DA35/2.4 AL and FA35/2 AL are the sisters.

**NaClH2O** · 09-09-2010, 09:05 AM

Hear Hear Robin!

Besides, no one knows the characteristics of the new lens. The FA 35mm is very sharp, but the bokeh is nothing to write home about. I still lust after the FA 31mm ltd because of it's bokeh and the "pixie dust factor". I am certainly reserving judgement on the new lens until I see some sample shots. If the bokeh is better than the FA 35mm, I just may sell mine and get the new lens. (and probably make a profit)

NaCl(here! here! wear? wear? their! their!)H2O

creampuff · 09-09-2010, 09:10 AM

Originally posted by rparmar

It's lighter, cheaper, comes as a kit lens, is optimised for digital and is only a half-stop slower. What Pentax has done is given us a kit lens prime that will no doubt have excellent IQ and will absolutely blow away any other company's kit lens.

So what do people do? Complain.

Because it is too dumbed down compared to similar budget 35mm offerings from Sony and Nikon (both f/1.8) and Canon (f/2). On paper specifications alone, it isn't even on par with what the competition is currently offering.
The only possible redemption for the new DA 35mmf/2.4 is if the image quality is stellar right from maximum aperture onwards. Given the laws of physics, that's just too much wishful thinking. Right now the only thing going for it is the dirt cheap price and the color variations. I expect Pentax to make a killing selling this cheap plastic throwaway.

konraDarnok · 09-09-2010, 09:13 AM

So where are the sample images from this lens? Hasn't someone been testing this lens out there on the internet?

mattdm · 09-09-2010, 09:15 AM

Originally posted by creampuff

The only possible redemption for the new DA 35mmf/2.4 is if the image quality is stellar right from maximum aperture onwards. Given the laws of physics, that's just too much wishful thinking.

I don't think that's crazy. That description fits the DA Limited 40mm and 70mm Limited, for example.

**NaClH2O** · 09-09-2010, 09:19 AM

How do you know it's a throwaway? Because it has a polycarbonite mount? I think it's pretty ridiculous to start pre judging a lens until we see some real world results. If they are poop then you can crow and say "i told you so" but if they are good I'd like to see you and all the other nay-sayers go "Opps I was wrong".

NaCl(you will crow if right, if you are wrong will you be honest and eat crow?)H2O

Kenn100D · 09-09-2010, 09:25 AM

The Return of the Platic Fantastic Lens. =)

cousinsane · 09-09-2010, 09:41 AM

If the new DA35/2.4 covers FF, I'd buy it in a heart beat.

creampuff · 09-09-2010, 09:41 AM

Originally posted by mattdm

I don't think that's crazy. That description fits the DA Limited 40mm and 70mm Limited, for example.

No doubt both the lenses you mention do show good resolution figures at maximum aperture but peak sharpness is achieved only at f/5.6 (looking at Photozone's reviews). If you look at the Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8 G for example, at f/2.8 it already betters both lenses in terms of sharpness and achieves peak sharpness at f/4 and f/5.6 is just as good. Stopping down does improve sharpness... that's a given, the issue is the range of usable apertures you can play with, and in this regard the f/1.8 lens does have the edge in terms of options.

**NaClH2O** · 09-09-2010, 09:53 AM

Originally posted by creampuff

No doubt both the lenses you mention do show good resolution figures at maximum aperture but peak sharpness is achieved only at f/5.6 (looking at Photozone's reviews). If you look at the Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8 G for example, at f/2.8 it already betters both lenses in terms of sharpness and achieves peak sharpness at f/4 and f/5.6 is just as good. Stopping down does improve sharpness... that's a given, the issue is the range of usable apertures you can play with, and in this regard the f/1.8 lens does have the edge.

This all may be true, however sharpness is only one small part of a len's total IQ. What is the bokeh like? How does it render colors? Is it prone to flare? CA? All of these questions and more need to be addressed too. For instance, the FA 35 is lauded for it's sharpness, but to me it is only an OK lens because of it's middling bokeh. On the other hand the Pentax A 35-105 isn't tack sharp wide open, but I really like the way it renders colors, especially reds. In addition it has a close focus function throughout its zoom range.
Will I sell my A 35-105? Never, there's nothing to replace it with. Will I sell my FA 35mm? In a heartbeat if the new lens has better bokeh, renders colors well and is as sharp as the DA 40mm.

NaCl(and I'd probably make a profit too)H2O

slocant · 09-09-2010, 09:59 AM - **1 Like**

The optical formula for the FA 35mm f/2 AL (from Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount site):

And the optical formula for the DA 35mm f/2.4 AL (from the DC Watch Impress site):

Cheers,

sweetpapa · 09-09-2010, 09:59 AM

I think that Pentax factored in the fact that ISO sensitivity is increasing so the loss of f/.4 is such a big deal if you purchase a modern body. This lens is probably a great match for the k-r.

I bought the FA35 f/2 for my K10D where having f/2 was pretty important as I'm limited to shooting at ISO800.

Blue · 09-09-2010, 10:48 AM

If Pentax had used DA L 35/2.4 AL for the official name of this lens, I would suspect that they are going to release a DA 35/2 WR with metal mount and sealing along with a matching hood. All of the DA L zooms has a regular DA counterpart. However, given its name, I'd say that likelyhood is remote at this point.

0144 · 09-09-2010, 11:10 AM

smc PENTAX DA L 35mm F2.4 AL - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site

they actually are using DA L name, just not on the lens itself

arm_jstp · 09-09-2010, 11:11 AM

OMG! FA and DA versions look pretty similar!

Blue · 09-09-2010, 11:21 AM

Originally posted by 0144

smc PENTAX DA L 35mm F2.4 AL - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site

they actually are using DA L name, just not on the lens itself

That's been mentioned. Look at the name on the lens itself. The name on the lens matches the Japanese news release. Maybe there is a chance for a "regular" model to be released on the 20th to correspond with the K-5.

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09-09-2010, 09:05 AM	#31
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Hear Hear Robin! Besides, no one knows the characteristics of the new lens. The FA 35mm is very sharp, but the bokeh is nothing to write home about. I still lust after the FA 31mm ltd because of it's bokeh and the "pixie dust factor". I am certainly reserving judgement on the new lens until I see some sample shots. If the bokeh is better than the FA 35mm, I just may sell mine and get the new lens. (and probably make a profit) NaCl(here! here! wear? wear? their! their!)H2O

09-09-2010, 09:10 AM	#32
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Originally posted by rparmar It's lighter, cheaper, comes as a kit lens, is optimised for digital and is only a half-stop slower. What Pentax has done is given us a kit lens prime that will no doubt have excellent IQ and will absolutely blow away any other company's kit lens. So what do people do? Complain. Because it is too dumbed down compared to similar budget 35mm offerings from Sony and Nikon (both f/1.8) and Canon (f/2). On paper specifications alone, it isn't even on par with what the competition is currently offering. The only possible redemption for the new DA 35mmf/2.4 is if the image quality is stellar right from maximum aperture onwards. Given the laws of physics, that's just too much wishful thinking. Right now the only thing going for it is the dirt cheap price and the color variations. I expect Pentax to make a killing selling this cheap plastic throwaway.

09-09-2010, 09:13 AM	#33
konraDarnok Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Photos: Albums Posts: 969	So where are the sample images from this lens? Hasn't someone been testing this lens out there on the internet?

09-09-2010, 09:15 AM	#34
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by creampuff The only possible redemption for the new DA 35mmf/2.4 is if the image quality is stellar right from maximum aperture onwards. Given the laws of physics, that's just too much wishful thinking. I don't think that's crazy. That description fits the DA Limited 40mm and 70mm Limited, for example.

09-09-2010, 09:19 AM	#35
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	How do you know it's a throwaway? Because it has a polycarbonite mount? I think it's pretty ridiculous to start pre judging a lens until we see some real world results. If they are poop then you can crow and say "i told you so" but if they are good I'd like to see you and all the other nay-sayers go "Opps I was wrong". NaCl(you will crow if right, if you are wrong will you be honest and eat crow?)H2O

09-09-2010, 09:25 AM	#36
Kenn100D Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Paranaque City, Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 697	The Return of the Platic Fantastic Lens. =)

09-09-2010, 09:41 AM	#37
cousinsane Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: madison Posts: 239	If the new DA35/2.4 covers FF, I'd buy it in a heart beat.

09-09-2010, 09:41 AM	#38
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Originally posted by mattdm I don't think that's crazy. That description fits the DA Limited 40mm and 70mm Limited, for example. No doubt both the lenses you mention do show good resolution figures at maximum aperture but peak sharpness is achieved only at f/5.6 (looking at Photozone's reviews). If you look at the Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8 G for example, at f/2.8 it already betters both lenses in terms of sharpness and achieves peak sharpness at f/4 and f/5.6 is just as good. Stopping down does improve sharpness... that's a given, the issue is the range of usable apertures you can play with, and in this regard the f/1.8 lens does have the edge in terms of options.

09-09-2010, 09:53 AM	#39
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Originally posted by creampuff No doubt both the lenses you mention do show good resolution figures at maximum aperture but peak sharpness is achieved only at f/5.6 (looking at Photozone's reviews). If you look at the Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8 G for example, at f/2.8 it already betters both lenses in terms of sharpness and achieves peak sharpness at f/4 and f/5.6 is just as good. Stopping down does improve sharpness... that's a given, the issue is the range of usable apertures you can play with, and in this regard the f/1.8 lens does have the edge. This all may be true, however sharpness is only one small part of a len's total IQ. What is the bokeh like? How does it render colors? Is it prone to flare? CA? All of these questions and more need to be addressed too. For instance, the FA 35 is lauded for it's sharpness, but to me it is only an OK lens because of it's middling bokeh. On the other hand the Pentax A 35-105 isn't tack sharp wide open, but I really like the way it renders colors, especially reds. In addition it has a close focus function throughout its zoom range. Will I sell my A 35-105? Never, there's nothing to replace it with. Will I sell my FA 35mm? In a heartbeat if the new lens has better bokeh, renders colors well and is as sharp as the DA 40mm. NaCl(and I'd probably make a profit too)H2O

09-09-2010, 09:59 AM - 1 Like	#40
slocant Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 65	The optical formula for the FA 35mm f/2 AL (from Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount site): And the optical formula for the DA 35mm f/2.4 AL (from the DC Watch Impress site): Cheers,

09-09-2010, 09:59 AM	#41
sweetpapa Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 64	I think that Pentax factored in the fact that ISO sensitivity is increasing so the loss of f/.4 is such a big deal if you purchase a modern body. This lens is probably a great match for the k-r. I bought the FA35 f/2 for my K10D where having f/2 was pretty important as I'm limited to shooting at ISO800.

09-09-2010, 10:48 AM	#42
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	If Pentax had used DA L 35/2.4 AL for the official name of this lens, I would suspect that they are going to release a DA 35/2 WR with metal mount and sealing along with a matching hood. All of the DA L zooms has a regular DA counterpart. However, given its name, I'd say that likelyhood is remote at this point.

09-09-2010, 11:10 AM	#43
0144 Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lithuania Posts: 38	smc PENTAX DA L 35mm F2.4 AL - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site they actually are using DA L name, just not on the lens itself

09-09-2010, 11:11 AM	#44
arm_jstp Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 485	OMG! FA and DA versions look pretty similar!

09-09-2010, 11:21 AM	#45
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by 0144 smc PENTAX DA L 35mm F2.4 AL - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site they actually are using DA L name, just not on the lens itself That's been mentioned. Look at the name on the lens itself. The name on the lens matches the Japanese news release. Maybe there is a chance for a "regular" model to be released on the 20th to correspond with the K-5.