Originally posted by wlachan Personally, I feel the LIMITED cult is largely based on unique built quality and myth. Not that they are poor by any standard, but not neceassily the best optically either.
My opinion is the Limited primes deserve their following because of their optical performance. The proof is in the pudding, its no myth. Their build quality is just icing on the cake. I shoot with a DA 40 and DA 70 because I haven't seen a zoom that can match their performance at those focal lengths. The DA* 50-135 may get close to the 70mm, but its much bigger, heavier, and much more expensive. The limiteds also get attention and respect from shooters from other camps, not because of their build, but because of the images they produce.
Originally posted by wlachan Imagine, of all LIMITED lenses were to put in the standard FA or DA plastic barrels, could you still imagine people worship them as they are today?
What about the FA35 F2? That lense is constantly recomended over the DA40 and DA35 Macro. Its even been compared to the FA31! Its wrapped in plastic, but a lot of Pentaxians know good glass when they see it, reguardless of outward appearances.