35A vs 35FA

slackercruster · 06-14-2012, 07:24 PM

Don't see much about the FA 35. Is the lens IQ the same as the 35A? Just autofocus is the only difference? Or is their something else with the FA?

Adam · 06-14-2012, 07:52 PM

I think the whole lens is built differently. I know that the FA 35 is very sharp bit I didn't get that impression with the A- but it could have been the lack of a split screen at work

Ryan Tischer · 06-14-2012, 07:59 PM

I have the 35 A and love it...Never needed AF on this lens as it's easy to focus and often set at or close to infinity. Of course, I shoot landscapes, so never need to focus very quickly.

The A's minimum aperture is f/22, and I think the FA is f/32...to be sure look it up in the lens database. They are not the same lens build, but from what I've read both are good. I've heard the A is a bit sharper and has a bit more DOF, but have no evidence to back this up...just what I've read on this forum.

Also, the front filter size may be different. The A is 77mm, same as the 45-85FA and 80-160FA...handy for my kit overall.

audiobomber · 06-14-2012, 08:39 PM

Originally posted by Ryan Tischer

I've heard the A is a bit sharper and has a bit more DOF, but have no evidence to back this up...just what I've read on this forum.

Also, the front filter size may be different. The A is 77mm, same as the 45-85FA and 80-160FA...handy for my kit overall.

Are you sure you read the A is sharper on this forum? In the lens database, the A 35mm f/2 is rated at 7 for sharpness, the FA 35 is 9.6. Also the filter sizes are the same, 49mm. I can't for the life of me figure out how DOF would be different, since DOF is determined by focal length, aperture and subject distance. You are talking about the Pentax SMC FA 35mm f/2 vs the Pentax SMC A 35mm f/2, correct?

Ryan Tischer · 06-14-2012, 09:18 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

Are you sure you read the A is sharper on this forum? In the lens database, the A 35mm f/2 is rated at 7 for sharpness, the FA 35 is 9.6. Also the filter sizes are the same, 49mm. I can't for the life of me figure out how DOF would be different, since DOF is determined by focal length, aperture and subject distance. You are talking about the Pentax SMC FA 35mm f/2 vs the Pentax SMC A 35mm f/2, correct?

No, I am talking about the Pentax 645 35mm A and FA. They are both f/3.5 medium format lenses.

This is the Pentax Medium Format forum, perhaps you're looking in the wrong forum?

672 · 06-14-2012, 11:56 PM

I got one copy of the FA and A . The FA needs 82mm filters , which i have none of , and the A needs 77mm filters , which i have many of. The FA i tested also was more likely to catch flares that the A would supress. And the FA was actually slightly less wide, not good for interiors.

Need less to say i kept only the A.

audiobomber · 06-15-2012, 05:16 AM

Originally posted by Ryan Tischer

No, I am talking about the Pentax 645 35mm A and FA. They are both f/3.5 medium format lenses.

This is the Pentax Medium Format forum, perhaps you're looking in the wrong forum?

LOL! Sorry, yes, I am lost.

If you ever see me around here again, try to stop me before I make a fool of myself.

Newmoon · 06-15-2012, 07:57 AM

There are two of the FA lenses for sale at Ffordes Photographic (UK). 645 Lenses Pentax Range - Ffordes Photographic

Smolk · 06-15-2012, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by slackercruster

Don't see much about the FA 35. Is the lens IQ the same as the 35A? Just autofocus is the only difference? Or is their something else with the FA?

It depends on whether you use the 645(n) or the 645D, and perhaps also by sample variation.
The FA has a different optical formula. Allegedly, on the 645D it means more field curvature and less sharpness in the corners, although slightly more in the centre if that's possible at all (on hearsay, I do not have a 645D). The A version does very well on the 645D.

On film, the A version still does extremely well, but reportedly the FA has the edge here. I am very satisfied with my A-lens on my 645Ns and in no hurry to buy the FA version. I also do not need autofocus with a wide angle.

The FA also has a bayonet hood which is much better than the rubber useless thing that comes, sometimes, with the A.

Yamanobori · 06-15-2012, 02:55 PM

Another A 35mm lens user with a 645D. Never tried the FA version.

DandA · 06-15-2012, 04:49 PM

I tested many copies of the 35mm FA and a couple of the A and wrote about my experiences and testing observations of both in my comprehensive lens testing post on another forum. I'm on my phone at the moment so I don't have the link to post but I did post it here in the Pentax forums a while ago, Thanks!

Dave (D&A)

Yamanobori · 06-15-2012, 07:45 PM

Originally posted by DandA

...I'm on my phone at the moment...

Dave, glad you are not addicted to the internet...

DandA · 06-16-2012, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by Yamanobori

Dave, glad you are not addicted to the internet...

LOL...I"m actually not, far from it and considerably less than the average Internet user. Unfortunately where some can simply turn on their computer, I due to a variety of circumstances have to rely on my cell phone for connectivity much of the time. Hey I see you do pretty good in the sheer number of postings here on the Pentax forums.

Dave (D&A)

Yamanobori · 06-16-2012, 08:56 PM

Originally posted by DandA

LOL...I"m actually not, far from it and considerably less than the average Internet user. Unfortunately where some can simply turn on their computer, I due to a variety of circumstances have to rely on my cell phone for connectivity much of the time. Hey I see you do pretty good in the sheer number of postings here on the Pentax forums.

Dave (D&A)

Hey, I am not addicted. I can quit anytime I want to. I just don't want to.

06-14-2012, 07:24 PM	#1
slackercruster Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NE, USA Posts: 1,302	35A vs 35FA Don't see much about the FA 35. Is the lens IQ the same as the 35A? Just autofocus is the only difference? Or is their something else with the FA?

06-14-2012, 11:56 PM	#6
672 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: santa monica Photos: Gallery Posts: 486	35A I got one copy of the FA and A . The FA needs 82mm filters , which i have none of , and the A needs 77mm filters , which i have many of. The FA i tested also was more likely to catch flares that the A would supress. And the FA was actually slightly less wide, not good for interiors. Need less to say i kept only the A.

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35A & 35FA primes vs. 33-55FA zoom for 645D	Ryan Tischer	Pentax Medium Format	12	03-16-2012 11:26 AM

06-14-2012, 07:52 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	I think the whole lens is built differently. I know that the FA 35 is very sharp bit I didn't get that impression with the A- but it could have been the lack of a split screen at work

06-14-2012, 07:59 PM	#3
Ryan Tischer Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Photos: Albums Posts: 458	I have the 35 A and love it...Never needed AF on this lens as it's easy to focus and often set at or close to infinity. Of course, I shoot landscapes, so never need to focus very quickly. The A's minimum aperture is f/22, and I think the FA is f/32...to be sure look it up in the lens database. They are not the same lens build, but from what I've read both are good. I've heard the A is a bit sharper and has a bit more DOF, but have no evidence to back this up...just what I've read on this forum. Also, the front filter size may be different. The A is 77mm, same as the 45-85FA and 80-160FA...handy for my kit overall.

06-14-2012, 08:39 PM	#4
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by Ryan Tischer I've heard the A is a bit sharper and has a bit more DOF, but have no evidence to back this up...just what I've read on this forum. Also, the front filter size may be different. The A is 77mm, same as the 45-85FA and 80-160FA...handy for my kit overall. Are you sure you read the A is sharper on this forum? In the lens database, the A 35mm f/2 is rated at 7 for sharpness, the FA 35 is 9.6. Also the filter sizes are the same, 49mm. I can't for the life of me figure out how DOF would be different, since DOF is determined by focal length, aperture and subject distance. You are talking about the Pentax SMC FA 35mm f/2 vs the Pentax SMC A 35mm f/2, correct?

06-14-2012, 09:18 PM	#5
Ryan Tischer Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Photos: Albums Posts: 458	Originally posted by audiobomber Are you sure you read the A is sharper on this forum? In the lens database, the A 35mm f/2 is rated at 7 for sharpness, the FA 35 is 9.6. Also the filter sizes are the same, 49mm. I can't for the life of me figure out how DOF would be different, since DOF is determined by focal length, aperture and subject distance. You are talking about the Pentax SMC FA 35mm f/2 vs the Pentax SMC A 35mm f/2, correct? No, I am talking about the Pentax 645 35mm A and FA. They are both f/3.5 medium format lenses. This is the Pentax Medium Format forum, perhaps you're looking in the wrong forum?

06-15-2012, 05:16 AM	#7
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by Ryan Tischer No, I am talking about the Pentax 645 35mm A and FA. They are both f/3.5 medium format lenses. This is the Pentax Medium Format forum, perhaps you're looking in the wrong forum? LOL! Sorry, yes, I am lost. If you ever see me around here again, try to stop me before I make a fool of myself.

06-15-2012, 07:57 AM	#8
Newmoon Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 84	There are two of the FA lenses for sale at Ffordes Photographic (UK). 645 Lenses Pentax Range - Ffordes Photographic

06-15-2012, 09:26 AM	#9
Smolk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Eerbeek Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,857	Originally posted by slackercruster Don't see much about the FA 35. Is the lens IQ the same as the 35A? Just autofocus is the only difference? Or is their something else with the FA? It depends on whether you use the 645(n) or the 645D, and perhaps also by sample variation. The FA has a different optical formula. Allegedly, on the 645D it means more field curvature and less sharpness in the corners, although slightly more in the centre if that's possible at all (on hearsay, I do not have a 645D). The A version does very well on the 645D. On film, the A version still does extremely well, but reportedly the FA has the edge here. I am very satisfied with my A-lens on my 645Ns and in no hurry to buy the FA version. I also do not need autofocus with a wide angle. The FA also has a bayonet hood which is much better than the rubber useless thing that comes, sometimes, with the A.

06-15-2012, 02:55 PM	#10
Yamanobori Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 573	Another A 35mm lens user with a 645D. Never tried the FA version.

06-15-2012, 04:49 PM	#11
DandA Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 129	I tested many copies of the 35mm FA and a couple of the A and wrote about my experiences and testing observations of both in my comprehensive lens testing post on another forum. I'm on my phone at the moment so I don't have the link to post but I did post it here in the Pentax forums a while ago, Thanks! Dave (D&A)

06-15-2012, 07:45 PM	#12
Yamanobori Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 573	Originally posted by DandA ...I'm on my phone at the moment... Dave, glad you are not addicted to the internet...

06-16-2012, 02:16 PM	#13
DandA Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 129	Originally posted by Yamanobori Dave, glad you are not addicted to the internet... LOL...I"m actually not, far from it and considerably less than the average Internet user. Unfortunately where some can simply turn on their computer, I due to a variety of circumstances have to rely on my cell phone for connectivity much of the time. Hey I see you do pretty good in the sheer number of postings here on the Pentax forums. Dave (D&A)

06-16-2012, 08:56 PM	#14
Yamanobori Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 573	Originally posted by DandA LOL...I"m actually not, far from it and considerably less than the average Internet user. Unfortunately where some can simply turn on their computer, I due to a variety of circumstances have to rely on my cell phone for connectivity much of the time. Hey I see you do pretty good in the sheer number of postings here on the Pentax forums. Dave (D&A) Hey, I am not addicted. I can quit anytime I want to. I just don't want to.