Going from my film and rangefinder cameras, both full frame obviously, to my beloved K3 has always felt a bit weird. So, the one thing I've been chasing is the perfect 35mm lens for my K3. It's been interesting. I've also unloaded a number of lenses which were the result of my LBA, and also because I have no interest in
autofocus anything.
To date I have owned the following 35s:
FA 35mm f/2 "Plastic Fantastic"
Good general purpose lens. Great resolution but I found it uninspiring. No magic. I also hate the feel of the plastic and the rubber focusing ring.
Samyang 35mm f/1.4
Absolutely beautiful photographs... randomly. This line of Samyang/Rokinon lenses has quality control issues with regard to focus. Attempting to make in camera focus adjustments never worked out, and I'm no rookie at this, I've made it work for a number of my fast 50s, but it was seemingly impossible for the Samyang. I was on a shoot for Menards with a videographer who was complaining about the very same thing. I sent it back to BH and didn't feel like playing the crap shoot with another one.
Takumar 35mm f/3.5
I genuinely liked this lens, Takumars have "
a thing". Being an m42, it wasn't the most convenient when all you shoot is primes and you wanna make a switch, but there is a texture to Takumar photographs that I like a lot. Outstanding resolution, as well. Sadly, it fell victim to the following lens...
SMC K 35mm f/3.5
I really don't understand how this lens, which weighs almost nothing and can be had on the cheap, is so damn good. It's shocking, really, scenes simply pop into focus. The 3D effect, image resolution, contrast and color are nearly perfect, IMO. There is magic. It's perfectly sharp wide open, and nothing but razors from f/5.6 to f/8. I've never shot beyond f/8, so I really can't speak to diffraction, if any. Full disclosure: I'm also a "
shallow depth of field whore", but I don't miss it with this lens.
Zeiss 2/35 ZK
I own a couple of Zeiss lenses for my other cameras. I found this ZK version on eBay for a price that wasn't outrageous... for Zeiss. It is a beautiful thing and built like a tank. Functionally, it required no focus adjustment and is perfectly center sharp at f/2. The focus ring is like sex, it's a wonderful piece of glass. I really wanted this lens to destroy my K35, or at least be better in every way. I mean damn - it's a ZEISS, right? Well, that's simply not the case.
Yes. I can shoot and nail photographs at f/2 with regularity, and the Zeiss feels absolutely fabulous on the camera. And of course - Aperture Priority, great. And, um... that is all. The K35 matches or exceeds the Zeiss in every other category that matters. I know there are those who believe that those words are
akin to heresy, but I stand by them. Additionally, the simple economics of it all: $600 vs $160? At nearly four times the price and a name like Zeiss, you need to deliver more.
Or... maybe this 70s era Pentax lens is just that damn good.
my 2¢.