[jeff knight]

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With all this talk about the Pentax 35mm f2.4 and it's predecessor the Pentax 35mm f2, not to mention Nikon comparisons,
I thought I should mention an often overlooked alternative.

I am referring to the superb Mir-24m 35mm f2 M42 Russian manual lens. I paid $55.00 for this one, though they usually sell for much more.
Mine is a KMZ-made export model from 1985. Russian lens quality can vary so there is always some gambling involved in purchasing one.

There are many other good 35mm lens alternatives as well, if you you don't mind manual focusing or trap-focusing.

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Last edited by jeff knight; 09-14-2010 at 08:55 PM.

[deadwolfbones]

Yeah, these are great lenses.

[jeff knight]

Yeah, these are great lenses.

You are right.

I've never lost sight of the fact that Pentax allows me to use my M42 lenses to their fullest. I am more than just grateful.

[taiweitai]

very nice lens indeed !

[bhairavp]

I have a nice Vivitar 35/1.9 as well..running beautifully.

[Blue]

With all this talk about the Pentax 35mm f2.4 and it's predecessor the Pentax 35mm f2, not to mention Nikon comparisons,
I thought I should mention an often overlooked alternative.

I am referring to the superb Mir-24m 35mm f2 M42 Russian manual lens. I paid $55.00 for this one, though they usually sell for much more.
Mine is a KMZ-made export model from 1985. Russian lens quality can vary so there is always some gambling involved in purchasing one.

There are other good 35mm lens alternatives as well, if you you don't mind manual focusing or trap-focusing.

In addition to the FA 35/2, Pentax made 5 other 35/2 lenses. When I saw the title, I was expecting it to be one of them or the Oly 35/2.

[jeff knight]

I have a nice Vivitar 35/1.9 as well..running beautifully.

In addition to the FA 35/2, Pentax made 5 other 35/2 lenses. When I saw the title, I was expecting it to be one of them or the Oly 35/2.

I would love to see sample photos from some of these lenses if anyone is willing to post them.

[Blue]

I would love to see sample photos from some of these lenses if anyone is willing to post them.

Actually, I miscounted. Pentax had 6 others in addition to the FA 35/2. 2 Super taks, S-M-C Tak, k 35/2 (8/7), M 35/2 (7/7) and A 35/2 (7/7). All of the Super Taks were 8/7 but the Model 1 had a large front element and has 67mm filter threads. There was also the Auto Tak 35/2.3. There are probably some image samples dispersed in the Tak club thread. Woof has the first model of the Super Tak 35/2. They are all good lenses.

[hangu]

Actually, I miscounted. Pentax had 6 others in addition to the FA 35/2. 2 Super taks, S-M-C Tak, k 35/2 (8/7), M 35/2 (7/7) and A 35/2 (7/7). All of the Super Taks were 8/7 but the Model 1 had a large front element and has 68mm filter threads. There was also the Auto Tak 35/2.3. There are probably some image samples dispersed in the Tak club thread. Woof has the first model of the Super Tak 35/2. They are all good lenses.

I just read on MFlenses forum that the first edition Super Tak 35/2 with the 68mm front element was the best of the three Tak 35/2s. Is that true? Because if it is, I'm going to kick myself in the head for selling that. I've pretty active on Ebay and have never seen the first edition sold before. It seems the rarest of the 35/2s.

[bhairavp]

I would love to see sample photos from some of these lenses if anyone is willing to post them.

I'll post some tonight, after work.
Cheers.

[Lowell Goudge]

sounds like a project.

I have the SMC tak 35F2

perhaps this weekend.......

[Blue]

I just read on MFlenses forum that the first edition Super Tak 35/2 with the 68mm front element was the best of the three Tak 35/2s. Is that true? Because if it is, I'm going to kick myself in the head for selling that. I've pretty active on Ebay and have never seen the first edition sold before. It seems the rarest of the 35/2s.

The filter threads on the first model are actually 67mm and the dedicated hood from Asahi was a 70mm slip-on design. I typed the '8' out of habit for the first model of the 28/3.5 which has 58mm threads and a 60mm slip on hood. I have both the early and late version of the Model 1 28.

As far as which of the Taks that are better, some people will argue the first and others the S-M-C. However, I think 10 good copies of each would have to be seriously evaluated to even begin to make a definitive statement. I wouldn't call the Model 1 rare, but it isn't common. It actually does show up on ebay and there are 2 or 3 there now. However 9 times out of 10, the seller doesn't know the difference in the 2 models of the Super Tak. You just have to know what that thing looks like.

Here are 2 Model 1. There are a couple of more but the prices are nuts.

RARE!! Asahi Super-TAKUMAR 35mm F2 FAST Wide-Angle Lens - eBay (item 360298864496 end time Sep-19-10 14:06:03 PDT)

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

[hangu]

Thanks, Blue. I agree, it's hard to evaluate the quality of a 40 year old lens based on only 1-2 copies. Fortunately, the build quality of Taks are amazing. I'd imagine it'd take 20-30 copies to do the same with any Russian made lenses or even old Carl Zeiss lenses.

These prices are nuts already. I can only imagine what the ones you didn't list were.

[deadwolfbones]

Just to note, this lens also comes in native Nikon mount, for you cross-brand shooters.

[bhairavp]

I would love to see sample photos from some of these lenses if anyone is willing to post them.

Here you go. Straight from my K-x, in order: f/1.9,2.8,4,5.6 and 8
Just resized, no PP.