SMC Tak 35mm f3.5 on K-5 ... any experiences?

Jean Poitiers · 03-30-2012, 01:41 PM

Bonjour,

I have a chance to pick up a copy of this lens this weekend, but I just wanted to see if anyone has shot with it on a K-5, etc.?

I have read the PF database reviews which are quite glowing (S-M-C/Super/Auto Takumar 35mm F3.5 Reviews - M42 Screwmount Wide-Angle Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database) and I have an OEM Pentax adapter, so no problem there.

Just curious for more info ... merci d'avance!

Salut, John le "Green" Grenouille

pinholecam · 03-30-2012, 04:31 PM

I have it, but have not used it on my K5 (used on K100D and K7 though).
Not that its bad, but because its MF, stopped down aperture and f3.5, plusI have the FA35 and FA31ltd.

I like this lens.
Contrasty and very sharp.
I often used it at f4-f5.6 and it produces sharp images that seem to 'pop' despite the large DOF.

RioRico · 03-30-2012, 09:56 PM

I have a SuperTak version. I haven't really used it much. Yes, it's sharp and contrasty and renders well with nice bokeh, etc. But I tend to use either sexier speedsters (Nikkor 35/2, Komura 35/2.5) or slower characters (Meyer Primagon and Enna Sandmar 35/4.5) or even a Lens-In-A-Cap shift 35/11. The SuperTak 35/3.5 will be my LOTD (lens of the day) in a couple days, maybe when I roll to Apache Pass and Fort Bowie. I'll see if its images pop more than the Komura.

Jean Poitiers · 03-30-2012, 11:16 PM

Originally posted by pinholecam

... I like this lens. Contrasty and very sharp.
I often used it at f4-f5.6 and it produces sharp images that seem to 'pop' despite the large DOF.

Bonjour pinholecam,

Thanks a lot ... if it's good at f4-f5.6, then that will work for me. I'm just too curious and cannot pass up opportunities to experiment with a new lens ...

Salut, John le Frog

Jean Poitiers · 03-30-2012, 11:20 PM

Originally posted by RioRico

... Yes, it's sharp and contrasty and renders well with nice bokeh, etc. ... The SuperTak 35/3.5 will be my LOTD (lens of the day) in a couple days, maybe when I roll to Apache Pass and Fort Bowie. I'll see if its images pop more than the Komura.

Bonjour RioRico,

Well, thanks again ... it must be an honor for one on lens of your large collection to be the "LOTD" selection ... oh, the lucky one. And let us know about your comparison between the two ... prenez des belles photos!

Allez et A+, J Frog

macTak · 03-31-2012, 04:58 AM

It has the same optics as the highly acclaimed K-mount SMC 35mm f3.5, so it's a good one. I have the Super-Tak version myself and really like it (very different rendering and bokeh from my M35/2).

Jonathan Mac · 03-31-2012, 06:09 AM

I don't have a K5, but on my K200D I have had mixed results with this lens. However, some of that will be due to me still getting used to M42 lenses. The 35mm is a bit of a pain to use because it's slow and the brightness of the viewfinder is poor. It certainly can't compare to the 35 ltd.

northcoastgreg · 03-31-2012, 08:56 AM

Originally posted by macTak

It has the same optics as the highly acclaimed K-mount SMC 35mm f3.5

I have the K 35/3.5 and it produces splendid results on the K-5. I used it quite a bit on a fall trip to Colorado last year and was astonished at the resolution and especially the vivid colors it produced.

Ikarus · 03-31-2012, 09:25 AM

I have the Super-Takumar version of it. It's a great little lens and noticeably better than my SMC Takumar 1:3.5/28 for corner-to-corner sharpness. It's a bit challenging to focus, but at the price you pay these days, it's hard to beat.

03-30-2012, 01:41 PM	#1
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	SMC Tak 35mm f3.5 on K-5 ... any experiences? *Bonjour,* I have a chance to pick up a copy of this lens this weekend, but I just wanted to see if anyone has shot with it on a K-5, etc.? I have read the PF database reviews which are quite glowing (S-M-C/Super/Auto Takumar 35mm F3.5 Reviews - M42 Screwmount Wide-Angle Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database) and I have an OEM Pentax adapter, so no problem there. Just curious for more info ... *merci d'avance!* Salut, John le "Green" Grenouille

03-30-2012, 11:16 PM	#4
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076 Original Poster	Merci Originally posted by pinholecam ... I like this lens. Contrasty and very sharp. I often used it at f4-f5.6 and it produces sharp images that seem to 'pop' despite the large DOF. Bonjour pinholecam, Thanks a lot ... if it's good at f4-f5.6, then that will work for me. I'm just too curious and cannot pass up opportunities to experiment with a new lens ... *Salut, John le Frog*

03-30-2012, 11:20 PM	#5
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076 Original Poster	Merci encore ... Originally posted by RioRico ... Yes, it's sharp and contrasty and renders well with nice bokeh, etc. ... The SuperTak 35/3.5 will be my LOTD (lens of the day) in a couple days, maybe when I roll to Apache Pass and Fort Bowie. I'll see if its images pop more than the Komura. *Bonjour* RioRico, Well, thanks again ... it must be an honor for one on lens of your large collection to be the "LOTD" selection ... oh, the lucky one. And let us know about your comparison between the two ... prenez des belles photos! *Allez et A+, J Frog* Last edited by Jean Poitiers; 03-30-2012 at 11:41 PM.

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03-30-2012, 04:31 PM	#2
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	I have it, but have not used it on my K5 (used on K100D and K7 though). Not that its bad, but because its MF, stopped down aperture and f3.5, plusI have the FA35 and FA31ltd. I like this lens. Contrasty and very sharp. I often used it at f4-f5.6 and it produces sharp images that seem to 'pop' despite the large DOF.

03-30-2012, 09:56 PM	#3
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	I have a SuperTak version. I haven't really used it much. Yes, it's sharp and contrasty and renders well with nice bokeh, etc. But I tend to use either sexier speedsters (Nikkor 35/2, Komura 35/2.5) or slower characters (Meyer Primagon and Enna Sandmar 35/4.5) or even a Lens-In-A-Cap shift 35/11. The SuperTak 35/3.5 will be my LOTD (lens of the day) in a couple days, maybe when I roll to Apache Pass and Fort Bowie. I'll see if its images pop more than the Komura.

03-31-2012, 04:58 AM	#6
macTak Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 759	It has the same optics as the highly acclaimed K-mount SMC 35mm f3.5, so it's a good one. I have the Super-Tak version myself and really like it (very different rendering and bokeh from my M35/2).

03-31-2012, 06:09 AM	#7
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	I don't have a K5, but on my K200D I have had mixed results with this lens. However, some of that will be due to me still getting used to M42 lenses. The 35mm is a bit of a pain to use because it's slow and the brightness of the viewfinder is poor. It certainly can't compare to the 35 ltd.

03-31-2012, 08:56 AM	#8
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	Originally posted by macTak It has the same optics as the highly acclaimed K-mount SMC 35mm f3.5 I have the K 35/3.5 and it produces splendid results on the K-5. I used it quite a bit on a fall trip to Colorado last year and was astonished at the resolution and especially the vivid colors it produced.

03-31-2012, 09:25 AM	#9
Ikarus Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: California Photos: Albums Posts: 484	I have the Super-Takumar version of it. It's a great little lens and noticeably better than my SMC Takumar 1:3.5/28 for corner-to-corner sharpness. It's a bit challenging to focus, but at the price you pay these days, it's hard to beat.