Pentax 21730 35 F/2.8 Macro Limited for Pentax Digital SLR

by Pentax

Product Details

• Item Weight: 7.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0015CRAZA
• Item model number: Pentax smc DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 26, 2006

Product Description

The compact DA 35mm Macro Limited lens provides one-to-one magnification in a normal focal length. High-grade aluminum construction of lens barrel, hood and cap provides utmost durability. With its incorporated Quick-shift Focus System, switching from auto focus to manual is instantaneous. Developed specifically forPENTAX digital SLRs, the DA 35mm Macro Limited has PENTAX SP coating which protects the exposed lens elements, and a focal length equivalent to 52.5mm in the 35mm format.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal Lens, June 27, 2008

By 

Stephen C. Gushue "SCGushue" (PA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This lens may well become one of the most legendary of the Limiteds manufactured by Pentax and perhaps even rival the output capabilities of the FA Limiteds.

This lens is superiorly contructed of metal and solidly built in such a small package. Image resolution is superb, with excellent contrast, edge to edge sharpness, brilliant colors and beautiful color saturation. AF on the K20D is quite fast considering the lens is a macro with a long barrel throw and accurately focuses without FF/BF.

This lens will find its versatily in close focusing as well as general 35mm FOV imaging (52.5mm on DSLR). The optical design makes for exceptional bokeh whether using it in macro mode or simply wide aperture general photography. The lens also makes a great copy lens for document copy of flat materials and printed matter.

The lens comes with a built in lens hood that works well and will be of benefit in contra lighting situations. 1:1 macro imaging utilizing the onboard camera flash is not possible (well the image is compromised) due to its low angle. Shadows will be caused by the lens when used this way. However, somewhere between 1:1 and 1:2 the lens works well with the onboard flash. Shoe mounted flashes or off camera flashes do not present any problems with illumination at 1:1 magnification.

I believe that time will show that this is one of the best lenses Pentax ever made. It is simply a pleasure to use and joy to see the output this is capable of.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great lens!, February 26, 2009

By 

James T. Weekes (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pentax 21730 35 F/2.8 Macro Limited for Pentax Digital SLR (Electronics)

I ordered this lens on the recommendation of two bloggers whose opinion I trust. One had borrowed one for a week and the other had purchased one for daily use. They both praised it's build quality and both it's sharpness and it's tonal quality.

I have had the lens for a month and it has become my main lens. In general use it is very sharp and the tonal range is even and lovely. When used on a tripod, with careful exposure control (this is on a Pentax K20D) it is the sharpest lens I have used...ever. I have some prime Canon L lenses and some good Nikon glass, all of which are great lenses, but this little wonder is just a touch better in my opinion. It is built as solidly as any digital lens I have ever used. If I didn't know who made it I would have guessed Leica by the feel of the focus and the knowledge that it's made mainly of metal.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent lens, March 8, 2009

By 

K. Lee (NYC, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pentax 21730 35 F/2.8 Macro Limited for Pentax Digital SLR (Electronics)

This lens is compact, well-constructed with a handy built-in retractible lens hood, and takes beautiful photos indoors and out. Being close to a full frame "normal" lens makes it suitable for all types of shooting, from scenery to portraits, and the fact that it also does amazing macro is truly a bonus. Granted, the working distance for macro is very short, and to get true 1:1, the subject will be mere millimeters from the front of the lens, but since I have no desire to photograph live bugs, this isn't really an issue. Macros of flowers are just lovely! All in all, this lens deserves its "limited" designation.