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HD Pentax-DA 35mm F/2.8 Macro Limited

Macro lens • Digital era

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Sample photos

F/8
F/4
F/4
F/8
F/2.8
F/4
F/5.6
F/2.8
F/5.6
F/2.8
F/3.2
F/2.8
F/4

Abbreviations

HD Multi-layer High Definition coating is applied to the surfaces of lens elements. This anti-reflection coating boosts light transmission, ensures sharp and high contrast images, minimizes ghosting and flares.
DA Autofocus lens optimized for Pentax digital SLR cameras.
MACRO Macro lens. Designed specially for shooting close-ups of small subjects but can be also used in other genres of photography, not necessarily requiring focusing at close distances. Learn more

Model history (2)

■smc Pentax-DA 35mm F/2.8 Macro Limited • 1:1 • APS-CA9 - 80.139m⌀49 2008 ●
■HD Pentax-DA 35mm F/2.8 Macro Limited • 1:1 • APS-CA9 - 80.139m⌀49 2013 ●

Features highlight

•
APS-C
•
Fast
•
Macro 1:1
•
Body AF
•
QFS
•
9 blades
•
Compact
•
Lightweight
•
SP
•
⌀49
filters
•
Built-in hood
•
TC

Specification

■ Production details
Announced:August 2013
Production status:● In production
Original name:HD PENTAX-DA 1:2.8 35mm Macro Limited
System:Pentax K APS-C (2003)
■ Optical design
Focal length:35mm
Speed:F/2.8
Maximum format:APS-C
Mount and Flange focal distance:Pentax K [45.5mm]
Diagonal angle of view:44° (Pentax K APS-C)
Lens construction:9 elements in 8 groups
■ Diaphragm mechanism
Diaphragm type:Automatic
Aperture control:None; the aperture is controlled from the camera
Number of blades:9 (nine)
■ 35mm equivalent focal length and speed
35mm equivalent focal length:53.6mm (in terms of field of view)
35mm equivalent speed:F/4.3 (in terms of depth of field)
■ Focusing
Closest focusing distance:0.139m
Closest working distance:0.03m
Maximum magnification:1:1 at the closest focusing distance
Focusing modes:Autofocus, manual focus
Autofocus motor:In-camera motor
Manual focus control:Focusing ring
Focus mode selector:None; focusing mode is set from the camera
Quick-Shift Focus System (QFS):Yes
■ Shake Reduction (SR)
Built-in SR:-
■ Physical characteristics
Weight:214g
Maximum diameter x Length:⌀63×46.5mm
Weather sealing:-
Super Protect (SP) coating:Front element
■ Accessories
Filters:Screw-type 49mm
Lens hood:Built-in telescopic round
Teleconverters:HD Pentax-DA 1.4X AF Rear Converter AW → 49mm F/3.9
■ Source of data
Manufacturer's technical data.

Compared to the smc Pentax-DA 35mm F/2.8 Macro Limited

  • HD Pentax-DA 35mm F/2.8 Macro Limited
    • Advantages: 0
    • Disadvantages: 0
    In terms of specification, there are no significant differences between these lenses.

    • Manufacturer description #1

    Manufacturer announcement for the HD PENTAX-DA 15mmF4ED AL Limited, HD PENTAX-DA 21mmF3.2AL Limited, HD PENTAX-DA 35mmF2.8 Macro Limited, HD PENTAX-DA 40mmF2.8 Limited and HD PENTAX-DA 70mmF2.4 Limited:

    2013.08.28 - RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. is pleased to announce the launch of five HD PENTAX-DA Limited interchangeable lenses designed for use with K-mount lens-interchangeable digital cameras. These new lenses inherit the distinctive visual description and a premium appearance of the acclaimed PENTAX Limited Lens series, while adding the state-of-the-art HD coating and a round-shaped diaphragm, to deliver even higher digital imaging performance in combination with a K-mount camera body.

    Developed based on the Limited Lens series -- renowned for the meticulous finish in every detail from the outstanding image rendition to the high-quality, hand-machined aluminum body -- these new lenses assure even better optical performance than the original Limited Lens-series models. They are treated with the HD coating, which assures much higher light transmittance than conventional multi-layer coatings to deliver sharp, clear images free of flare and ghost images, even under such demanding conditions as backlight. They also feature a completely round-shaped diaphragm to produce a natural, beautiful bokeh (out-of-focus) effect in the foreground and background.

    Major Features (common to all five models)

    High-grade HD coating for exceptional image rendition

    All lenses are treated with HD coating,* a high-grade multi-layer lens coating that assures higher light transmittance and lower reflectance than conventional multi-layer coatings. As the result, they produce sharp, clear images free of flare and ghost images, even under such adverse lighting conditions as backlight.

    * HD stands for High Definition.

    Round-shaped diaphragm for beautiful out-of-focus rendition

    All lenses feature a completely round-shaped diaphragm to optimize the performance of their distinctive optics. This diaphragm produces a natural, beautiful bokeh (out-of-focus) effect, while minimizing the streaking effect of point light sources.

    Acclaimed Limited Lens-series quality for distinctive visual description and a premium appearance

    While inheriting the design concept of the Limited Lens series, these lenses were designed by combining a series of mechanical and numerical evaluations with human assessment of test-shooting samples to assure the ultimate in image reproduction. Their optical design has been optimized for digital photography to deliver sharp, clear images with outstanding contrast, even at the maximum aperture. In addition, their lens barrel, hood and cap are all made of a high-grade aluminum material, hand-machined for perfect proportions and beautiful texture.

    Other Features

    • SP (Super Protect) coating (already featured in four other models) has been applied to the HD PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited lens to keep the front surface free of dust and stains.
    • All the lenses come in a silver version in addition to the black version.

    Manufacturer description #2

    The HD PENTAX DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited lens, with a 53.5mm focal length equivalent in 35mm film format, provides one-to-one magnification in a normal focal length for gorgeous life-sized shots of the world’s tiniest details. Ideal for any photographer with a need for a new perspective, this lens incorporates the highest level of sharpness and image rendition in a macro lens. Its high-grade aluminum construction provides the utmost durability and elegant design, now further enhanced with the PENTAX-original High-grade multi-layer HD (High Definition) coating, allowing for significantly higher light transmittance, offering even more clarity for life-like imagery.

    Manufacturer description #3

    Macro lens using the latest HD coating and a round iris diaphragm that can also be used as a standard lens. This macro lens has a natural angle of view close to the naked eye and can also be used as a standard lens. The FREE (fixed rear element extension) focusing system is used to provide high-quality images from the infinity end to macro distances. Closeups up to a maximum of 1:1 (1X) are possible.

    Features:

    • This lens uses the new-generation multicoating "HD Coating" that reduces the reflection rate in the visible spectrum up to 50% or more than conventional multicoating. This enables the reduction of flare and ghosting for the shooting of clear, high-contrast images even under backlighting and other adverse conditions.
    • A new round iris diaphragm is used to enable rendering of soft round out-of-focus (bokeh) effect for illumination, shimmering on water surfaces, and other point light sources.
    • The FREE (fixed rear element extension) focusing system is used to correct various types of aberrations from the close distances to the infinity end and to produce images with low distortion.
    • Enables working distance of approximately 3cm from the lens front surface (at 1:1 photography).
    • Retractable sliding hood is included that can be stored out of the way.
    • SP (super protect) coating for protecting the lens front surface from water and dirt
    • Quick-Shift Focus System for enabling manual focus operation after focusing by AF without any switching operation.

    Typical application

    Class:

    Fast APS-C-format macro lens • Technical masterpiece

    Technical masterpiece

    This Limited lens is not only capable of producing excellent photos, but also gives aesthetic pleasure to its owner.

    • Machined aluminum lens barrel
    • Elegant shape and distinctive appearance
    • A large aperture and a compact, lightweight design
    • Recessed distance scale
    • Exclusively designed lens hoods and caps

    Missing features (3):

    Built-in autofocus motor [LOW PRIORITY] • Focusing distance range limiter • Weather sealing

    Genres or subjects of photography (8):

    Macrophotography • Product photography • Landscapes • Cityscapes • Buildings • Interiors • Portraits • Travel photography

    Recommended slowest shutter speed when shooting static subjects handheld:

    1/40th of a second

    Alternative in the Pentax K APS-C system

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    Table of contents
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    Pros and cons
    Instruction manual
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    Pentax Limited series lenses (18)
    Clickable

    Pentax Limited series lenses

    Pentax cameras are traditionally developed on the foundation of being small and light. The Limited lenses match that type of small body by being small yet high quality interchangeable AF lenses. The pillars of the Limited lenses concept is small size, high image quality optical formula, and a corresponding outer shape to go with it. Thus, the Limited lenses are not only capable of producing excellent photos, but also give aesthetic pleasure to their owners

    Pentax-DA series lenses (47)
    Clickable

    Pentax Limited series lenses

    Pentax cameras are traditionally developed on the foundation of being small and light. The Limited lenses match that type of small body by being small yet high quality interchangeable AF lenses. The pillars of the Limited lenses concept is small size, high image quality optical formula, and a corresponding outer shape to go with it. Thus, the Limited lenses are not only capable of producing excellent photos, but also give aesthetic pleasure to their owners

    Pentax-DA series lenses

    The smc Pentax-DA lenses can be used exclusively with Pentax digital SLR cameras. Their image circle is specialized for image sensors in Pentax digital SLR cameras and their optical systems are optimized for the characteristics of digital images. The DA lenses are not compatible with film SLR cameras.

    The DA lenses do not have an aperture ring. Aperture settings are controlled automatically as if set to the auto "A" position.

    When autofocusing is finished, it is possible to make fine adjustments by hand using the "Quick-Shift Focus System".

    There are four mounts for the DA lenses, the KAF (with AF coupler), KAF2 (with AF coupler AND supersonic motor), KAF3 (with supersonic motor ONLY), and KAF4 (with electromagnetic diaphragm ONLY).

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    35mm full frame

    43.27 24 36
    • Dimensions: 36 × 24mm
    • Aspect ratio: 3:2
    • Diagonal: 43.27mm
    • Area: 864mm2

    In-camera motor

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    Image stabilizer

    A technology used for reducing or even eliminating the effects of camera shake. Gyro sensors inside the lens detect camera shake and pass the data to a microcomputer. Then an image stabilization group of elements controlled by the microcomputer moves inside the lens and compensates camera shake in order to keep the image static on the imaging sensor or film.

    The technology allows to increase the shutter speed by several stops and shoot handheld in such lighting conditions and at such focal lengths where without image stabilizer you have to use tripod, decrease the shutter speed and/or increase the ISO setting which can lead to blurry and noisy images.

    Original name

    Lens name as indicated on the lens barrel (usually on the front ring). With lenses from film era, may vary slightly from batch to batch.

    Format

    Format refers to the shape and size of film or image sensor.

    35mm is the common name of the 36x24mm film format or image sensor format. It has an aspect ratio of 3:2, and a diagonal measurement of approximately 43mm. The name originates with the total width of the 135 film which was the primary medium of the format prior to the invention of the full frame digital SLR. Historically the 35mm format was sometimes called small format to distinguish it from the medium and large formats.

    APS-C is an image sensor format approximately equivalent in size to the film negatives of 25.1x16.7mm with an aspect ratio of 3:2.

    Medium format is a film format or image sensor format larger than 36x24mm (35mm) but smaller than 4x5in (large format).

    Angle of view

    Angle of view describes the angular extent of a given scene that is imaged by a camera. It is used interchangeably with the more general term field of view.

    As the focal length changes, the angle of view also changes. The shorter the focal length (eg 18mm), the wider the angle of view. Conversely, the longer the focal length (eg 55mm), the smaller the angle of view.

    A camera's angle of view depends not only on the lens, but also on the sensor. Imaging sensors are sometimes smaller than 35mm film frame, and this causes the lens to have a narrower angle of view than with 35mm film, by a certain factor for each sensor (called the crop factor).

    This website does not use the angles of view provided by lens manufacturers, but calculates them automatically by the following formula: 114.6 * arctan (21.622 / CF * FL),

    where:

    CF – crop-factor of a sensor,
    FL – focal length of a lens.

    Mount

    A lens mount is an interface — mechanical and often also electrical — between a camera body and a lens.

    A lens mount may be a screw-threaded type, a bayonet-type, or a breech-lock type. Modern camera lens mounts are of the bayonet type, because the bayonet mechanism precisely aligns mechanical and electrical features between lens and body, unlike screw-threaded mounts.

    Lens mounts of competing manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony etc.) are always incompatible. In addition to the mechanical and electrical interface variations, the flange focal distance can also be different.

    The flange focal distance (FFD) is the distance from the mechanical rear end surface of the lens mount to the focal plane.

    Lens construction

    Lens construction – a specific arrangement of elements and groups that make up the optical design, including type and size of elements, type of used materials etc.

    Element - an individual piece of glass which makes up one component of a photographic lens. Photographic lenses are nearly always built up of multiple such elements.

    Group – a cemented together pieces of glass which form a single unit or an individual piece of glass. The advantage is that there is no glass-air surfaces between cemented together pieces of glass, which reduces reflections.

    Focal length

    The focal length is the factor that determines the size of the image reproduced on the focal plane, picture angle which covers the area of the subject to be photographed, depth of field, etc.

    Speed

    The largest opening or stop at which a lens can be used is referred to as the speed of the lens. The larger the maximum aperture is, the faster the lens is considered to be. Lenses that offer a large maximum aperture are commonly referred to as fast lenses, and lenses with smaller maximum aperture are regarded as slow.

    In low-light situations, having a wider maximum aperture means that you can shoot at a faster shutter speed or work at a lower ISO, or both.

    Closest focusing distance

    The minimum distance from the focal plane (film or sensor) to the subject where the lens is still able to focus.

    Closest working distance

    The distance from the front edge of the lens to the subject at the maximum magnification.

    Magnification ratio

    Determines how large the subject will appear in the final image. For example, a magnification ratio of 1:1 means that the image of the subject formed on the film or sensor will be the same size as the subject in real life. For this reason, a 1:1 ratio is often called "life-size".

    Manual focus override in autofocus mode

    Allows to perform final focusing manually after the camera has locked the focus automatically. Note that you don't have to switch camera and/or lens to manual focus mode.

    Manual focus override in autofocus mode

    Allows to perform final focusing manually after the camera has locked the focus automatically. Note that you don't have to switch camera and/or lens to manual focus mode.

    Electronic manual focus override is performed in the following way: half-press the shutter button, wait until the camera has finished the autofocusing and then focus manually without releasing the shutter button using the focusing ring.

    Manual diaphragm

    The diaphragm must be stopped down manually by rotating the detent aperture ring.

    Preset diaphragm

    The lens has two rings, one is for pre-setting, while the other is for normal diaphragm adjustment. The first ring must be set at the desired aperture, the second ring then should be fully opened for focusing, and turned back for stop down to the pre-set value.

    Semi-automatic diaphragm

    The lens features spring mechanism in the diaphragm, triggered by the shutter release, which stops down the diaphragm to the pre-set value. The spring needs to be reset manually after each exposure to re-open diaphragm to its maximum value.

    Automatic diaphragm

    The camera automatically closes the diaphragm down during the shutter operation. On completion of the exposure, the diaphragm re-opens to its maximum value.

    Fixed diaphragm

    The aperture setting is fixed at F/2.8 on this lens, and cannot be adjusted.

    Number of blades

    As a general rule, the more blades that are used to create the aperture opening in the lens, the rounder the out-of-focus highlights will be.

    Some lenses are designed with curved diaphragm blades, so the roundness of the aperture comes not from the number of blades, but from their shape. However, the fewer blades the diaphragm has, the more difficult it is to form a circle, regardless of rounded edges.

    At maximum aperture, the opening will be circular regardless of the number of blades.

    Weight

    Excluding case or pouch, caps and other detachable accessories (lens hood, close-up adapter, tripod adapter etc.).

    Maximum diameter x Length

    Excluding case or pouch, caps and other detachable accessories (lens hood, close-up adapter, tripod adapter etc.).

    For lenses with collapsible design, the length is indicated for the working (retracted) state.

    Weather sealing

    A rubber material which is inserted in between each externally exposed part (manual focus and zoom rings, buttons, switch panels etc.) to ensure it is properly sealed against dust and moisture.

    Lenses that accept front mounted filters typically do not have gaskets behind the filter mount. It is recommended to use a filter for complete weather resistance when desired.

    Fluorine coating

    Helps keep lenses clean by reducing the possibility of dust and dirt adhering to the lens and by facilitating cleaning should the need arise. Applied to the outer surface of the front and/or rear lens elements over multi-coatings.

    Filters

    Lens filters are accessories that can protect lenses from dirt and damage, enhance colors, minimize glare and reflections, and add creative effects to images.

    Lens hood

    A lens hood or lens shade is a device used on the end of a lens to block the sun or other light source in order to prevent glare and lens flare. Flare occurs when stray light strikes the front element of a lens and then bounces around within the lens. This stray light often comes from very bright light sources, such as the sun, bright studio lights, or a bright white background.

    The geometry of the lens hood can vary from a plain cylindrical or conical section to a more complex shape, sometimes called a petal, tulip, or flower hood. This allows the lens hood to block stray light with the higher portions of the lens hood, while allowing more light into the corners of the image through the lowered portions of the hood.

    Lens hoods are more prominent in long focus lenses because they have a smaller viewing angle than that of wide-angle lenses. For wide angle lenses, the length of the hood cannot be as long as those for telephoto lenses, as a longer hood would enter the wider field of view of the lens.

    Lens hoods are often designed to fit onto the matching lens facing either forward, for normal use, or backwards, so that the hood may be stored with the lens without occupying much additional space. In addition, lens hoods can offer some degree of physical protection for the lens due to the hood extending farther than the lens itself.

    Teleconverters

    Teleconverters increase the effective focal length of lenses. They also usually maintain the closest focusing distance of lenses, thus increasing the magnification significantly. A lens combined with a teleconverter is normally smaller, lighter and cheaper than a "direct" telephoto lens of the same focal length and speed.

    Teleconverters are a convenient way of enhancing telephoto capability, but it comes at a cost − reduced maximum aperture. Also, since teleconverters magnify every detail in the image, they logically also magnify residual aberrations of the lens.

    Lens caps

    Scratched lens surfaces can spoil the definition and contrast of even the finest lenses. Lens covers are the best and most inexpensive protection available against dust, moisture and abrasion. Safeguard lens elements - both front and rear - whenever the lens is not in use.