RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: DA(L)35/2.4 Just a Re-packaged FA35/2!?

Friday, September 10, 2010

DA(L)35/2.4 Just a Re-packaged FA35/2!?

First, let's have a look at the optical formula of the "new" DA(L) 35/2.4 AL:-

Then here is the optical formula of the Old FA 35/2 AL:-

Next, here are the specifications and physical parameters of the two lenses:-

Parameter	DAL 35/2.4 AL	FA 35/2 AL
Focal Length	35mm	35mm
Aperture Range	f/2.4 - f/22	f/2.0 - f/22
Optical Construction	6 Elements in 5 Groups, 1 Aspherical Element	6 Elements in 5 Groups, 1 Aspherical Element
Number of Aperture Blades	6	6
Minimum Focusing Distance and Magnification	0.3m(1ft) at 0.17X	0.3m(1ft) at 0.17X
Filter Thread Size	49mm	49mm
Physical Size (Diameter and Length)	63mm x 45mm	64mm x 45mm
Weight	124g	195g

Are they just looking almost *identical*?! :-o

Pentax/Hoya is just so clever to re-package the old lens and minimize its weight by removing everything that is considered heavy and "unnecessary" (including the focus/distance scale) and then build an all-plastic lens that is as easy to paint as those plastic toys! Really brilliant! My Thumb Up!! ;-D

Another good thing is that this new DA(L) lens is *possibly* 135 Full Frame compatible! And, as there is no lens hood bundled, there will be no compatibility issue for whether it is or will be used on an APS-C cropped DSLRs or on Full Frame ones (if any in the future).

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+4 Vote up Vote down

Barbarosa · 757 weeks ago

So you think is bad that Hoya/Pentax offer us one of best lens on market in 35mm range, possible much better of your beloved canon or nikon 1.8, for affordable price?
yeah that is bad indeed.
I wouldn't reject lens because of plastic, I will wait to see optical performance, presume that would be some bad samples in start, but if this lens are baby FA35 i will buy two or three to have one on camera and backup, and backup of backup.

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

BRunner · 757 weeks ago

But where is then the 0.4 f-stop lost? Maybe due to plastic lens elements? Or better coatings?

6 replies · active 756 weeks ago

-1 Vote up Vote down

Maria · 757 weeks ago

The price difference can be probably attributed to the construction, coatings and maybe cheaper glass elements/ higher tolaerance.

0 Vote up Vote down

Richard · 757 weeks ago

The plastic bodied and mount Canon 50 mm f1.8 seems to get good reviews on relevant sites. It is valued because of its price/performance qualities. Maybe this Pentax 35 mm f2.4 will achieve similar reviews.

-1 Vote up Vote down

Oodini · 757 weeks ago

Most people buying a K-r don't want to invest in 35 mm macro to get a 35 mm. They want a cheap lens.
That's all.

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frank d · 757 weeks ago

awesome little lens...

+2 Vote up Vote down

Mike H · 757 weeks ago

AP reports that it is FF compatible! http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/Pentax_...

I also read somewhere else (the press release?) that it has Ghostless coating on it as well!

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WildSammy · 757 weeks ago

They only stopped down the FA35/2 to get better optical performance, changed the coatings, body and rebranded as DA :-) They should put there quickshift, it's really cheap thing and usefull :-)

+8 Vote up Vote down

ArcticExposure 45p · 756 weeks ago

Why do you only comment on the negative aspects of Pentax, or actually things you perceive as negative?

8 replies · active 756 weeks ago

-1 Vote up Vote down

Match · 756 weeks ago

This could be a good decision for Pentax / Hoya to use this FA35 (or called DA35) as kit lens (I suspect) for K-r.
2.2f is not very ideal but good enough as a kit, especially nowadays people is crazy about shallow deep of field.

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Barbarosa · 756 weeks ago

is not point to old customers who have fa35 by da35 2.4, is for us who don't have it but need 35 range.
for example I have 50 macro and will buy soon da15, so i dont need macro i need 35, if don't have money for FA i will get da35 2.4

-1 Vote up Vote down

froeschle · 756 weeks ago

"But where is then the 0.4 f-stop lost?"

Have a look at the overlay of the two lens schemes:
http://forum.digitalfotonetz.de/viewtopic.php?p=1...

3 replies · active 756 weeks ago

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Ded · 756 weeks ago

I see smart marketing trick from Pentax like that.

FA35/2 was stopped - but first, Pentax raised the price, because it broke sales IMHO.

the general consumer choice now is:
compact 40/2.8, but more expensive than 35/2.4 and slightly slower.
31/1.8 and 43/1.9 - fast and cool made, but very expensive. but the difference between 1.8/1.9 and 2.4 is not huge.
35/2.8 Limited - a cheaper than FA LIMITED, but also cool made, but only 2.8 and more expensive than 35/2.4.

Who do not have much money, and who only came up with the first DSLR and who wants to use fixed lens is likely to pay their 190 euro (and then - even a bit less) for the 35/2.4.

The customer is crammed into a certain limits of Pentax marketers.
And I think that 35/2.4 is very fast. It is lightweight and small.

+1 Vote up Vote down

LOLatcha · 756 weeks ago

Still ripping off content over @ DPReview huh kid? Damn, your blog is sad.

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james · 753 weeks ago

this is thrash

+2 Vote up Vote down

Biro · 752 weeks ago

I'm kind of surprised that people are saying this lens is full-frame compatible. Perhaps it is but I was under the impression that one reason the maximum aperture is now f/2.4 is because the lens was downsized from full frame to APS-C.

I'm pretty sure Pentax intends this as simply a good, sharp and cheap plastic-fantastic "normal" prime. It's a great option for DSLR newbies who have K-x's and possibly K-r's with 18-55 and 55-200/300 kit lenses. This would be the relatively fast prime for indoor use without flash or when size and weight is at a premium... and they don't want to spring for the DA 40mm Limited.

At about $200 U.S., you can't go wrong. Would I prefer if it were f/2.0 or f/1.8? Of course. Nikon has a fast, cheap prime in this range and it's f/1.8. But, at the price, the new Pentax is workable.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Kalie · 742 weeks ago

I want this lens! It's exactly what I have been looking for. My only complaint with it is the fact that Nikon can sell a Faster 35mm - the "Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm 1:1.8G DX" For $20 less! To add insult to injury, They also include a Hood and a Soft case. Which have a real cost of about .50 cents each! C'mon Pentax, throw in a hood and a case or at least lower the price.

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Kalie · 742 weeks ago

P.S.
And the Nikor also includes Manual Focus Override "Quick Shift"
Summary Nikon Cheap 35mm vs Pentax Cheap 35mm

Nikon Pentax
Price $199 $219
Manual Focus OverRide Yes No
Max Aperture 1.8 2.4
Hood Included Yes No
Case Included Yes = Soft No
Lens Mount Metal Plastic

Judging by the specs, the Pentax should have an MSRP of no more then $160 +/-

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Kalie · 742 weeks ago

Sorry Above Post did not Format Correctly
Nikon = $199, Has Manual focus overide, is F 1.8, has a metal Lens mount and comes with a Hood and a case. The pentax = $219, Does NOT have Manual Focus Overide, is F 2.4, Has a Plastic Lens mount and does NOT come with a case or a Hood

Do the Math!

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Friday, September 10, 2010

DA(L)35/2.4 Just a Re-packaged FA35/2!?

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