alternative to my k30 f2.8, and k35 3.5 in autofocus?

[davidhampshire]

i love these two lenses :   k 30 and k35,    everything about them ,  using them more and more,     just that they aren't autofocus,    is there a lens that compares to these in autofocus ?   about  this same focal length?   in fact i may just forget about autofocus altogether ,  and just use these,   but if there were an autofocus lens as good ,  it would be nice to try too.      ?         

[Pacerr]

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2010/9/9/pentax35mm

[Frogfish]

You have a few alternatives Dave.

There is the extremely good value for money DA35/2.4, as Pacerr linked to above, most people seem to like this lens. Then there is the rather expensive but legendary FA 31/1.8 Ltd, everything you could want in a lens except maybe it's on the heavy side and over-priced. Other Pentax offerings are the FA 35/2.8 macro (another very highly rated lens), and just a little further up the range the DA 40/2.8 Ltd and wonderful FA 43/1.9 Ltd.

Sigma have a range of lenses 24/1.8, 28/1.8 and the 30, in particular the 30/1.4 EX is a superb lens, ultra sharp, fast AF and not at all heavy, an extremely creative lens as you can imagine and my favourite walkaround lens.

There are also a couple of highly rated zooms that cover that range too though I won't mention them here since you seem to be focused on primes.

The FL of your two lenses seem a little too close to me (though as I haven't used them so they may well render completely differently and therefore have different uses) so I'd personally go for a 30/31 and 40/43 spread.

[blackcloudbrew]

Frogfish - that FA 35mm is f2 not f2.8. I have that one and it's wonderful for both digital and film.

[davidhampshire]

have you used the 40 or 43 ,  bcb?    do you know what i mean about the k-lenses though?    there is just something more rich about the color and even the black and white images with them ,    at least i think so.     is that 35 like that ?   dave

[davidhampshire]

and thanks pacerr and frogfish,   gotta do some research into this more.    dave

[blackcloudbrew]

I have and use the DA 40 limited. It is a unique lens and produces wonderful results. It's only negative is that for indoors with an APS-C sensor it's just a little too long a lens for indoor family type snaps.

While we joke about our lens collections and I will freely admit to having quite a few. I don't have any K series lenses nor am I a great student of which Pentax lenses are legendary and why. So I don't know what you mean.

The FA35 f2 is highly regarded and is supposed to give wonderful color rendering and I've read it's better than the DA 35 limited macro. I can't personally say that I have seen that in my photography where I've used it but I do like it a lot and have gotten some excellent results with it. I really like it with film though. It's a great length for 35mm cameras.

Oh, I've used the 43 only once when a friend loaned it to me for a short while one evening. I can't say as I have any feeling for it.

[spyglass]

Hey David,

I understand your enjoyment of the 30mm to 35mm focal length. With a crop factor of 1.5 with digital cameras it is closely resembles a 50mm ("standard") lens of yesteryear / full frame body. Like Frogfish, I do feel 30mm & 35mm are pretty close in characteristics (too close to justify packing around in a camera bag if weight or space was a consideration). But that doesn't mean we can't collect every lens Pentax ever made - LBA 

One lens you might really enjoy if you do not have it is the FA50mm f 1.4. It is very well priced, quick, offers a shallow depth of field, and auto focus. If memory serves I believe Marko just produced a contest winning shot with this lens.


Spyglass

[Ron Kruger]

"The FA35 f2 is highly regarded and is supposed to give wonderful color rendering and I've read it's better than the DA 35 limited macro."
I've heard the VW Jetta gets much better gas milage than a Porche, too.

[blackcloudbrew]

And your point is?

[spyglass]

"The FA35 f2 is highly regarded and is supposed to give wonderful color rendering and I've read it's better than the DA 35 limited macro."
I've heard the VW Jetta gets much better gas milage than a Porche, too.

T-man have you been substituting bourbon for milk with your breakfast cereal.....    I read this a couple of times and now my head hurts.    I never get German car analogies. So in North American car terms. What you are saying is a Dodge and a Ford are driving towards a cliff which one runs out of gas before laughing over the edge to certain destruction. No, No.... wait I think I have got it worked out now!  You go to a grocery store and walk down the cookie isle and grab an apple and a banana which one is more out of place for that isle.

Oh crap...... I give up 


Spyglass

[blackcloudbrew]

Thanks for the back up Spyglass! That's what I was trying to say, yeah right!

Hmmm...what was this tread about now?

Earl

[davidhampshire]

oh,    where were we....    30's ,   35's,    maybe i better just get the 60-250.     

[davidhampshire]

seriously though,     i think i know what ron meant,    that the da 35 macro is a finer made lens than the fa 35 ?    that what you meant ron?      i know you like the da 35,     how is it for landscape ?    i had read that it's sharper for macro,   and not as good for shots of a wider nature?   

and thank you bcb and spy.     
dave

[Ron Kruger]

They all knew what I was implying. The plastic 35 is an excellent lens for a snapshooter, but to compare it with the 35mm is just silly, and to claim it is better is just ignorant. As I understand, it doesn't even have a focus ring. Just point and shoot, sort of like that old Polaroid I posted elsewhere.
Oh, and as far as landscapes are concerned, this is the only thing at which the 35 macro is not exceptional.