[kjphilippona]

I am looking for a starter 35mm prime lens, is the SMC P-FA 35mm F2.0 AL worth $100 more than the SMC DA 35mm F2.4 AL ?

[robthebloke]

Over here it's a £300 difference, which I don't think is worth the difference. $100 more, then it's probably worth it for the aperture ring, metal mount, and slightly bigger aperture. Mind you, the da35 f2.4 is a pretty good lens which would make a great first prime (although the da35 limited is much better imo). The $100 difference could be put towards a da50, which is also a tempting proposition!

[hcc]

The DA35mm is a DA plastic 'fantastatic'. A good starter IMHO. Importantly, the selection of the focal length (35mm or 50 mm) is more relevant for your 1st prime IMHO.

What lens do you have currently? The DA18-55mm kit lens? In the affirmative, look at your photograph EXIF and check what focal length do you use most. This will tell you where to start for a first prime, unless you have a specific need (eg fast prime for night time).

Hope that the comment will help.

[kjphilippona]

The DA35mm is a DA plastic 'fantastatic'. A good starter IMHO. Importantly, the selection of the focal length (35mm or 50 mm) is more relevant for your 1st prime IMHO.

What lens do you have currently? The DA18-55mm kit lens? In the affirmative, look at your photograph EXIF and check what focal length do you use most. This will tell you where to start for a first prime, unless you have a specific need (eg fast prime for night time).

Hope that the comment will help.

Yes DA18-55mm and DA50-200mm kit lens.

[6BQ5]

The lens test data I have seen on sites like Lenstip, Photozone, etc say that the DA 35mm is sharper than the FA35mm. People will say that the general optical formula is the same but I have a hunch that being newer the DA must be carrying some improvements. The DA is seemingly FF capable, just like the FA. I have used this lens on my film bodies with Av mode. The corners come out real well. As robthebloke said above, the FA has the benefit of a sturdier construction and an aperture ring. I never found the DA flimsy but I wouldn't like to drop it either. The aperture ring is most useful on older film bodies without automatic aperture control. Some people are very passionate about this. Me? Not too much since I am an Av mode shooter.

I have a DA 35mm for sale right now. A FA 31mm has taken it's place in my kit. Feel free to PM if you are interested.

[dakight]

I don't know anything about the FA-35 but I recently acquire the da-35 and I love it! If the aperture ring is important to you the maybe the FA is the one you want, but the da is pretty freaking nice!

[mee]

Are you purchasing new? At B&H the FA 2.0 lens is 500 and the Limited 2.8 Macro is just 46 dollars more. I know, you could keep saying just a few dollars more and end up spending a thousand more total haha.

That said, for a STARTER prime, go with the DA 35mm f/2.4 -- its cheap, its lightweight, and it is sharp. Can find them used for around 120-130 USD

[beachgardener]

some one might remember, but i think that the DA has newer lens coatings. I have the DA 35 f2.4 and is is a very nice lens, quite like the way it renders an image and the price is beaut too.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/196639-da35-f2-4-plastic-fantastic-club.html

[hcc]

Yes DA18-55mm and DA50-200mm kit lens.

In your position, I would start with a first prime: DA35mm f2.4 or DA50mm f1.8. That is, one of the 'plastic fantastic'. Which one? Check your photographs and see which focal length is most relevant to your shooting style.

Pentax offers some great (truly amazing) primes between 14 mm and 100 mm (with a few more like DA*200mm and DA*300mm). These primes are often envied by other brand users (eg Canikon). Your thought to go for a prime is sound.

I have myself 3 zooms and much more primes. Because primes can deliver great IQ, for a cheaper price than a comparable zoom. (Simply the design of a zoom lens is much more complicated and most zoom lenses need to make some compromise across the focal length range.)

The newer Pentax 'plastic fantastic' lenses are a great bargain to start with prime lenses. Go for it. (The term 'plastic fantastic' is used kindly by Pentaxians with a focus on fantastic: great value for money!) Later, if you enjoy primes, Pentax offers some outstanding lens series, like the FA Limited series, DA Limited series, DA* prime series. They are much more expensive, but deliver truly outstanding IQ.

Hope that the comment will help.

[Bophoto]

In your position, I would start with a first prime: DA35mm f2.4 or DA50mm f1.8. That is, one of the 'plastic fantastic'. Which one? Check your photographs and see which focal length is most relevant to your shooting style.

Pentax offers some great (truly amazing) primes between 14 mm and 100 mm (with a few more like DA*200mm and DA*300mm). These primes are often envied by other brand users (eg Canikon). Your thought to go for a prime is sound.

I have myself 3 zooms and much more primes. Because primes can deliver great IQ, for a cheaper price than a comparable zoom. (Simply the design of a zoom lens is much more complicated and most zoom lenses need to make some compromise across the focal length range.)

The newer Pentax 'plastic fantastic' lenses are a great bargain to start with prime lenses. Go for it. (The term 'plastic fantastic' is used kindly by Pentaxians with a focus on fantastic: great value for money!) Later, if you enjoy primes, Pentax offers some outstanding lens series, like the FA Limited series, DA Limited series, DA* prime series. They are much more expensive, but deliver truly outstanding IQ.

Hope that the comment will help.

You also have DA35/2,8 Macro, very nice walk-around lens. and you could go in very close.
Sorry it was for #1

[starbase218]

If you are considering the FA35 for its speed, you may want to consider the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 A as well. A stop faster, optically great (according to the reviews) and about the same price. Plus you get silent autofocusing. If you can live with the slightly wider 30mm, it seems like a no-brainer to me. I'm actually selling my DA 35 2.8 macro and DA 35 2.4 to get one.

It seems that, with Pentax, you have to pay a premium to get a fast normal prime. IMHO they are making things difficult on themselves. So I'll just go to Sigma.