[repaap]

So, a lot alternatives for 50mm lenses, but for 35?

Iwould not mind if it would be cheap

My list so far(needs to be cut down)wichto buy?

35/2.4 da-l ?
35/2.4 zeiss jena
35/2.8 SMC M,K or takumar
37/2.8 mir1

So, I'm open for opinions and good adwices

[abacus07]

What's important for you? Lens speed? AF? Auto Aperture? K-mount? Size?

Almost all of the Pentax options are excellent. the cheapest is probably the tak 35/3.5 and M35/2.8 and the K35/3.5 (same design as the tak AFAIK) are a little more. And the K35/3.5 is incredibly highly rated. I don't have that one but the tak version is tiny. There is also a MF 35/2 option but costs around $200.

After reviewing the DA limited lens club I'm developing a passion for the 35 macro but that isn't in any of my budgets.

[ytterbium]

I'd go for the new DA. M costs nearly half the price of the new, faster, AF DA and at that focal length, everything looks like in focus with 1.5x DSLR. MF is really hard unless you're shooting landscapes at f8+.

Cant tell about the others. Are you after exactly 2.4..8, there are quite some f3.5 options as well.

[RonHendriks1966]

How much fun for such a lens?

[Docrwm]

The DA35/2.4 is a nice option and as has been said you have some decisions to make. AF or MF is probably the first. Then - how fast? 3.5, 2.8, 2.4, or 2? I haven't gotten a MF 35 because I have an M28 and the DA35. I wonder what RioRico is going to have to say on this one?

[Docrwm]

How much fun for such a lens?

I'm blind!

[paperbag846]

Sigma 30mm f1.4

[causey]

The Super-Tak 35mm 3.5 is an excellent, all-metal tiny lens (almost pancake). Very high IQ and decent bokeh. Goes for about $50-80, depending on the shape. In my view, great fun factor.

[repaap]

For me MF is not a problem...I'd love it to be 2.4 or 2.8, but that tak 35/3.5 interests me too. I don't know if it does really have so much meaning at this FL. I think that f2.0 could be too expecive for me. In that case i just might put some more € and get that 30/1.4...my budget is around 150-200€ max. I would not mind if icould get away with some cash left

[patjp]

I know that you are trying to cut down the list but have you considered a Mir 24? They come in a M42 mount, it's f2.0 and probably cheaper than a Tak f2.

[DaveHolmes]

I wonder what RioRico is going to have to say on this one?

He'd most likely suggest buying all the one's listed, trying them out and selling the ones you don't want to keep...

[Just1MoreDave]

I had the SMC Pentax-M 35mm f2 and f2.8, and didn't like either one. I also had a Takumar 35mm f2, didn't like that one much either, but it may have had issues. I was able to sell all of those and get an FA 35mm f2 before they were discontinued. I think the FA version is way better than the other lenses I tried. The Pentax-A lenses are optically the same as the Ms.

Later on, I got a Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 35mm f3.5 and that one is just as good as the FA. I decided I did not need them both so I kept the faster one. The Takumar optical formula is also used in the K35/3.5 and Super-Takumar versions.

Today, I would definitely look at the DA 35/2.4 on a budget. A good used 35/3.5 is fine but starts to get too close to the DA price, without the DA advantages. My only objection to the FA is price.

[paperbag846]

With your budget I would imagine the 35 2.4 is the best choice. MF can be nice, but if it's all you have, AF is very welcome.

[LowVoltage]

I think you can't go wrong with the DA 35mm 2.4 - Small, affordable, and great image quality. Unless you absolutely need a distance scale like what you would find on one of the A/M lenses, I think the newest 35mm from Pentax is the best all-around choice.

And if you need a lens hood option, check out my solution. I have this lens and I love using it!

[RioRico]

I wonder what RioRico is going to have to say on this one?

He'd most likely suggest buying all the one's listed, trying them out and selling the ones you don't want to keep...

Took the words right from my mouth...

I've only a few 35's, let's see... yeah, only 13 of'em, but a couple more might be incoming soon, and one will be leaving. Fastest is a Nikkor-O 35/2 (US$45), slowest is a PK Loreo Shift 35/11 ($too much), my fave so far is an M42 Isco Westron 35/2.8 (US$27), cheapest is an OM Vivitar WA 35/2.8 ($free). I haven't chopped the Petri CC 35/2.8 (US$18), it's supposed to be good.

What I recommend that don't need chopping:

* Isco Westron 35/2.8, pixie-dusted
* Super-Takumar 35/3.5, small & sharp
* Meyer Primagon 35/4.5, bigger & sharp

My Nikkor is non-AI so is not chopped, but its base still needs a slight mod to make it really usable. I just need to shim-out the base a little... and then it may become my fave. So there.