HD PENTAX DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited first thoughts (good upgrade)

Pentax/Ricoh have updated one of their lenses. The new lens is called HD PENTAX DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited and it replaces the smc DA 35mm F2.8 macro. The lens construction is still the same, but they have made some optimizations to the lens, so the output from the lens should be better.

HD PENTAX DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited

The HD PENTAX DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited lens has a new HD coating that should mean less flare and ghost images than the smc DA 35mm F2.8 macro lens. A lot of companies are adding different kind of coating to their premium lenses, which has shown that it makes a difference in the output of the images.

I don't know any photographers that don't love a great bokeh effect on their pictures. So it is great to see that Pentax/Ricoh have work hard to improve this effect in this lens. This is really important in macro pictures as you would like your subject to be sharp and the rest have a nice creamy background.

The existing smc DA 35mm F2.8 macro lens have an average rating of 80%, so this is already a great lens and I think that the HD PENTAX DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited will have the same or a better average rating at Pentax Index.

Here is a comparison of the two lenses based on specification:

	smc DA 35mm F2.8 macro	HD PENTAX DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited
Focal Length	35mm	35mm
Equivalent to 35mm format	52.5mm	53.5mm
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	F2.8
Minimum aperture	f/22	F22
Angle of View	44 degrees	44°
Construction	9 elementa / 8 groups	9 elements in 8 groups
Focusing Range	0.139m - infinity	0.139m (0.46ft)
Magnification	approx. 1:1.0 (1.0x)	1.00x
Filter size	49mm	49mm
Mount	Pentax KAF - Bayonet	KAF
Weight	215g	214g
Dimensions (Length x Diameter)	46.5mm x 63mm	63mm x 46.5mm (2.5 inch x 1.8 inch)
Kit Content	Front cap Rear cap Lenshood Soft case	Lens cap: Exclusive Cap Lens case: Exclusive Case Lens hood: Built in
Special Features	Quick-shift Focus System Built-in retractable lens hood Aluminium housing	Quick-shift Focus System SP (Super Protect) Coating Rounded aperture (F2.8 to F5.6) HD Coating
Number of Diaphragm Blades		9

The price difference between the 2 lenses is $50, and with that little difference I would go for the new lens.

Follow the HD PENTAX DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited  at Pentax Index.

Links:

• Product page
• Press release