35mm f2.0 SMC AL?

Traveler8 · 03-16-2013, 05:36 AM

Hi All,

I am looking for a 35mm prime for my K30 and found this one of three on wexphotographic

[ur://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-pentax-35mm-f2-0-smc-al-lens/p1519935]Pentax 35mm f2.0 SMC AL Lens (22190) - Wex Photographic[/url]

This lens designation is not mentioned in the 'sticky lens' posts and also not shown on the pentax website. Can anyone advise if it is a special version?

Also, as DA lenses are design for the crop sensor, is a pentax 35mm DA lens 35mm or approx. 50mm focal length on the K30? You can tell I am a newbie

Thanks,
Rod

Last edited by Traveler8; 03-16-2013 at 05:45 AM.

Docrwm · 03-16-2013, 05:43 AM

It's a standard FA lens and that one is overpriced IMHO.
SMC Pentax-FA 35mm F2 AL Reviews - FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

snake · 03-16-2013, 05:55 AM

In Europe, the FA35 is horrifically overpriced. It's not uncommon to find it in the Eurozone for 800 EUR or more.

It's a fantastic lens, but not at these prices. Why they are so high, no one is able to explain.

Conqueror · 03-16-2013, 09:02 AM

Its a fantastic lens IMO .. I got mine 2nd hand in the UK for ~ 300 £

That price is also way off at 599 £ ... don't buy it from there

This might not be UK Pentax stock as it says "UK Sourced Stock" .. but they seem reputable and this is about as gooder price for a new copy as you will find in the UK

http://www.microglobe.co.uk/pentax-35mm-f2-pfa-smc-al-wide-angle-af-lens-p-4495.html

Last edited by Conqueror; 03-16-2013 at 09:03 AM. Reason: add link

**jatrax** · 03-16-2013, 10:33 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Traveler8

Also, as DA lenses are design for the crop sensor, is a pentax 35mm DA lens 35mm or approx. 50mm focal length on the K30?

No, DA or FA is immaterial, 35mm is 35mm. Focal length is a physical property of the lens and cannot be changed.

What can be changed is how big the optical circle projected on the sensor is. In general you can assume that a DA lens will cover the crop sensor but not cover the larger 'full frame' sensor. But there are a lot of exceptions to that, quite a few DA lenses will work on a full frame. The reverse is easier as all 'full frame' lenses, those designed for film such as the FA and earlier will also cover the crop sensor.

On a crop sensor a 35mm lens will appear to have the same angle of view as a 50mm lens would on a full frame sensor. Note that this is a property of the sensor size and carries down to smaller sensors such as micro 4/3 and up into medium format territory.

You should only be concerned about this if you also shoot 35mm film or if you use a full frame camera from another manufacturer. If all you use is the k-30 then completely forget all about 'crop sensor' or 'full frame'. 35mm is 35mm and 50mm is 50mm.

**Just1MoreDave** · 03-16-2013, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by Traveler8

Also, as DA lenses are design for the crop sensor, is a pentax 35mm DA lens 35mm or approx. 50mm focal length on the K30? You can tell I am a newbie

Thanks,
Rod

It's not your fault, the whole crop factor concept is trying to explain a complicated subject in a short easy way by skipping all the important details. The actual focal length of the lens never changes. On your K-30, all of these lenses will have the same field of view, the same size photo and the same view through the viewfinder: SMC Pentax 35mm f3.5, Pentax-M 35mm f2, Pentax-A 35mm f2.8, Pentax-F 35mm f2, Pentax-FA 35mm f2, Pentax-DA Limited 35mm f2.8, Pentax-DA 35mm f2.4, or Pentax DA-L 18-55mm set to 35mm.

Crop factor is meant to compare different image formats, most often comparing 35mm film formats with APS-C digital sensors. If you aren't using film and switching lenses between formats, you can forget about it.

Traveler8 · 03-16-2013, 10:52 PM

Thank you for your replies, I am more the wiser.

DaveHolmes · 03-17-2013, 01:25 PM

I'm UK based and have an FA35mm f2...

It's brilliant but they really are over priced in Europe as 'snake' says...

I got a pretty good deal on mine by ordering a used copy from a Japanese seller and taking a punt on whether it'd get hit by customs...

**Just1MoreDave** · 03-17-2013, 03:24 PM

The DA 35mm f2.4 is a really cheap alternative. Since it came out, I have been looking for situations where the half-stop difference would keep me from getting a shot. It's very rare. I do like having the bayonet reversable hood on the FA.

03-16-2013, 05:36 AM	#1
Traveler8 New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 10	35mm f2.0 SMC AL? Hi All, I am looking for a 35mm prime for my K30 and found this one of three on wexphotographic [ur://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-pentax-35mm-f2-0-smc-al-lens/p1519935]Pentax 35mm f2.0 SMC AL Lens (22190) - Wex Photographic[/url] This lens designation is not mentioned in the 'sticky lens' posts and also not shown on the pentax website. Can anyone advise if it is a special version? Also, as DA lenses are design for the crop sensor, is a pentax 35mm DA lens 35mm or approx. 50mm focal length on the K30? You can tell I am a newbie Thanks, Rod Last edited by Traveler8; 03-16-2013 at 05:45 AM.

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03-16-2013, 05:43 AM	#2
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	It's a standard FA lens and that one is overpriced IMHO. SMC Pentax-FA 35mm F2 AL Reviews - FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

03-16-2013, 05:55 AM	#3
snake Banned Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: NY/Germany Posts: 1,183	In Europe, the FA35 is horrifically overpriced. It's not uncommon to find it in the Eurozone for 800 EUR or more. It's a fantastic lens, but not at these prices. Why they are so high, no one is able to explain.

03-16-2013, 09:02 AM	#4
Conqueror Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: UK Posts: 440	Its a fantastic lens IMO .. I got mine 2nd hand in the UK for ~ 300 £ That price is also way off at 599 £ ... don't buy it from there This might not be UK Pentax stock as it says "UK Sourced Stock" .. but they seem reputable and this is about as gooder price for a new copy as you will find in the UK http://www.microglobe.co.uk/pentax-35mm-f2-pfa-smc-al-wide-angle-af-lens-p-4495.html Last edited by Conqueror; 03-16-2013 at 09:03 AM. Reason: add link

03-16-2013, 10:33 AM - 1 Like	#5
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by Traveler8 Also, as DA lenses are design for the crop sensor, is a pentax 35mm DA lens 35mm or approx. 50mm focal length on the K30? No, DA or FA is immaterial, 35mm is 35mm. Focal length is a physical property of the lens and cannot be changed. What can be changed is how big the optical circle projected on the sensor is. In general you can assume that a DA lens will cover the crop sensor but not cover the larger 'full frame' sensor. But there are a lot of exceptions to that, quite a few DA lenses will work on a full frame. The reverse is easier as all 'full frame' lenses, those designed for film such as the FA and earlier will also cover the crop sensor. On a crop sensor a 35mm lens will appear to have the same angle of view as a 50mm lens would on a full frame sensor. Note that this is a property of the sensor size and carries down to smaller sensors such as micro 4/3 and up into medium format territory. You should only be concerned about this if you also shoot 35mm film or if you use a full frame camera from another manufacturer. If all you use is the k-30 then completely forget all about 'crop sensor' or 'full frame'. 35mm is 35mm and 50mm is 50mm.

03-16-2013, 10:55 AM	#6
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by Traveler8 Also, as DA lenses are design for the crop sensor, is a pentax 35mm DA lens 35mm or approx. 50mm focal length on the K30? You can tell I am a newbie Thanks, Rod It's not your fault, the whole crop factor concept is trying to explain a complicated subject in a short easy way by skipping all the important details. The actual focal length of the lens never changes. On your K-30, all of these lenses will have the same field of view, the same size photo and the same view through the viewfinder: SMC Pentax 35mm f3.5, Pentax-M 35mm f2, Pentax-A 35mm f2.8, Pentax-F 35mm f2, Pentax-FA 35mm f2, Pentax-DA Limited 35mm f2.8, Pentax-DA 35mm f2.4, or Pentax DA-L 18-55mm set to 35mm. Crop factor is meant to compare different image formats, most often comparing 35mm film formats with APS-C digital sensors. If you aren't using film and switching lenses between formats, you can forget about it.

03-16-2013, 10:52 PM	#7
Traveler8 New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 10 Original Poster	Thank you for your replies, I am more the wiser.

03-17-2013, 01:25 PM	#8
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	I'm UK based and have an FA35mm f2... It's brilliant but they really are over priced in Europe as 'snake' says... I got a pretty good deal on mine by ordering a used copy from a Japanese seller and taking a punt on whether it'd get hit by customs...

03-17-2013, 03:24 PM	#9
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	The DA 35mm f2.4 is a really cheap alternative. Since it came out, I have been looking for situations where the half-stop difference would keep me from getting a shot. It's very rare. I do like having the bayonet reversable hood on the FA.