Theory on DA 35mm ltd 'greatest lens ever' (?) tag

Dynamo · 03-01-2015, 12:48 PM

My first DSLR was pentax K-5II and I bought it along with DA 35mm f/2.8 macro. I used this combo for more than 1 year excellent lens... this is the lens I grab during spring

https://www.flickr.com/photos/93102957@N03/sets/72157648777044734/

PALADIN85020 · 03-01-2015, 12:53 PM - **1 Like**

In retirement, I've started a "second career" as a freelance writer/photographer, specializing in firearms subjects. Until fairly recently, I managed to struggle along with a K5 together with the FA 50mm 1.4 and the DA 18-135mm as my most used lenses for "product shots." However, with the purchase of a K3, I decided to get the SMC-DA 35mm macro Limited so that I could take full advantage of the sharpness of both the K3 and this lens, which has a great reputation. My primary criteria are sharpness and crisp color rendition.

I gotta tell you, the 35mm macro is now my "most used" lens, noticeably better in all respects than my previous lenses, with the added benefit of practically zero distortion. Here are some sample shots to illustrate how I use the lens, and the results. In downsizing, some sharpness was understandably sacrificed, but these may give you some idea of how I use the lens.

For my purposes, I couldn't ask for a better lens - it meets all my criteria, and then some. The macro capability is an added bonus, and I may take advantage of it at some point to illustrate tiny proof marks and other stamps on firearms. I'm a happy camper.

John
PENTAX : PENTAX Photo Gallery artist page

**Wingincamera** · 03-01-2015, 01:02 PM

To PALADIN85020. I have the DA 35 macro and use it a lot with my K-5 II. I really like your product photos, especially S&W revolver (first photo). I wonder if I could ask how you set it up? When I shoot small shinny objects that require extra lighting I really have a problem with shinny surfaces reflecting too much. You seem to have it controlled very well.

PALADIN85020 · 03-01-2015, 02:43 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Wingincamera

To PALADIN85020. I have the DA 35 macro and use it a lot with my K-5 II. I really like your product photos, especially S&W revolver (first photo). I wonder if I could ask how you set it up? When I shoot small shinny objects that require extra lighting I really have a problem with shinny surfaces reflecting too much. You seem to have it controlled very well.

Good question. On highly reflective surfaces such as plated firearms, my technique is to shoot from a slight angle, outdoors in the open shade. If you shoot straight down, you will almost always pick up reflections of the camera and/or tripod. With angled shots in the open, at most you'll pick up a reflection of the sky or clouds, both of which are inconsequential. It helps to take a few test shots to be sure nothing else is reflected. I mount the camera on a tripod, at a distance in which the subject fills about half the frame in the center, to avoid any chance of minor distortion and to minimize chromatic aberration. When a tripod is used, I turn off the shake reduction. On the product shots I use the 2-second timer to eliminate vibration from the mirror retraction, and consistently use f/8, which I believe is this lens's "sweet spot" for sharpness. I use the full manual mode, and adjust the exposure time by bracketing in 1/3-stop increments. I also focus manually. After picking the shot that's closest to what I want, any minor adjustments and cropping will be made in post - I use Photoshop Elements 10 for this.

John

**Wingincamera** · 03-02-2015, 01:32 PM

Thank you for the quick reply. I will try that next time.

sinjin · 05-25-2015, 07:23 AM - **5 Likes**

Been quiet around here lately.

I confidently left my 100mm macro at home knowing the 35mm ltd would be a great all-rounder for an outdoor family adventure. This frog didn't mind me getting in its face at all.

Fat Albert · 05-25-2015, 07:30 AM

Originally posted by sinjin

Been quiet around here lately.

I confidently left my 100mm macro at home knowing the 35mm ltd would be a great all-rounder for an outdoor family adventure. This frog didn't mind me getting in its face at all.

Gorgeous shot!

wed7 · 05-25-2015, 05:48 PM

[IMG]

[/IMG]

cmmurray · 06-05-2015, 10:00 AM - **1 Like**

The only lens I've used for the past 6 months on my K5iis.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cm_murray/17084833983/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cm_murray/16863117018/

Nicolas06 · 11-11-2015, 09:15 AM

Originally posted by cmmurray

The only lens I've used for the past 6 months on my K5iis.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cm_murray/17084833983/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cm_murray/16863117018/

Love the clarity on the second one !

Here a few on my own:

**snpsht** · 11-12-2015, 06:07 PM

This thread prompted me to put this lens back on my camera this morning - I had almost forgotten how good it is!

Hand held, with not a lot of care taken, but still a nice image IMHO.

Nicolas06 · 12-02-2015, 03:55 PM - **2 Likes**

Cross posted in the DA ltd club. A 10 frame stitch shooted with DA35 ltd (at f/4):

northcoastgreg · 05-01-2016, 12:02 PM - **9 Likes**

After owning the DA 15 for over 4 years and the DA 21 for six months, I acquired a copy of the DA 35 Ltd last December. While I still prefer the DA 21 because of the FOV, I have to admit that the DA 35 is the best lens I've ever used. Calling it stunning sells it short. Here a pic of the "Tall Ships" at Bonnie Gool Dock in Eureka, CA:

**monochrome** · 05-01-2016, 12:07 PM

Originally posted by northcoastgreg

After owning the DA 15 for over 4 years and the DA 21 for six months, I acquired a copy of the DA 35 Ltd last December. While I still prefer the DA 21 because of the FOV, I have to admit that the DA 35 is the best lens I've ever used. Calling it stunning sells it short. Here a pic of the "Tall Ships" at Bonnie Gool Dock in Eureka, CA:

Awesome! I decided to keep my K-3 just for the DA35 (and SMC DA15 and DA40).

northcoastgreg · 05-01-2016, 06:59 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by monochrome

Awesome! I decided to keep my K-3 just for the DA35 (and SMC DA15 and DA40).

Eminently understandable. I'm keeping my K-5iis not just for the DA 35, but for the 21, the 15, the DA 10-17, the DA 12-24, and the DA 16-85. In fact, I'm keeping the K-5iis around for so many lenses that I've decided to forego the K-1 for the time being.

03-01-2015, 12:53 PM - 1 Like	#467
PALADIN85020 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 442	My favorite lens! In retirement, I've started a "second career" as a freelance writer/photographer, specializing in firearms subjects. Until fairly recently, I managed to struggle along with a K5 together with the FA 50mm 1.4 and the DA 18-135mm as my most used lenses for "product shots." However, with the purchase of a K3, I decided to get the SMC-DA 35mm macro Limited so that I could take full advantage of the sharpness of both the K3 and this lens, which has a great reputation. My primary criteria are sharpness and crisp color rendition. I gotta tell you, the 35mm macro is now my "most used" lens, noticeably better in all respects than my previous lenses, with the added benefit of practically zero distortion. Here are some sample shots to illustrate how I use the lens, and the results. In downsizing, some sharpness was understandably sacrificed, but these may give you some idea of how I use the lens. For my purposes, I couldn't ask for a better lens - it meets all my criteria, and then some. The macro capability is an added bonus, and I may take advantage of it at some point to illustrate tiny proof marks and other stamps on firearms. I'm a happy camper. John PENTAX : PENTAX Photo Gallery artist page Last edited by PALADIN85020; 03-01-2015 at 02:48 PM.

05-25-2015, 07:23 AM - 5 Likes	#471
sinjin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 242	Insectivore Been quiet around here lately. I confidently left my 100mm macro at home knowing the 35mm ltd would be a great all-rounder for an outdoor family adventure. This frog didn't mind me getting in its face at all. Last edited by sinjin; 05-25-2015 at 01:06 PM.

05-25-2015, 05:48 PM	#473
wed7 Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 1,421	[IMG][/IMG] Last edited by wed7; 05-28-2015 at 07:24 PM.

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03-01-2015, 12:48 PM	#466
Dynamo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Groningen Photos: Gallery Posts: 311	My first DSLR was pentax K-5II and I bought it along with DA 35mm f/2.8 macro. I used this combo for more than 1 year excellent lens... this is the lens I grab during spring https://www.flickr.com/photos/93102957@N03/sets/72157648777044734/

03-01-2015, 01:02 PM	#468
Wingincamera Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pine Haven, Wyoming Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,182	To PALADIN85020. I have the DA 35 macro and use it a lot with my K-5 II. I really like your product photos, especially S&W revolver (first photo). I wonder if I could ask how you set it up? When I shoot small shinny objects that require extra lighting I really have a problem with shinny surfaces reflecting too much. You seem to have it controlled very well.

03-01-2015, 02:43 PM - 1 Like	#469
PALADIN85020 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 442	Originally posted by Wingincamera To PALADIN85020. I have the DA 35 macro and use it a lot with my K-5 II. I really like your product photos, especially S&W revolver (first photo). I wonder if I could ask how you set it up? When I shoot small shinny objects that require extra lighting I really have a problem with shinny surfaces reflecting too much. You seem to have it controlled very well. Good question. On highly reflective surfaces such as plated firearms, my technique is to shoot from a slight angle, outdoors in the open shade. If you shoot straight down, you will almost always pick up reflections of the camera and/or tripod. With angled shots in the open, at most you'll pick up a reflection of the sky or clouds, both of which are inconsequential. It helps to take a few test shots to be sure nothing else is reflected. I mount the camera on a tripod, at a distance in which the subject fills about half the frame in the center, to avoid any chance of minor distortion and to minimize chromatic aberration. When a tripod is used, I turn off the shake reduction. On the product shots I use the 2-second timer to eliminate vibration from the mirror retraction, and consistently use f/8, which I believe is this lens's "sweet spot" for sharpness. I use the full manual mode, and adjust the exposure time by bracketing in 1/3-stop increments. I also focus manually. After picking the shot that's closest to what I want, any minor adjustments and cropping will be made in post - I use Photoshop Elements 10 for this. John

03-02-2015, 01:32 PM	#470
Wingincamera Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pine Haven, Wyoming Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,182	Thank you for the quick reply. I will try that next time.

05-25-2015, 07:30 AM	#472
Fat Albert Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 966	Originally posted by sinjin Been quiet around here lately. I confidently left my 100mm macro at home knowing the 35mm ltd would be a great all-rounder for an outdoor family adventure. This frog didn't mind me getting in its face at all. Gorgeous shot!

06-05-2015, 10:00 AM - 1 Like	#474
cmmurray Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 76	The only lens I've used for the past 6 months on my K5iis. https://www.flickr.com/photos/cm_murray/17084833983/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/cm_murray/16863117018/

11-11-2015, 09:15 AM	#475
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	Originally posted by cmmurray The only lens I've used for the past 6 months on my K5iis. https://www.flickr.com/photos/cm_murray/17084833983/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/cm_murray/16863117018/ Love the clarity on the second one ! Here a few on my own:

12-02-2015, 03:55 PM - 2 Likes	#477
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	Cross posted in the DA ltd club. A 10 frame stitch shooted with DA35 ltd (at f/4):

05-01-2016, 12:02 PM - 9 Likes	#478
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	After owning the DA 15 for over 4 years and the DA 21 for six months, I acquired a copy of the DA 35 Ltd last December. While I still prefer the DA 21 because of the FOV, I have to admit that the DA 35 is the best lens I've ever used. Calling it stunning sells it short. Here a pic of the "Tall Ships" at Bonnie Gool Dock in Eureka, CA:

05-01-2016, 12:07 PM	#479
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by northcoastgreg After owning the DA 15 for over 4 years and the DA 21 for six months, I acquired a copy of the DA 35 Ltd last December. While I still prefer the DA 21 because of the FOV, I have to admit that the DA 35 is the best lens I've ever used. Calling it stunning sells it short. Here a pic of the "Tall Ships" at Bonnie Gool Dock in Eureka, CA: Awesome! I decided to keep my K-3 just for the DA35 (and SMC DA15 and DA40).

05-01-2016, 06:59 PM - 1 Like	#480
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	Originally posted by monochrome Awesome! I decided to keep my K-3 just for the DA35 (and SMC DA15 and DA40). Eminently understandable. I'm keeping my K-5iis not just for the DA 35, but for the 21, the 15, the DA 10-17, the DA 12-24, and the DA 16-85. In fact, I'm keeping the K-5iis around for so many lenses that I've decided to forego the K-1 for the time being.