Should I sell my A35-105 and 18-55mm Kit lens

bass3587 · 09-14-2012, 04:53 AM

First I have the K5 and K-x bodies and want to cut down and improve upon my lenses. I have two 18-55mm lenses so I know I can sell one and not feel to bad about it. Now selling the A35-105mm that's the tough choice. I really like this lens but the Pentax 18-135mm WR lense keeps calling me and I know I'm going to get it one day for a general walk around lens. The A35-105 I've used for a walk around lens and I find it to be just fine and while I do miss the auto focus I can deal with it. My other problem is that I've recently started doing some portraits and event shots and some studio work thrown in the mix. I've read mixed reviews on the 18-135 and nothing but glowing reviews on the 35-105mm so I'm really torn between what to do. My budget won't allow me to keep all the lenses so I have to choose wisely.

Oh and to complicate matters even more I'm saving up for the Tamron 70-200 2.8. I think with that my lens package will be complete.

GibbyTheMole · 09-14-2012, 05:59 AM

If you use the 35-105 focal range frequently, I would keep it. It's a zoom that thinks it's a very good prime at all focal lengths. Unlike most other zooms, I have yet to find a weak spot with the 35-105. If you're picky about the quality of your images, I think you'll regret selling it.

**blackcloudbrew** · 09-14-2012, 06:03 AM

A while back I had a nice copy of the A35-105, it was razor sharp and was a better lens than I realized then. I sold it off and have come to realize that I miss it. Just had my hands on one yesterday and I'm considering picking it up. I think it's a classic lens to own. It's only drawback is that it's a manual focus lens. Personally I'd keep it, but if you have to have the DA 18-135, well you've answered your own question.

ducdao · 09-14-2012, 06:13 AM

Another vote to keep the A35-105 if you don't mind of it being MF and heavy.

I personally hate MF zooms and mind you I'm a big fan of MF lenses.

JohnX · 09-14-2012, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by bass3587

Oh and to complicate matters even more I'm saving up for the Tamron 70-200 2.8. I think with that my lens package will be complete.

If it's the new 70-200 you're out of luck I'm afraid. Not being released in Pentax mount.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/198839-tamron-...ot-pentax.html

vrrattko · 09-14-2012, 07:27 AM

Don't sell A35-105 if you have any use of it. Pentaxforum tested one sample in the in depth previews and this zoom achieved the highest mark of all zooms tested up to date!

bass3587 · 09-14-2012, 08:18 AM

The voice of reason has spoken! Keep the 35-105. Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I think I'll still sell the 18-55mm lenses to help fund the Tamron purchase. I guess I'll take the 35-105 to the studio next week and take some more photos with it.

**Spodeworld** · 09-14-2012, 09:06 AM

Keep the A 35-105...it's a beaut!

GibbyTheMole · 09-14-2012, 04:17 PM

Originally posted by bass3587

The voice of reason has spoken! Keep the 35-105. Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I think I'll still sell the 18-55mm lenses to help fund the Tamron purchase. I guess I'll take the 35-105 to the studio next week and take some more photos with it.

You'll be glad you did. My copy is one of the sharpest and all around best performing lenses I own. And with it's very nice bokeh, it's absolutely the bomb for portraits.

**blackcloudbrew** · 09-19-2012, 11:59 AM

LOL, this tread made me go out an pick one (A35-105) up! It is just a brick of a lens.

bass3587 · 09-19-2012, 12:08 PM

Originally posted by blackcloudbrew

LOL, this tread made me go out an pick one (A35-105) up! It is just a brick of a lens.

LOL I know what you mean. Do you like the lens?

**blackcloudbrew** · 09-19-2012, 01:19 PM

Yes, so much so that I bought one, sold it, and now bought another because I realized how good it was.

**PPPPPP42** · 09-21-2012, 10:59 AM

If I had to cut down to only one lens it would be the A35-105 F3.5 its so impossibly under rated price wise simply because unlike most of the other super popular A series stuff, they actually seem to have produced enough of them new to meet demand.

The range is about as perfect as you can get without splitting it into 2 separate lenses or losing speed and IQ, the speed is amazing for an old zoom and with the macro function built into it you can focus on stuff from 4" at 35mm to 24" at 105mm.

And yes this thing weighs a ton, it is an absolute pile of glass to be able to do all that at F3.5 but its well worth it. Also some people hate the 2 ring zoom/focus combo but I use my thumb and pointer on the zoom and my other three fingers on the focus so I rather like it (improper hold, I know). Since this lens can be focused at 105mm and then backed out to 35mm without changing the focus (parfocal) its nice to have the focus ring separate. This is very handy for using video too since you can zoom slowly without blowing the focus.

On APSC its a tad narrow on the bottom end for me because I want to capture the whole damn world in one image, on FF its great.

Also if you want to use shake reduction you have to compromise on a middle number like any MF zoom lens. I turned shake reduction off a long time ago and haven't noticed the difference yet. Until I get old and shaky that's just a gimmick feature I went decades without on film.

Also its a tad dated in terms of CA and sharpness and such, but its amazing for a zoom of that era.

opfor · 09-22-2012, 03:35 AM

I've been using Pentax since 85, so I have a preference for A lenses. I have a 35-105 and it's hardly ever off my camera. I think I may have found one coming up on a local auction next week and I'm seriously thinking about the idea of having a second one if it is a 35-105. My vote is for MF, but that is just my preference. If you have a good one, you always regret letting it go.

**klh** · 09-22-2012, 03:59 AM

Originally posted by bass3587

I think with that my lens package will be complete.

I've said that several times. Never true for long.

09-14-2012, 04:53 AM	#1
bass3587 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 517	Should I sell my A35-105 and 18-55mm Kit lens First I have the K5 and K-x bodies and want to cut down and improve upon my lenses. I have two 18-55mm lenses so I know I can sell one and not feel to bad about it. Now selling the A35-105mm that's the tough choice. I really like this lens but the Pentax 18-135mm WR lense keeps calling me and I know I'm going to get it one day for a general walk around lens. The A35-105 I've used for a walk around lens and I find it to be just fine and while I do miss the auto focus I can deal with it. My other problem is that I've recently started doing some portraits and event shots and some studio work thrown in the mix. I've read mixed reviews on the 18-135 and nothing but glowing reviews on the 35-105mm so I'm really torn between what to do. My budget won't allow me to keep all the lenses so I have to choose wisely. Oh and to complicate matters even more I'm saving up for the Tamron 70-200 2.8. I think with that my lens package will be complete.

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09-14-2012, 05:59 AM	#2
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275	If you use the 35-105 focal range frequently, I would keep it. It's a zoom that thinks it's a very good prime at all focal lengths. Unlike most other zooms, I have yet to find a weak spot with the 35-105. If you're picky about the quality of your images, I think you'll regret selling it.

09-14-2012, 06:03 AM	#3
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	A while back I had a nice copy of the A35-105, it was razor sharp and was a better lens than I realized then. I sold it off and have come to realize that I miss it. Just had my hands on one yesterday and I'm considering picking it up. I think it's a classic lens to own. It's only drawback is that it's a manual focus lens. Personally I'd keep it, but if you have to have the DA 18-135, well you've answered your own question.

09-14-2012, 06:13 AM	#4
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	Another vote to keep the A35-105 if you don't mind of it being MF and heavy. I personally hate MF zooms and mind you I'm a big fan of MF lenses.

09-14-2012, 07:17 AM	#5
JohnX Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,116	Originally posted by bass3587 Oh and to complicate matters even more I'm saving up for the Tamron 70-200 2.8. I think with that my lens package will be complete. If it's the new 70-200 you're out of luck I'm afraid. Not being released in Pentax mount. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/198839-tamron-...ot-pentax.html

09-14-2012, 07:27 AM	#6
vrrattko Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 753	Don't sell A35-105 if you have any use of it. Pentaxforum tested one sample in the in depth previews and this zoom achieved the highest mark of all zooms tested up to date!

09-14-2012, 08:18 AM	#7
bass3587 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 517 Original Poster	The voice of reason has spoken! Keep the 35-105. Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I think I'll still sell the 18-55mm lenses to help fund the Tamron purchase. I guess I'll take the 35-105 to the studio next week and take some more photos with it.

09-14-2012, 09:06 AM	#8
Spodeworld Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Joisey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,370	Keep the A 35-105...it's a beaut!

09-14-2012, 04:17 PM	#9
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275	Originally posted by bass3587 The voice of reason has spoken! Keep the 35-105. Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I think I'll still sell the 18-55mm lenses to help fund the Tamron purchase. I guess I'll take the 35-105 to the studio next week and take some more photos with it. You'll be glad you did. My copy is one of the sharpest and all around best performing lenses I own. And with it's very nice bokeh, it's absolutely the bomb for portraits.

09-19-2012, 11:59 AM	#10
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	LOL, this tread made me go out an pick one (A35-105) up! It is just a brick of a lens.

09-19-2012, 12:08 PM	#11
bass3587 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 517 Original Poster	Originally posted by blackcloudbrew LOL, this tread made me go out an pick one (A35-105) up! It is just a brick of a lens. LOL I know what you mean. Do you like the lens?

09-19-2012, 01:19 PM	#12
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Yes, so much so that I bought one, sold it, and now bought another because I realized how good it was.

09-21-2012, 10:59 AM	#13
PPPPPP42 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Albums Posts: 947	If I had to cut down to only one lens it would be the A35-105 F3.5 its so impossibly under rated price wise simply because unlike most of the other super popular A series stuff, they actually seem to have produced enough of them new to meet demand. The range is about as perfect as you can get without splitting it into 2 separate lenses or losing speed and IQ, the speed is amazing for an old zoom and with the macro function built into it you can focus on stuff from 4" at 35mm to 24" at 105mm. And yes this thing weighs a ton, it is an absolute pile of glass to be able to do all that at F3.5 but its well worth it. Also some people hate the 2 ring zoom/focus combo but I use my thumb and pointer on the zoom and my other three fingers on the focus so I rather like it (improper hold, I know). Since this lens can be focused at 105mm and then backed out to 35mm without changing the focus (parfocal) its nice to have the focus ring separate. This is very handy for using video too since you can zoom slowly without blowing the focus. On APSC its a tad narrow on the bottom end for me because I want to capture the whole damn world in one image, on FF its great. Also if you want to use shake reduction you have to compromise on a middle number like any MF zoom lens. I turned shake reduction off a long time ago and haven't noticed the difference yet. Until I get old and shaky that's just a gimmick feature I went decades without on film. Also its a tad dated in terms of CA and sharpness and such, but its amazing for a zoom of that era.

09-22-2012, 03:35 AM	#14
opfor Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 276	I've been using Pentax since 85, so I have a preference for A lenses. I have a 35-105 and it's hardly ever off my camera. I think I may have found one coming up on a local auction next week and I'm seriously thinking about the idea of having a second one if it is a 35-105. My vote is for MF, but that is just my preference. If you have a good one, you always regret letting it go.

09-22-2012, 03:59 AM	#15
klh Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA Posts: 827	Originally posted by bass3587 I think with that my lens package will be complete. I've said that several times. Never true for long.