[nostatic]

I concur on all fronts. For me, this is an ideal walkaround lens, and will likely be on my K20d body more than the others. That being said, I wouldn't mind trying a 43 and a Voigtlander 58 as well, as the 35 is just a tad shorter than what I sometimes see. But the close-focus ability trumps the few mm.

My 35 is sharper than my 31 was, but I think I had a (very) rare dodgy 31...or at least the AF was poor (I returned it to Adorama). I did compare the 35 to my 77 today, and I have to say that the 77 is a bit sharper and has a bit more magic. But by a very slim amount. This is a lens I can recommend without hesitation.

Seems that 21/35/58 (Voigtlander)/77 might be a killer prime lineup. You could substitute an older 50/1.4 for the Voigt.

[Buddha Jones]

35LTD, DA*55 and 77LTD, I think that is the setup for me as far as primes go. ~20mm in between each lens.

[frank]

35LTD, DA*55 and 77LTD, I think that is the setup for me as far as primes go. ~20mm in between each lens.

I can see the DA21 might have a place there too

[frank]

I got chance to test out one in the past two days, my own copy should be here any day now

And I agree w/ Marc about the sharpness of this lens, especially at close distance.
The lens is obviously optimized for closeups. The focus ring turns about 160 degree from 0.14m to 0.5m, but only about 2 to 3 degrees from 0.5 to infinity. Its AF is pretty fast for non closeups due to the very short focus throw, probably a good thing for walk about or street photography.


Here is a quick handheld AF test, K20D+DA35 wide open:


And center 100% crop of the above:


More first samples can be found here on the other forum:
Some first shots by the DA35 macro lens (10x imgs): Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

[JJJPhoto]

I've got the 43, so I'm wondering how in the world I could justify getting this one as it's so close to the 43 in length--perhaps the 1:1 macro could do it for me.

I'm looking forward to seeing more pics from this little gem.

Heather

I'm in a similar situation. I have the DA 40 Limited, plus a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens ... so I don't "need" the DA 35mm Limited Macro.

That doesn't stop me from "wanting" the DA 35mm Limited Macro.

I guess that's textbook LBA.

[Buddha Jones]

I can see the DA21 might have a place there too

Nope the DA15LTD is going there when it comes out, gotta keep with the 20mm rule.

[JJJPhoto]

I can see the DA21 might have a place there too

Or you could wait for the DA 15mm Limited. I would love a wide angle limited, but the DA 21 is a little too long and a little too slow (in terms of aperture) for my taste.

I'm really hoping that the DA 15mm Limited is f/2.8 ... if it is (and it's built with the same quality as the 35, 40, and 70) then I'm going to buy the DA 15mm Limited as soon as it's available.

Edit: I see Buddha was already thinking the same thing.

[nostatic]

yup...another waiting for the 15mm ltd.

[calicojack]

This may be the first prime that I fall in love with, that is what I am hoping for.

Buddha,
Your signature line has 2 wonderful primes. No love for them?

[Buddha Jones]

Sorry, the VIV S1 105mm is a purpose driven lens, I did not mean to imply that I do not love it, I do very dearly, but I only take it out with intention, its not an everyday thing.

What I meant by that is I had the FA50/1.4 and the F50/1.7 and neither of them did it for me. It wa a combination of lack of photo knowledge and patience for a prime.

But this DA35 has me rethinking things... and I hope that it will move me to explore other focal lengths and force me to be creative.

[k100d]

I'm really hoping that the DA 15mm Limited is f/2.8

that would just make it very similar to the DA14 which isn't exactly DA Limited Size
i think most people would guess the 15mm will probably be f4

[JJJPhoto]

that would just make it very similar to the DA14 which isn't exactly DA Limited Size
i think most people would guess the 15mm will probably be f4

I realize that's much more likely ... but that doesn't stop me from wishing.

[heatherslightbox]

I'd like to see a comparison made between the 35 and 43 in terms of IQ. If the IQ on the 35 is noticeably better, then that might sway me in the direction of the 35. The only issue with that is that the 43 has an aperture ring, which means that I can use it with my K1000 and the 35 doesn't. This would mess up my prime lens roadmap, as well, as I was thinking of eventually adding the DAs 21 and 70 to the 43, in addition to a dedicated macro prime in the range of 90-105 (whichever one I can get the best deal on).

Maybe I'll just stick with the roadmap I've already mapped out. Selling lenses has gotten kind of old.

Heather (who wishes she had gotten an LBA vaccination before buying the first lens)

[frank]

Nope the DA15LTD is going there when it comes out, gotta keep with the 20mm rule.

Or you could wait for the DA 15mm Limited. I would love a wide angle limited, but the DA 21 is a little too long and a little too slow (in terms of aperture) for my taste.

I'm really hoping that the DA 15mm Limited is f/2.8 ... if it is (and it's built with the same quality as the 35, 40, and 70) then I'm going to buy the DA 15mm Limited as soon as it's available.

Edit: I see Buddha was already thinking the same thing.

Yeah, I'd love to have that one too. Don't you hate Pentax! They got so many great little lenses from 10mm right up to 300mm! If only I could afford having all of them ...

[roentarre]

That flower shot is the one that does for me. Da 35mm macro... I wish I have the money to get this lens!