[RobA_Oz]

Not sure if you prefer smaller or larger lenses judging by your question but the HD DA 20-40 f2.8-f4 Limited is a relatively compact zoom and very lightweight for the superb IQ it produces. I think Pentax got this one exactly right and I can't fault it, it replaced every prime I had in the zoom range including DA 40 f2.8 Limited and prefer it at 40mm because of the colours and flare resistance (virtually zero).

I really don’t have a preference one way or the other in the DA lenses, nocturnal. With the D-FA lenses, though, I’ve shied away from the current zoom offerings, mainly because of the weight, rather than the size.

I use the DA15, in preference to the DA14, simply because it goes in my travel bag easier (the DA14’s hood is a monster).

[monochrome]

I’m not sure what you mean by “modern”, Ash, but my DA14/2.8 and the DA*16-50/2.8 aren’t exactly tiny.

PS – I’ve got the DA15, as well – nothing like redundancy in a collection, is there? Guess which one gets used the most?

---------- Post added 4th Feb 2019 at 03:20 PM ----------



I note that someone was suggesting that an aperture ring was incompatible with Quick-shift, and I’m struggling to visualise why that would be a problem, but I’m happy to be enlightened.

A reply to that post - IIRC by Digitlais - listed several Quicskhift Pentax lenses that have an aperture ring. I can’t find it though.

[RobA_Oz]

A reply to that post - IIRC by Digitlais - listed several Quicskhift Pentax lenses that have an aperture ring. I can’t find it though.

OK, thanks. I must have missed that, in all the noise over the past 53 pages.

[BruceBanner]

That's why I'm thinking of dumping my K-1 because the K-P fits my prosumer needs and the DA glass Pentax produced is outstanding. My 3rd Party K-1ii lenses are Ok, not great (i.e, Tamron, Irix, etc.) and I'm tired of fine adjusting every lens I put on my poorly calibrated K-1ii anyway.
Thankfully, I also shoot Leica and despite biz-engineer's negative Leica swipe, their glass is outstanding for my needs (and for other enthusiasts and pros who know how to shoot manual street photos) and usually sharper than my RAW Pentax files. Sorry guys, you sometimes really do just get what you pay for.

I feel somewhat similar. I own a KP and K-1 and although I use the K-1 a lot more I have purposely bought lenses that are interchangeable between both systems. IQ wise the KP is up there with the K-1 and it's insane to think a new KP can be had for around $800AUD now...

I do however prefer the button layout and higher customisation of the K-1 over the KP, but really I think I could switch entirely to the KP system and output the same high quality of work I manage with the K-1.

...

But I digress. I can't wait to get my hands on the DA*11-18. It will rock on my KP.

Any chance you will think about getting the HD FA 35/2 as well? I'm keen for comparison and example shots and your page really excels at that

[Sandy Hancock]

Any chance you will think about getting the HD FA 35/2 as well?

Sorry mate. I already have the Sigma 35/1,4 Art, the Pentax HD DA35/2.8 macro limited, the FA31/1.8 limited, and two DFA zooms which cover that focal length

[BruceBanner]

Sorry mate. I already have the Sigma 35/1,4 Art, the Pentax HD DA35/2.8 macro limited, the FA31/1.8 limited, and two DFA zooms which cover that focal length

Pfft... sif that stopped you before

[Mountain Vision]

Pfft... sif that stopped you before

Ha^^^^^

[BruceBanner]

I'm taking bets for Sandy getting a HD FA35/2, despite him saying he won't I think the odds are still in my favour, whose my first taker.

[biz-engineer]

I'm taking bets for Sandy getting a HD FA35/2, despite him saying he won't I think the odds are still in my favour, whose my first taker.

Well, a fast 35mm 700gr is seldom needed (not really a portrait lens, not really an astro lens), a tiny 35 f2 is ideal for vacation travel, and the DA35 macro doesn't cover the full frame image circle. Some revamp needed here (thinking for myself, actually). I see the 35 f2 as a all around compact lens used for shooting about anything from street to landscapes, all that from f5.6 down to f16. I don't see many use of 35 at f1.4, as the 85mm or even 50mm are better bokeh machines.

---------- Post added 04-02-19 at 10:09 ----------

I have the FA35 and it's both very good and very compact, BTW.

I've had the DA40, and I thought about the 40XS for the K1, but it's an overkill because the XS40 lens will be behind the front plane of the OVF hood on the K1. The FA35 is a bit wider F.o.V and still make the K1 as slim as a Z7 or S1R. I've mounted my 50 1.7 on the K1 with battery grip, it's a monster kit when using LV with focus peaking (in a good way). Actually I thought about getting a M28 f2.8 or f3.5 for the same usage. But the HD FA35 2 has AF.. so if the price is right I may get one (LBA inviting herself, humm dangerous , I said no to LBA but she is always coming back at the wrong time ).

[Sandy Hancock]

I won't be buying the HD FA35/2.0
Here's why:

Well, a fast 35mm 700gr is seldom needed (not really a portrait lens)

I beg to differ. The Sigma 35/1.4 Art is a wonderful environmental portrait lens. It can produce something close to the Brenizer effect with a single frame.







It even works for selfies

a tiny 35 f2 is ideal for vacation travel, and the DA35 macro doesn't cover the full frame image circle.

But the FA31 is, and does. I don't consider it a big lens at all for what it does, from street to landscape and beyond.

[ogl]

I won't be buying the HD FA35/2.0
Here's why:


I beg to differ. The Sigma 35/1.4 Art

35/1.4 + 31/1.8 are really cool set....

[Merv-O]

I feel somewhat similar. I own a KP and K-1 and although I use the K-1 a lot more I have purposely bought lenses that are interchangeable between both systems. IQ wise the KP is up there with the K-1 and it's insane to think a new KP can be had for around $800AUD now...

I do however prefer the button layout and higher customisation of the K-1 over the KP, but really I think I could switch entirely to the KP system and output the same high quality of work I manage with the K-1.



Any chance you will think about getting the HD FA 35/2 as well? I'm keen for comparison and example shots and your page really excels at that

I recently put the K-1ii up for sale...After about 1,500 shots in 6 months, I'm simply not using it enough...Bought it with the best intentions and now will have to evaluate whether I sell some or all of the Full Frame Glass....The kit with the 28-105mm D FA was $2600 with tax. I'm selling it for 2K--the loss and depreciation was worth the launch and it axis a fine piece but not for my needs. Listed it on eBay yesterday....KP, K-S2 and now I'm deciding whether to get a K-5IIs or a K-3/ii as my 3rd body...unless Pentax changes their mysterious roadmap and introduces a KPii refresher or a K-3iii by some miracle.

[Rondec]

Thanks for the insight. My interest of the FA 35 (or DA40) is the size, because [long story short], I can fit the K1 with battery grip vertically in the bag and this is something that is not possible with any of the zooms. The only prime I currently have is the SMC M50 1.7, it fits in the bag, nice for traveling. I wouldn't be interesting in the sigma, because it would be almost as large a one of my zooms.

I think the FA 35 would work better for those purposes. It isn't quite as small as the DA 40, but I'm sure it has significantly better corners at f2.8-f4.

If you have the funds, the FA 31 limited is quite small and very nice to use.

[Ash]

I won't be buying the HD FA35/2.0
Here's why:

The Sigma 35/1.4 Art is a wonderful environmental portrait lens. It can produce something close to the Brenizer effect with a single frame.

It even works for selfies


But the FA31 is, and does. I don't consider it a big lens at all for what it does, from street to landscape and beyond.

Absolutely lovely series there Sandy. Great plug for both lenses.

[biz-engineer]

I beg to differ. The Sigma 35/1.4 Art is a wonderful environmental portrait lens. It can produce something close to the Brenizer effect with a single frame.

If you have the funds, the FA 31 limited is quite small and very nice to use.

Sure, the HD FA35 2 will be kinda the 31ltd for the poor