FA 35mm f/2.0 availability

Robert S Donovan · 03-30-2009, 04:20 PM

I've got some cash burning a hole in my wallet and I had finally decided that the SMC-FA 35mm f/2 AL at $300 street was the right lens for me. Now, they are no where to be found. I searched around here a bit but couldn't find anything. Anybody know what's up??

Update: A bit more googling uncovered this blog article saying the FA 35 has been discontinued by Pentax. So I guess now I'm looking for tips on where I might find a NOS (new old stock) version...

Last edited by Robert S Donovan; 03-30-2009 at 04:43 PM. Reason: updated info

MikeW · 03-30-2009, 05:03 PM

Bummer. It is a very nice lens. I hope you find one.

drivel · 03-30-2009, 05:06 PM

B&H has them ins tock for $329.00 with free shipping . Adorama is backordered, but you can still place an order. Hope this helps

Pentax | Wide Angle 35mm f/2.0 SMCP-FA AL Autofocus Lens | 22190

Robert S Donovan · 03-30-2009, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by drivel

B&H has them ins tock for $329.00 with free shipping . Adorama is backordered, but you can still place an order. Hope this helps

Pentax | Wide Angle 35mm f/2.0 SMCP-FA AL Autofocus Lens | 22190

Whoa. B&H must have just gotten a shipment because they were out of stock yesterday. Thanks!

Robert S Donovan · 03-30-2009, 06:00 PM

Next question: FA 35mm f/2 or FA 43mm f/1.9???
(And I know they are different focal lengths so I guess I'm asking about IQ, handling, focus speed, etc.)

k100d · 03-30-2009, 06:17 PM

Adorama also has it once in a while

FA35 vs FA43 is quite subjective, the FA43 is not as very sharp at F2 out to the corners, but the small size and build is very nice. the contrast and resolution when stopped down on both is very excellent. both lenses can suffer from 'harsh' bokeh at times. a lot of people see something special in the FA43, i use it for most of my colour film stuff.

Jasvox · 03-30-2009, 09:49 PM

They turn up in the forum marketplace on a fairly regular basis....this is where I bought mine, and have been as happy as a lark ever since purchasing this lens.

Jason

cooldude14es · 03-30-2009, 11:12 PM

Originally posted by Robert S Donovan

Next question: FA 35mm f/2 or FA 43mm f/1.9???
(And I know they are different focal lengths so I guess I'm asking about IQ, handling, focus speed, etc.)

Hi. I have both and to tell you the truth I can not find the FA43 being so much better than FA35, in fact this one is always being compared with the great FA31 so thats a good point. I would say FA35 is sharper than FA43 outdoors, under direct sunlight (in my case) but I find FA43 having better IQ and sharpness indoors, excellent for portraits!

FA43 has some kind of magic and obviously construction is waaaay better than FA35, but I think FA35 has faster focus speed.

I hope that helps.

cooldude14es · 03-30-2009, 11:14 PM

One last thing, you will find FA43 on marketplace quite easily, I have seen like 4 different lenses in the past 2 months, in fact I bought mine there.

Robert S Donovan · 03-31-2009, 05:09 AM

Thanks everyone. I placed my order for the FA 35 this morning with B&H. I will report on my initial impressions when it arrives. Cheers!

cooldude14es · 03-31-2009, 09:06 AM

You wont regret, congratulations!

Robert S Donovan · 04-02-2009, 06:33 PM

Thank you Mr. UPS man

drivel · 04-02-2009, 07:04 PM

Congrats! That looks like a lot of fun!

WerTicus · 04-03-2009, 07:07 AM

This lens is now discontinued? Set to be a collectors item if its true.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/180121-USA/Pentax_22190_Wide_Angle_35m...l/KW/PE352ALFA

"# Important Notice!
# This item has been discontinued and is no longer available"

cooldude14es · 04-03-2009, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by Robert S Donovan

Thank you Mr. UPS man

Such a good feeling when you receive a new lens.... :ugh:

03-30-2009, 04:20 PM	#1
Robert S Donovan Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Anderson, SC Photos: Gallery Posts: 361	FA 35mm f/2.0 availability I've got some cash burning a hole in my wallet and I had finally decided that the SMC-FA 35mm f/2 AL at $300 street was the right lens for me. Now, they are no where to be found. I searched around here a bit but couldn't find anything. Anybody know what's up?? Update: A bit more googling uncovered this blog article saying the FA 35 has been discontinued by Pentax. So I guess now I'm looking for tips on where I might find a NOS (new old stock) version... Last edited by Robert S Donovan; 03-30-2009 at 04:43 PM. Reason: updated info

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DA L 35mm f/2.4 AL Availability	noahpurdy	Ask B&H Photo!	2	10-25-2010 06:11 AM
K-r availability	Mystic	Pentax News and Rumors	2	10-09-2010 01:06 AM
K7 availability...	LosAnJulien	Pentax News and Rumors	14	06-11-2009 04:34 PM
Availability of 35mm Macro	martin s	Pentax DSLR Discussion	2	06-09-2008 12:01 PM
Pentax 35mm Macro Limited availability?	martin s	Pentax News and Rumors	5	02-23-2008 07:39 AM

03-30-2009, 05:03 PM	#2
MikeW Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 437	Bummer. It is a very nice lens. I hope you find one.

03-30-2009, 05:06 PM	#3
drivel Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 65	B&H has them ins tock for $329.00 with free shipping . Adorama is backordered, but you can still place an order. Hope this helps Pentax \| Wide Angle 35mm f/2.0 SMCP-FA AL Autofocus Lens \| 22190

03-30-2009, 05:20 PM	#4
Robert S Donovan Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Anderson, SC Photos: Gallery Posts: 361 Original Poster	Originally posted by drivel B&H has them ins tock for $329.00 with free shipping . Adorama is backordered, but you can still place an order. Hope this helps Pentax \| Wide Angle 35mm f/2.0 SMCP-FA AL Autofocus Lens \| 22190 Whoa. B&H must have just gotten a shipment because they were out of stock yesterday. Thanks!

03-30-2009, 06:00 PM	#5
Robert S Donovan Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Anderson, SC Photos: Gallery Posts: 361 Original Poster	Next question: FA 35mm f/2 or FA 43mm f/1.9??? (And I know they are different focal lengths so I guess I'm asking about IQ, handling, focus speed, etc.)

03-30-2009, 06:17 PM	#6
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	Adorama also has it once in a while FA35 vs FA43 is quite subjective, the FA43 is not as very sharp at F2 out to the corners, but the small size and build is very nice. the contrast and resolution when stopped down on both is very excellent. both lenses can suffer from 'harsh' bokeh at times. a lot of people see something special in the FA43, i use it for most of my colour film stuff.

03-30-2009, 09:49 PM	#7
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	They turn up in the forum marketplace on a fairly regular basis....this is where I bought mine, and have been as happy as a lark ever since purchasing this lens. Jason

03-30-2009, 11:12 PM	#8
cooldude14es Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Barcelona, Spain Posts: 264	Originally posted by Robert S Donovan Next question: FA 35mm f/2 or FA 43mm f/1.9??? (And I know they are different focal lengths so I guess I'm asking about IQ, handling, focus speed, etc.) Hi. I have both and to tell you the truth I can not find the FA43 being so much better than FA35, in fact this one is always being compared with the great FA31 so thats a good point. I would say FA35 is sharper than FA43 outdoors, under direct sunlight (in my case) but I find FA43 having better IQ and sharpness indoors, excellent for portraits! FA43 has some kind of magic and obviously construction is waaaay better than FA35, but I think FA35 has faster focus speed. I hope that helps.

03-30-2009, 11:14 PM	#9
cooldude14es Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Barcelona, Spain Posts: 264	One last thing, you will find FA43 on marketplace quite easily, I have seen like 4 different lenses in the past 2 months, in fact I bought mine there.

03-31-2009, 05:09 AM	#10
Robert S Donovan Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Anderson, SC Photos: Gallery Posts: 361 Original Poster	Thanks everyone. I placed my order for the FA 35 this morning with B&H. I will report on my initial impressions when it arrives. Cheers!

03-31-2009, 09:06 AM	#11
cooldude14es Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Barcelona, Spain Posts: 264	You wont regret, congratulations!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

04-02-2009, 06:33 PM	#12
Robert S Donovan Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Anderson, SC Photos: Gallery Posts: 361 Original Poster	Thank you Mr. UPS man

04-02-2009, 07:04 PM	#13
drivel Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 65	Congrats! That looks like a lot of fun!

04-03-2009, 07:07 AM	#14
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	This lens is now discontinued? Set to be a collectors item if its true. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/180121-USA/Pentax_22190_Wide_Angle_35m...l/KW/PE352ALFA "# Important Notice! # This item has been discontinued and is no longer available"

04-03-2009, 09:58 AM	#15
cooldude14es Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Barcelona, Spain Posts: 264	Originally posted by Robert S Donovan Thank you Mr. UPS man Such a good feeling when you receive a new lens.... :ugh: