[smrk]

OK those who have both the DA 35mm f2.4 and the DA 50mm f1.8 how much of a difference in the focus ring dampening is there?

I just picked up a used DA 50mm f1.8 and the first thing I noticed is how much more dampened the focus ring is between it and my DA 35.

My DA 35 has minimal dampening which I was figuring was to improve autofocus speeds


The 50mm feels a lot more like an old school manual lens (not really a bad thing, as its much better for manual focusing) but it is noticeably slower (and louder) autofocusing than the 35mm

As a used Item I am trying to figure out if it needs to be returned so I figured I would query the forum here to get some feed back.

[Buntzbooze]

My 50mm 1.8 has a noticeably dampened focus ring. I really like it! From what you have described your copy should be fine.

[vector]

Just picked them both up and my DA50 has considerably better dampening and a much longer throw.

[AfterPentax Mark II]

I bought them new and I can not say that there is a difference in damping. Both are quick and not that noisy using AF. I would describe them as being supple/easy to handle manually.

[BigMackCam]

I've owned my DA50/1.8 and DA35/2.4 since new. The 50's focusing does indeed feel "oil-damped" - similar to, but with somewhat less resistance than, older manual-focusing lenses. The 35 almost feels like the focusing ring isn't connected to anything... it's not sloppy, but there's barely any resistance. Both are excellent lenses that I would never sell, even with all the other glass I own

[ChristianRock]

OK those who have both the DA 35mm f2.4 and the DA 50mm f1.8 how much of a difference in the focus ring dampening is there?

I just picked up a used DA 50mm f1.8 and the first thing I noticed is how much more dampened the focus ring is between it and my DA 35.

My DA 35 has minimal dampening which I was figuring was to improve autofocus speeds


The 50mm feels a lot more like an old school manual lens (not really a bad thing, as its much better for manual focusing) but it is noticeably slower (and louder) autofocusing than the 35mm

As a used Item I am trying to figure out if it needs to be returned so I figured I would query the forum here to get some feed back.

Perfectly normal, the DA 50mm is nicely damped while the DA 35 2.4 offers basically no resistance in the focus ring.

Pentax engineers usually think about details, so I would not be surprised that they would have thought that the DA 50, being a manual prime with a shallower DOF, would be a lens where the photographer would want to use with manual focus to get the eyes in focus, if needed. With the DS 35 2.4, on the other hand, the DOF is larger, so people would usually not use manual focus with it for fine tuning. Of course with both you'll have to switch the AF switch to manual focus, to be able to use the focus ring...

[Paul the Sunman]

I don't have the 35, but focussing on the DA 50 f/1.8 is very firm, though probably a little less so than the flagship DFA* 50 f/1.4.

[smrk]

Thanks for the feed back, it does sound like it's pretty normal.


For a 'budget' lens this does have a pretty good feel. As good as my SMC Takumar 50mm f1.4 screw mount?

Lets not get ahead of ourselves

Now to try and put this through its paces and see how it does.