FA 35mm F/2.0

wildman · 08-19-2008, 03:40 AM

I know I'm preaching to the converted but...

...I shoot with over 500mm FL glass for wildlife. The only conventional lens I have had for my K20 was the kit lens. Anyway I thought I'd get a good normal FL prime so I bought the FA35mm F/2.0

Conclusion: drop dead sharp at any aperture. Sharp, good contrast, small, light, compact and only 300 bucks. How in the h*ll does Pentax do it for this kind of money.

Just thought I add myself to a long list of very satisfied users of this Pentax lens.

ll_coffee_lP · 08-19-2008, 03:54 AM

Pentax loves us, that's why.

c[_]

k100d · 08-19-2008, 06:03 AM

this thread is useless w/o pictures

Wheatfield · 08-19-2008, 06:35 AM

Originally posted by wildman

I know I'm preaching to the converted but...

...I shoot with over 500mm FL glass for wildlife. The only conventional lens I have had for my K20 was the kit lens. Anyway I thought I'd get a good normal FL prime so I bought the FA35mm F/2.0

Conclusion: drop dead sharp at any aperture. Sharp, good contrast, small, light, compact and only 300 bucks. How in the h*ll does Pentax do it for this kind of money.

Just thought I add myself to a long list of very satisfied users of this Pentax lens.

The FA35/2 is very nice indeed. Have you tried a 31/1.8? It is somewhat nicer......
(I have and use both).

BBear · 08-19-2008, 06:52 AM

I feel bad for my loved Vivitar 28mm... after getting the FA 35 the vivitar hasnt seen the camera anymore!

It is indeed a GREAT lens... and you've got to love its size/weight!!

BBear · 08-19-2008, 06:55 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

The FA35/2 is very nice indeed. Have you tried a 31/1.8? It is somewhat nicer......
(I have and use both).

The 31mm could be (should be) nicer indeed, it costs more than double and it is bigger/heavier.

But bang for the buck, i dont think it comes anywhere near the FA 35.... it is an incredible little bastard!!

RBellavance · 08-19-2008, 07:17 AM

I absolutely love mine as well.

Granted, the new DA35Ltd is probably a better lens overall, but it can't do f/2.0...

wildman · 08-19-2008, 08:07 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

The FA35/2 is very nice indeed. Have you tried a 31/1.8? It is somewhat nicer......
(I have and use both).

Sometimes enough is enough and for me the FA 35 is enough.

I'm not looking for an optical art object that I will fondle in my bed at night after the sun goes down, just a excellent working optical tool nothing more.

I will leave it to others to pursue the holy grail of optical nirvana.

nixcamic · 08-19-2008, 08:10 AM

Is the FA 35mm still made? I haven't noticed it on pentaxes site.

wildman · 08-19-2008, 08:14 AM

Originally posted by nixcamic

Is the FA 35mm still made? I haven't noticed it on pentaxes site.

I don't know if it's still made but it is still readily available - just do a google search and you will see what I mean.

Wheatfield · 08-19-2008, 08:31 AM

IIRC, it was still on Pentax Canada's website last week. It really is a very nice optic, and I believe it is very reasonably priced as well.
Wildman, I was teasing you about the 31.

BBear · 08-19-2008, 08:33 AM

Originally posted by nixcamic

Is the FA 35mm still made? I haven't noticed it on pentaxes site.

Great question!

One reason I rapidly snatched one from Adorama was because of rumors these lenses are no longer in production, so it will get harder and harder to find brand new FA 35s for sale...

nixcamic · 08-19-2008, 08:33 AM

I've noticed that samsung still lists their version on their website also, so it would seem as if pentax still makes it, but doesn't advertise it. Odd.

wildman · 08-19-2008, 08:41 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Wildman, I was teasing you about the 31.

So was I.

Steinback · 08-19-2008, 02:35 PM

I inquired through my local store about whether or not the FA35 F2.0 was still available in Canada, and got a response that "Yes, the DA 35 F2.8 is available" from their Pentax rep. I've taken that as a no, and will be buying from the US if I decide to get the FA35.

08-19-2008, 03:40 AM	#1
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	FA 35mm F/2.0 I know I'm preaching to the converted but... ...I shoot with over 500mm FL glass for wildlife. The only conventional lens I have had for my K20 was the kit lens. Anyway I thought I'd get a good normal FL prime so I bought the FA35mm F/2.0 Conclusion: drop dead sharp at any aperture. Sharp, good contrast, small, light, compact and only 300 bucks. How in the h*ll does Pentax do it for this kind of money. Just thought I add myself to a long list of very satisfied users of this Pentax lens.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Wanted - Acquired: SMC Pentax FA 35mm f2 AL / Samsung D-Xenogon 35mm f2	bcmjr	Sold Items	1	04-28-2010 03:21 PM
For Sale - Sold: Samsung D-Xenogon 35mm f/2 (Pentax SMCP-FA 35mm f/2.0) (US)	waterhouse8800	Sold Items	1	04-25-2010 09:21 AM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax SMC K 35mm/2 35mm F2 Rare Collector's Item, w/ Metal Hood (Worldwide)	frank	Sold Items	16	04-07-2010 05:03 AM
For Sale - Sold: Takumar 49mm lens hood for a 35mm/F2 or 35mm/F3.5 with case	SteveM	Sold Items	3	11-24-2009 05:39 PM

08-19-2008, 03:54 AM	#2
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	Pentax loves us, that's why. c[_]

08-19-2008, 06:03 AM	#3
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	this thread is useless w/o pictures

08-19-2008, 06:35 AM	#4
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by wildman I know I'm preaching to the converted but... ...I shoot with over 500mm FL glass for wildlife. The only conventional lens I have had for my K20 was the kit lens. Anyway I thought I'd get a good normal FL prime so I bought the FA35mm F/2.0 Conclusion: drop dead sharp at any aperture. Sharp, good contrast, small, light, compact and only 300 bucks. How in the h*ll does Pentax do it for this kind of money. Just thought I add myself to a long list of very satisfied users of this Pentax lens. The FA35/2 is very nice indeed. Have you tried a 31/1.8? It is somewhat nicer...... (I have and use both).

08-19-2008, 06:52 AM	#5
BBear Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CT / NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 822	I feel bad for my loved Vivitar 28mm... after getting the FA 35 the vivitar hasnt seen the camera anymore! It is indeed a GREAT lens... and you've got to love its size/weight!!

08-19-2008, 06:55 AM	#6
BBear Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CT / NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 822	Originally posted by Wheatfield The FA35/2 is very nice indeed. Have you tried a 31/1.8? It is somewhat nicer...... (I have and use both). The 31mm could be (should be) nicer indeed, it costs more than double and it is bigger/heavier. But bang for the buck, i dont think it comes anywhere near the FA 35.... it is an incredible little bastard!!

08-19-2008, 07:17 AM	#7
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	I absolutely love mine as well. Granted, the new DA35Ltd is probably a better lens overall, but it can't do f/2.0...

08-19-2008, 08:07 AM	#8
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469 Original Poster	Originally posted by Wheatfield The FA35/2 is very nice indeed. Have you tried a 31/1.8? It is somewhat nicer...... (I have and use both). Sometimes enough is enough and for me the FA 35 is enough. I'm not looking for an optical art object that I will fondle in my bed at night after the sun goes down, just a excellent working optical tool nothing more. I will leave it to others to pursue the holy grail of optical nirvana.

08-19-2008, 08:10 AM	#9
nixcamic Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Guatemala Posts: 354	Is the FA 35mm still made? I haven't noticed it on pentaxes site.

08-19-2008, 08:14 AM	#10
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469 Original Poster	Originally posted by nixcamic Is the FA 35mm still made? I haven't noticed it on pentaxes site. I don't know if it's still made but it is still readily available - just do a google search and you will see what I mean.

08-19-2008, 08:31 AM	#11
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	IIRC, it was still on Pentax Canada's website last week. It really is a very nice optic, and I believe it is very reasonably priced as well. Wildman, I was teasing you about the 31.

08-19-2008, 08:33 AM	#12
BBear Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CT / NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 822	Originally posted by nixcamic Is the FA 35mm still made? I haven't noticed it on pentaxes site. Great question! One reason I rapidly snatched one from Adorama was because of rumors these lenses are no longer in production, so it will get harder and harder to find brand new FA 35s for sale...

08-19-2008, 08:33 AM	#13
nixcamic Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Guatemala Posts: 354	I've noticed that samsung still lists their version on their website also, so it would seem as if pentax still makes it, but doesn't advertise it. Odd.

08-19-2008, 08:41 AM	#14
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469 Original Poster	Originally posted by Wheatfield Wildman, I was teasing you about the 31. So was I.

08-19-2008, 02:35 PM	#15
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	I inquired through my local store about whether or not the FA35 F2.0 was still available in Canada, and got a response that "Yes, the DA 35 F2.8 is available" from their Pentax rep. I've taken that as a no, and will be buying from the US if I decide to get the FA35.