https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dphoto&field-keywo...5mm+f%2F2.0+AL

[stevebrot]

My understanding was that it was still in production.

Yes, it is still a current product and is available for purchase outside the N. America market. The FA 35/2 was announced as discontinued several years ago and disappeared from all but a few countries in Asia, but then miraculously reappeared worldwide a few years later, though at a somewhat higher price point. I seem to remember paying less $300 back in 2008.


Steve

[monochrome]

Yes, it is still a current product and is available for purchase outside the N. America market. The FA 35/2 was announced as discontinued several years ago and disappeared from all but a few countries in Asia, but then miraculously reappeared worldwide a few years later, though at a somewhat higher price point. I seem to remember paying less $300 back in 2008.


Steve

By my records I paid $289 for mine in 2007.

[a5m]

Yes, it is still a current product and is available for purchase outside the N. America market. The FA 35/2 was announced as discontinued several years ago and disappeared from all but a few countries in Asia, but then miraculously reappeared worldwide a few years later, though at a somewhat higher price point.

I wonder what this was all about. You'd think they would make it available worldwide now since the K-1 has been released and the 35mm focal length was popular in the film days. Perhaps they're planning to reintroduce a D FA 35mm.

I seem to remember paying less $300 back in 2008.

By my records I paid $289 for mine in 2007.

I forget what B&H was selling them for, but considering the current Amazon price I'd say that was a good investment. Japanese sellers on eBay have used ones listed for over $300.

[Tekmongoose]

I seem to remember paying less $300 back in 2008.

Steve

I'm guessing about the same time as I bought a 50 f/1.4 brand new for £160, there was a massive jump in Pentax lens prices a few years ago, particularly the primes.

[pres589]

The image samples that folks shared here have me changing my song about image quality wide open. Seems like a good companion to a K-1.

[wildman]

FA 35 very low light hand held shot wide open...it gets the job done.

[Borrelli]

It so happens I have a second hand 35/2.8. So far it seems to be pretty good in FF mode on K-1.

I thought so too, untill I focused to infinity which gave me quite pronounced vignetting.

[monochrome]

I thought so too, untill I focused to infinity which gave me quite pronounced vignetting.

One thing to pay attention to is the pull out hood. Retract it for distance focus and much of the dark corners goes away - though not all. I did say pretty good.

I just can't let go of a lens that Mike Johnston called one of the best lenses ever. I intend to use it primarily as a macro lens for those times when the FA50/2.8 is not convenient. I have the FA31 and some manual 35's if needed, and if necessary I can switch to crop mode.

[Borrelli]

One thing to pay attention to is the pull out hood. Retract it for distance focus and much of the dark corners goes away - though not all. I did say pretty good.

I just can't let go of a lens that Mike Johnston called one of the best lenses ever. I intend to use it primarily as a macro lens for those times when the FA50/2.8 is not convenient. I have the FA31 and some manual 35's if needed, and if necessary I can switch to crop mode.

I'm keeping it for sure. It does wonders on my K-3 II. I'll have to experiment on the K-1 some more, see what I can do in post-processing.

[Na Horuk]

By my records I paid $289 for mine in 2007.

For that price, I would go for it. But for twice that much, which is basically what its price is here in Europe? Eh, no thanks..
I wonder what its current price is in Japan. Is it more reasonable there?

I have the DA 35mm f2.4, and pretty much all of its weaknesses are absent on the FA 35mm - it has aperture ring, sturdier build quality, lens hood, faster aperture.. I don't know what Pentax is doing with 35mm. On the one hand, there are the most primes in this range (FA 31mm ltd, DA 35mm f2.4, SMC DA 35mm ltd macro, HD DA 35mm ltd macro, FA 35mm f2.0, and third parties like Sigma, Samyang, Mitakon), but on the other hand, the choice is kind of limited. The limited macro is beloved, but it is not for FF. The DA 35mm f2.4 is beloved, but it has its weaknesses. The FA 35mm f2 is great, but incredibly rare and too expensive in Europe and America. Hope Pentax has a vision to streamline these things in the future. A tweaked DFA 35mm f2 would be great. But for now I'm quite happy with my DA 35mm f2.4 and am actually more excited for an upcoming 28mm or 24mm prime. I think most forum members here have the 35mm covered

[monochrome]

For that price, I would go for it. But for twice that much, which is basically what its price is here in Europe? Eh, no thanks..

At that price I sold it last week.

[Roadrunnerdeluxe]

At that price I sold it last week.

Yes you did! And I am the happy new owner of it! I'm having a lot of fun with it on my K-1!

[monochrome]

Yes you did! And I am the happy new owner of it! I'm having a lot of fun with it on my K-1!

Glad you like it!

[a5m]

At that price I sold it last week.

Yes you did! And I am the happy new owner of it! I'm having a lot of fun with it on my K-1!

Where was it sold? Did it go that quick? I don't remember seeing it listed here in the Marketplace. Either congrats to you both it's an amazing little lens.

[monochrome]

He posted a 'Wannted' item and I had just gotten the original box and papers out to list it. Serendipity