[jatrax]

My ideal would be a 24-85/4

I was really hoping for a 24-105 f/4 but that didn't happen either. Still if you can get past the variable aperture the 28-105 is very good.

Now I'm hoping for a 20-35 f/4 replacement. I'm satisfied with the FA 20-35 but a modern WR lens with focus shift would be very welcome.

[clackers]

I was really hoping for a 24-105 f/4 but that didn't happen either. Still if you can get past the variable aperture the 28-105 is very good.

Now I'm hoping for a 20-35 f/4 replacement. I'm satisfied with the FA 20-35 but a modern WR lens with focus shift would be very welcome.

The FA20-35 is quite good. Almost indistinguishable from the FA31 stopped down, as someone showed a couple of years ago.

[Ronald Oakes]

The F 24-50 is a great bargain at about $150 used. I stocked up on these before the K-1 came, thinking they would become more valuable and popular, but that didn't happen. I was very happy using mine. There was a slight loss of contrast wide open, but it's sharp one stop down. It's small, though a little heavy. My ideal would be a 24-85/4, but that's not made, so ...

Down the road a bit...Maybe you would be interested in selling me one ?
I have made my decision for the long run , and its the FA 20-35 when I can afford one and can actually find one at a fair price.
Your statement about the price not increasing on the "F" .....and the fact its quite easy to find -VS- the "FA" and its increased price , plus the fact its newer yet much more Scarce.....lead me to believe that many others have made their choice the same way.......thanks !

[jatrax]

The FA20-35 is quite good. Almost indistinguishable from the FA31 stopped down, as someone showed a couple of years ago.

Yes. I am quite happy with mine. Except for the fiddly FA focus ring. Contrast is not as good as a modern lens but the lens hood helps a lot. All in all it is a fine lens and I have no complaints.

[normhead]

The issue for me, with all this type of lens is I like the 28-105, and I'm hoping at some point that there will be a Pentax designed 18-35 ƒ4 of the same quality. I can wait.

I didn't expect to like the DFA 28-105 nearly as much as I do, and my wife likes it. She only really likes about 3 of our 20 lenses so that's really saying something. Especially since of my 18-135, 60-250, Tamron 17-50, 35-80, etc, it's the only zoom she likes.

I want a variable aperture 18-35 the same quality.

[jatrax]

The issue for me, with all this type of lens is I like the 28-105, and I'm hoping at some point that there will be a Pentax designed 18-35 ƒ4 of the same quality. I can wait.

Me too. I'm fine with my FA 20-35 but one of the few lenses that would make me open the piggy bank would be the mythical DFA 18-35 f/4 with the same design and build as the 28-105. If it had the same 62mm filter that would be another big bonus. Some day.

[Adam]

FA 20-35mm or F 24-50mm.......
I'm having a hard time deciding between the two ?
Shooting K3 some , but mainly for K-1 use for Landscape's.
I'm wanting a smaller lens for the wider end of appx +/- 24mm.
Should I try the F first and save 50% or more ?
Or should I just get the FA for substantially more and never look back ?
I'm kinda leaning towards the FA , but keep going back and forth.....lol
Opinions ?

Definitely the 20-35mm IMO. Pair it with the D FA 28-105mm as your walkaround lens and you'll have a nice lightweight kit.

Adam
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[pres589]

Agreed on ebay people getting hopeful. Kind of like what's happened with a number of full frame k-mount lenses that are 24mm or wider. FA*24's are getting silly dollar amounts attached, for instance.

[Ronald Oakes]

Agreed on ebay people getting hopeful. Kind of like what's happened with a number of full frame k-mount lenses that are 24mm or wider. FA*24's are getting silly dollar amounts attached, for instance.

I wish my 24mm Super Takumar , "A" 24mm , and "K" 24mm would follow suit.....lol.

---------- Post added 02-19-18 at 02:02 PM ----------

Definitely the 20-35mm IMO. Pair it with the D FA 28-105mm as your walkaround lens and you'll have a nice lightweight kit.

Adam....Think I'm going to do just this ! And if I add the 14mm Samyang ? Then I have a useable 3 lens kit , instead of a 13 Prime LBA Kit....lol.

[Adam]

I wish my 24mm Super Takumar , "A" 24mm , and "K" 24mm would follow suit.....lol.

---------- Post added 02-19-18 at 02:02 PM ----------

Adam....Think I'm going to do just this ! And if I add the 14mm Samyang ? Then I have a useable 3 lens kit , instead of a 13 Prime LBA Kit....lol.

Yes, that would be a fine idea IMO, for your ultra-wide needs.

[Ron Boggs]

Jatrax points out the generally unimpressive qualities of the FA lenses (I presume that is not to include FA Limited and FA* lenses?), same applies to standard F lenses--meh.

That's why many of us are so happy with the little 20-35. It's tiny, light and not robust. Doesn't appear to be anything more than the other FA and F lenses. But it must have gotten into some spilled pixie dust from the Limited and star lenses? It really is an outlier regarding image quality within the standard FA models.

If you find one discounted due to a damaged or missing lens shade, I have an extra shade (missing polarizer door) for the 20-35 that you could arm-twist away from me...

I second Adam's recommendation, nice little kit!

Had no idea the pricing had gotten so silly...

[nass_43]

I have the FA 20-35, and I used it on APS-C (K-5), and now on the K-1.
When I go on a walk and want a lightweight setup, I often just take that lens.
Vignetting is a bit strong at the wide range, but reduces greatly when stopped down. And it can easily be corrected in post-processing.

For landscapes, It is a very good lens in my opinion, and I can only encourage you to chose it.

I bought mine new (from old stock) for a very decent price a few years ago, but eBay prices are often very (very) high, so chose wisely !

As a added bonus, that may (or may not) be (ir)relevant to you : I can be used on film cameras, as it have the aperture ring.

[pinholecam]

FA20-35 prices are crazy now... I'd probably not wait and just get a Samyang 14mm

14mm, 28-105mm, really good range.
Or even a 14mm, Tamron 28-75/2.8.

24-50mm, while cheap and with an attractive 24mm on the wide end does have the 50mm at f4 and often enough, we want some shallower DOF or light gathering ability at 35-50mm.

[Ronald Oakes]

FA20-35 prices are crazy now... I'd probably not wait and just get a Samyang 14mm <snip>

Well......lol. I just got around to checking prices out online on E-bay.
WOW....You've got to be kidding me ! They are actually selling at between $450-$750 , and asking prices of over 2K ?
Well......that's definitely OUT of the picture.

[gofour3]

Well......lol. I just got around to checking prices out online on E-bay.
WOW....You've got to be kidding me ! They are actually selling at between $450-$750 , and asking prices of over 2K ?
Well......that's definitely OUT of the picture.

2k for a FA20-35, afraid not.

I paid $400 three years ago, with hood and case and thought that was too much.

Phil.