Next Prime Lens to buy

JASMAZ77 · 02-07-2018, 06:25 PM

In everyone's opinion if I was to get another Pentax or sigma prime lens (i already have the 15mm limited and the 70mm limited) which other prime lens would you suggest?

The HD Pentax-DA 35mm F/2.8 or the DA*55mm 1.4 sdm or others?

Note: I am also looking at Tamron and Sigma Lenses as well! also considering a small zoom lens at fixed aperature ie: 17-50mm F/2.8

Thanks in Advance

Last edited by JASMAZ77; 02-09-2018 at 04:55 AM. Reason: more information

**sergysergy** · 02-07-2018, 06:37 PM

By HD 35 you mean the macro?
I think it depends on what you want it for. I have both the 35 macro (non HD) and the 55 1.4 and like them both a lot

SpecialK · 02-07-2018, 06:48 PM

Between those two I would go for the 35 for the focal length. But as 35 is a bit short macrowise, I might go for the DA 35 and Tamron 90 macro, used, for near the same price.

IgorZ · 02-07-2018, 06:48 PM

Also depends if you want to go to full frame at some point. My first limited was FA 43 and I like it a lot. I haven't tried either the 35 or the 55, so cannot comment on how it compares with them.

**pepperberry farm** · 02-07-2018, 06:49 PM

also depends upon which camera body, what you are hoping to use the prime for, budget range, etc....

**aslyfox** · 02-07-2018, 06:51 PM

for me

one of the questions would be what I was attempting to photograph

dbs · 02-07-2018, 07:34 PM - **1 Like**

Hi Jas

An innocent question,
With so many candidates to choose from.
As you know we the forum are good at spending your money
Since mind-reading is not possable yet give us a clue

Dave

aoeu · 02-07-2018, 07:36 PM

What I really want?
SMC Pentax-FA* 200mm F4 Macro ED [IF]

What I'm more likely to buy?
A used K-1.

Adam · 02-07-2018, 07:52 PM

Given the fact that you already have a short tele, I'd lean more toward the 35mm. But they're certainly two very different lenses.

pakinjapan · 02-07-2018, 07:56 PM

Originally posted by JASMAZ77

i already have the 15mm limited and the 70mm limited

You already have the 15 and 70 limited! it make more sense to get the 35 limited then 21 limited, 40 limited and boom! you have a complete set of DA limited.

JASMAZ77 · 02-07-2018, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by aoeu

What I really want?
SMC Pentax-FA* 200mm F4 Macro ED [IF]

What I'm more likely to buy?
A used K-1.

I have a K-3 and have the Pentax FA 100mm macro WR already. Is the DA 35mm F/2.8 purely a macro lens for up close, when i see macro etched on the lens I take it literally that it can only be used for that purpose.

**clackers** · 02-07-2018, 08:12 PM

Originally posted by JASMAZ77

Is the DA 35mm F/2.8 purely a macro lens for up close, when i see macro etched on the lens I take it literally that it can only be used for that purpose.

Hardly, That's just a capability.

Enjoy these ... Theory on DA 35mm ltd 'greatest lens ever' (?) tag - PentaxForums.com

**aslyfox** · 02-07-2018, 08:12 PM

Originally posted by JASMAZ77

I have a K-3 and have the Pentax FA 100mm macro WR already. Is the DA 35mm F/2.8 purely a macro lens for up close, when i see macro etched on the lens I take it literally that it can only be used for that purpose.

I'm confused

I don't have the WR version, I have the D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro which I have used on a K 3 II, a K 3 and a K 5 II

I don't think of either version of the D FA 100 F2.8 Macro lenses as " just a macro lens "

" The SMC Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm F2.8 WR is a fixed focal length macro lens which can focus down to life-size magnification (1:1), and which doubles as a versatile short-telephoto lens. It features a weather-sealed metal lens barrel and top-notch optical quality in a small and light package, and as such is designed much like a DA Limited series lens. "

Read more at: Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

this is from the In Depth Review of the DA 35mm F2.8 macro limited

" The lens is designed as both a macro and a normal prime lens. "

Read more at: Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

I am just a beginner in macro but as I understand it, the shorter the focal length of your macro lens, the closer you must be to your target

in other words, your camera can be farther away with the 100mm macros than with the 35mm macro

aoeu · 02-07-2018, 08:16 PM

Originally posted by JASMAZ77

I have a K-3 and have the Pentax FA 100mm macro WR

surely you mean DFA 100 WR.
My FA 100mm 2.8 macro lives on my K-5 both for macro and for medium tele. I don't shoot in the rain.

**aslyfox** · 02-07-2018, 08:21 PM

looks like we almost had a 3 way tie there

posted question 21:04

Responses:

post 21:12

post 21:12

post 21:16

02-07-2018, 06:25 PM	#1
JASMAZ77 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Perth Photos: Gallery Posts: 265	Next Prime Lens to buy In everyone's opinion if I was to get another Pentax or sigma prime lens (i already have the 15mm limited and the 70mm limited) which other prime lens would you suggest? The HD Pentax-DA 35mm F/2.8 or the DA55mm 1.4 sdm or others? Note: I am also looking at Tamron and Sigma Lenses as well! also considering a small zoom lens at fixed aperature ie: 17-50mm F/2.8 Thanks in Advance Last edited by JASMAZ77; 02-09-2018 at 04:55 AM. Reason: more information*

02-07-2018, 07:52 PM	#9
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Given the fact that you already have a short tele, I'd lean more toward the 35mm. But they're certainly two very different lenses. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

02-07-2018, 08:12 PM	#13
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by JASMAZ77 I have a K-3 and have the Pentax FA 100mm macro WR already. Is the DA 35mm F/2.8 purely a macro lens for up close, when i see macro etched on the lens I take it literally that it can only be used for that purpose. I'm confused I don't have the WR version, I have the D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro which I have used on a K 3 II, a K 3 and a K 5 II I don't think of either version of the D FA 100 F2.8 Macro lenses as " just a macro lens " " The SMC Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm F2.8 WR is a fixed focal length macro lens which can focus down to life-size magnification (1:1), and which doubles as a versatile short-telephoto lens. It features a weather-sealed metal lens barrel and top-notch optical quality in a small and light package, and as such is designed much like a DA Limited series lens. " Read more at: Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews this is from the In Depth Review of the DA 35mm F2.8 macro limited " The lens is designed as both a macro and a normal prime lens. " Read more at: Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews I am just a beginner in macro but as I understand it, the shorter the focal length of your macro lens, the closer you must be to your target in other words, your camera can be farther away with the 100mm macros than with the 35mm macro Last edited by aslyfox; 02-07-2018 at 08:18 PM.

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02-07-2018, 06:37 PM	#2
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	By HD 35 you mean the macro? I think it depends on what you want it for. I have both the 35 macro (non HD) and the 55 1.4 and like them both a lot

02-07-2018, 06:48 PM	#3
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Between those two I would go for the 35 for the focal length. But as 35 is a bit short macrowise, I might go for the DA 35 and Tamron 90 macro, used, for near the same price.

02-07-2018, 06:48 PM	#4
IgorZ Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,735	Also depends if you want to go to full frame at some point. My first limited was FA 43 and I like it a lot. I haven't tried either the 35 or the 55, so cannot comment on how it compares with them.

02-07-2018, 06:49 PM	#5
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,660	also depends upon which camera body, what you are hoping to use the prime for, budget range, etc....

02-07-2018, 06:51 PM	#6
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	for me one of the questions would be what I was attempting to photograph

02-07-2018, 07:34 PM - 1 Like	#7
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,563	Hi Jas An innocent question, With so many candidates to choose from. As you know we the forum are good at spending your money Since mind-reading is not possable yet give us a clue Dave

02-07-2018, 07:36 PM	#8
aoeu Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 496	What I really want? *SMC Pentax-FA 200mm F4 Macro ED [IF]** What I'm more likely to buy? A used K-1.

02-07-2018, 07:56 PM	#10
pakinjapan Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,041	Originally posted by JASMAZ77 i already have the 15mm limited and the 70mm limited You already have the 15 and 70 limited! it make more sense to get the 35 limited then 21 limited, 40 limited and boom! you have a complete set of DA limited.

02-07-2018, 08:04 PM	#11
JASMAZ77 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Perth Photos: Gallery Posts: 265 Original Poster	Originally posted by aoeu What I really want? *SMC Pentax-FA 200mm F4 Macro ED [IF]** What I'm more likely to buy? A used K-1. I have a K-3 and have the Pentax FA 100mm macro WR already. Is the DA 35mm F/2.8 purely a macro lens for up close, when i see macro etched on the lens I take it literally that it can only be used for that purpose.

02-07-2018, 08:12 PM	#12
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by JASMAZ77 Is the DA 35mm F/2.8 purely a macro lens for up close, when i see macro etched on the lens I take it literally that it can only be used for that purpose. Hardly, That's just a capability. Enjoy these ... Theory on DA 35mm ltd 'greatest lens ever' (?) tag - PentaxForums.com

02-07-2018, 08:16 PM	#14
aoeu Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 496	Originally posted by JASMAZ77 I have a K-3 and have the Pentax FA 100mm macro WR surely you mean DFA 100 WR. My FA 100mm 2.8 macro lives on my K-5 both for macro and for medium tele. I don't shoot in the rain.

02-07-2018, 08:21 PM	#15
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	looks like we almost had a 3 way tie there posted question 21:04 Responses: post 21:12 post 21:12 post 21:16