Advices on 35mm lens

Juventino · 08-09-2013, 12:26 AM

Hello everybody,
I am looking for advice on a 35mm lens. I played with the kit lens at 24 and I found this focal lens interesting. Moreover, it is the standard on a DSLR. I would like to use on my ME Super (mainly) as well as on my K-r, hence it must be FF-compatible and must have an aperture ring (excluding the Macro limited for these reasons). I shoot mainly street and landscape (people and their environment). I am not maniac about sharpness (

) but I like to make nice pictures on a technical point of view. In other words, I don't shoot for only sharpness but when I have a nice shoot which can be enlarged, I have the satisfaction to have made a good job (probably like all)
I found several possibilities but I have doubts:

K35/3.5: I read that one of the best lenses is the K35/3.5. It is highly rated, has the reputation to be sharp but I don't see often on the market (maybe the holders wants to keep them). I don't know if it is the same than the Takumar version (optical scheme, SMC coating...). This latter lens seems to be more available but has the M42 screw mount. On the film camera it would be less problematic since I don't change the lens often, unlike the DSLR.
A35/2.8: The A35/2.8 could be an alternative (the A mode is a plus for the DSLR) but it also seems to be rare and I did not find that much on its optical qualities.
FA35/2: This lens has all the qualities, has the reputation to be sharp and can use all the functions of a DSLR. Its problem is its price but I would have to save several months.
Samyang 34/1.4: This lens seem to have a good reputation and qualities. I don't know how it compares with the K35/3.5 and FA35/2.
FA31/1.8: Dream on boy...outstanding nut out of my budget

Maybe there are other alternatives. Any suggestions?
Thanks for reading and for your advices.

dominikkolendo · 08-09-2013, 02:31 AM

the 35mm macro is the best lens i haev ever owned. it's my desert island lens.
jsut sayin.

as for your more realistic choices, i have owned the old 3.5 35mm screw-mount and sold it to someone on this forum, it was really useless as a digital lens and honestly isn't worth owning.

that's about the only advice i can give, i do not have experience with any of the other lenses, but the preview of the samyang 1.4 on here looked good, that would be my choice based on speculation. 1.4!

bassek · 08-09-2013, 02:39 AM

I have the K35/3.5 and I really like it. But you do not find it easily anywhere.

The M35/2.8 ( SMC Pentax-M 35mm F2.8 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database ) is cheaper and quite often on sale on ebay.

Seb.

**interested_observer** · 08-09-2013, 02:57 AM

Good Morning,

Not too far from 35 and 31mm, but closer to the 24mm that you are interested in is a whole slew of 28mm lenses. There are the Pentax K, M and A's, along with the Tak's which would need a M42 to K adapter. Then there are the third party lenses at 28 and 24 too, that have a wide range of capabilities, looks along with pricing. The lens database has a large number of these listed - along with comments and opinions.

Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
Pentax Lenses by Sigma, Tamron, Zeiss, and more - Reviews and Specification Database - Pentax Lens Review Database

Here are several that may be of interest to you - I just link a few lenses rated at 8+ that were for the most part less than $100 (sometimes more)...

Here is a comparison of the Contax Zeiss 28/2.8 to the 31 Limited or a $300 lens to a $1,000 lens...

Pentax Forum - Camera & Photography Community - PentaxForums.com

You can go through the lens database and find lenses for as low as $5 - yes, you need to go find them - Craigslist and evilbay, but with some looking you can easily find 28's and some 24's going for anywhere from $10 up (most of the time with a camera attached). There are a whole lot of possibilities available.

Schmidlapper · 08-09-2013, 04:28 AM

I too like the 24mm focal length on pentax dSLR, which is effectively around 35mm. I have both the k24/2.8 and the FA*24/2, and used the K24 quite often and like it, but once I got the FA*24 the K24 was relegated to the collection drawer. Both the K24 and FA*24 are available used pretty often, the K24 is relatively reasonable, while the FA*24 brings a premium. I will say the FA deserves the * designation and in my opinion is an exceptional lens with pleasing optical qualities.

**baro-nite** · 08-09-2013, 04:42 AM

Looks like the Takumar versions of the 35/3.5 are the same optical formula as the SMC Pentax. The Takumars are certainly easier to find than the K version. I have the K and love it but have never tried the Takumar equivalent, nonetheless am a bit surprised by dominikkolendo's comment. Maybe it is as you say a question of coatings -- the Takumar goes all the way back to Auto-Takumar. See if you can find the S-M-C Takumar, or the K.

nono · 08-09-2013, 05:48 AM

I have the Super Takumar 35 f/3.5 and I love its rendering. Maybe dominikkolendo had a bad copy or something?

Both shot with K-5 and Super Tak 35 f/3.5.

oxidized · 08-09-2013, 06:08 AM

If you have the patience and dedication to look on ebay (i would just save a search), you may be able to find a Mir-24 (35mm F2) for around $100. It is not super common but not that rare either. Very nice M42 lens. Just make sure to get the M42 mount and not the nikon mount (if it says H or N = Nikon)

Here is one that popped up in at our marketplace some time ago. Just posting it for the pics.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/sold-items/81879-sale-sold-mir-24-35mm-f-2-a.html

Juventino · 08-09-2013, 08:13 AM

Thank you all.

dominikkolendo : WHy do you find the Takumar useless on digital? Because of its optical qualities and/or you don't feel confortable with the focal length?

bassek: Thanks you for this suggestion. It will read about it.

interested_observer: Wow your list is impressive. However I would like a 35 and not 28 or 24 because I want 35mm on film and 50mm on DSLR. Thus I keep the Cosina and the Zeiss under observation

.

Schmidlapper : I am looking for a 35mm ... I don't want to start a LBA looking at 24 but if I want 35mm on DSLR...

baro-nite: Yes the lenses seem to have the same optical formula (maybe SMC coating in the last versions) but they have different ratings in the database : 8.87/39 versus 9.75/20. I think this is not a negligible difference

nono : Thanks for the picture. Did you try it on a film SLR?

oxidized : Thanks for the suggestion

carrrlangas · 08-09-2013, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by Juventino

I am looking for advice on a 35mm lens. I played with the kit lens at 24 and I found this focal lens interesting.

I am a bit confused so, just in case, you do know that the kit lens FL markings are valid for any format, right? I mean, If you liked the field of view of the kit lens @ 24mm, then you should search for a 24mm prime! it will also give you the field of view as the kit lens at 24mm because... they are the same focal length!
Now, If you liked how 24mm looked on your DSLR and want an equivalent for your film camera, then you are right, it should be a 35mm.

nono · 08-09-2013, 08:56 AM

Originally posted by Juventino

nono : Thanks for the picture. Did you try it on a film SLR?

Nope, only on digital.

**baro-nite** · 08-09-2013, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by Juventino

they have different ratings in the database

The lens reviews are helpful but only in a general way; there is no standard for reviewing and different people review different lenses, so it is not that helpful to compare ratings. As long as you don't mind dealing with an M42 lens I would keep the Takumar version in consideration.

Juventino · 08-09-2013, 09:17 AM

Originally posted by carrrlangas

I am a bit confused so, just in case, you do know that the kit lens FL markings are valid for any format, right? I mean, If you liked the field of view of the kit lens @ 24mm, then you should search for a 24mm prime! it will also give you the field of view as the kit lens at 24mm because... they are the same focal length!
Now, If you liked how 24mm looked on your DSLR and want an equivalent for your film camera, then you are right, it should be a 35mm.

Yes I think I am right

. I tried the kit lens @24 to have a 35mm equivalent that I would use on film and this lens on DSLR would be equivalent to a standard hence I may get two lenses in one

Juventino · 08-09-2013, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by baro-nite

The lens reviews are helpful but only in a general way; there is no standard for reviewing and different people review different lenses, so it is not that helpful to compare ratings. As long as you don't mind dealing with an M42 lens I would keep the Takumar version in consideration.

You are true: Even if people had he same rating scale, there are still differences among the lenses themselves... I keep in mind this lens as they seem to be more affordable as they were produced for a longer period. If they deliver quality and pleasure, using M42 is a fair price to pay

carrrlangas · 08-09-2013, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by Juventino

Yes I think I am right . I tried the kit lens @24 to have a 35mm equivalent that I would use on film and this lens on DSLR would be equivalent to a standard hence I may get two lenses in one

Ok, I didn´t mean to offend or anything just a common problem thinking the kit lens or other "digital lens" markings already consider the crop factor.

Regarding the 35mm I´d go for the M35/2.8 or M35/2 as they are both quite underappreciated. Any 35mm prime should be sharp enough and good wide open. The DA35/2.4 is very good value but you´d have to get a body that can control aperture like an inexpensive MZ-50

Good luck!

08-09-2013, 12:26 AM	#1
Juventino Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 32	Advices on 35mm lens Hello everybody, I am looking for advice on a 35mm lens. I played with the kit lens at 24 and I found this focal lens interesting. Moreover, it is the standard on a DSLR. I would like to use on my ME Super (mainly) as well as on my K-r, hence it must be FF-compatible and must have an aperture ring (excluding the Macro limited for these reasons). I shoot mainly street and landscape (people and their environment). I am not maniac about sharpness () but I like to make nice pictures on a technical point of view. In other words, I don't shoot for only sharpness but when I have a nice shoot which can be enlarged, I have the satisfaction to have made a good job (probably like all) I found several possibilities but I have doubts: K35/3.5: I read that one of the best lenses is the K35/3.5. It is highly rated, has the reputation to be sharp but I don't see often on the market (maybe the holders wants to keep them). I don't know if it is the same than the Takumar version (optical scheme, SMC coating...). This latter lens seems to be more available but has the M42 screw mount. On the film camera it would be less problematic since I don't change the lens often, unlike the DSLR. A35/2.8: The A35/2.8 could be an alternative (the A mode is a plus for the DSLR) but it also seems to be rare and I did not find that much on its optical qualities. FA35/2: This lens has all the qualities, has the reputation to be sharp and can use all the functions of a DSLR. Its problem is its price but I would have to save several months. Samyang 34/1.4: This lens seem to have a good reputation and qualities. I don't know how it compares with the K35/3.5 and FA35/2. FA31/1.8: Dream on boy...outstanding nut out of my budget Maybe there are other alternatives. Any suggestions? Thanks for reading and for your advices.

08-09-2013, 02:57 AM	#4
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Good Morning, Not too far from 35 and 31mm, but closer to the 24mm that you are interested in is a whole slew of 28mm lenses. There are the Pentax K, M and A's, along with the Tak's which would need a M42 to K adapter. Then there are the third party lenses at 28 and 24 too, that have a wide range of capabilities, looks along with pricing. The lens database has a large number of these listed - along with comments and opinions. Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Pentax Lenses by Sigma, Tamron, Zeiss, and more - Reviews and Specification Database - Pentax Lens Review Database Here are several that may be of interest to you - I just link a few lenses rated at 8+ that were for the most part less than $100 (sometimes more)... Pentax M42 Screwmount Wide-Angle Primes - Lens Reviews and Specifications - SLR and Interchangeable Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Tokina RMC II 24mm F2.8 Lens Reviews - Tokina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Tokina MF 28mm F2.8 Lens Reviews - Tokina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Tokina Lenses for Pentax: Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Cosina MC Cosinon-W 24mm f:2.8 24mm Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Cosina 35mm f2.8 Cosinon W MC Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Cosina 20mm f3.8 MC Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Carl Zeiss 28mm F2.8 Distagon T* Lens Reviews - Carl Zeiss Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Carl Zeiss 35mm F2.4 Flektogon MC Lens Reviews - Carl Zeiss Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Kiron 28mm F2 MC Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database CPC 28mm F/2.8 Opti-Coated Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database TOYO OPTICS MC 28mm F/2.8 Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Image 28mm f/2.8 Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Auto-Promura 28mm 2.8 C.P. Hi-Lux MC Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Spiratone 24mm F2.8 YS Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Kiron 24mm f2.0 MC Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Quantaray 28mm F2.8 Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database JML 28mm f2.8 macro Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Chinon - Tomioka 28mm f2.8 MC Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database petri 28mm f:2 mc Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Here is a comparison of the Contax Zeiss 28/2.8 to the 31 Limited or a $300 lens to a $1,000 lens... Pentax Forum - Camera & Photography Community - PentaxForums.com You can go through the lens database and find lenses for as low as $5 - yes, you need to go find them - Craigslist and evilbay, but with some looking you can easily find 28's and some 24's going for anywhere from $10 up (most of the time with a camera attached). There are a whole lot of possibilities available.

08-09-2013, 08:34 AM	#10
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761	Hold on a second! Originally posted by Juventino I am looking for advice on a 35mm lens. I played with the kit lens at 24 and I found this focal lens interesting. I am a bit confused so, just in case, you do know that the kit lens FL markings are valid for any format, right? I mean, If you liked the field of view of the kit lens @ 24mm, then you should search for a 24mm prime! it will also give you the field of view as the kit lens at 24mm because... they are the same focal length! Now, If you liked how 24mm looked on your DSLR and want an equivalent for your film camera, then you are right, it should be a 35mm.

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08-09-2013, 02:31 AM	#2
dominikkolendo Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: portland, or Posts: 105	the 35mm macro is the best lens i haev ever owned. it's my desert island lens. jsut sayin. as for your more realistic choices, i have owned the old 3.5 35mm screw-mount and sold it to someone on this forum, it was really useless as a digital lens and honestly isn't worth owning. that's about the only advice i can give, i do not have experience with any of the other lenses, but the preview of the samyang 1.4 on here looked good, that would be my choice based on speculation. 1.4!

08-09-2013, 02:39 AM	#3
bassek Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 706	I have the K35/3.5 and I really like it. But you do not find it easily anywhere. The M35/2.8 ( SMC Pentax-M 35mm F2.8 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database ) is cheaper and quite often on sale on ebay. Seb.

08-09-2013, 04:28 AM	#5
Schmidlapper Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 534	I too like the 24mm focal length on pentax dSLR, which is effectively around 35mm. I have both the k24/2.8 and the FA24/2, and used the K24 quite often and like it, but once I got the FA24 the K24 was relegated to the collection drawer. Both the K24 and FA24 are available used pretty often, the K24 is relatively reasonable, while the FA24 brings a premium. I will say the FA deserves the * designation and in my opinion is an exceptional lens with pleasing optical qualities.

08-09-2013, 04:42 AM	#6
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,295	Looks like the Takumar versions of the 35/3.5 are the same optical formula as the SMC Pentax. The Takumars are certainly easier to find than the K version. I have the K and love it but have never tried the Takumar equivalent, nonetheless am a bit surprised by dominikkolendo's comment. Maybe it is as you say a question of coatings -- the Takumar goes all the way back to Auto-Takumar. See if you can find the S-M-C Takumar, or the K.

08-09-2013, 05:48 AM	#7
nono Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Paris, France Posts: 248	I have the Super Takumar 35 f/3.5 and I love its rendering. Maybe dominikkolendo had a bad copy or something? Both shot with K-5 and Super Tak 35 f/3.5.

08-09-2013, 06:08 AM	#8
oxidized Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA - Delaware Photos: Albums Posts: 435	If you have the patience and dedication to look on ebay (i would just save a search), you may be able to find a Mir-24 (35mm F2) for around $100. It is not super common but not that rare either. Very nice M42 lens. Just make sure to get the M42 mount and not the nikon mount (if it says H or N = Nikon) Here is one that popped up in at our marketplace some time ago. Just posting it for the pics. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/sold-items/81879-sale-sold-mir-24-35mm-f-2-a.html

08-09-2013, 08:13 AM	#9
Juventino Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 32 Original Poster	Thank you all. dominikkolendo : WHy do you find the Takumar useless on digital? Because of its optical qualities and/or you don't feel confortable with the focal length? bassek: Thanks you for this suggestion. It will read about it. interested_observer: Wow your list is impressive. However I would like a 35 and not 28 or 24 because I want 35mm on film and 50mm on DSLR. Thus I keep the Cosina and the Zeiss under observation . Schmidlapper : I am looking for a 35mm ... I don't want to start a LBA looking at 24 but if I want 35mm on DSLR... baro-nite: Yes the lenses seem to have the same optical formula (maybe SMC coating in the last versions) but they have different ratings in the database : 8.87/39 versus 9.75/20. I think this is not a negligible difference nono : Thanks for the picture. Did you try it on a film SLR? oxidized : Thanks for the suggestion

08-09-2013, 08:56 AM	#11
nono Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Paris, France Posts: 248	Originally posted by Juventino nono : Thanks for the picture. Did you try it on a film SLR? Nope, only on digital.

08-09-2013, 09:07 AM	#12
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,295	Originally posted by Juventino they have different ratings in the database The lens reviews are helpful but only in a general way; there is no standard for reviewing and different people review different lenses, so it is not that helpful to compare ratings. As long as you don't mind dealing with an M42 lens I would keep the Takumar version in consideration.

08-09-2013, 09:17 AM	#13
Juventino Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 32 Original Poster	Originally posted by carrrlangas I am a bit confused so, just in case, you do know that the kit lens FL markings are valid for any format, right? I mean, If you liked the field of view of the kit lens @ 24mm, then you should search for a 24mm prime! it will also give you the field of view as the kit lens at 24mm because... they are the same focal length! Now, If you liked how 24mm looked on your DSLR and want an equivalent for your film camera, then you are right, it should be a 35mm. Yes I think I am right . I tried the kit lens @24 to have a 35mm equivalent that I would use on film and this lens on DSLR would be equivalent to a standard hence I may get two lenses in one

08-09-2013, 09:20 AM	#14
Juventino Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 32 Original Poster	Originally posted by baro-nite The lens reviews are helpful but only in a general way; there is no standard for reviewing and different people review different lenses, so it is not that helpful to compare ratings. As long as you don't mind dealing with an M42 lens I would keep the Takumar version in consideration. You are true: Even if people had he same rating scale, there are still differences among the lenses themselves... I keep in mind this lens as they seem to be more affordable as they were produced for a longer period. If they deliver quality and pleasure, using M42 is a fair price to pay

08-09-2013, 10:03 AM	#15
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761	Originally posted by Juventino Yes I think I am right . I tried the kit lens @24 to have a 35mm equivalent that I would use on film and this lens on DSLR would be equivalent to a standard hence I may get two lenses in one Ok, I didn´t mean to offend or anything just a common problem thinking the kit lens or other "digital lens" markings already consider the crop factor. Regarding the 35mm I´d go for the M35/2.8 or M35/2 as they are both quite underappreciated. Any 35mm prime should be sharp enough and good wide open. The DA35/2.4 is very good value but you´d have to get a body that can control aperture like an inexpensive MZ-50 Good luck!