[trevorg]

I'm looking for a prime to accompany my 21mm/3.2 in the 35-50mm range. I have the 35mm/2.4 but I'm really annoyed it doesn't have a distance scale and longer focus throw. Was trying to shoot some bio-luminescence at the beach and found it almost impossible to get the focus right by trial and error. The lenses on my list are 35mm/f2-A (the FA has too short a focus throw), 43mm/1.9 (if money was no object...), and a 50mm/f1.7 (A/F/FA). The 40mm/2.8 isn't on my list because it is only f2.8, has a short focus throw, and it looks too damn small for my liking!

Is the 50mm too long for general purpose photos (street, objects, nature) and is the 35mm too wide for portraits? How long does it take to recover from blowing $750 on a 43mm?

[hoopsontoast]

Personally I find both 43mm and 50mm a little to in-between for APS-C use, I do however like the 55mm on the K-01/K-3II.

I have the FA43 and K55, and had the FA50 f1.7 and for value, the FA50 f1.7 is very good compared to the FA43, not as sharp wide open but pretty much the same when stopped down past f2.8 or so. I bought the FA43 mainly for Film and the future FF, I don't find I use it that much on APS-C.

I find 30-35mm quite nice for walk-around (Sigma 30mm f1.4 and the longer end of my FA20-35) but perspective distortion looks odd for portraits.

[Na Horuk]

You can get a Pentax A 50mm for a good price. It has A mode, so you get some automation (you can use P, Av, and other modes), but no AF. Since its made for MF, it has DoF scales and a long focus throw. 50mm f1.4 or f1.7 are both good, while f1.4 is slightly better and allows more background blur, and the f1.7 is a little sharper under f2.8 or so. Neither will disappoint you optically.
Also, think about the Samyang 35mm f1.4. A modern lens, very bright, sharp, and manual focus. But some users report MF can be difficult with a DSLR, because the lens is so very fast.

[ZoeB]

Have you considered a third party lens? Samyang makes some gorgeous manual focus primes (I have the 14 and love it, and I've heard great things about both the 35 and 85, as well as their other wide angles , and sigma's EX 50 f1.4 is incredibly sharp, if somewhat heavy. It's discontinued, but shouldn't be too hard to find. Not to mention the 35 art, which is not cheap, but no more expensive than an FA 43.

[max_pyne]

the da 35 ldt. will have pretty long focus throw so does almost every dedicated macro lens but mostly F2.8
and almost all pre "auto focus era" lenses will have a longer throw

[Kozlok]

Get yourself a Super Tak 55/1.8. Almost free, and wonderful. The MF experience is superb, too.

The 43 is ~$450 used. Go that way if you want it.

[cport]

If I would not have 40/2,8ltd, I would choose Sigma 30/1,4 Art

[bdery]

If you don't want the 40 (can't see why ) then I'd suggest getting a 50. I personally prefer 40 because I feel 50 is a little bit tight, but any 50 (say, the F50 f1.7) will work well for you.

[Dlanor Sekao]

I'm looking for a prime to accompany my 21mm/3.2 in the 35-50mm range. I have the 35mm/2.4 but I'm really annoyed it doesn't have a distance scale and longer focus throw. Was trying to shoot some bio-luminescence at the beach and found it almost impossible to get the focus right by trial and error. The lenses on my list are 35mm/f2-A (the FA has too short a focus throw), 43mm/1.9 (if money was no object...), and a 50mm/f1.7 (A/F/FA). The 40mm/2.8 isn't on my list because it is only f2.8, has a short focus throw, and it looks too damn small for my liking!

Is the 50mm too long for general purpose photos (street, objects, nature) and is the 35mm too wide for portraits? How long does it take to recover from blowing $750 on a 43mm?

Grab a 35mm SMC-K 3.5 or a 35mm SMC-A as here are no disappointments with either. Want a bit faster ? The Samyang fills the bill !
Nobody can say what is too long or too wide for whatever shooting you do. Everyones style is different. I use a 135mm for most street shooting with a IR remote at times and a tripod for candids..... (gonna catch major hell for saying this)
If $$$ is a major issue pick up the Plastic Fantastic DA 35mm for about $100......you will be shocked how sharp $100 can get you these days.

[pathdoc]

the da 35 ldt. will have pretty long focus throw

It does, but you have to bear in mind that almost all of that throw is in the region CLOSER THAN TWO FEET. (I know because I've got mine sitting right in front of me.) It's a marvellous lens, but its optimum range is from arm's length to practically touching the front element, and it's one of the reasons why I leave it permanently at work. In any case, the OP already has a 35mm Plastic Fantastic; unless he needs the macro capability on a regular basis for professional work, IMO it's not worth him getting the Limited Macro in the same focal length.

If $$$ is a major issue pick up the Plastic Fantastic DA 35mm

OP already has this lens, viz:

I have the 35mm/2.4 but I'm really annoyed it doesn't have a distance scale and longer focus throw.

[Sagitta]

Have you considered a third party lens? Samyang makes some gorgeous manual focus primes (I have the 14 and love it, and I've heard great things about both the 35 and 85, as well as their other wide angles , and sigma's EX 50 f1.4 is incredibly sharp, if somewhat heavy. It's discontinued, but shouldn't be too hard to find. Not to mention the 35 art, which is not cheap, but no more expensive than an FA 43.

I have both the 85 and 35mm Sammy's, and both lenses are mindbogglingly amazing if you don't mind not having autofocus.

The 35mm is actually completely usable wide open at f/1.4, which is something you don't get to say very often about any lens.

As far as portraiture with the 35 goes, its doable, but moreso for full body/include the environment types of shots. Anything else you'd be getting too uncomfortably close. I like to think if the 35 as a 'table' lens, as in you can get a shot of someone across a table from you without too much effort.

The 85 is a terrific lens, but the 35 absolutely blows it out of the water as far as I'm concerned. The only caveat is both lenses are huge - there is nothing subtle with them as far as size is concerned.

[trevorg]

Sorry I should have said, Samyang is too large and heavy for me. The DA 40mm/2.8 has 3m as it's last focal point before jumping to infinity, I think this would be problematic when I need to manual focus in the dark. The 21mm has only 1.3m so it's hopeless too (requires lots of trial-and-error), I need one mid-length lens that has a long focus throw, I think most DA lenses are best suited to auto-focus. I will have three primes: DA21mm, A100mm/2.8 (Has a massive throw), and an in-betweener; you know what slots in neatly between those two lengths.. the 43mm. Is the 43mm suited to portraits or is 50mm the minimum?

[stevebrot]

Did I miss someone suggesting the FA 35/2? It has a generous focus throw and works quite nicely as a manual focus lens.


Steve

[trevorg]

I see the same problem with the FA35/2 that the 40mm/2.8 has. What I mean is that it's not necessarily focus throw than I'm after, but precision towards infinity. Some lenses jump from 2m to infinity with little difference in angular displacement in the focus ring (such as the FA35), whereas others have more "resolution" before ramping up to infinity. It is possible to manually focus on something that is 5m away but you can't use the distance scale for this and the adjustments need to be extremely fine.

I think I'll just keep my eye out for a 2nd hand 43mm and start saving...

[max_pyne]

I see the same problem with the FA35/2 that the 40mm/2.8 has. What I mean is that it's not necessarily focus throw than I'm after, but precision towards infinity. Some lenses jump from 2m to infinity with little difference in angular displacement in the focus ring (such as the FA35), whereas others have more "resolution" before ramping up to infinity. It is possible to manually focus on something that is 5m away but you can't use the distance scale for this and the adjustments need to be extremely fine.

I think I'll just keep my eye out for a 2nd hand 43mm and start saving...

i'll check my all my 26 lenses tonight...