[johnha]

Hi, Very sorry to dig up such an old thread, but I'm rather keen to find out if any more thoughts or comparisons have been done with the 33-55mm?

I'm debating between the FA 35mm and the 33-55mm..... (for 645Z body)

I bought an FA 33-55 a few months ago for my D - apart from a handful of 'average' reviews (often related to 645 film), I found very little info on this lens before buying it. I too was considering it and the FA35 (I can't compare I haven't used the FA35). According to the reviews, and as you'd expect, the FA35 is better but I preferred the flexibility of the zoom. I can't justify the 25 or 28-45 and I wanted something wider than the 45-85 I had. The 33-55 gives me the option of taking only it and a longer lens (P67 165/2.8 or 200/4) to cover 'wide-normal' and 'tele' uses in just two lenses. The results so far are more than adequate for my needs.

[Timotis77]

I bought an FA 33-55 a few months ago for my D - apart from a handful of 'average' reviews (often related to 645 film), I found very little info on this lens before buying it. I too was considering it and the FA35 (I can't compare I haven't used the FA35). According to the reviews, and as you'd expect, the FA35 is better but I preferred the flexibility of the zoom. I can't justify the 25 or 28-45 and I wanted something wider than the 45-85 I had. The 33-55 gives me the option of taking only it and a longer lens (P67 165/2.8 or 200/4) to cover 'wide-normal' and 'tele' uses in just two lenses. The results so far are more than adequate for my needs.

Hi Johnha, Thanks for the reply. You pretty much explained the same situation I'm in. I have the 45-85mm also, and want something wider. Currently I can’t justify the price of either the 25mm or 28-45mm. So it will be either of these. I more leaning towards the 33-55mm also like you as it gives that flexibility. But also very tempted to have the 35 Fixed lens and just deal with missing the distance between 35 and 45mm

Do you mind me asking what you find yourself shooting mainly with the 33-55? And, Do you find the 33mm end Wide enough?

Thanks again for your reply and thoughts

[johnha]

So it will be either of these. I more leaning towards the 33-55mm also like you as it gives that flexibility. But also very tempted to have the 35 Fixed lens and just deal with missing the distance between 35 and 45mm

Do you mind me asking what you find yourself shooting mainly with the 33-55? And, Do you find the 33mm end Wide enough?

I've shot mostly landscapes with it (not that I've much chance to shoot it much). My small bag only take the body and two lenses plus some accessories - the 33-55 allows me to skip the 45-85 and take a 6x7 165 or 200 which is more useful in some circumstances.

Apparently the 33-55 equates to something like 26mm in FF, it is just about wide enough, I'll probably be using it at 33mm the most with the flexibility to go to 55 as a benefit. The reviews mention field curvature (as do some for the FA35), I take the opinion you're likely to get it with wide-angle lenses anyway.

John.