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06-12-2009, 10:02 PM   #1
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DA35 as a normal/walk-around?

I'm seriously considering stopping by B&H on Sunday and picking up one of these beauties, but I'm concerned about whether it will really be the best lens for the kind of shots I'm looking for.

I live in the city, so I'd want to make this my street photography/casual portrait/cityscape/quick-macro lens to carry around most of the time. I don't need it to be particularly fast, I have my Sigma 30 1.4 for that, nor is the AF time an issue, as I like to take the time to compose my shots anyway.

Is anyone else using the DA35 for this kind of thing?

Some examples of the kind of shots I'm looking to use this for:



06-12-2009, 10:22 PM   #2
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I have the DA 35 mm and love it. I am not sure that you gain a whole lot given you have the Sigma 30/1.4 except the macro. I do love the close focusing feature of the DA35. There is a thread with many great shots. You could easily get the type of shots you posted with the DA35, imho. I have been wondering about the 21 mm. Have you given that a thought? It would give you a wider FOV for city shots and I have heard has a close focusing ability. It is also less than the 35 mm , currently.
06-12-2009, 10:40 PM   #3
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The issue with the Sigma, which I love dearly, is its utterly dismal edge rendering and high distortion.

Though the extra few degrees FOV of the 21 would be nice, I really can't see myself going with anything slower than 2.8 (both for speed and shallow DOF, which is my main concern about the 35; is it there?)

Update: After looking at some sample shots of the DA21, its very very tempting, especially as I'm not planning on using it in super-low light. Does it have the same *wow* factor as the 35 though?

Last edited by dantekgeek; 06-12-2009 at 10:46 PM.
06-12-2009, 11:57 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by dantekgeek Quote
Does it have the same *wow* factor as the 35 though?
IMO, no... though I've only had it for a few weeks. It's a very nice lens, but it doesn't have that "pixie dust" (as someone else put it) that the really special lenses have.

06-13-2009, 12:09 AM   #5
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I think the 21 ltd has a "wow" factor when it comes to color rendering on landscape shots, but I'm not sure it would be so impressive for street (although I'd like that FOV). I used it almost exclusively (because my 12-24 broke 1st day of the trip) on a 9-day, 6 National Park trip two weeks ago. I think for street the DA 35 (which I also have) is excellent. Although, being a macro it takes a bit to auto focus. One option is to manually get the focus close before autofocusing it. Another option is to get the DA 40, which focuses fast (reportedly, I don't own it) and looks to render as well as the DA 35.
06-13-2009, 12:36 AM   #6
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Ever considered the Voigtländer Ultron 40mm F/2? Incredible lens, if you ask me...
06-13-2009, 09:39 AM   #7
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Yeah, the DA 40 would be a good (and cheaper) option.

06-13-2009, 09:43 AM   #8
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Though the extra FOV on the 21 is tempting, I think the less shallow minimum DOF, and lack of *pixie dust* might be its death knell for me.

I figure if I'm going to drop the cash on a Limited lens, I should get the one with the most *wow* factor that fits my shooting needs. The macro aspect is nice too.

From what I've heard about the DA35 autofocus, its actually pretty darn fast if its within the 60 or so degrees of its non-macro range.

Unless someone can convince me of the DA21, I think I'll go with the 35. I'm having trouble finding many examples of shots with it.

Last edited by dantekgeek; 06-13-2009 at 10:08 AM.
06-13-2009, 11:25 AM   #9
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I have both a DA 35 and DA 40; unless close focusing is critical for how you want to use the lens, I'd suggest you take a look at the 40. It's a very sharp lens that focuses rapidly and accurately - at least in my experience.

When you're at B&H, you might give both a try.

Jer
06-13-2009, 11:36 AM   #10
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The reason I'm not considering the 40 is that 35 is pushing how long I want the lens to be, which is why I'm so tempted by the 21. I'll definitely try all three at B&H though.
06-13-2009, 12:16 PM   #11
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Have you looked at this thread?
06-13-2009, 12:48 PM   #12
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Here are a few shots I've taken with my DA 35 - I hope they are helpful.

Jer







06-13-2009, 02:01 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by Bart Quote
Have you looked at this thread?
That thread is dangerous to my chances of choosing the 35, some gorgeous shots.
06-13-2009, 08:27 PM   #14
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Nice images sailor!

Dante, I'm another who uses the DA 35 as a general walkabout lens, and I love it for that purpose. Some more thoughts in This Thread.
06-14-2009, 04:39 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by dantekgeek Quote
That thread is dangerous to my chances of choosing the 35, some gorgeous shots.
How about a 'radical' alternative?
Instead of the easy answer, buy both, why not choose for the FA* 24mm f2.0?
This would give you a FOV equivalent of +/- 36mm, widely used for street in the film days.
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