Hd fa35/2

**BruceBanner** · 02-12-2019, 04:23 PM - **1 Like**

All this talk of the 11-18, not so much on the HD FA35/2.

Just wondering if anyone has claimed this lens yet, especially if they're someone who has owned the old FA35/2 in the past. I'm very keen to hear feedback on this lens

Cheers,

Bruce

**clackers** · 02-12-2019, 05:52 PM

Originally posted by BruceBanner

All this talk of the 11-18, not so much on the HD FA35/2.

Just wondering if anyone has claimed this lens yet, especially if they're someone who has owned the old FA35/2 in the past. I'm very keen to hear feedback on this lens

Cheers,

Bruce

Well, the 11-18's genuinely a new lens, the FA35 is just a new production run of an older lens. Aperture ring still there!

If you think the DA Limiteds were made better by HD than their SMC versions, sure, it might be for you.

**mike.hiran** · 02-12-2019, 06:03 PM

I'm interested too - I saw a forum member mention they had pre ordered it. I had it in my cart for a while, but took it out. I'll probably end up getting it though - I think it will benefit enough to make the trade.

**BruceBanner** · 02-12-2019, 06:17 PM

Originally posted by clackers

Well, the 11-18's genuinely a new lens, the FA35 is just a new production run of an older lens. Aperture ring still there!

If you think the DA Limiteds were made better by HD than their SMC versions, sure, it might be for you.

Originally posted by mike.hiran

I'm interested too - I saw a forum member mention they had pre ordered it. I had it in my cart for a while, but took it out. I'll probably end up getting it though - I think it will benefit enough to make the trade.

I'm currently without a FF 35, so I'm kinda intrigued, more so because it seems the older FA35 which is still available seems to have undergone a price drop. If there's not much difference between the new coating (better micro contrast etc) than the old one then it might be a good time to strike and get an old 'new' one (whilst they're still on sale brand new).

I would really love for PF to get their hands on a HD FA35/2 and a regular FA35/2, but unfortunately I know the pace that PF takes in getting around to reviewing such things. Hey.. I don't judge, everyone's busy etc, but I'd love to hear from someone's opinion over it's performance, especially when shot wide open.

gm4life · 02-12-2019, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by mike.hiran

I'm interested too - I saw a forum member mention they had pre ordered it. I had it in my cart for a while, but took it out. I'll probably end up getting it though - I think it will benefit enough to make the trade.

I got mine pre-ordered and it will hold me over till the new DFA* wide angle. I will sure post my thoughts once I get it on my K1-II.

aaacb · 02-12-2019, 07:00 PM

I'm interested to see if/how color rendition has changed because of the new coatings. I like my older FA 35/2 very much, mostly I'm using in on film these days, but digital apsc sometimes too, because it has both screw autofocus and an aperture ring it's fully compatible with any of my cameras (from KM to K3ii).

**BruceBanner** · 02-12-2019, 07:31 PM

Originally posted by gm4life

I got mine pre-ordered and it will hold me over till the new DFA* wide angle. I will sure post my thoughts once I get it on my K1-II.

Please do!

Originally posted by aaacb

I'm interested to see if/how color rendition has changed because of the new coatings. I like my older FA 35/2 very much, mostly I'm using in on film these days, but digital apsc sometimes too, because it has both screw autofocus and an aperture ring it's fully compatible with any of my cameras (from KM to K3ii).

I too am interested in film cameras, it's my intention to go backwards one day and grab a MZ-3 or MZ-S and use my FA ltds on it, so aperture rings are cool for me.

Where my head is at with all of this is; no doubt the FA31 is better lens than this new HD FA35, but look at the price difference. And if not going for a FA31 the other choice might be the Sigma 35/1.4 Art, which again is mighty expensive. For the price of one of those lenses you might be able to pick up a new FA35/2 or a new HD FA35/2 along with a FA20 or FA24 second hand (or... I'm hoping that this new HD FA35/2 is the pebble that starts the avalanche and we see some other older discontinued FA lenses being HD coated and back on the shelves for sale, which would suit me just fine!).

What I'm really concerned about is how well f2 performs on all of the above mentioned. I know what shooting f1.4 is like, and it's tricky to nail that focus, even with AF I think the Art will have some hit and misses under the Pentax AF system. I think (like the DFA 50/1.4) that all the real magic of the Sigma 35/1.4 happens from wide open to around f2, after that I think the 'wow' factor loses some appeal and other lenses can start to keep up a little.
I've seen videos of the FA43 vs the DFA50 for example, and the DFA50 is obviously the better lens, in every way, but once it gets to around f2-4 I don't feel the difference is always night and day. For sure you need the DFA50 for those product photo shots, where imperfections are completely gone, but for general shooting, even paid events like weddings and such, I don't think the public will give that much of a hoot over 10-15% loss in IQ etc.

I truly want a FA31, but my god it's an expensive piece of glass, and here we have this new offering which although not quite as wide is not far from it's focal length, I do see it as being a competitor to the FA31. The real question is how much better this HD FA35 is to it's predecessor and how well it can battle the FA31.

Exciting times!

EDIT: Just had a chat with Pentax Australia and they will be updating their website shortly for the HD FA 35/2 and DA* 11-18. Prices are $495AUD and $1925AUD respectively. Stock expected in around 10 days.

I'll post links to the lenses once he's updated the site, he's gonna notify me when he's done.

EDIT EDIT:

11-18 https://pentax.com.au/products/21230

35/2 https://pentax.com.au/products/22860

Last edited by BruceBanner; 02-12-2019 at 09:23 PM.

**BigMackCam** · 02-13-2019, 07:11 AM

Originally posted by BruceBanner

Just had a chat with Pentax Australia and they will be updating their website shortly for the HD FA 35/2 and DA* 11-18. Prices are $495AUD and $1925AUD respectively. Stock expected in around 10 days.

I'll post links to the lenses once he's updated the site, he's gonna notify me when he's done.

EDIT EDIT:

11-18 Ricoh Imaging | Pentax HD DA 11-18mm f2.8 ED DC Lens

35/2 Ricoh Imaging | Pentax HD FA 35mm f2.0

That's a bargain for the HD FA35/2 compared to UK pricing... It's GBP £399 in the UK. For some reason, the older version has always been expensive here, too.

I pre-ordered one on the day it was announced... However, after much deliberation and wavering, I cancelled my order this morning. I already have the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Art, which I adore, and though it's a quite different lens in many respects, it covers the same use cases (for me, at least). As such, whilst I could afford the new lens, I couldn't justify the expenditure

I'm not ruling out getting the HD FA35/2 (or perhaps the original model) at some future date. For now, though, I'll keep shooting my Sigma

**jeffdrew** · 02-13-2019, 07:54 AM

First reaction was, “I gotta havit!” Deep breaths. Then, Not gonna doit! The small, 35mm f/2.4 works fine with a hood on my K3ii, and my 20mm~40mm f/2.8 LTD is excellent! I think if you have a K1 the new lenses are worth considering, but “the pattern is full” given kmount APSC. Perhaps for my MZs? Hmmmm.... lol

stevebrot · 02-13-2019, 12:53 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jeffdrew

Perhaps for my MZs? Hmmmm.... lol

You know you want it...

Steve

Paul the Sunman · 02-13-2019, 01:50 PM

It is a strangely pretty lens, in a retro kind of way.

I'm all set at 35mm though.

Paul the Sunman · 02-13-2019, 05:57 PM

Originally posted by BruceBanner

11-18 Ricoh Imaging | Pentax HD DA 11-18mm f2.8 ED DC Lens

Choke! Is that the most expensive APS-C lens from Pentax so far, ... by far?

**BigMackCam** · 02-13-2019, 06:03 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

Choke! Is that the most expensive APS-C lens from Pentax so far, ... by far?

Yup... but:

- 11-18mm? (check)
- f/2.8? (check)
- DA*? (check)

**clackers** · 02-13-2019, 06:12 PM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

Choke! Is that the most expensive APS-C lens from Pentax so far, ... by far?

But look at the MTF curves, Paul!

This lens will create orange and purple sunsets on your landscapes, people it shoots become blonder and more attractive, and it makes you a cappuccino afterwards!

**mirocal** · 02-13-2019, 07:33 PM

For ten years now the FA 35/2 was my favourite, especially after I got the K-1, for colour rendition, bokeh handling wide open(!), minimal chroma aberrations... and yes, I am sorely tempted. Wished though Ricoh did it's homework fully and come at least with a quick manual focus implementation, it's entirely possible with screwdrive focus motors, proof is DFA 105/2.8. Anyways, the trend is promising, if they are onto resurrecting other film era designs, may I suggest FA 20-35/4! Who said FF must come with bulk and weight, the light and compact yet good optics are badly needed on both wide angle and tele spectrum!

02-12-2019, 04:23 PM - 1 Like	#1
BruceBanner Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 5,404	Hd fa35/2 All this talk of the 11-18, not so much on the HD FA35/2. Just wondering if anyone has claimed this lens yet, especially if they're someone who has owned the old FA35/2 in the past. I'm very keen to hear feedback on this lens Cheers, Bruce

02-12-2019, 06:22 PM	#5
gm4life Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 602	Originally posted by mike.hiran I'm interested too - I saw a forum member mention they had pre ordered it. I had it in my cart for a while, but took it out. I'll probably end up getting it though - I think it will benefit enough to make the trade. I got mine pre-ordered and it will hold me over till the new DFA* wide angle. I will sure post my thoughts once I get it on my K1-II. Last edited by gm4life; 02-12-2019 at 06:30 PM.

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02-12-2019, 05:52 PM	#2
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,395	Originally posted by BruceBanner All this talk of the 11-18, not so much on the HD FA35/2. Just wondering if anyone has claimed this lens yet, especially if they're someone who has owned the old FA35/2 in the past. I'm very keen to hear feedback on this lens Cheers, Bruce Well, the 11-18's genuinely a new lens, the FA35 is just a new production run of an older lens. Aperture ring still there! If you think the DA Limiteds were made better by HD than their SMC versions, sure, it might be for you.

02-12-2019, 06:03 PM	#3
mike.hiran Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: portland Photos: Albums Posts: 1,491	I'm interested too - I saw a forum member mention they had pre ordered it. I had it in my cart for a while, but took it out. I'll probably end up getting it though - I think it will benefit enough to make the trade.

02-12-2019, 06:17 PM	#4
BruceBanner Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 5,404 Original Poster	Originally posted by clackers Well, the 11-18's genuinely a new lens, the FA35 is just a new production run of an older lens. Aperture ring still there! If you think the DA Limiteds were made better by HD than their SMC versions, sure, it might be for you. Originally posted by mike.hiran I'm interested too - I saw a forum member mention they had pre ordered it. I had it in my cart for a while, but took it out. I'll probably end up getting it though - I think it will benefit enough to make the trade. I'm currently without a FF 35, so I'm kinda intrigued, more so because it seems the older FA35 which is still available seems to have undergone a price drop. If there's not much difference between the new coating (better micro contrast etc) than the old one then it might be a good time to strike and get an old 'new' one (whilst they're still on sale brand new). I would really love for PF to get their hands on a HD FA35/2 and a regular FA35/2, but unfortunately I know the pace that PF takes in getting around to reviewing such things. Hey.. I don't judge, everyone's busy etc, but I'd love to hear from someone's opinion over it's performance, especially when shot wide open.

02-12-2019, 07:00 PM	#6
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,723	I'm interested to see if/how color rendition has changed because of the new coatings. I like my older FA 35/2 very much, mostly I'm using in on film these days, but digital apsc sometimes too, because it has both screw autofocus and an aperture ring it's fully compatible with any of my cameras (from KM to K3ii).

02-12-2019, 07:31 PM	#7
BruceBanner Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 5,404 Original Poster	Originally posted by gm4life I got mine pre-ordered and it will hold me over till the new DFA* wide angle. I will sure post my thoughts once I get it on my K1-II. Please do! Originally posted by aaacb I'm interested to see if/how color rendition has changed because of the new coatings. I like my older FA 35/2 very much, mostly I'm using in on film these days, but digital apsc sometimes too, because it has both screw autofocus and an aperture ring it's fully compatible with any of my cameras (from KM to K3ii). I too am interested in film cameras, it's my intention to go backwards one day and grab a MZ-3 or MZ-S and use my FA ltds on it, so aperture rings are cool for me. Where my head is at with all of this is; no doubt the FA31 is better lens than this new HD FA35, but look at the price difference. And if not going for a FA31 the other choice might be the Sigma 35/1.4 Art, which again is mighty expensive. For the price of one of those lenses you might be able to pick up a new FA35/2 or a new HD FA35/2 along with a FA20 or FA24 second hand (or... I'm hoping that this new HD FA35/2 is the pebble that starts the avalanche and we see some other older discontinued FA lenses being HD coated and back on the shelves for sale, which would suit me just fine!). What I'm really concerned about is how well f2 performs on all of the above mentioned. I know what shooting f1.4 is like, and it's tricky to nail that focus, even with AF I think the Art will have some hit and misses under the Pentax AF system. I think (like the DFA 50/1.4) that all the real magic of the Sigma 35/1.4 happens from wide open to around f2, after that I think the 'wow' factor loses some appeal and other lenses can start to keep up a little. I've seen videos of the FA43 vs the DFA50 for example, and the DFA50 is obviously the better lens, in every way, but once it gets to around f2-4 I don't feel the difference is always night and day. For sure you need the DFA50 for those product photo shots, where imperfections are completely gone, but for general shooting, even paid events like weddings and such, I don't think the public will give that much of a hoot over 10-15% loss in IQ etc. I truly want a FA31, but my god it's an expensive piece of glass, and here we have this new offering which although not quite as wide is not far from it's focal length, I do see it as being a competitor to the FA31. The real question is how much better this HD FA35 is to it's predecessor and how well it can battle the FA31. Exciting times! EDIT: Just had a chat with Pentax Australia and they will be updating their website shortly for the HD FA 35/2 and DA* 11-18. Prices are $495AUD and $1925AUD respectively. Stock expected in around 10 days. I'll post links to the lenses once he's updated the site, he's gonna notify me when he's done. EDIT EDIT: 11-18 https://pentax.com.au/products/21230 35/2 https://pentax.com.au/products/22860 Last edited by BruceBanner; 02-12-2019 at 09:23 PM.

02-13-2019, 07:11 AM	#8
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,642	Originally posted by BruceBanner Just had a chat with Pentax Australia and they will be updating their website shortly for the HD FA 35/2 and DA* 11-18. Prices are $495AUD and $1925AUD respectively. Stock expected in around 10 days. I'll post links to the lenses once he's updated the site, he's gonna notify me when he's done. EDIT EDIT: 11-18 Ricoh Imaging \| Pentax HD DA 11-18mm f2.8 ED DC Lens 35/2 Ricoh Imaging \| Pentax HD FA 35mm f2.0 That's a bargain for the HD FA35/2 compared to UK pricing... It's GBP £399 in the UK. For some reason, the older version has always been expensive here, too. I pre-ordered one on the day it was announced... However, after much deliberation and wavering, I cancelled my order this morning. I already have the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Art, which I adore, and though it's a quite different lens in many respects, it covers the same use cases (for me, at least). As such, whilst I could afford the new lens, I couldn't justify the expenditure I'm not ruling out getting the HD FA35/2 (or perhaps the original model) at some future date. For now, though, I'll keep shooting my Sigma

02-13-2019, 07:54 AM	#9
jeffdrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 102	First reaction was, “I gotta havit!” Deep breaths. Then, Not gonna doit! The small, 35mm f/2.4 works fine with a hood on my K3ii, and my 20mm~40mm f/2.8 LTD is excellent! I think if you have a K1 the new lenses are worth considering, but “the pattern is full” given kmount APSC. Perhaps for my MZs? Hmmmm.... lol

02-13-2019, 12:53 PM - 1 Like	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by jeffdrew Perhaps for my MZs? Hmmmm.... lol You know you want it... Steve

02-13-2019, 01:50 PM	#11
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,842	It is a strangely pretty lens, in a retro kind of way. I'm all set at 35mm though.

02-13-2019, 05:57 PM	#12
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,842	Originally posted by BruceBanner 11-18 Ricoh Imaging \| Pentax HD DA 11-18mm f2.8 ED DC Lens Choke! Is that the most expensive APS-C lens from Pentax so far, ... by far?

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02-13-2019, 06:03 PM - 2 Likes	#13
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,642	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman Choke! Is that the most expensive APS-C lens from Pentax so far, ... by far? Yup... but: - 11-18mm? (check) - f/2.8? (check) - DA*? (check)

02-13-2019, 06:12 PM - 4 Likes	#14
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,395	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman Choke! Is that the most expensive APS-C lens from Pentax so far, ... by far? But look at the MTF curves, Paul! This lens will create orange and purple sunsets on your landscapes, people it shoots become blonder and more attractive, and it makes you a cappuccino afterwards!

02-13-2019, 07:33 PM	#15
mirocal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Washington, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 85	For ten years now the FA 35/2 was my favourite, especially after I got the K-1, for colour rendition, bokeh handling wide open(!), minimal chroma aberrations... and yes, I am sorely tempted. Wished though Ricoh did it's homework fully and come at least with a quick manual focus implementation, it's entirely possible with screwdrive focus motors, proof is DFA 105/2.8. Anyways, the trend is promising, if they are onto resurrecting other film era designs, may I suggest FA 20-35/4! Who said FF must come with bulk and weight, the light and compact yet good optics are badly needed on both wide angle and tele spectrum!