Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro auto focus weakness

antoniominturnino · 01-18-2021, 07:14 AM

Hi,
I would like buy an Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro but I'm not convinced because I found written in the Pentaxforums review as follows:
<<"The problem occurs when you focus up close and then focus on a more distant subject; the autofocus seems unable to accurately focus">>
Link: https://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-da-35mm-f28-macro/auto-focus.html
Please, can do you explain your experience regard this weakness/issue?
It's very important to me to get accurately focus becacuse I've to use this lens to portraits or people group shots.
I hope that this weakness regard only some production lot.
Thanks in advance for participating.
Antonio

**pepperberry farm** · 01-18-2021, 07:58 AM

I've never experienced that issue with my copy of this lens...

buy it, enjoy it....

antoniominturnino · 01-18-2021, 08:05 AM

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

I've never experienced that issue with my copy of this lens...

buy it, enjoy it....

Thanks

**tonyzoc** · 01-18-2021, 08:21 AM

The focus can be slow when going from infinity to close up, but it is a long throw. Working within a close zone...say 10-20 inches, mine focuses fine. It's a great lens and works well in manual focus too. Too bad it isn't full frame.

antoniominturnino · 01-18-2021, 08:25 AM

Originally posted by tonyzoc

The focus can be slow when going from infinity to close up, but it is a long throw. Working within a close zone...say 10-20 inches, mine focuses fine. It's a great lens and works well in manual focus too. Too bad it isn't full frame.

Well!

probably Pentaxforums has analyzed an malfunctioning item

**luftfluss** · 01-18-2021, 08:32 AM

Originally posted by antoniominturnino

Hi,
I would like buy an Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro but I'm not convinced because I found written in the Pentaxforums review as follows:
<<"The problem occurs when you focus up close and then focus on a more distant subject; the autofocus seems unable to accurately focus">>
Link: Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Review - Autofocus | PentaxForums.com Reviews
Please, can do you explain your experience regard this weakness/issue?
It's very important to me to get accurately focus becacuse I've to use this lens to portraits or people group shots.
I hope that this weakness regard only some production lot.
Thanks in advance for participating.
Antonio

I have not had the AF issue described in that article. HD DA 35 Macro + K-70.

antoniominturnino · 01-18-2021, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by luftfluss

I have not had the AF issue described in that article. HD DA 35 Macro + K-70.

Thanks to your response.
Probably Pentax has solved the issue in the new HD version.

**Larrymc** · 01-18-2021, 08:37 AM

Originally posted by antoniominturnino

Hi,
I would like buy an Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro but I'm not convinced because I found written in the Pentaxforums review as follows:
<<"The problem occurs when you focus up close and then focus on a more distant subject; the autofocus seems unable to accurately focus">>
Link: Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Review - Autofocus | PentaxForums.com Reviews
Please, can do you explain your experience regard this weakness/issue?
It's very important to me to get accurately focus becacuse I've to use this lens to portraits or people group shots.
I hope that this weakness regard only some production lot.
Thanks in advance for participating.
Antonio

The DA 35 Limited has the quick shift feature that allows you to manually get the focus "in the ball park" and then use the A/F so that the A/F throw is shortened or you can use the A/F and then use the quick shift feature to manually focus.

**UncleVanya** · 01-18-2021, 08:42 AM - **1 Like**

I don’t think the HD version is why this is more reliable now. The tests done were on the k200d and k-7. Autofocus in general is improved on newer bodies.

All screw drive macro lenses I’ve tried on Pentax can occasionally miss focusing and waste time racking back to minimum focus or the opposite. With quick shift you can bypass some of this. The problem isn’t typically that the lens won’t focus eventually, but that time is lost while it overshoots the mark and you wait for it to recover.

Kwong · 01-18-2021, 08:55 AM

Originally posted by antoniominturnino

Hi,
I would like buy an Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro but I'm not convinced because I found written in the Pentaxforums review as follows:
<<"The problem occurs when you focus up close and then focus on a more distant subject; the autofocus seems unable to accurately focus">>
Link: Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Review - Autofocus | PentaxForums.com Reviews
Please, can do you explain your experience regard this weakness/issue?
It's very important to me to get accurately focus becacuse I've to use this lens to portraits or people group shots.
I hope that this weakness regard only some production lot.
Thanks in advance for participating.
Antonio

I have had this lens for years using with K3 and K5. Never had any focus issues with it. + it's amazing.

antoniominturnino · 01-18-2021, 09:01 AM

Originally posted by Kwong

I have had this lens for years using with K3 and K5. Never had any focus issues with it. + it's amazing.

Thanks

**aslyfox** · 01-18-2021, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by antoniominturnino

Thanks to your response.
Probably Pentax has solved the issue in the new HD version.

reportedly the only changes between the HD and SMC DA Limiteds are the coatings and shape of the aperture blades

Quote:

HD vs. SMC Pentax Limited Primes
Introduction

HD vs. SMC Pentax Limited Primes Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

----------------------

be warned

some of us find it difficult to stop at just one limited lens

the limiteds do they live up to the reputation and why - Page 26 - PentaxForums.com

kayakfari · 01-18-2021, 10:58 AM

Rather than the lens itself, this 'issue' probably has more to do with Pentax AF in general and the way that 1:1 AF macro lenses function.
It could've been the reviewer's first time using a 1:1 AF macro, so maybe didn't know what to expect. It's a long focus throw from infinity to macro.

This is a solid and very sharp lens, works best for me on the K-01 !

Def get the HD version, and it will cover FF (at least in the close up range) according to this:

HD Pentax DA 35mm f2.8 Macro LTD: a quick report. - phillipreeve.net

**aslyfox** · 01-18-2021, 11:02 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by kayakfari

Rather than the lens itself, this 'issue' probably has more to do with Pentax AF in general and the way that 1:1 AF macro lenses function.
It could've been the reviewer's first time using a 1:1 AF macro, so maybe didn't know what to expect. It's a long focus throw from infinity to macro.

This is a solid and very sharp lens, works best for me on the K-01 !

Def get the HD version, and it will cover FF (at least in the close up range) according to this:

HD Pentax DA 35mm f2.8 Macro LTD: a quick report. - phillipreeve.net

interesting

this article does discuss the SMC version

Quote:

Full Frame Coverage of DA Lenses: Comprehensive Test
Which DA lenses cover the full 24x36 mm frame?
By PF Staff in Gear Guides on Jan 7, 2019 . . .

DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited
Better (one grade higher) results at close focus settings

35
WO D
F5.6 C
F11 C

Read more at: Full Frame Coverage of DA Lenses: Comprehensive Test - Gear Guides | PentaxForums.com

**tonyzoc** · 01-18-2021, 12:02 PM

Originally posted by antoniominturnino

Thanks to your response.
Probably Pentax has solved the issue in the new HD version.

It's a screw drive focus so not sure a new coating would make any difference...

01-18-2021, 07:14 AM	#1
antoniominturnino New Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 18	Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro auto focus weakness Hi, I would like buy an Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro but I'm not convinced because I found written in the Pentaxforums review as follows: <<"The problem occurs when you focus up close and then focus on a more distant subject; the autofocus seems unable to accurately focus">> Link: https://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-da-35mm-f28-macro/auto-focus.html Please, can do you explain your experience regard this weakness/issue? It's very important to me to get accurately focus becacuse I've to use this lens to portraits or people group shots. I hope that this weakness regard only some production lot. Thanks in advance for participating. Antonio

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01-18-2021, 07:58 AM	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,625	I've never experienced that issue with my copy of this lens... buy it, enjoy it....

01-18-2021, 08:05 AM	#3
antoniominturnino New Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 18 Original Poster	Originally posted by pepperberry farm I've never experienced that issue with my copy of this lens... buy it, enjoy it.... Thanks

01-18-2021, 08:21 AM	#4
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 990	The focus can be slow when going from infinity to close up, but it is a long throw. Working within a close zone...say 10-20 inches, mine focuses fine. It's a great lens and works well in manual focus too. Too bad it isn't full frame.

01-18-2021, 08:25 AM	#5
antoniominturnino New Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 18 Original Poster	Originally posted by tonyzoc The focus can be slow when going from infinity to close up, but it is a long throw. Working within a close zone...say 10-20 inches, mine focuses fine. It's a great lens and works well in manual focus too. Too bad it isn't full frame. Well! probably Pentaxforums has analyzed an malfunctioning item

01-18-2021, 08:32 AM	#6
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,618	Originally posted by antoniominturnino Hi, I would like buy an Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro but I'm not convinced because I found written in the Pentaxforums review as follows: <<"The problem occurs when you focus up close and then focus on a more distant subject; the autofocus seems unable to accurately focus">> Link: Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Review - Autofocus \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Please, can do you explain your experience regard this weakness/issue? It's very important to me to get accurately focus becacuse I've to use this lens to portraits or people group shots. I hope that this weakness regard only some production lot. Thanks in advance for participating. Antonio I have not had the AF issue described in that article. HD DA 35 Macro + K-70.

01-18-2021, 08:34 AM	#7
antoniominturnino New Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 18 Original Poster	Originally posted by luftfluss I have not had the AF issue described in that article. HD DA 35 Macro + K-70. Thanks to your response. Probably Pentax has solved the issue in the new HD version.

01-18-2021, 08:37 AM	#8
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,251	Originally posted by antoniominturnino Hi, I would like buy an Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro but I'm not convinced because I found written in the Pentaxforums review as follows: <<"The problem occurs when you focus up close and then focus on a more distant subject; the autofocus seems unable to accurately focus">> Link: Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Review - Autofocus \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Please, can do you explain your experience regard this weakness/issue? It's very important to me to get accurately focus becacuse I've to use this lens to portraits or people group shots. I hope that this weakness regard only some production lot. Thanks in advance for participating. Antonio The DA 35 Limited has the quick shift feature that allows you to manually get the focus "in the ball park" and then use the A/F so that the A/F throw is shortened or you can use the A/F and then use the quick shift feature to manually focus.

01-18-2021, 08:42 AM - 1 Like	#9
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,375	I don’t think the HD version is why this is more reliable now. The tests done were on the k200d and k-7. Autofocus in general is improved on newer bodies. All screw drive macro lenses I’ve tried on Pentax can occasionally miss focusing and waste time racking back to minimum focus or the opposite. With quick shift you can bypass some of this. The problem isn’t typically that the lens won’t focus eventually, but that time is lost while it overshoots the mark and you wait for it to recover.

01-18-2021, 08:55 AM	#10
Kwong Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 198	Originally posted by antoniominturnino Hi, I would like buy an Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro but I'm not convinced because I found written in the Pentaxforums review as follows: <<"The problem occurs when you focus up close and then focus on a more distant subject; the autofocus seems unable to accurately focus">> Link: Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Review - Autofocus \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Please, can do you explain your experience regard this weakness/issue? It's very important to me to get accurately focus becacuse I've to use this lens to portraits or people group shots. I hope that this weakness regard only some production lot. Thanks in advance for participating. Antonio I have had this lens for years using with K3 and K5. Never had any focus issues with it. + it's amazing.

01-18-2021, 09:01 AM	#11
antoniominturnino New Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 18 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kwong I have had this lens for years using with K3 and K5. Never had any focus issues with it. + it's amazing. Thanks

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01-18-2021, 10:36 AM	#12
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,576	Originally posted by antoniominturnino Thanks to your response. Probably Pentax has solved the issue in the new HD version. reportedly the only changes between the HD and SMC DA Limiteds are the coatings and shape of the aperture blades Quote: HD vs. SMC Pentax Limited Primes Introduction HD vs. SMC Pentax Limited Primes Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews ---------------------- be warned some of us find it difficult to stop at just one limited lens the limiteds do they live up to the reputation and why - Page 26 - PentaxForums.com

01-18-2021, 10:58 AM	#13
kayakfari Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: South Florida Posts: 173	Rather than the lens itself, this 'issue' probably has more to do with Pentax AF in general and the way that 1:1 AF macro lenses function. It could've been the reviewer's first time using a 1:1 AF macro, so maybe didn't know what to expect. It's a long focus throw from infinity to macro. This is a solid and very sharp lens, works best for me on the K-01 ! Def get the HD version, and it will cover FF (at least in the close up range) according to this: HD Pentax DA 35mm f2.8 Macro LTD: a quick report. - phillipreeve.net

01-18-2021, 11:02 AM - 2 Likes	#14
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,576	Originally posted by kayakfari Rather than the lens itself, this 'issue' probably has more to do with Pentax AF in general and the way that 1:1 AF macro lenses function. It could've been the reviewer's first time using a 1:1 AF macro, so maybe didn't know what to expect. It's a long focus throw from infinity to macro. This is a solid and very sharp lens, works best for me on the K-01 ! Def get the HD version, and it will cover FF (at least in the close up range) according to this: HD Pentax DA 35mm f2.8 Macro LTD: a quick report. - phillipreeve.net interesting this article does discuss the SMC version Quote: Full Frame Coverage of DA Lenses: Comprehensive Test Which DA lenses cover the full 24x36 mm frame? By PF Staff in Gear Guides on Jan 7, 2019 . . . DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited Better (one grade higher) results at close focus settings 35 WO D F5.6 C F11 C Read more at: Full Frame Coverage of DA Lenses: Comprehensive Test - Gear Guides \| PentaxForums.com

01-18-2021, 12:02 PM	#15
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 990	Originally posted by antoniominturnino Thanks to your response. Probably Pentax has solved the issue in the new HD version. It's a screw drive focus so not sure a new coating would make any difference...