with some macro work as a bonus? Since it seems to be a dedicated macro lens, how will it perform as a portrait lens? Doesn't it drop to infinity focus quicker than a regular 35, meaning less control over focus after 20 feet or so? Tell me I'm cracked so I can find an excuse to save for it also... .

03-26-2008, 10:40 PM	#26
thePiRaTE!! Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Calgary, AB Photos: Gallery Posts: 942	I'm going to give my copy of the 31 a run for its value against the 35. I find macros and close focus lenses tend to be very sharp, not to mention you have no minimum for closing in on things and getting awesome bokeh. Not something attractive for a portrait lens perhaps, but for product shots, architecture, etc its awesome. If this lens is as sharp, hopefully more resistant to purple fringe and with nice bokeh as the 31, I'd rather have it and a new ball head for the difference. Probably the main thing it would give up is the speed and extra 4mm the 31 can make use of in night architecture photography. Macro is a nice bonus for me, but one that typically ensures overall sharpness.

03-26-2008, 11:08 PM	#27
nostatic Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: socal Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,575	I have high expectations for this lens. I love to get close, and this should do it hopefully with great contrast and sharpness. 2.8 is plenty fast for me...as long as the AF behaves reasonably well I'll be happy. Quick shift is a good thing.

03-27-2008, 04:32 AM	#28
Pentaxke Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Belgium Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 476	Originally posted by jsherman999 . I'm curious, are people going to be using this mostly as a macro lens, or mostly as a portrait/general lens (like 35 f/2 and 31ltd) with some macro work as a bonus? Since it seems to be a dedicated macro lens, how will it perform as a portrait lens? Doesn't it drop to infinity focus quicker than a regular 35, meaning less control over focus after 20 feet or so? Tell me I'm cracked so I can find an excuse to save for it also... . Well, for me it will be like an ideal walk around lens. Think of it as a 50 f/2,8 macro, because giving the conversion factor it will be. Since when I started with photography, I always had a 50mm as my standard walkaround lens, and this lens is what I was waiting for. Ok, at f/2,8 it's not as bright as I wished it to be, but then again, back in the film days, you couldn't cranck up the ISO like you can now. As a premium, given the fact that almost all macro's are very good optical performers and being a Limited, I expect this one to be as good or better as the 31 Ltd. I don't know if I will sell my 31Ltd though...

03-27-2008, 10:46 AM	#29
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by Pentaxke Well, for me it will be like an ideal walk around lens. Think of it as a 50 f/2,8 macro, because giving the conversion factor it will be. 35mm is just too close to the 40mm and 43mm limited lenses, one of which I own already. In fact looking at the limited lineup it is apparent how much bunching there is in the focal lengths: 15, 21, 31, 35, 40, 43, 70, 77. This would be fine if we were using film bodies, but these miss the sweet spot of digital crop sensors. There is a huge gap between 21 and 31mm and also between 15 and 21mm. I'd much prefer a 28mm perfect normal to the 35mm. Pentax hasn't had a 28mm in production for a while, which is doubly odd considering how popular that length used to be. That said, I am waiting for more info on the 15mm with bated breath. It could really fit a niche.

03-27-2008, 11:31 AM	#30
Pentaxke Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Belgium Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 476	Originally posted by rparmar 35mm is just too close to the 40mm and 43mm limited lenses, one of which I own already. In fact looking at the limited lineup it is apparent how much bunching there is in the focal lengths: 15, 21, 31, 35, 40, 43, 70, 77. This would be fine if we were using film bodies, but these miss the sweet spot of digital crop sensors. There is a huge gap between 21 and 31mm and also between 15 and 21mm. I'd much prefer a 28mm perfect normal to the 35mm. Pentax hasn't had a 28mm in production for a while, which is doubly odd considering how popular that length used to be. That said, I am waiting for more info on the 15mm with bated breath. It could really fit a niche. AMAF and AFAIC, I don't think the line up is so stupid anyway. Putting the FA limiteds aside (they were great with FF, but less so in APS, and as the 77 lmited is to be discontinued, I believe the others will be too), you get this: 15, 21, 35, 40 and 70 The 40 limited has some interest as a true pancake, so if you leave it out: 15, 21, 35, 70 and that is 23, 31, 50 and 105 in equivalent terms... For me it's more than enough (and when the 35 arrives then I have a great 21 ==> 70 line up with only three lenses... ) Actually, I love the DA Limiteds: so small you can easily forget about them, manual override on AF, all metal, reasonably fast and excellent optical performance...