New 35mm lens. But which one?

AlexZav · 02-02-2017, 03:11 PM

Hi!
I am thinking about adding a 35mm lens to my kit. This is because I think that from what I read, the 35mm in the K3 will be more of a normal lens than the 50mm (please correct me if I'm wrong...). But I am not sure which one to get: the Pentax 35mm HD macro, the Sigma 18-35, or, budget wise, the Samyang 35mm that is the cheapest as well the fastest but manual.... Can you enlighten me on what might be the best lens to get?

Thanks

**jatrax** · 02-02-2017, 03:17 PM

Just to add a couple more:
FA 35mm f/2
DA 35mm f/2.4

The 35mm macro is well made but may not be what you want as just a regular 35mm. The Sigma 18-35 is a rather large zoom which seems to have some trouble with focusing and the Samyang is not auto-focus. So really none of the ones on your list would be what I would look at for a standard prime lens for the K-3. Either the FA or DA should be what you are looking for. And of course there is also the 31mm Limited which is close to that focal length.

Imp · 02-02-2017, 03:20 PM

Or the Sigma 35 1.4

**clackers** · 02-02-2017, 03:31 PM - **1 Like**

New, you won't get cheaper than the DA35 f2.4. Small and very, very good.

Kozlok · 02-02-2017, 03:31 PM

I carry a 24 and the FA 43. Don't feel I need one in between, but I have the Sigma 30/1.4 for when I might.

Death89 · 02-02-2017, 03:32 PM

I've just got the 35mm 2.4 day and for the £120 I'd say it was will worth it. Very good IQ compared to the kit lens as you'd expect. Good build quality for a plastic body lens. Can't see a myself.

cali92rs · 02-02-2017, 04:00 PM - **1 Like**

Other folks love the Sigma 18-35.
As much as I wanted to love it due to its very useful focal length, IQ and fast aperture, the focusing just killed it for me. I even had the dock (which is extremely tedious for a zoom to use), and I still could not get the lens to focus accurately consistently.
In your shoes I would get either the 35mm f2.8 macro or the 35mm f2.4.
I had the macro at one point and it was super versatile and had wonderful IQ. It wasn't the fastest focusing lens, but it was fast and accurate enough.

edmundrt · 02-02-2017, 04:03 PM

The price/performance ratio of the DA 35mm f2.4 is incredible. I recommend it without hesitation.

**RGlasel** · 02-02-2017, 04:07 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by AlexZav

the Pentax 35mm HD macro, the Sigma 18-35, or, budget wise, the Samyang 35mm that is the cheapest as well the fastest but manual.

Here, the Rokinon 35mm f1.4 (same lens) is $70 more than the DA 35mm Ltd. The Sigma Art zoom and 35mm f1.4 prime are roughly double the price of the DA 35 Ltd. My recommendation is the same as other posters here, the DA 35 f2.4 AL is one-third the price of the DA Ltd. Admittedly, the Limited is a true macro lens, but minimum focus distance is less than 4 inches away from the end of the lens, so it is awkward to use for macro work.

Originally posted by AlexZav

the 35mm in the K3 will be more of a normal lens than the 50mm

If you want to take group portraits or there isn't much room to back up from your subject, 35mm is a very useful focal length on APS-C. Having said that, I only use my DA 35 AL in low light and/or I want faster than f4. I was going to say the versatility of the DA 18-135 trumps the DA 35 in every other situation, but sometimes you want a less intrusive lens on your camera. I was sitting about 5 feet away from my brother and trying to get pictures of people who don't like being photographed.

Sandy Hancock · 02-02-2017, 04:08 PM

I am constently impressed by the images from the humble DA35/2.4
It is small and light, pretty fast and ridiculously good value for money, so you have nothing to lose.

I have the FA31/1.8 and HD DA35/2.8 macro limited, and they are both superb. If you don't have a macro lens, consider the latter.

KDD · 02-02-2017, 04:11 PM

DA 35 2.4 are excellent.

swanlefitte · 02-02-2017, 04:14 PM - **1 Like**

Wait for CP+ I think there will be a newer and better option. A wide angle has been on the roadmap.

wibbly · 02-02-2017, 04:18 PM

i think the fa31 is a more interesting lens than the 35 macro.

the macro is clinically excellent, but the 31 to me produces more pleasing images.

you pay for it though.

**DW58** · 02-02-2017, 05:00 PM

I bought the 35mm Macro LTD 2.8 shortly after I bought my K-50. I wanted a 35mm because the angle of view is like a 50mm on the film camera that I used to shoot waaaay back in the 80's. A 50mm was standard back in those days so it was a focal length I thought I would want. I went with the macro because it was something I was interested in. Problem is you have to get REAL close to your subject with the 35mm macro. I had a windfall of extra cash and bought a K-3 and a D FA 100mm Macro. I haven't had the 35mm on the K-3 yet. So here's my two cents. If you're interested in macro get the 100mm. If macro is an after thought I wouldn't spend the extra money on the 35mm Macro Ltd. But I was impressed by the quality of construction. Very solid and provided excellent results paired with my "old" K-50. I'm sure it will find it's way on to the K-3 eventually. Good luck. These decisions are never easy.

**clackers** · 02-02-2017, 05:03 PM

Originally posted by swanlefitte

Wait for CP+ I think there will be a newer and better option. A wide angle has been on the roadmap.

I'm sure it will be good, but it will almost certainly be more expensive, now Pentax's survival strategy is to be a premium brand.

02-02-2017, 03:11 PM	#1
AlexZav New Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 21	New 35mm lens. But which one? Hi! I am thinking about adding a 35mm lens to my kit. This is because I think that from what I read, the 35mm in the K3 will be more of a normal lens than the 50mm (please correct me if I'm wrong...). But I am not sure which one to get: the Pentax 35mm HD macro, the Sigma 18-35, or, budget wise, the Samyang 35mm that is the cheapest as well the fastest but manual.... Can you enlighten me on what might be the best lens to get? Thanks

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02-02-2017, 03:17 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Just to add a couple more: FA 35mm f/2 DA 35mm f/2.4 The 35mm macro is well made but may not be what you want as just a regular 35mm. The Sigma 18-35 is a rather large zoom which seems to have some trouble with focusing and the Samyang is not auto-focus. So really none of the ones on your list would be what I would look at for a standard prime lens for the K-3. Either the FA or DA should be what you are looking for. And of course there is also the 31mm Limited which is close to that focal length.

02-02-2017, 03:20 PM	#3
Imp Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Washington, DC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,749	Or the Sigma 35 1.4

02-02-2017, 03:31 PM - 1 Like	#4
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	New, you won't get cheaper than the DA35 f2.4. Small and very, very good.

02-02-2017, 03:31 PM	#5
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	I carry a 24 and the FA 43. Don't feel I need one in between, but I have the Sigma 30/1.4 for when I might.

02-02-2017, 03:32 PM	#6
Death89 Guest	I've just got the 35mm 2.4 day and for the £120 I'd say it was will worth it. Very good IQ compared to the kit lens as you'd expect. Good build quality for a plastic body lens. Can't see a myself.

02-02-2017, 04:00 PM - 1 Like	#7
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Other folks love the Sigma 18-35. As much as I wanted to love it due to its very useful focal length, IQ and fast aperture, the focusing just killed it for me. I even had the dock (which is extremely tedious for a zoom to use), and I still could not get the lens to focus accurately consistently. In your shoes I would get either the 35mm f2.8 macro or the 35mm f2.4. I had the macro at one point and it was super versatile and had wonderful IQ. It wasn't the fastest focusing lens, but it was fast and accurate enough.

02-02-2017, 04:03 PM	#8
edmundrt Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Nagoya Posts: 577	The price/performance ratio of the DA 35mm f2.4 is incredible. I recommend it without hesitation.

02-02-2017, 04:07 PM - 1 Like	#9
RGlasel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saskatoon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,228	Originally posted by AlexZav the Pentax 35mm HD macro, the Sigma 18-35, or, budget wise, the Samyang 35mm that is the cheapest as well the fastest but manual. Here, the Rokinon 35mm f1.4 (same lens) is $70 more than the DA 35mm Ltd. The Sigma Art zoom and 35mm f1.4 prime are roughly double the price of the DA 35 Ltd. My recommendation is the same as other posters here, the DA 35 f2.4 AL is one-third the price of the DA Ltd. Admittedly, the Limited is a true macro lens, but minimum focus distance is less than 4 inches away from the end of the lens, so it is awkward to use for macro work. Originally posted by AlexZav the 35mm in the K3 will be more of a normal lens than the 50mm If you want to take group portraits or there isn't much room to back up from your subject, 35mm is a very useful focal length on APS-C. Having said that, I only use my DA 35 AL in low light and/or I want faster than f4. I was going to say the versatility of the DA 18-135 trumps the DA 35 in every other situation, but sometimes you want a less intrusive lens on your camera. I was sitting about 5 feet away from my brother and trying to get pictures of people who don't like being photographed.

02-02-2017, 04:08 PM	#10
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	I am constently impressed by the images from the humble DA35/2.4 It is small and light, pretty fast and ridiculously good value for money, so you have nothing to lose. I have the FA31/1.8 and HD DA35/2.8 macro limited, and they are both superb. If you don't have a macro lens, consider the latter.

02-02-2017, 04:11 PM	#11
KDD Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403	DA 35 2.4 are excellent.

02-02-2017, 04:14 PM - 1 Like	#12
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	Wait for CP+ I think there will be a newer and better option. A wide angle has been on the roadmap.

02-02-2017, 04:18 PM	#13
wibbly Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Edmonton Posts: 600	i think the fa31 is a more interesting lens than the 35 macro. the macro is clinically excellent, but the 31 to me produces more pleasing images. you pay for it though.

02-02-2017, 05:00 PM	#14
DW58 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Rural Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,064	I bought the 35mm Macro LTD 2.8 shortly after I bought my K-50. I wanted a 35mm because the angle of view is like a 50mm on the film camera that I used to shoot waaaay back in the 80's. A 50mm was standard back in those days so it was a focal length I thought I would want. I went with the macro because it was something I was interested in. Problem is you have to get REAL close to your subject with the 35mm macro. I had a windfall of extra cash and bought a K-3 and a D FA 100mm Macro. I haven't had the 35mm on the K-3 yet. So here's my two cents. If you're interested in macro get the 100mm. If macro is an after thought I wouldn't spend the extra money on the 35mm Macro Ltd. But I was impressed by the quality of construction. Very solid and provided excellent results paired with my "old" K-50. I'm sure it will find it's way on to the K-3 eventually. Good luck. These decisions are never easy.

02-02-2017, 05:03 PM	#15
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by swanlefitte Wait for CP+ I think there will be a newer and better option. A wide angle has been on the roadmap. I'm sure it will be good, but it will almost certainly be more expensive, now Pentax's survival strategy is to be a premium brand.