Return of the FA 35/2

**BigMackCam** · 09-02-2016, 04:40 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

It is a mystery. I suppose there is enough demand to continue making the lens elements, but why keep using SMC and making the ancient plastic barrels?

Perhaps they feel that potential sales wouldn't be enough to justify the costs of design and tooling changes... That would be my best guess.

StephenHampshire · 09-02-2016, 04:43 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Mine was my primary walk-around until I got the Sigma 17-70/2.8-4 (C) and is still my preferred prime for working light with the K-3. I shoot it with 35mm film for street and urban photography. The light weight and compact form work really well with my smaller 35mm bodies.

Steve

Its a great lens, I really like the FoV on my K3 and it gives me an extra stop over my Tamron 17-50 f2.8.

Pixelhdr · 09-02-2016, 04:43 AM

This is good timing as I am in the market for just this lens. I sold my 35 f/2.4 as it was not good enough, may be just my copy though.

Kunzite · 09-02-2016, 05:00 AM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Perhaps they feel that potential sales wouldn't be enough to justify the costs of design and tooling changes... That would be my best guess.

Are we sure they're still making it? Perhaps it's just stock redistribution?
Changing the coatings and not much else (perhaps the aperture blades, like the HD Limiteds) means a mid-term commitment of producing this lens.
Changing the barrels, to my understanding, is comparable to making a new lens - and it means a long-term commitment of producing the modified lens.

There's a wide angle single focus lens in the roadmap - perhaps a 35mm f/2-ish lens.

JPT · 09-02-2016, 05:42 AM

If this is really $350, it's a bit cheaper than the price for it in Japan. I bought this lens several years ago, and feel it was well worth the $350 I paid for it. Remember that with this lens you get a metal mount, a distance scale, an FF relevant hood and a soft case. It's also f2, where the cheaper version is f2.4, and mine is really sharp at f2.

On the other hand, it isn't WR, has only 6 aperture blades, is a noisy focusing lens and lacks the latest coatings. If you don't like hexagonal bokeh, you should avoid it.

If I had the K-1 and didn't have the lens already, I'd get it at $350, because it's a great performer, and even if Ricoh makes an improved version with the aforementioned drawbacks improved, it would most likely cost significantly more.

repaap · 09-02-2016, 05:50 AM

I have one, and it is on FF really nice. Only drawback is that hexagonal bokeh stopped down. But it is quite nice even wide open and lot's of the time hexagons don't appear. Edges are mushy wide open, but everyone can understand that. I really like size of this lens too.

JPT · 09-02-2016, 05:54 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

Are we sure they're still making it? Perhaps it's just stock redistribution?
Changing the coatings and not much else (perhaps the aperture blades, like the HD Limiteds) means a mid-term commitment of producing this lens.
Changing the barrels, to my understanding, is comparable to making a new lens - and it means a long-term commitment of producing the modified lens.

There's a wide angle single focus lens in the roadmap - perhaps a 35mm f/2-ish lens.

I'm pretty sure it's the same lens, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing if the price is fair. If it was really a new lens, even just a reissue with new coatings, it would be announced as such. The FA35 has been available in a new-style Ricoh box for a while in Japan. It's the same lens, I think. Nothing bad about this. It's just another welcome option for US customers. Isn't this a Jun Hirakawa design?

Kunzite · 09-02-2016, 06:18 AM

Sure; it's a highly regarded lens. By all we know, they might make it into a new D FA - which would explain stock clearance prices. Or not; perhaps we'd see some hints at Photokina.
I wouldn't be unhappy with the former option, as that would make a quite compact (larger than the FA due to the included DC motor) lens.

a5m · 09-02-2016, 07:30 AM

Originally posted by JPT

Isn't this a Jun Hirakawa design?

Yes it is, and also the FA 43 and 77, FA* 24/2, FA* 85/1.4, FA* 80-200/2.8, FA 28/2.8, DA 10-17 Fisheye, DA 14/2.8, DA 40/2.8 Limited and DA* 55/1.4 - according to Wikipedia.

JPT · 09-02-2016, 07:34 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

Sure; it's a highly regarded lens. By all we know, they might make it into a new D FA - which would explain stock clearance prices. Or not; perhaps we'd see some hints at Photokina.
I wouldn't be unhappy with the former option, as that would make a quite compact (larger than the FA due to the included DC motor) lens.

Well, I see $350 as a fair price, not necessarily a clearance price. And while I think an updated DFA version of the FA 35mm would be very nice in itself, I don't think Ricoh will do it. They already sell a cheaper version of the same lens in the DA 35mm, so I think it would be difficult to sell a lens with the same optical formula for the price an 9-blade HD DFA WR DC version would likely sell for. I think the road mapped new lens you refer to will be something new, and I personally hope it'll be a 28mm lens, because that is lacking in the line-up.

D1N0 · 09-02-2016, 07:44 AM

It's 600 euro's overhere. The FA 50 1.4 is 400 that seems in line with 350 dollars.

lytrytyr · 09-02-2016, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by JPT

I personally hope it'll be a 28mm lens, because that is lacking in the line-up.

28mm is pretty darn close to 31mm (75 versus 70 degree diagonal on FF),
and there's already a 31mm lens in the line-up!

D1N0 · 09-02-2016, 07:52 AM

Originally posted by lytrytyr

28mm is pretty darn close to 31mm (75 versus 70 degree diagonal on FF), and there's already a 31mm lens in the line-up!

And there is the 28mm F3.5

stevebrot · 09-02-2016, 08:00 AM

Originally posted by ogl

Very strange...But It seems to me I saw this lens at BHPhoto many times...

Not for a long time, ogl, not for a long time, and not yet at present.

Steve

**monochrome** · 09-02-2016, 08:04 AM

USA has sometimes been used as a stock liquidation market, especially when the USD/JPY exchange rate is favorable to American buyers (which it isn't right now). At this price, with the USD down +/- 20% YTD versus the Yen, I suspect something more complex is afoot than merely making a FF lens available to K-1 owners.

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09-02-2016, 04:40 AM	#16
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,666	Originally posted by monochrome It is a mystery. I suppose there is enough demand to continue making the lens elements, but why keep using SMC and making the ancient plastic barrels? Perhaps they feel that potential sales wouldn't be enough to justify the costs of design and tooling changes... That would be my best guess.

09-02-2016, 04:43 AM	#17
StephenHampshire Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Winchester Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,523	Originally posted by stevebrot Mine was my primary walk-around until I got the Sigma 17-70/2.8-4 (C) and is still my preferred prime for working light with the K-3. I shoot it with 35mm film for street and urban photography. The light weight and compact form work really well with my smaller 35mm bodies. Steve Its a great lens, I really like the FoV on my K3 and it gives me an extra stop over my Tamron 17-50 f2.8.

09-02-2016, 04:43 AM	#18
Pixelhdr Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 90	This is good timing as I am in the market for just this lens. I sold my 35 f/2.4 as it was not good enough, may be just my copy though.

09-02-2016, 05:00 AM	#19
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by BigMackCam Perhaps they feel that potential sales wouldn't be enough to justify the costs of design and tooling changes... That would be my best guess. Are we sure they're still making it? Perhaps it's just stock redistribution? Changing the coatings and not much else (perhaps the aperture blades, like the HD Limiteds) means a mid-term commitment of producing this lens. Changing the barrels, to my understanding, is comparable to making a new lens - and it means a long-term commitment of producing the modified lens. There's a wide angle single focus lens in the roadmap - perhaps a 35mm f/2-ish lens.

09-02-2016, 05:42 AM	#20
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	If this is really $350, it's a bit cheaper than the price for it in Japan. I bought this lens several years ago, and feel it was well worth the $350 I paid for it. Remember that with this lens you get a metal mount, a distance scale, an FF relevant hood and a soft case. It's also f2, where the cheaper version is f2.4, and mine is really sharp at f2. On the other hand, it isn't WR, has only 6 aperture blades, is a noisy focusing lens and lacks the latest coatings. If you don't like hexagonal bokeh, you should avoid it. If I had the K-1 and didn't have the lens already, I'd get it at $350, because it's a great performer, and even if Ricoh makes an improved version with the aforementioned drawbacks improved, it would most likely cost significantly more.

09-02-2016, 05:50 AM	#21
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	I have one, and it is on FF really nice. Only drawback is that hexagonal bokeh stopped down. But it is quite nice even wide open and lot's of the time hexagons don't appear. Edges are mushy wide open, but everyone can understand that. I really like size of this lens too.

09-02-2016, 05:54 AM	#22
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	Originally posted by Kunzite Are we sure they're still making it? Perhaps it's just stock redistribution? Changing the coatings and not much else (perhaps the aperture blades, like the HD Limiteds) means a mid-term commitment of producing this lens. Changing the barrels, to my understanding, is comparable to making a new lens - and it means a long-term commitment of producing the modified lens. There's a wide angle single focus lens in the roadmap - perhaps a 35mm f/2-ish lens. I'm pretty sure it's the same lens, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing if the price is fair. If it was really a new lens, even just a reissue with new coatings, it would be announced as such. The FA35 has been available in a new-style Ricoh box for a while in Japan. It's the same lens, I think. Nothing bad about this. It's just another welcome option for US customers. Isn't this a Jun Hirakawa design?

09-02-2016, 06:18 AM	#23
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Sure; it's a highly regarded lens. By all we know, they might make it into a new D FA - which would explain stock clearance prices. Or not; perhaps we'd see some hints at Photokina. I wouldn't be unhappy with the former option, as that would make a quite compact (larger than the FA due to the included DC motor) lens.

09-02-2016, 07:30 AM	#24
a5m Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 576	Originally posted by JPT Isn't this a Jun Hirakawa design? Yes it is, and also the FA 43 and 77, FA* 24/2, FA* 85/1.4, FA* 80-200/2.8, FA 28/2.8, DA 10-17 Fisheye, DA 14/2.8, DA 40/2.8 Limited and DA* 55/1.4 - according to Wikipedia.

09-02-2016, 07:34 AM	#25
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	Originally posted by Kunzite Sure; it's a highly regarded lens. By all we know, they might make it into a new D FA - which would explain stock clearance prices. Or not; perhaps we'd see some hints at Photokina. I wouldn't be unhappy with the former option, as that would make a quite compact (larger than the FA due to the included DC motor) lens. Well, I see $350 as a fair price, not necessarily a clearance price. And while I think an updated DFA version of the FA 35mm would be very nice in itself, I don't think Ricoh will do it. They already sell a cheaper version of the same lens in the DA 35mm, so I think it would be difficult to sell a lens with the same optical formula for the price an 9-blade HD DFA WR DC version would likely sell for. I think the road mapped new lens you refer to will be something new, and I personally hope it'll be a 28mm lens, because that is lacking in the line-up.

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09-02-2016, 07:44 AM	#26
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	It's 600 euro's overhere. The FA 50 1.4 is 400 that seems in line with 350 dollars.

09-02-2016, 07:46 AM	#27
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by JPT I personally hope it'll be a 28mm lens, because that is lacking in the line-up. 28mm is pretty darn close to 31mm (75 versus 70 degree diagonal on FF), and there's already a 31mm lens in the line-up!

09-02-2016, 07:52 AM	#28
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	Originally posted by lytrytyr 28mm is pretty darn close to 31mm (75 versus 70 degree diagonal on FF), and there's already a 31mm lens in the line-up! And there is the 28mm F3.5

09-02-2016, 08:00 AM	#29
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007 Original Poster	Originally posted by ogl Very strange...But It seems to me I saw this lens at BHPhoto many times... Not for a long time, ogl, not for a long time, and not yet at present. Steve

09-02-2016, 08:04 AM	#30
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	USA has sometimes been used as a stock liquidation market, especially when the USD/JPY exchange rate is favorable to American buyers (which it isn't right now). At this price, with the USD down +/- 20% YTD versus the Yen, I suspect something more complex is afoot than merely making a FF lens available to K-1 owners.