35mm is my favorite focal length for general photography. I like the perspective better than a "Normal" lens. I also like the speed of an f2 version, as it allows me to shoot in many of the spots "walking around" lands me in.
I currently have the "A" version of the 35mm f2, which I got at a very good price. I'm VERY disappointed in it's performance, as evidenced by a series of shots I recently took of some old buildings with very weathered wood. The grain in the wood simply is not sharp. It was shot with XP-2 rated at 400 in daylight, so the lens was well stopped down, probably in the f8-f16 range. I was using a Super Program, motordriven, on a monopod. Likely shutter speeds in the 1/60-1/250 range. Maybe mine is a bad sample, but I am thinking of spending the money to get the new AF version, which has gotten good reviews here on the list from people whose opinions I always respect. My question for the list, is whether anyone has ever compared the "M/A' versions with the AF one. I'm not interested in the f3.5 version, which is considered quite sharp, and I do prefer autofocus because of my deteriorating-with-age eyesight. Is the new lens appreciably superior to the older model? $300 worth? Thanks to all who take the time to reply. Bill Sawyer [EMAIL PROTECTED] - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
