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04-18-2013, 02:53 AM   #1
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Pentax M 35mm f2 opinions

Anyone owned both the M 35mm f2.8 and f2? How do they compare and would you recommend the upgrade to the f2? I am using this for film only. Thanks.

04-18-2013, 03:37 AM   #2
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I'm afraid I haven't owened both (nor do I shoot film), but I really love my M35/2 and think it is a truly excellent lens (I really love the way it renders). The M35/2.8 on the other hand is reputed to be one of (if not the worst) lens in the entire M series. I would reccomend the upgrade, although only if, I suppose, you are somehow unhappy with the results from your M35/2.8
04-18-2013, 03:42 AM   #3
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The 35/2.8 which I own is actually very sharp...I write this as others will read your post and then believe the 35/2.8 to be a dog. The other advantage is the close focussing capability. Of course, this is a forum, but I am looking for an objective comparison, rather than simple regurgitation of misinformation. Anyway, thanks for the feedback on the 35/2.

I am wondering whether the difference between the 2 and 2.8 35mm lenses will be similar to the difference between the 1.7 and 1.4 50mm lenses...the 1.4 having the better bokeh, and the 1.7 being sharper?
04-18-2013, 05:51 AM   #4
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My 35/2 has very distinctive bokeh, but I wouldn't exactly call it great (again on APS-C). It can be very nice at times, but at other times it can be quite busy. It's very sensitive to just where the objects in the background are and how close you are focused. While I don't have the f2.8, if you are thinking of going for the f2 just for the bokeh, my advice is don't.

By the way, others hardly need to read my post to know the reputation of the M35/2.8. It is hardly 'misinformation', but the actual experiances (and images) of others that I have read and followed for years and this and other fora. Quite honestly, I doubt you will find someone (let alone multiple people for a meaningful sample) here who has both leneses, the M35/2 seems to be rather uncommon, and the M35/2.8 because of its repuation is often avoided, perhaps unfairly as you point out. It sounds like you like your M35/2.8 and find yourself to have a good copy, in which case I would not bother to upgrade.

04-18-2013, 07:35 AM   #5
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All I can say is that the statement "its reputed to be one of the worst if not the worst" in the M line up is overly strong. I've just had a look at the reviews section and the lens scores an 8?! And its optically identical to the A 35/2.8, which scores a 9, so something doesnt tally!
04-18-2013, 07:39 AM   #6
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sorry sort of high jacking your post, but would anyone recommend the Tak 35mm f/2, the reason I am asking is because I will have a chance to obtain one, but in the review here a few said it is soft at f/2, which I had used the FA version wasn't the case.
04-18-2013, 08:13 AM - 1 Like   #7
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Some test I did with 35mm pentax lenses on a K10D here

04-18-2013, 08:13 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by tcbubbleleo Quote
sorry sort of high jacking your post, but would anyone recommend the Tak 35mm f/2, the reason I am asking is because I will have a chance to obtain one, but in the review here a few said it is soft at f/2, which I had used the FA version wasn't the case.
According to @Mike Cash Jesus uses the 35/2.

If sharpness is your main concern get the DA 35/2.4.
04-18-2013, 08:44 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by glasbak Quote
Some test I did with 35mm pentax lenses on a K10D here
Awesome work there. Looking at each lens, sliding from wide open to say f11, it seems the 35/2 and 35/2.8 are pretty mushy until you hit f5.6, with the f2 looking like it needs to be stopped down to f11, whereas the f2.8 is best at f8...I was just using the white, top left, part of the crop. What do you think? The F 35mm looks the best to me!
04-18-2013, 02:59 PM   #10
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Glasbak's tests match up very well with my experiences. I had a Takumar 35mm f2 and the Pentax-M 35mm f2, really excited to get them, using them was a disappointment. I don't have many photos at all from either of these lenses, certainly none I like. Selling them and getting the FA 35/2 was a good move for me. I really like shots taken with the FA. Later I used the M35/2.8 and was also not impressed, though that lens was having to compete against the reality of the FA. It was easy to sell that one too. I think my Takumar was a bad example.

This is all on APS-C. On a manual focus film camera, the FA focus ring may be a little annoying. Based purely on my reading of others opinions, I might consider the K35/2 or give up speed and get the K35/3.5. The Pentax-M 35mm f2 is a nice size and build quality but lots of people say the K version was better. I also kept getting the M35/2 confused with the M50/1.4 in a camera bag: with caps, very similar.
04-19-2013, 02:44 AM   #11
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It seems there was a general consensus as regards the quality of 35 mm. Pentax lenses , and most of the oppinions ( Takinami , for instance ) stated that the best were FA 35 f/2 ( very highly priced second hand ) and the old K 35 f/3,5 in terms of sharpness and high resolution. I own the K 35 f/2 and the SMC Tak 35 f/3,5 .I consider the K 35f/2 as a very good lens, beautiffully buid, ( soft at f/2 ) with a amazing colours rendition , but in my oppinion doesn´t reach the level of K 28 f/2 or even K 28 f/3,5.

Today , with the advent of DA 35 f/2,8 macro limited and DA 35 f/2,4 perhaps the oppinions are different . Enclosed a comparison from a french photographer and Pentax fan between K 35 f/2 and DA 35 f/2,8 macro limited. Not bad results at all for a 30 years old lens ˇ

PENTAX SMC K 35mm f2 face au PENTAX DA 35mm f2.8 Macro Limited - Mon Univers Pentax

Regards
04-19-2013, 07:17 AM   #12
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Well, I now have both lenses, the M 35/2 and M 35/2.8. Looking through the viewfinder, the extra stop makes selection of focus easier. Time will tell regarding the photos.
06-25-2013, 12:02 PM - 1 Like   #13
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Just following up on this, the 35mm f2 lens was sharper on film than the 35mm f2.8 lens, by 1 resolution group at f5.6 and f8, at f11 both were equal. I am not really surprised by this. I used Tmax 400 and inspected the negative using a 25x scope and Nikon 50/2.8N enlarging lens, in an enlarger. The performance improvement is pretty small, with the 35m f2.8 being a fine performer. Both achieved 60lp/mm.
06-25-2013, 01:35 PM   #14
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why would you care about sharpness difference? they are both damn sharp for normal use... the difference being DoF becouse of f/2 vs f/2.8. Tha later version is smaller if that is of matter to any and build quality is the same
06-25-2013, 02:43 PM   #15
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It's just more information. You can ignore it or act on it as you see fit.
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