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02-08-2015, 07:56 PM   #1
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K35/3.5 or k30/2.8?

I was wondering if anyone could help me decide between these two. Other than the obvious differences, would I be missing out if I were to buy the 35? I kinda would rather have the 30 but it's twice the price. I'm planning on primarily using it for closer stuff like ends of branches or tree stumps. The kind of stuff you find on the woods. So bokeh is more important than if I were using it for landscapes. I know the 35 doesn't have as high of a rating as the 30 for bokeh but $150 extra for slightly better may not be worth it. So just wondering your thoughts.
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02-08-2015, 08:17 PM   #2
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I have both and both are special lenses. The 30 is maybe sharper for your uses, IMO the 35 renders color better and is I suppose better bokeh. On price alone I'd start with the 35. It's good enough.

If you don't like it, sell it and get the 30 - they're both becoming much easier to find than they would have been a decade ago.

FWIW I would sell every lens I own including the 3 Princesses before I would let the K35/3.5 go, but that's just me.

Last edited by monochrome; 02-08-2015 at 08:27 PM.
02-08-2015, 08:29 PM   #3
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How is the focus throw on both of them? Is one longer than the other? Is one easier to hit the focus than the other?
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---------- Post added 02-08-15 at 08:47 PM ----------

I've actually been selling my lenses with the intentions of buying the 30. But then the 35 popped up and I've been torn ever since lol. Either way, I need one of them to go along with my k135/2.5. But I think I'll just go with the 35, then I can spend the rest of my money on a tripod.
02-08-2015, 09:02 PM   #4
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The 35 if anything has a bit too narrow a focus ring (3 'bumps' wide, vs. 4) for my fat fingers. Both are typical K-series robust construction. My copy of the 35 snaps into focus a bit better but neither is anything like a macro lens.

I will say, focus peaking has brought these lenses onto my K-3 as long as I can tolerate looking at the LCD and not through the VF. Before that it was either film cameras or the K-01.

All I can say is choose one and go with it - none of us can really tell you which is a clear winner they're so close.

02-09-2015, 12:58 AM   #5
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the Takinami lens resolution test summary says that they are very similar across the frame: Measured Resolution Numbers

but that's ff, and you are shooting crop? no need to worry about the sides so much, unless you plan on upgrading the body to ff later... getting comparable resolution like that out of a wider lens is more difficult for a lens manufacturer.

flip side is, longer focal lengths usually have less distortion, fwiw.

getting something that's not decentered is going to be a much bigger problem.
02-09-2015, 07:35 AM - 1 Like   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Another dyemention Quote
I'm planning on primarily using it for closer stuff like ends of branches or tree stumps.

If it's the case that you usually have the freedom to "fill the frame" simply by moving your feet a little, you've got a lot of neat focal lengths to consider. I find the K28 3.5 to naturally "fit" just about anything I look at with the naked eye, but to be honest, I dig the K55 1.8 in that role as well. You could definitely pick up both of those lenses for well under the going rate of the K30--and to be honest, the K35 3.5's seem a little spendy lately, as well (at least on KEH.)


Here's one from the K55 in "backcountry" mode:


02-09-2015, 01:41 PM   #7
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I've inly found the k28 for $250 from a seller on the marketplace. I don't seem to have to best luck finding k lenses like others do. But I'd love to get the k28. I haven't considered the 55 that much as my dad has an Olympus 55 that I'm waiting for him to dig out. But I did see plenty of those for around $50.

02-09-2015, 02:16 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by Another dyemention Quote
found the k28 for $250

That does seem a bit high, but it's possible that the FF announcement might spur an uptick in demand. Be patient, though: seller "MightyMike" sold a K35 3.5 for $120 a few weeks ago, so bargains do show up. (FWIW, KEH has the K35 2.0 up for $225 now--it's listed as being in "Bargain" condition, but KEH is known for being pretty conservative in their lens ratings.) Another MF option around that focal length would be the Voigtlander 40mm Ultron--I think "new old stock" is still available for under $500...more than your budget perhaps, but the lens gets great reviews (it even has a well-regarded close-focus lens) and it's chipped, so you don't have to worry about the Green Button in this case.
02-16-2017, 12:29 PM   #9
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I've found a S-M-C Takumar 35mm 3.5 for a good price. Is it comparable with the K 35mm 3.5 in terms of image quality?
02-16-2017, 12:55 PM   #10
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Honestly if you can get the 30mm grab it instead. They are much harder to find than the 35mm 3.5.
One thing I can tell you for sure is the 35mm 3.5 is an amazing lens anyway.
No matter which one you cannot go wrong.

---------- Post added 02-16-17 at 02:01 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by Another dyemention Quote
I've inly found the k28 for $250 from a seller on the marketplace. I don't seem to have to best luck finding k lenses like others do. But I'd love to get the k28. I haven't considered the 55 that much as my dad has an Olympus 55 that I'm waiting for him to dig out. But I did see plenty of those for around $50.
28mm SMC-K for $250 ? Are You serious ? Geeze , I'm really out of the lens prices as of late. I have an extra one and its mint. I was going to sell on the Marketplace or Etsy for $110 shipped. If You cant find one and have any interest PM me.

Last edited by WestBug; 02-16-2017 at 01:03 PM.
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