[hinman]

I have three lenses that I want to consolidate to 1 single lens

• FA 31mm f/1.8 limited (keep)
• FA 35mm f/2.0
• DA 35mm f/2.8 macro limited

If you have to let go one between FA 35 and DA 35, which would you pick. I can actually let go both FA 35 and DA 35 as I don't use FA 35 at all but I love the use of DA 35 on close up and product shots. But ever since I move on from Pentax with addition of Sony gear, I have not used my DA 35 as it can't be shared easily with my Sony gear without the aperture ring. Also, DA 35 may not be fully compatible to FF view. The FA 35 is useful for both my film gear and adapted easily to Sony E or Sony FE because of the aperture ring and FF image circle.

If I let go both FA 35 and DA 35, I will splurge with a new DA 21 as I lack the DA 21 for street and wider view shooting that I find both 35 too long in APS-C.

Your thoughts are very welcome.

Hin

[kiwi_jono]

I don't think anyone else can make that decision, however my take:

The DA 35mm F2.8 Macro apparently Ok for FF if it is stopped down a bit (vignettes wide open).

Its seems that if you have the FA31 you don't need the FA35 (unless you need the compact size). Regarding DA 35 Macro it depends if you need the macro facility really.

[Eric4]

What about neither, and get the 35mm 2.4. Then you have a light-weight normal wide, and a heavier faster wider lens?

[robthebloke]

Seriously? You need to ask? Get rid of the FA35.

[THoog]

I don't use FA 35 at all

I think this answers your question. If you aren't using it at all now, is there a reason to think you will? The DA 21 Ltd is going to have all the same issues as the 35 Macro Ltd (no aperture ring, FF compatibility).

[Na Horuk]

Yeah, it depends on whether you are planning on buying an FF soon. The DA 35mm macro is not FF compatible, right? Though, maybe you don't care about that and need it macro ability more.

[mee]

Are you planning on going FF? The FA probably functions a lot better than the DA f/2.8 lens

---------- Post added 02-22-16 at 05:26 PM ----------

Yeah, it depends on whether you are planning on buying an FF soon. The DA 35mm macro is not FF compatible, right? Though, maybe you don't care about that and need it macro ability more.

Doh.. this is what happens when I let a page sit for awhile then respond. And also shows I could probably just stop responding entirely and be just as useful.

[Kozlok]

Sell both, get the 100 WR macro. New FL and macro

[wed7]

Wow! Too many 35's. Like Kozlok, maybe sell both and get the 21 you are really after, the 21 has nice close focus range and really handy for Street, I'd just wish it was faster like the FA 24

[osv]

35mm is too short for some macro uses, and since the fa35 really delivers on 36mp, i'd put the da35 on the chopping block.

31mm vs. 35mm is a notable difference.

[Sandy Hancock]

The DA35 macro limited is a remarkable, even unique lens. It is super sharp, a genuine macro, and a useful general purpose APS-C normal as well. It covers the full 36x24 frame well at close focal distances only - at infinity it vignettes solidly in the corners even stopped down, so I would consider it an APS-C lens only.

The FA31 is awesome on both APS-C and full frame, and its bokeh quality is unexcelled.

I have not used the FA35, but I can't see how it really brings anything new to the table.

If you can free up some space/cash for the DA21 you won't regret it.

[hinman]

Sell both, get the 100 WR macro. New FL and macro

Thanks for all the wonderful inputs. My biggest problem is that I am a lens creep who is always tempted with another lens. I got tempted with the low price on Pentax 100 WR macro, bought it and later it took me 1+ full month and posting in three different forums to trade in Tamron SP 90mm. The Tamron is a great and inexpensive macro lens and it is now on its way to Austria and later to Serbia.

Because I have evolved into Sony system, I have accumulated repeated 35mm more than I would like to admit. I still love my Pentax system and I have tried hard to get rid of most unused gear while maintaining the minimalist system that I can still enjoy on APS-C. I mostly shoot with K-5 (or upgrade to K-3 in due time) and I don't see myself with K-1 until 2 years from now. I am ready for Pentax FF but I don't want to do it now as I have Sony A7 along with Sony A6000. A shame to carry two systems. It baffles me every single time when I need to look for lens cap, adapter and accessories -- where is my thing.

I need to trim my Sony system on the FE 35mm f/2.8 along with some of my Pentax 35mm. The DA 35mm f/2.8 macro used to be my favorite lens on Pentax aps-c


20120430-mosaic4038c3ca03d6238edce7f360b5faa7241ab792c4
by Hin Man, on Flickr


Its frequent use has been reduced as I use Voiglander 40mm f/1.4 with a helicoil adapter on Sony full frame with A7. The close up with Voiglander with adapter is quite good for my casual use. But macro and close up is very nice on the DA 35mm especially on flowers. The DA 35mm is workhorse for me with Pentax K-5 and the like.


mosaic_3
by Hin Man, on Flickr


mosaic_2
by Hin Man, on Flickr


One or both have to go. The Kipon adapter mounted on the DA 35mm f/2.8 can actually control the aperture with step-less control. The catch is rough guessing on the aperture.


my FE 35mm f/2.8 may have to go if I find cheaper and faster alternative with AF

I tried my FA 35mm f/2.0 tonight to mount it on my film body with Ricoh xr-p, I don't get the stop-down that I normally get from a K-mount lens.



It is likely I miss the battery but if I can't use the FA 35mm f/2.0, it is less a candidate to keep. As for the DA 35, it is a good pair to go with DFA 100mm macro for APS-C. I need to think through my usage as I use FA 31 very frequently and the DA 35 f/2.8, though an excellent lens, can't take the place of FA 31.

Thanks again to everyone's inputs. My current thinking

• confirm film usage on FA 35mm f/2.0, try the lens on Sony system, sell after the trial
• decide over DA 35mm, likely to cut it next, have a trip with WR 100mm and DA 35mm as a pair to help me firm up my decision, I have a 60/40 weight to keep it.
• 
• Sell the Sony FE 35mm f/2.8 when Sigma FE 30mm f/1.4 is out with good report. The Sigma 30 f/1.4 is a aps-c lens
• May splurge for a new silver DA 21mm if I let go both FA 35 and DA 35. The DA 21 will complement handsomely for my DA 15. I currently favor 21 over the DA 20-40 as I love the size of pancake and I already have 15 and 43. My limited primes will be filled with 15, 21 (missing), 31, 43, 77 and 100.

Cheers,
Hin

[hinman]

The DA35 macro limited is a remarkable, even unique lens. It is super sharp, a genuine macro, and a useful general purpose APS-C normal as well. It covers the full 36x24 frame well at close focal distances only - at infinity it vignettes solidly in the corners even stopped down, so I would consider it an APS-C lens only.

The FA31 is awesome on both APS-C and full frame, and its bokeh quality is unexcelled.

I have not used the FA35, but I can't see how it really brings anything new to the table.

If you can free up some space/cash for the DA21 you won't regret it.

I am encouraged from your comment. I had the DA 21mm once and I let it go as usual because of the too-many lens in the bag. I go in circle in lens chasing. I have to put a brake on my purchase plan with milestone set for selling both FA 35 and DA 35 and potentially the Sony FE 35mm f/2.8 if I ever want to get something for street and wide shooting on aps-c.

The more I look at the silver HD version, the more I am back to the drawing board -- the red ring looks too odd on the silver version, I may settle for the black HD or the old SMC silver one if I ever get to the milestone breakpoint.


IMGP4939
by Hin Man, on Flickr
My old silver FA 31mm

Color is not the number 1 criteria but I was reminded of my old silver FA 31 that I once had. Now my 31 is brand new but in black color. They shoot the same way but the old silver SMC looks dead gorgeous.

Cheers,
Hin

[ChristianRock]

All I should say is...

...first world problems

I'd keep the 31 and sell both 35s as the 31+100Macro would be a better walkaround setup than 35+100, I think. The 100 should take care of flowers and such very well, and for those flower details with bokeh... you can't really beat the 31, can you?

[pinholecam]

FA35/2 for me.

Fast, sharp, not really big for f2.
Focuses close enough in most cases for normal walk arounds.

Since you use it adapted, all you need is a helicoid adapter to allow closer focusing anyway.