Originally posted by JPT When designing the DA 35mm, they did not start out with the intention of designing a macro. The original intention was to make a more general purpose normal lens for APS-C, but they ended up designating it as a macro eventually.
Interesting, because the DA 35 Macro is one of my contenders for the title of "Lens that would not cause me to cry if it became permanently affixed to my K-5". The ultra close focus capability of that lens has come in very handy on any number of occasions.