[GeneV]

I thought I would use my FA 35 or DA 35 a lot more on the K1, but it has been the FA 31 that has taken over. Back in the film days, I never owned this focal length, but now I see its real beauty. 40mm is more my preferred street lens these days.

[BarryE]

DA 35 design:

HD Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro Lens Photo - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

FA 35 design:

SMC Pentax-FA 35mm F2 AL Lens Photo - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Thanks for that. Quite different then.

---------- Post added 02-01-17 at 07:26 AM ----------

Think you're getting a bit mixed up here, Barry.

The FA35 is similar to the later DA35 f2.4, not the DA 35 f2.8 Macro.

The DA35 has FF coverage, the Macro hasn't.

Thanks Clakers. Not so mixed up, but more wishful thinking. I wanted the 35 to form a nice set with the 50 and 100mm macros. When I found it wasn't defined as a macro (ie the flat across the frame characteristic that I was looking for), I hoped it had somehow evolved from an earlier macro stable without be given the macro nomenclature. As I say, wishful thinking. Now I see the optical formula is quite different - sadly, for me. Still, it may be fine for my purposes, macro-ness apart ...

[Na Horuk]

If you are looking for high end FF 35mm, you have some options:
a) Sigma 35mm art
b) Samyang 35mm f1.4 (good lens, but no AF)
c) Pentax FA 35mm f2 (definitely FF) or Pentax DA 35mm f2.4 (acceptable in FF mode, but designed for APSC)
d) Pentax FA 31mm limited (very popular since the film era)
These are currently available in stores. You can find older lenses as well, but many of those do not have AF. Here is a tool, but this one does not include third party options.

And Pentax will probably soon announce a prime in the wide angle range, something like 24mm or 28mm. You might want to wait for that announcement, but we don't know when it will come. Sometime this year, probably. You might also want a 40mm lens. I think some users report the DA 40mm to be acceptable on FF. It is only f2.8 and not as wide as 35mm, but it is an interesting lens and super compact. The XS version does not cost much.

[BarryE]

If you are looking for high end FF 35mm, you have some options:
a) Sigma 35mm art
b) Samyang 35mm f1.4 (good lens, but no AF)
c) Pentax FA 35mm f2 (definitely FF) or Pentax DA 35mm f2.4 (acceptable in FF mode, but designed for APSC)
d) Pentax FA 31mm limited (very popular since the film era)
These are currently available in stores. You can find older lenses as well, but many of those do not have AF. Here is a tool, but this one does not include third party options.

And Pentax will probably soon announce a prime in the wide angle range, something like 24mm or 28mm. You might want to wait for that announcement, but we don't know when it will come. Sometime this year, probably. You might also want a 40mm lens. I think some users report the DA 40mm to be acceptable on FF. It is only f2.8 and not as wide as 35mm, but it is an interesting lens and super compact. The XS version does not cost much.

Thank you for your suggestions. The Sigma and the Samyang will be too large/heavy for my usage - I'm looking for a multiple/small prime option (eg 35/50/100 - I have the 50&100 macros).

The to-be-released lenses are all fast lenses, are they not? For fast, I read getting bigger and heavier, than say the FA 35mm. I wish I knew ...

Ref the FA 31mm limited. Never heard anyone ever mention that lens before ;-) Seriously, I wish they'd stop it ! I know it's a great lens, give it HD coating, WR at the same price or cheaper and I'm in ...

[Na Horuk]

Fair points. Yep, Pentax is in need of wide angle, WR primes, from 20mm to 35mm.
I filled the 35mm range with DA 40mm XS, DA 35mm f2.4, M 28mm f2.8, and Zeiss Flektogon 35mm (super affordable East German Zeiss prime with some macro capabilities. But its m42 and not super sharp wide open, at least my copy). I also want the Görlitz Lydith, but haven't gotten around to that yet.
Good luck, bud!

[clackers]

Thanks Clakers. Not so mixed up, but more wishful thinking. I wanted the 35 to form a nice set with the 50 and 100mm macros. When I found it wasn't defined as a macro (ie the flat across the frame characteristic that I was looking for), I hoped it had somehow evolved from an earlier macro stable without be given the macro nomenclature. As I say, wishful thinking. Now I see the optical formula is quite different - sadly, for me. Still, it may be fine for my purposes, macro-ness apart ...

I have the FA31 these days, but the FA35 is very good while smaller.

Here it is on my Sony A7: