Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
06-11-2017, 12:54 AM   #1
Forum Member




Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 52
Pentax SMC DA 35mm F2.4 AL as a walk around and trip lens

I have an 18-55mm zoom lens and a SMC DA 50mm F1.8 lens on my K30. Since I bought the 50mm lens, I rarely use the 18-55mm one.
I mostly use my camera for photography on my trips. The 50mm lens is a lovely lens, but it's too narrow for trip photography. I was thinking about buying a Pentax smc DA 35mm F2.4 AL lens to replace my 50mm lens. I wonder if the 35mm lens is a good one for such use cases? Is there a big difference between 50mm and 35mm angle of view? What other affordable lens do you recommend for trip photography?

06-11-2017, 01:06 AM - 1 Like   #2
Veteran Member
Pentaxke's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Belgium
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 476
The optical quality of the DA 35 f/2.3 is top notch, close to that of the 35 macro LTD which cost 3x as much and that is saying something! Many people believe there is not much difference between in angle of view of 35mm against that of 50mm, but they are wrong. there is. You can do the test with your 18-55: set it to 50 and 35mm and see if the difference is enough for you. 35mm is 50mm on crop (give or take) and that is how many started...
If your budget is limited, then I think there or little alternatives, but even thenI think you can't go wrong with the 35 f/2.4!
06-11-2017, 01:09 AM - 1 Like   #3
PJ1
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
PJ1's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Toowoomba, Australia
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 5,469
35mm angle of view on APS-C is roughly the same as 50mm on a full frame. This makes the 35mm roughly a "normal" lens on APS-C as far as field of view goes. I don't have the DA 35mm f2.4 AL but all reports say that it is a very good lens. Personally I find the 18-55mm does the job as a travel lens with a bit more flexibility. Your needs may differ.
06-11-2017, 01:16 AM   #4
Forum Member




Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 52
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by PJ1 Quote
35mm angle of view on APS-C is roughly the same as 50mm on a full frame. This makes the 35mm roughly a "normal" lens on APS-C as far as field of view goes. I don't have the DA 35mm f2.4 AL but all reports say that it is a very good lens. Personally I find the 18-55mm does the job as a travel lens with a bit more flexibility. Your needs may differ.
That's right, 18-55mm does the job, but 50mm is far superior in terms of image quality. I only use the 18-55mm one under rainy conditions since that's my only weather sealed lens. Once I used it right under Niagara falls and shoot some lovely photos.

06-11-2017, 04:11 AM - 2 Likes   #5
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
Otis FanOtis FanOtis FanOtis FanOtis FanOtis Fan
Loyal Site Supporter
clackers's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Melbourne
Photos: Albums
Posts: 16,394
FWIW, a street photographer historically might choose either a 50mm or 35mm lens and shoot with nothing else, Galaxytab.

Now, that was on film, for your K-30 that would be either 35mm or 21mm.

Beyond that, no one can say, because we don't know your preferred subjects or shooting style.
06-11-2017, 04:21 AM - 1 Like   #6
amateur dirt farmer
Loyal Site Supporter
pepperberry farm's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: probably out in a field somewhere...
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 41,257
just for me, but I never really connected with the DA 35 (plastic fantastic) lens - I prefer either the DA 40 or the DA 21 as a 'normal' prime focal length....

but I also would not consider replacing my DA 50 with the 35 either - two completely different views...
06-11-2017, 04:25 AM - 1 Like   #7
Veteran Member
Na Horuk's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Slovenia, probably
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 11,186
QuoteOriginally posted by galaxytab Quote
I wonder if the 35mm lens is a good one for such use cases? Is there a big difference between 50mm and 35mm angle of view? What other affordable lens do you recommend for trip photography?
Yes, I do a lot of my travel photos with the DA 35mm f2.4. Most of them (And i usually travel with 14mm, 35mm, 100mm, and one other random prime).
Yes, there is a noticeable difference between 35mm and 50mm.
Alternatives? DA 35mm f2.8 macro, but it costs a lot more. FA 35mm f2, practically the same optical design as the DA 35mm f2.4, quite popular, but not as affordable. F 28mm is a good lens, older, but its a bit wider and still sharp. DA 21mm is great, too. I got one not that long ago, and am using it quite a lot. Another alternative is the DA 40mm XS (and the Limited versions of this lens). There are lots of threads comparing DA 35mm f2.4 to DA 40mm XS. But if you already have 50mm, then it makes more sense to go for the 35mm.
IF you don't mind manual focus, you can also get Zeiss Flektogon 35mm (surprisingly affordable for Zeiss, even if its East German Zeiss. Decent lens, might need adapter) or Samyang 35mm (popular lens, very sharp, super fast aperture, but big and manual focus only).
You can get a used DA 35mm for low prices. Even a new one is not expensive. And if if you order from Japan, you can get it in special colours - in case your camera is not the usual black.

Here is a thread dedicated to the DA 35mm f2.4, just so you can see what it can be capable of in good hands:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/196639-da35-f2-4-plastic-...c-club-65.html
And user reviews here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DA-L-35mm-F2.4-AL.html

tl; dr: Get the DA 35mm f2.4. I stopped using my kit lens after I got it. My first Pentax DA prime, don't regret it. Best alternative is DA 35mm f2.8 limited, gives you true macro, high optical correction, but a lot more expensive. FA 35mm f2 is another possibility, but its prices seem to be rather high lately, too high to justify it over the DA f2.4.


Last edited by Na Horuk; 06-11-2017 at 06:09 AM.
06-11-2017, 06:19 AM - 1 Like   #8
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
patrick9's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Murfreesboro Tennessee
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,458
I have the 35/2.4 It is a really nice lens. Since I got my 21 limited it doesn't get used that much .The Da 21 and K55 are the ones that live on my cameras.
06-11-2017, 06:50 AM - 1 Like   #9
Veteran Member
CarlJF's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Quebec City
Posts: 1,185
There's no definitive answer to your question. Is the 35 significantly wider than the 50 ? Sure. Is it wide enough for you ? Only you can tell...

You can try to use your 18-55 at 35mm for while and see if the angle fits you. If you feel needing something wider, there are options like the 21, 15... It really depends on what you need.
06-11-2017, 09:00 AM - 1 Like   #10
Veteran Member
Na Horuk's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Slovenia, probably
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 11,186
Oh yeah, if you wonder how much wider 35mm is from 50mm, you can use the 18-55mm kit lens and simply zoom to just over 50mm (I think DA 50mm is actually slightly above 50mm), look into the viewfinder. Then zoom out to about 35mm. That is the difference. Not super massive, but it can be critical.
DA 21mm is great, but not exactly super affordable, even used. If you want ultra wide you can try Samyang 16mm f2. Sharp lens, fast aperture, really really wide. It will give you a really different FoV, and its fairly affordable. But its manual focus only, though that's not a huge problem because when its so wide, you get a lot of DoF.

Still, DA 35mm has amazing quality-price ratio and every DSLR photographer should have 50mm and 35mm prime in their kit. You can get exotics like 21mm, 16mm later. Also, the prices vary a lot depending where you live. Check the local ebays and similar sites, and the marketplace on this forum
06-11-2017, 09:28 AM   #11
Forum Member




Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 52
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by patrick9 Quote
I have the 35/2.4 It is a really nice lens. Since I got my 21 limited it doesn't get used that much .The Da 21 and K55 are the ones that live on my cameras.
Maybe I should consider buying the DA 21 (which is more than double the price). I really think that Pentax should have had an affordable 20 something mm lens, Canon already has one.
06-11-2017, 09:30 AM - 1 Like   #12
Pentaxian
D1N0's Avatar

Join Date: May 2012
Location: ---
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 6,802
It is a nice walk around lens. But you need a bit of space. It is better for close ups and portraits than a wider lens. (20 to 28) which are better for getting scenes from a closer perspective and for large buildings (the 35 is often not wide enough as the 50mm isn't wide enough for that on Film and Full Frame). It really depends on your style what you should choose. A wider lens forces you to move in closer to a scene you want to capture and a narrower lens forces you to look for an angle where you can get what you want in the frame.
06-11-2017, 09:31 AM   #13
Forum Member




Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 52
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by Na Horuk Quote
And if if you order from Japan, you can get it in special colours - in case your camera is not the usual black.
I live in Canada, but I'll have a trip to Japan next month. I have no idea about the local stores there, but I'll give it a try. Good to know that Japanese have their special colour lenses.
06-11-2017, 10:15 AM - 1 Like   #14
Veteran Member
Na Horuk's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Slovenia, probably
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 11,186
QuoteOriginally posted by galaxytab Quote
I live in Canada, but I'll have a trip to Japan next month. I have no idea about the local stores there, but I'll give it a try. Good to know that Japanese have their special colour lenses.
Wow, sounds cool! I think some of these lenses are cheaper in Japan, and yes, some lenses were made in special colours (and some cameras as well) but were only available in Japan. Google some of the big camera stores that hold Pentax stuff before going, and maybe even check their big used camera gear stores. Check prices of the lenses you want before going and compare them to what is available there. You might have to pay import duties when you return though, I'm not sure how that works between Japan-Canada. Think it has a lot to do with how the customs officers feel that day. The main downside is that if you buy it abroad, you can probably only use its warranty in that country

I would have loved to get a special color DA 35mm f2.4, but only the black version was available here. I paid full price for it back then, its much more affordable now. But I don't regret it
06-11-2017, 10:50 AM - 1 Like   #15
Veteran Member
Pentaxke's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Belgium
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 476
If you go to Tokyo, be sure to check out Ricoh square (former Pentax square.) I got an ex-demo 15 LTD there for a nice price; I didn't even have to pay taxes (was short of 30.000 Yen, which translates to 250€.) Customs was easy as a pie for me. Japanese customs didn't even bother to check (theoretically tax free implies you can't use or wear the item in Japan.) And once I was in Belgium, the lens was with my regular gear, so no import duties (as expected.)

Of course, if you go to Pentax square it could be that you come home with more than anticipated...
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
18-55mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, amazon, angle of view, canada, check, customs, da, da 35mm f2.4, import, job, k-mount, lens, pentax, pentax lens, pentax smc da, photography, slr lens, smc, smc da 35mm, taxes, trip, view, view on aps-c
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 AL Lens for my trip jc_leblanc Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 16 12-20-2014 07:00 PM
For Sale - Sold: DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL WR + DA 50-200mm F/4-5.6 AL WR + DA 16-45mm F/4 ED AL imrenhe Sold Items 4 10-25-2013 01:06 PM
SMC Pentax-DA 35 mm f2.4 AL vs SMC Pentax-FA 35 mm f2 AL angle of view psur45 Pentax K-r 8 10-17-2012 03:17 PM
Wanted - Acquired: SMC Pentax 28mm F3.5, SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 AL, SMC Pentax-F 28mm F2.8 TMoneytron Sold Items 8 07-15-2012 02:54 PM
Best buy walk around lens for trip to Europe, under $300.00 virgilr Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 37 08-14-2008 01:52 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:27 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top