70mm f/2.4 Ltd vs 35mm f/2.8 Ltd Macro

Eyewanders · 02-19-2014, 06:20 PM

Pentax 43mm f1.9 Limited Lens | Clapham | Gumtree

Bam! Let it never be said that I am *not* an enabler.

---------- Post added 02-19-14 at 05:22 PM ----------

bit steep, but i'm sure they'd come down they knew what was good for'm

jddwoods · 02-19-2014, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by Woolcott

So, having put a few pennies I found down the back of various sofas together, I have enough to get either one of these lenses used from a local camera shop.

I know that it's comparing apples and oranges, but which do we reckon gives the most bang for the buck? I mainly use my 50mm 1.7 when I'm out and about, and whilst I love that lens, I think it's high time something came along to challenge its place in my affections.

Whilst I have no particular need for macro, it's something I would love to give a try. Given that most of my photography at the moment is either street or concert-based though, I feel that the 70mm may be more useful for what I currently do.

What would people recommend in terms of wow factor and happiness with cost?

(FWIW I'm looking at about £290/$485 for either)

I have both and both are great lenses. I do find that I probably get more use out of the 35 since it is perfect as a normal focal length lens. In addition its so sharp, you can crop to the point of equivalence to the 70 mm. Plus you may find times where you may want to try some macro shots, especially if you are interested in photographing small items such as jewelry, coins & stamps and botanicals. None of this is in any way a put down of the 70 mm, it is compact and very sharp and it has its niche too. This is the lens for situations where you need more reach than a normal lens can provide. Nothing beats having both, but if you are going to pick on which is more versatile and get more use out of, its the 35. Best Bang for the buck. My most used combo is DA 21 and DA35 and the DA 70 since it is so small.

Jonathan Mac · 02-20-2014, 12:06 AM - **1 Like**

Everyone with LBA should have a 35mm limited - it's perfect for product shots of all the lenses you sell on!

cali92rs · 02-20-2014, 05:48 AM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

Everyone with LBA should have a 35mm limited - it's perfect for product shots of all the lenses you sell on!

Lol...post of the day!
(so sad, so true)

Woolcott · 02-20-2014, 08:22 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by chickentender

Pentax 43mm f1.9 Limited Lens | Clapham | Gumtree

Bam! Let it never be said that I am *not* an enabler.

---------- Post added 02-19-14 at 05:22 PM ----------

bit steep, but i'm sure they'd come down they knew what was good for'm

Scholar and a gent sir, scholar and a gent.

sterretje · 02-20-2014, 11:32 AM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

Everyone with LBA should have a 35mm limited - it's perfect for product shots of all the lenses you sell on!

If you have LBA, you don't sell lenses.

Woolcott · 02-20-2014, 11:47 AM

Originally posted by sterretje

If you have LBA, you don't sell lenses.

You do when you have LBA but no funds to back it up!

sterretje · 02-20-2014, 11:50 AM

70 gives you a bit more reach.
35 gives you macro.

Have you considered a longer macro to get the best of both worlds

Sigma 70 or 105, Tamron 90, Pentax DFA100 (WR or non WR). Not sure if they fit in your budget though.

Woolcott · 02-20-2014, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by sterretje

70 gives you a bit more reach.
35 gives you macro.

Have you considered a longer macro to get the best of both worlds

Sigma 70 or 105, Tamron 90, Pentax DFA100 (WR or non WR). Not sure if they fit in your budget though.

100WR Macro is right up there on the purchase list come September when I'm out of law school and into a proper job!

Then I'm going to go crazy on Limiteds and live off ramen for the rest of the month...

kh1234567890 · 02-20-2014, 12:16 PM

I also have both.

I've had the DA35 Macro for a couple of years and it doesn't get used as much as my DA21. It is fine for close-ups but somehow not quite right for long shots. Don't get me wrong, it is an excellent lens, just that I prefer the DA21 instead. And the long focus spin can get annoying when you miss focus the first time.

I've only had the DA70 for a month or so. I'm impressed with its corner-to-corner sharpness even wide open. The focal length takes a bit of getting used to though. My major dislike is its propensity to bokeh fringing.

A hard choice

Some of my DA35 Ltd shots
Some of my DA70 Ltd shots
Some of my DA21 Ltd shots

Woolcott · 02-20-2014, 12:21 PM

Originally posted by kh1234567890

I also have both.

I've had the DA35 Macro for a couple of years and it doesn't get used as much as my DA21. It is fine for close-ups but somehow not quite right for long shots. Don't get me wrong, it is an excellent lens, just that I prefer the DA21 instead. And the long focus spin can get annoying when you miss focus the first time.

I've only had the DA70 for a month or so. I'm impressed with its corner-to-corner sharpness even wide open. The focal length takes a bit of getting used to though. My major dislike is its propensity to bokeh fringing.

A hard choice

Some of my DA35 Ltd shots
Some of my DA70 Ltd shots
Some of my DA21 Ltd shots

Having looked at your Flickr, now I want a 21mm too.

Christ I can see this getting expensive. Best get sofa diving I guess.

Jonathan Mac · 02-20-2014, 02:14 PM

Originally posted by Woolcott

You do when you have LBA but no funds to back it up!

Exactly. How can I be expected to try all the K and m42 mount lenses in the world if I never sell any once I've tried them?

Woolcott · 02-20-2014, 02:40 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

Exactly. How can I be expected to try all the K and m42 mount lenses in the world if I never sell any once I've tried them?

We really ought to start a Pentaxian Euromillions syndicate to buy a vast repository of Pentax glass to lend out to members should we ever win!

Eyewanders · 02-20-2014, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by Woolcott

Having looked at your Flickr, now I want a 21mm too.

Christ I can see this getting expensive. Best get sofa diving I guess.

... As Na Horuk alluded to in another thread, don't you dare wander in here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/86234-15mm-limited-controls-my-mind-club.html

Woolcott · 02-20-2014, 03:16 PM

Originally posted by chickentender

... As Na Horuk alluded to in another thread, don't you dare wander in here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/86234-15mm-limited-controls-my-mind-club.html

Let's face it, the only remaining question is:

Do I sell my right or left kidney first?

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02-19-2014, 06:20 PM	#16
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Pentax 43mm f1.9 Limited Lens \| Clapham \| Gumtree Bam! Let it never be said that I am not an enabler. ---------- Post added 02-19-14 at 05:22 PM ---------- bit steep, but i'm sure they'd come down they knew what was good for'm

02-19-2014, 06:26 PM	#17
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	Originally posted by Woolcott So, having put a few pennies I found down the back of various sofas together, I have enough to get either one of these lenses used from a local camera shop. I know that it's comparing apples and oranges, but which do we reckon gives the most bang for the buck? I mainly use my 50mm 1.7 when I'm out and about, and whilst I love that lens, I think it's high time something came along to challenge its place in my affections. Whilst I have no particular need for macro, it's something I would love to give a try. Given that most of my photography at the moment is either street or concert-based though, I feel that the 70mm may be more useful for what I currently do. What would people recommend in terms of wow factor and happiness with cost? (FWIW I'm looking at about £290/$485 for either) I have both and both are great lenses. I do find that I probably get more use out of the 35 since it is perfect as a normal focal length lens. In addition its so sharp, you can crop to the point of equivalence to the 70 mm. Plus you may find times where you may want to try some macro shots, especially if you are interested in photographing small items such as jewelry, coins & stamps and botanicals. None of this is in any way a put down of the 70 mm, it is compact and very sharp and it has its niche too. This is the lens for situations where you need more reach than a normal lens can provide. Nothing beats having both, but if you are going to pick on which is more versatile and get more use out of, its the 35. Best Bang for the buck. My most used combo is DA 21 and DA35 and the DA 70 since it is so small.

02-20-2014, 12:06 AM - 1 Like	#18
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	Everyone with LBA should have a 35mm limited - it's perfect for product shots of all the lenses you sell on!

02-20-2014, 05:48 AM	#19
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac Everyone with LBA should have a 35mm limited - it's perfect for product shots of all the lenses you sell on! Lol...post of the day! (so sad, so true)

02-20-2014, 08:22 AM - 1 Like	#20
Woolcott Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: London Posts: 79 Original Poster	Originally posted by chickentender Pentax 43mm f1.9 Limited Lens \| Clapham \| Gumtree Bam! Let it never be said that I am not an enabler. ---------- Post added 02-19-14 at 05:22 PM ---------- bit steep, but i'm sure they'd come down they knew what was good for'm Scholar and a gent sir, scholar and a gent.

02-20-2014, 11:32 AM	#21
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac Everyone with LBA should have a 35mm limited - it's perfect for product shots of all the lenses you sell on! If you have LBA, you don't sell lenses.

02-20-2014, 11:47 AM	#22
Woolcott Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: London Posts: 79 Original Poster	Originally posted by sterretje If you have LBA, you don't sell lenses. You do when you have LBA but no funds to back it up!

02-20-2014, 11:50 AM	#23
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	70 gives you a bit more reach. 35 gives you macro. Have you considered a longer macro to get the best of both worlds Sigma 70 or 105, Tamron 90, Pentax DFA100 (WR or non WR). Not sure if they fit in your budget though.

02-20-2014, 11:57 AM	#24
Woolcott Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: London Posts: 79 Original Poster	Originally posted by sterretje 70 gives you a bit more reach. 35 gives you macro. Have you considered a longer macro to get the best of both worlds Sigma 70 or 105, Tamron 90, Pentax DFA100 (WR or non WR). Not sure if they fit in your budget though. 100WR Macro is right up there on the purchase list come September when I'm out of law school and into a proper job! Then I'm going to go crazy on Limiteds and live off ramen for the rest of the month...

02-20-2014, 12:16 PM	#25
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	I also have both. I've had the DA35 Macro for a couple of years and it doesn't get used as much as my DA21. It is fine for close-ups but somehow not quite right for long shots. Don't get me wrong, it is an excellent lens, just that I prefer the DA21 instead. And the long focus spin can get annoying when you miss focus the first time. I've only had the DA70 for a month or so. I'm impressed with its corner-to-corner sharpness even wide open. The focal length takes a bit of getting used to though. My major dislike is its propensity to bokeh fringing. A hard choice Some of my DA35 Ltd shots Some of my DA70 Ltd shots Some of my DA21 Ltd shots

02-20-2014, 12:21 PM	#26
Woolcott Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: London Posts: 79 Original Poster	Originally posted by kh1234567890 I also have both. I've had the DA35 Macro for a couple of years and it doesn't get used as much as my DA21. It is fine for close-ups but somehow not quite right for long shots. Don't get me wrong, it is an excellent lens, just that I prefer the DA21 instead. And the long focus spin can get annoying when you miss focus the first time. I've only had the DA70 for a month or so. I'm impressed with its corner-to-corner sharpness even wide open. The focal length takes a bit of getting used to though. My major dislike is its propensity to bokeh fringing. A hard choice Some of my DA35 Ltd shots Some of my DA70 Ltd shots Some of my DA21 Ltd shots Having looked at your Flickr, now I want a 21mm too. Christ I can see this getting expensive. Best get sofa diving I guess.

02-20-2014, 02:14 PM	#27
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	Originally posted by Woolcott You do when you have LBA but no funds to back it up! Exactly. How can I be expected to try all the K and m42 mount lenses in the world if I never sell any once I've tried them?

02-20-2014, 02:40 PM - 1 Like	#28
Woolcott Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: London Posts: 79 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac Exactly. How can I be expected to try all the K and m42 mount lenses in the world if I never sell any once I've tried them? We really ought to start a Pentaxian Euromillions syndicate to buy a vast repository of Pentax glass to lend out to members should we ever win!

02-20-2014, 03:08 PM	#29
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Originally posted by Woolcott Having looked at your Flickr, now I want a 21mm too. Christ I can see this getting expensive. Best get sofa diving I guess. ... As Na Horuk alluded to in another thread, don't you dare wander in here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/86234-15mm-limited-controls-my-mind-club.html

02-20-2014, 03:16 PM	#30
Woolcott Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: London Posts: 79 Original Poster	Originally posted by chickentender ... As Na Horuk alluded to in another thread, don't you dare wander in here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/86234-15mm-limited-controls-my-mind-club.html Let's face it, the only remaining question is: Do I sell my right or left kidney first?