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02-23-2016, 03:11 PM   #1
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F 35-70 f3.5-4.5 vs DA 16-45 f4

Just got a deal on this old F35-70 f3.5-4.5 for $39 along with an SF1 camera. I did a few tests with this lens today and compared it with my old DA 16-45.
At 35mm and 45mm the F35-70 has an edge in center sharpness but the DA 16-45 is quite a bit sharper at the edges. For $39 the F35-70 is a great deal and probably
better than the 18-55 kit lens.

02-23-2016, 03:28 PM   #2
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the F35-70 is a very nice lens with decent macro capabilities!
02-23-2016, 03:34 PM   #3
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Yes, the F 35-70 is deemed by many users to give terrific value for its price.

For example, see this 'lens club': https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/258498-smc-pentax-f-35-70-...cult-club.html

Yet, there are others who believe the lens is over-rated: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/301301-just...ated-lens.html

I have one, and find it to be a good lens. I have never used the DA 16-45, so cannot compare them.

You got a good deal at $39. Mine came attached to a Pentax SF-10, for which I paid CAD $25.

- Craig
02-23-2016, 03:56 PM   #4
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I have both lenses and prefer the 16~45. Perhaps it is because more of my shots are wide; the 35~70 often seems too tight on my K5. Sometimes I get great results from it, but on other occasions I find the bokeh close to being ugly. The 16~45, however, produces a nice background blur - not spectacular, but nice - and is more than adequately sharp.

02-23-2016, 04:30 PM   #5
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I paid $140 for a SF1 with a 35-70 and 70-210. I look at it as paying $70/lens with a SF1 thrown in for free. The 35-70 is one of my favorite lenses for pseudo-macro work. It has the 1980s rendering that DA lenses lack.
02-23-2016, 04:38 PM   #6
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Don't know the 16-45, but the F35-70 has always been a pleasant surprise. Lot of bang for the buck there.
02-23-2016, 05:13 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by robert Quote
Just got a deal on this old F35-70 f3.5-4.5 for $39 along with an SF1 camera. I did a few tests with this lens today and compared it with my old DA 16-45.
At 35mm and 45mm the F35-70 has an edge in center sharpness but the DA 16-45 is quite a bit sharper at the edges. For $39 the F35-70 is a great deal and probably
better than the 18-55 kit lens.

Surely, they do different things, Robert, and you'd use them in conjunction with each other?

02-24-2016, 12:17 AM   #8
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Had both for many years and used them as Clackers suggests. Travelling with the 35-70 was easier as it is a lot smaller. But then it is too long on the wide end and I found I needed wider a lot. So Sold it on and put funds towards a DA 21 for everyday and travel (with Da 70 in the bag as well, a great small two prime kit) and then to show how illogical I am carry a Sigma 8-16. I really like wide.

The 16-45 has a useful macro end as well. Now the 16-45 gets used for event photography as it is more versatile. But the 21 is on the camera 90% of the time.
02-24-2016, 05:06 PM   #9
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I always liked the F 35-70 but it wasn't a practical "walk around" lens for me due to it just not being wide enough. I have since purchased a Sigma 17-70C which pretty much is on my camera all the time.
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