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07-29-2011, 02:51 AM   #1
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Any IQ comparisons between the 35mm 2.4 and old M50mm primes?

At some point I'm thinking of acquiring the very good value for money 35mm 2.4 lens.
But how does it stack up against the 50mm 1.7 (or 1.4) exactly? The 35mm range will
definitely give me that nice old film 50mm sweet spot I got very used to with my old film Spotmatic, but what can I expect re viva la difference? Nogster

07-29-2011, 03:02 AM   #2
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I cant answer your question, but I will give you my opinion on the 35mm 2.4
s... they can create beautiful pics, but I will go with my 50mm 1.7 over it anyday. I find that the 35mm 2.4 has focus issues (I have gone thru two of them, both same focus issue, and have a friend with similar experiences) but it seems to behaive better on the K-5 than the kx. either way, on both bodies it has a harder time focusing further into the distance, and does better close up.

just my opinion.. others have better experiences with the 35 I believe
07-29-2011, 05:13 AM   #3
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Apples and Oranges. I own the DA35 and the FA50/1.4 and use them for very different situations. The 35 is for indoor shots where zooming out with my feet is not going to happen because of the size of the room and its got descent f options at 2.4. The FA50 is used for fast action and/or low light situations in bigger spaces or outdoors. Unlike the previous respondent I have not had any focus issues with my DA35, but I do not focus to infinity with it often given how I use it.
07-29-2011, 09:02 AM   #4
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When the DA*300 isn't on my K-5, the DA35/2.4 is. The Plastic Fantastic is sweet. You give nothing away in optics but you do need to keep in mind that it is plastic everywhere so tossing it around in your bag may not be a good idea. You won't be able to create the bokeh-liscious dreamy snaps that you would with a wide 50 at 1.4 with the 35 but, damn, is it sharp right across the frame.

Jack

07-29-2011, 04:09 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by jbinpg Quote
When the DA*300 isn't on my K-5, the DA35/2.4 is. The Plastic Fantastic is sweet. You give nothing away in optics but you do need to keep in mind that it is plastic everywhere so tossing it around in your bag may not be a good idea. You won't be able to create the bokeh-liscious dreamy snaps that you would with a wide 50 at 1.4 with the 35 but, damn, is it sharp right across the frame.

Jack
All true in my experience. You should also keep in mind that the plastic is more thermally reactive than steel and aluminum and huge variances in temperature should be avoided. Its not a lens that should really be left in a closed car, etc.
07-29-2011, 07:10 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Docrwm Quote
The 35 is for indoor shots where zooming out with my feet is not going to happen because of the size of the room and its got descent f options at 2.4
very true, I used it during the winter much more frequently than I do at this time of year!
07-29-2011, 07:11 PM   #7
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Helpful and useful feedback guys. Sounds like the 35mm 2.4 is a goer as far as moi is concerned. Thank you all. Nogster

07-29-2011, 07:48 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by NogBoy13 Quote
Helpful and useful feedback guys. Sounds like the 35mm 2.4 is a goer as far as moi is concerned. Thank you all. Nogster
Good luck. Its a nice little lens and extremely pleasant to my eye.
07-29-2011, 08:57 PM   #9
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I have the 35 as well. So far, I am really unhappy with it...it just doesn't look anywhere near as good as my M series primes. Even the 50 f2.0, which people are not usually as fond of...
07-29-2011, 08:58 PM   #10
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To clarify, I don't mean the lens isn't as visually appealing, I mean images shot with the lens don't look as sharp, and I have gotten some really bad purple fringe...at f4.
08-02-2011, 06:27 AM   #11
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I have the 35 f2.4 and an old M 50 f1.7. As far as I'm concerned, there's not much difference in IQ between them. Both are very to razor-sharp across the aperture range, and the bokeh is probably nicer with the 50, but not by much. If anything, my 35mm seems more prone to purple fringing wide open, but I haven't made proper head to head comparisons to confirm this.

As mentioned, my 35 also had focus issues on the K-x, but ever since I got the K-5, the 35mm is my go-to prime lens for walk-around shooting. Whatever little I lose in IQ compared to the M 50mm is more than made up by the convenience of having AF and fast automatic exposure metering for shooting in Av mode.
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