[Ron_Man]

I have both the DA 35 and 50.. Truthfully, I've never used the 50 at all (came with K-3 for an extra $20) and mostly use the 35mm.

However, I have the DA* 55mm and that is my bread and butter lens. I keep telling myself to give the 50/1.8 a chance but I tend to reach for the FA 50/1.4.

One of these days I'll get around to trying it out

[normhead]

I have both the DA 35 and 50.. Truthfully, I've never used the 50 at all (came with K-3 for an extra $20) and mostly use the 35mm.

However, I have the DA* 55mm and that is my bread and butter lens. I keep telling myself to give the 50/1.8 a chance but I tend to reach for the FA 50/1.4.

One of these days I'll get around to trying it out

Spoken as man who has way to many options.

[pacerr]

Too often the discussion of focal length revolves solely around the magnification factor -- the apparent zoom effect -- of different FLs.

The perspective offered by the shooting position allowed for a given subject can be much more important as seen here. Note that the blossom is the same size in each view but the included background and the potential difference in DOF (and 'bokeh') are quite different. Even the implied 'story' about the images can be significantly different.

It's a useful exercise to frame an isolated subject within the etched markings in the VF to establish a common size reference then shoot a series of pix at various FLs and apertures for comparison. An easy task with a zoom lens.

[pathdoc]

It's a useful exercise to frame an isolated subject within the etched markings in the VF to establish a common size reference then shoot a series of pix at various FLs and apertures for comparison. An easy task with a zoom lens.

This is why the mode labelled "grid" on the full frame is starting to intrigue me - I think this is going to be Pentax's way of mimicking some of the functions of the old interchangeable focusing screens.

Nice demonstration... though your exif data suggest a 16-300mm f/1.0 zoom lens, a thing quite a few of us would love to have! (Can you imagine the size of the front element on that thing? LOL)

[keanex]

Too often the discussion of focal length revolves solely around the magnification factor -- the apparent zoom effect -- of different FLs.

The perspective offered by the shooting position allowed for a given subject can be much more important as seen here. Note that the blossom is the same size in each view but the included background and the potential difference in DOF (and 'bokeh') are quite different. Even the implied 'story' about the images can be significantly different.

It's a useful exercise to frame an isolated subject within the etched markings in the VF to establish a common size reference then shoot a series of pix at various FLs and apertures for comparison. An easy task with a zoom lens.

Never in my life have I seen telephoto vs wide angle portrayed so perfectly. Your drawing explained is so much better than words ever could; bravo

[yusuf]

Both are quite good focal length and you may want to change FL time to time to get good variations in your shots and composition. I personally like 30-35mm on cropped sensor and 50-55mm on FF for street shots. While I often find 50mm to be a bit long on cropped dslr, sometime I use it it this combo and often turns out nice.

If you consider 35mm, I would suggest FA35 over 35/2.4. It's also worth considering @normhead advice on Tamron 17-50mm, it's a beautiful lens if size is not a constraint.

[redrockcoulee]

I more or less stopped using the 50 when I got my DA 70. My walk about kit being the 15 35 70 trio. A good starting point before buying another lens is to write out what you think your ending point might be, in other words are you going to be getting faster zooms in the future then less of a reason for the 35 but if you are looking more at long zooms the 35 might fit into your final kit nicely. Think kit rather than a bunch of lenses in isolation

[normhead]

Did I mention I have a poll going for which 35mm image you like best. Participate and in a few days, you'll know if you even like the lens.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/312892-your...mm-images.html

[UncleVanya]

I more or less stopped using the 50 when I got my DA 70. My walk about kit being the 15 35 70 trio. A good starting point before buying another lens is to write out what you think your ending point might be, in other words are you going to be getting faster zooms in the future then less of a reason for the 35 but if you are looking more at long zooms the 35 might fit into your final kit nicely. Think kit rather than a bunch of lenses in isolation

That's a nice kit. When using primes I tend to double focal length for a carry kit so 15, 35, 70 is spot on.
My DA carry kit is 15, 40, 70; my "FA" kit is 15, 31, 77.

[normhead]

Or you could use 21-50- 100

[UncleVanya]

That's a nice kit. When using primes I tend to double focal length for a carry kit so 15, 35, 70 is spot on.
My DA carry kit is 15, 40, 70; my "FA" kit is 15, 31, 77.

Or you could use 21-50- 100

Completely agree. I just don't own the 21 so my kit always starts with 15 or 31.

31, 100, 300 is another option... but with a different rule applied.

But to the OP's original question. I liked the 35 f2.4 when I had it. I have the F 50 f1.7 and rarely use it. There are a phenomenal number of great lenses to select from. Personally I'd just do it and see what you think. the cost barrier is so low it is easier to buy and try than debate.

[normhead]

Completely agree. I just don't own the 21 so my kit always starts with 15 or 31.

31, 100, 300 is another option... but with a different rule applied.

But to the OP's original question. I liked the 35 f2.4 when I had it. I have the F 50 f1.7 and rarely use it. There are a phenomenal number of great lenses to select from. Personally I'd just do it and see what you think. the cost barrier is so low it is easier to buy and try than debate.

But then, you might want the 15 underneath the others, and that would be 4 an however you go, you're sure to want the 200 down the road.

[UncleVanya]

But then, you might want the 15 underneath the others, and that would be 4 an however you go, you're sure to want the 200 down the road.

I have LBA... so yes. But I have access to the DA* 200 - my dad owns that and we trade back and forth. My DA* 50-135 is the lens he usually swaps me for it. I have used the 15, 40, 100, 200 combo before...

[redrockcoulee]

That's a nice kit. When using primes I tend to double focal length for a carry kit so 15, 35, 70 is spot on.
My DA carry kit is 15, 40, 70; my "FA" kit is 15, 31, 77.

My other two kits are not as well spaced out

60 100 150

90 150 210

But the Hasselblad and 4X5 are not as easy to zoom with the feet 😄

[pathdoc]

"...is it worth it to buy...?"

Ultimately the problem with this form is that you will ALWAYS find plenty of people willing to say YES, none of whom necessarily share your photographic style or (in the case of the more expensive glass) financial circumstances.

When it comes to such threads, I always appreciate answers from the people who go into detail as the WHY they bought a particular lens, how they use it, and where it fits into their collection. That's how I know whether such a lens is really for me... or not. Sometimes it confirms my decision that I don't want it; other times it plants a seed of desire. Even then, not all such seeds germinate.