Pentax HD DA 35mm F2 8 Macro Limited Review | 54 Data compared

The Pentax HD DA 35mm f2.8 Macro Limited is an Editors' Choice-winning, all-metal, compact lens for APS-C cameras that offers exceptional sharpness and true 1:1 life-size magnification. Its versatile 50mm-equivalent focal length, built-in slide-out hood, and quick-shift focus system make it a robust choice for both everyday photography and close-up work. However, the lens lacks weather sealing, a significant omission compared to many Pentax DSLR bodies. Other drawbacks include the lack of a focus limiter, a high price point compared to competitors, and a short working distance that can cause lighting issues during macro shots.

The DxOMARK review of the Pentax HD DA 35mm f2.8 Macro Limited lens characterizes it as a versatile "normal" macro option for APS-C bodies, yielding a 50mm equivalent focal length. Tested on a 16-megapixel Pentax K-50, the lens achieved a mediocre overall DxOMARK score of 19 points and a low peak sharpness score of 10 P-Mpix. The reviewer attributes this performance gap to the lens's new HD coatings, which paradoxically lowered sharpness in the periphery compared to the older smc version. However, the review notes that the lens still maintains the highly respected, subjective "drawing style" or descriptive rendering prized by Pentax photographers, and it may be optimized for future camera bodies featuring higher pixel densities. The review highlights several distinct pros and cons regarding the lens's performance and physical design. On the positive side, pros include excellent control over geometric distortion, vignetting, and chromatic aberration, alongside improved ghosting and internal reflection reductions due to the updated HD coatings. Additionally, it maintains a highly functional form factor with a sturdy aluminum outer shell, 1:1 macro magnification capability, a 9-blade rounded...

The Pentax HD DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited is a compact, lightweight 214-gram lens designed for APS-C sensor cameras, featuring an integrated lens hood and premium metal construction characteristic of Pentax’s "Limited" series. Evaluated on a Pentax K-3 II, it achieves a true 1:1 macro magnification ratio at a minimum focusing distance of 13.9cm. The review highlights several notable advantages ("PROs"), including its exceptional sharpness, the complete absence of visible barrel or pincushion distortion, its highly portable dimensions, and a smooth, creamy bokeh that is enhanced by a 9-blade rounded diaphragm up to f/4. Additionally, it features a practical "quick shift" mechanism for manual focus override during autofocus operation. Conversely, the lens has several drawbacks ("CONs"), most notably its high catalog price of 649€, which is difficult to justify given that Pentax offers cheaper non-macro 35mm alternatives and longer macro alternatives. Optically, the lens suffers from visible purple chromatic aberrations and corner vignetting when shot wide open at f/2.8, though these artifacts quickly disappear by closing the diaphragm by one or two stops. Image homogeneity could also be improved, as...

The HD Pentax-DA 35mm f/2.8 Limited Macro is praised as a premium, versatile APS-C lens offering outstanding corner-to-corner sharpness from maximum aperture, minimal distortion, and excellent color, contrast, and flare resistance due to its HD coating. Its robust, all-metal construction features a convenient built-in hood and a fast, bright aperture suitable for both general photography and 1:1 macro work. Conversely, the lens uses a noisy, slow screw-drive autofocus system and lacks a focus limiter, leading to significant focus hunting. The physical design results in a long, extending barrel, and the extremely close 13.9cm minimum focusing distance makes it challenging for photographing timid insects, as it leaves very little working room for lighting.

The Pentax 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited HD DA is a premium APS-C prime lens, praised by Imaging Resource for its exceptional, all-metal build quality, convenient built-in hood, and superior optical performance. It delivers remarkable center sharpness wide-open at f/2.8, reaching peak performance at f/4-f/5.6, while the HD coating significantly improves contrast and reduces flare. Conversely, the review notes the lens uses an older, noisy screw-drive autofocus system that may hinder quiet shooting or video production. Furthermore, while offering 1:1 macro capabilities, the short 35mm focal length results in an extremely close 13.9 cm working distance, which can cause lighting issues and hinder the photography of timid subjects.

The Pentax HD DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited lens is a highly-rated, premium standard-angle entry designed primarily for APS-C Pentax DSLRs, earning an "Outstanding" 4.5 out of 5 rating and an Editors' Choice award. Measuring a compact 1.8 by 2.5 inches and weighing 7.5 ounces, it features an exceptional all-metal barrel build with a built-in telescoping lens hood, a knurled manual focus ring, and a Quick Shift system for seamless autofocus override. Optically, the lens delivers outstanding sharpness that exceeds 1,800 lines per picture height across all apertures, reaching peak performance of 2,350 lines at f/8 with virtually no noticeable distortion. Furthermore, despite being tailored for crop sensors, it performs surprisingly well when paired with full-frame bodies like the K-1, yielding edge-to-edge sharpness from f/5.6 through f/11.

The HD Pentax-DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited lens is lauded for its exceptional build quality, featuring a robust aluminum body, and outstanding optical performance with 1:1 magnification, according to an ePHOTOzine review. The lens provides incredible sharpness across the frame, minimal distortion, and features an integrated telescoping lens hood, making it a highly recommended, versatile tool for macro and everyday photography. Handling-wise, the lens relies on an older screw-driven autofocus system, causing the barrel to extend during close-up work and the focus ring to rotate, which requires caution, notes ePHOTOzine. Additionally, the AF mechanism generates more noise compared to modern alternatives, and the lens lacks a marked hyperfocal scale.

The HD Pentax-DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited is highly praised for its premium compact aluminum construction and exceptional optical performance on APS-C Pentax DSLRs, delivering remarkable sharpness across the frame and minimal distortion, according to the Pentax User review. Key advantages include its 1:1 life-size macro magnification, a smooth manual focus ring with a built-in retractable hood, and highly effective flare resistance provided by the updated HD coating. Conversely, the review notes several design drawbacks, including a non-internal focusing system where the barrel extends, and a screw-drive autofocus system that is noisy and causes the focus ring to rotate during AF. Furthermore, the lens lacks a focus limiter switch, which can lead to slower autofocus speeds, and it exhibits someCA at maximum aperture, though this is easily corrected.

The HD Pentax-DA 35mm f/2.8 Limited Macro is a versatile, premium-built, and compact APS-C lens offering exceptional center sharpness, high contrast, and 1:1 macro capability. Key advantages include superb build quality, smooth manual focus, and effective, natural-looking images. However, the lens shows some compromises, specifically underwhelming performance against flare and ghosting, slightly lower corner sharpness compared to the center, and occasionally busy bokeh at longer distances. The integrated lens hood is also identified as a design weakness.