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11-09-2009, 12:15 PM   #16
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QuoteOriginally posted by Mike Cash Quote
I was misled by your mentioning of a couple of manual focus lenses in your original post. Otherwise I would not have made that suggestion.

(No wonder there are no photos of children prior to the mid-1980s......)
No worries, I wasn't clear as I see in my original post. I meantioned the MF lenses I have as a point of reference. Otherwise I'd be perfectly happy with my little Takumar. I'm assuming your comment about photos of children prior to mid-1980s was an attempt at sarcasm? Kinda funny actually.

11-09-2009, 02:03 PM   #17
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QuoteOriginally posted by Marc Sabatella Quote
...snip...

I find I really like the flexibility of having a 40 (DA40) *and* a 28 (M28/2.8), as opposed to a single 35. The 40 gets more use overall, but there are times when it isn't wide enough and I switch to the 28....snip....
I agree here.
but unfortunately my MF skills are not the best and now I got 31, 28 would be just too close, so I'm waiting for the jackpot on euromillions so I can buy FA*24....
Though to be honest, I wouldn't pass an opportunity on F28/2.8 and if it was FA28 I'd still give it a good thought...



QuoteOriginally posted by txshooter Quote
If I push ISO 1600, it works. With normal size 4x6 prints, I'm satisfied with the results from my K100D. However, this is a significant limitation. I'd love to get the 35/2 somewhere. I have found one for just over $300 in as new condition. This is so frustrating that there are so few "afordable" (everyone's definition of that is different) AF options available. It really makes me want to get a D90 just to use the AF-S 35/1.8, AF-D 24/2.8, and AF 50/1.4D. All 3 of those great lenses under $400. Grr...

I think I may have to really consider what my needs are, and what system would best suit them now, before I invest anything further into a specific brand. Granted, I'll never part with what I have, my K100D and Pentax MF primes are jewels.
Well, ISO 1600 on K100D is good, and usable for smaller prints, but still.....
However I agree with you on the fact that after recent price increases the situation in wide to normal sector is just appaling!
What do we have?
DA12-24 - good lens but only f4 and in UK around £850-900, and quite a lump of a lens
DA21 - very small, and good IQ but at f3.2 it could be tad faster
DA35ltd - decent speed at f2.8 but at around £500 no, thank you
DA40ltd - super small and f2.8, the most affordable new... at around £350
FA31ltd - super lens at super price
FA43ltd - great lens for "great" price

lately I have seen one vendor in London having new old stock of FA35 at just under £300...
in other words, not nice situation at all!
nothing wider than 35mm at f2.8 at "affordable" price
nothing wider than 31mm with fast f stop at all!!!
who in this world would be happy with the 43ltd being the widest fast option on the film???
There is a huge hole in Pentax line up here.
Lens between 21-31 at f2 - 2.8. There is a lot of people waiting for it... Doesn't have to be * or ltd, just normal DA24/2.4 would do IMO

BR
Peter

PS: sorry for the rant
11-09-2009, 03:22 PM   #18
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QuoteOriginally posted by txshooter Quote
It really makes me want to get a D90 just to use the AF-S 35/1.8, AF-D 24/2.8, and AF 50/1.4D. All 3 of those great lenses under $400. Grr...
The thing is txshooter, in Pentax, you have the option of the FA 35/2 and the FA 50/1.4, you're only missing a new AF 24mm or 28mm, which granted, is a problem. The 21mmLtd is only a little bit slower, though, and is a great lens.
Don't forget the F 28/2.8 and the FA 28/2.8, either one of those should do you just fine if you can find one, they are autofocus.
11-09-2009, 05:34 PM   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by Mike Cash Quote
I was misled by your mentioning of a couple of manual focus lenses in your original post. Otherwise I would not have made that suggestion.

(No wonder there are no photos of children prior to the mid-1980s......)
Damn. I was using mf lenses to photography my kids into the late '90s. I didn't know I wasn't supposed to be doing that.

11-09-2009, 05:38 PM   #20
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A year ago, you could have gotten the FA 35mm f2 new for $299 and the FA 50mm f1.4 for $199. Now the prices have gone up almost to the ridiculous on some of these primes.

The OP is not going to get the FA 31mm ltd or FA 43mm ltd anywhere close to $400.
11-09-2009, 08:27 PM   #21
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Go with the DA 40. A great lens and very fast focusing. Quite kid friendly. I don't have the FA35, but I do have the FA 50 and it isn't fast enough focusing for either of my children. On the other hand, both the DA 40 and 70 seem to lock focus quicker and get excellent shots.

I think the benefit of the FA primes is with their wider apertures (as compared to the DA limiteds), but with kids if you get too wide, they just bounce right out of your plane of focus. Have to shoot at f2.8 or better at f4 and just bump your iso to get your shutter speeds down...
11-09-2009, 09:11 PM   #22
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highly recommend FA 35mm f/2.0

I highly recommend FA 35mm f/2.0. Image quality is excellent and it is relatively small - though cannot compete with the pancakes.
Very usable viewing angle and big enough aperture for indoor snaps.

11-09-2009, 09:35 PM   #23
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id recommend looking into the sigma 30mm f1.4, good fl for an APS-C sensor, fast and sharp
11-10-2009, 04:53 AM   #24
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If shooting children is what you want (that's what my photography business specializes in) then the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 says, "Hello".



c[_[
11-10-2009, 09:28 AM   #25
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Congrats to IICoffee for Sigma 30 image.

2 weeks ago, i bought a F 28mm f2.8. They are not as cheap as they used to be, but there were 3 available on ebay when i looked and bought one. I got mine for $248, the other 2 ran for $250 and $300, respectively.

They fast focus and color rendering is great. Read the 14 or so reviews in the Pentax database. A big plus for me is the small size which makes it easy to carry. Focuses down to 12". Of course its nowhere near as fast as the Sigma, but a heck of a lot smaller and lighter.

Best of luck with your decision!

Phil
11-11-2009, 11:55 AM   #26
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+1 on the Sigma 30mm f/1.4.
11-11-2009, 12:41 PM   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by txshooter Quote
I'm assuming your comment about photos of children prior to mid-1980s was an attempt at sarcasm? Kinda funny actually.
No, it was actual sarcasm. Whether something is or is not sarcasm is an entirely separate matter from its perceived degree of humor.
11-11-2009, 12:54 PM   #28
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The Sigma EX DG 28mm f/1.8 lens is great. It will gve you a normalish fov and VERY useful macro magnification of 1:2.9. The lens is big with a 77mm filter, but it is worth it.
11-11-2009, 07:56 PM   #29
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QuoteOriginally posted by dartagnon Quote
I highly recommend FA 35mm f/2.0. Image quality is excellent and it is relatively small - though cannot compete with the pancakes.
Very usable viewing angle and big enough aperture for indoor snaps.
not entirely true. the only thing that separates the FA 35 to the LTDs' is build. other than that, it matches with the LTDs' in terms of IQ and performance.
11-11-2009, 10:47 PM   #30
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I was just thinking, 'I never use my FA 35mm and should sell it'



But then i realized i actually have used it more than the fa50mm which i thought i preferred.
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