A 35 f2.8 vs. M 35 f2.8; Is the M actually that much worse?

**Kerrowdown** · 07-03-2018, 02:04 PM

For me it's all down to speed of use... i.e. no green button for the A.

**pres589** · 07-03-2018, 02:19 PM

Due to the awesome power of cameras with fully-capable k-mounts, I don't need a green button, never mind not having one.

Zivelot · 07-03-2018, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by pres589

That's a perfect point of view to share and the kind of feedback I was looking for from a user of both. Thanks.

I actually forgot to add that I so much did not see any difference that when it came to parting with one of them I sold the A version. Somehow I liked the M more for its build and form factor ( only slightly smaller, but matched /balanced my MX camera better).

**pres589** · 07-03-2018, 02:43 PM

I'm thinking that I'll try to find one with slow aperture blades for cheap, clean it myself, and see what I think. Not out much if it's not so hot, and I can compare it to my K 35 f2 as a reference on digital.

Could get a whole stupid pile of 35's and do a comparo! DA 35 f2.4, K 35 f2, and at least one of these 35mm f2.8's. Crop digital won't stress the edges, of course, but it's a lot easier to do a comparison there vs. film.

**clickclick** · 07-03-2018, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by pres589

I'm using this on film cameras and will quite possibly be shooting with a K1000 when the time comes

If you're shooting older film cameras, then I think the M version hits the spot given the price point. And with that thought, I need to shoot more with my M28/2.8. That's another lens that doesn't get great reviews, yet I shot it very happily for years on first a K1000 and then my ME Super. Guess it's back to the old YMMV.

**TwoUptons** · 07-03-2018, 04:41 PM

Originally posted by pres589

Could get a whole stupid pile of 35's and do a comparo! DA 35 f2.4, K 35 f2, and at least one of these 35mm f2.8's. Crop digital won't stress the edges, of course, but it's a lot easier to do a comparison there vs. film.

There’s the answer... you could go on your trip with one body and eight 35mm lenses...

As you go through the trip, you sell the ones you don’t like and post them from the road. Winner is still in your bag at the end...

-Eric

stevebrot · 07-03-2018, 10:13 PM

Originally posted by pres589

Christian, would you want to focus an FA 35 f2 manually 100% of the time? Most AF lenses aren't that much fun to focus manually anyway. I do agree that pricing for the A 35 f2.8 seems oddly high.

I am not Christian, but I am an enthusiastic FA 35/2 fanboy. The short answer is that I do use my FA 35/2 on my manual focus film cameras with my only complaint being the size and placement of the focus ring. I have also used it for manual zone focus on my dSLRs. The FA 35/2 has adequate focus throw (about the same as the A 35/2.8) and is a sterling performer even when manually focused. Below is one of my favorite manual focus shots with the FA 35/2...

That being said, a better focus ring with similar performance would be hard to pass up.

Steve

**onlineflyer** · 07-05-2018, 01:11 PM

Originally posted by Ronald Oakes

"Lens Tester" will be forever "NOT" be forgotten by this forum....lol. He swooped in , gave us the blunt scoop , Straightened us all out , and quickly left ! Wow.....what a Show !
And his Revealing reviews will forever be etched on Pentax Forum's Lens review section.

'Lens Tester' really trashed the M 35-70/2.8-3.5 in his review. I can emphatically state he either had a very bad copy or was extremely biased. My copy shines and I'm a prime guy.

**pres589** · 07-06-2018, 06:02 AM

Right now I'm watching a couple of online auctions, for an M 35 f2.8 that has a slow aperture (seems straightforward to clean up) and an M 40. Both lenses seem to have their merits.

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07-03-2018, 02:04 PM	#31
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,818	For me it's all down to speed of use... i.e. no green button for the A.

07-03-2018, 02:19 PM	#32
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529 Original Poster	Due to the awesome power of cameras with fully-capable k-mounts, I don't need a green button, never mind not having one.

07-03-2018, 02:40 PM	#33
Zivelot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Great Plain, Hungary Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 204	Originally posted by pres589 That's a perfect point of view to share and the kind of feedback I was looking for from a user of both. Thanks. I actually forgot to add that I so much did not see any difference that when it came to parting with one of them I sold the A version. Somehow I liked the M more for its build and form factor ( only slightly smaller, but matched /balanced my MX camera better).

07-03-2018, 02:43 PM	#34
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529 Original Poster	I'm thinking that I'll try to find one with slow aperture blades for cheap, clean it myself, and see what I think. Not out much if it's not so hot, and I can compare it to my K 35 f2 as a reference on digital. Could get a whole stupid pile of 35's and do a comparo! DA 35 f2.4, K 35 f2, and at least one of these 35mm f2.8's. Crop digital won't stress the edges, of course, but it's a lot easier to do a comparison there vs. film.

07-03-2018, 02:52 PM	#35
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	Originally posted by pres589 I'm using this on film cameras and will quite possibly be shooting with a K1000 when the time comes If you're shooting older film cameras, then I think the M version hits the spot given the price point. And with that thought, I need to shoot more with my M28/2.8. That's another lens that doesn't get great reviews, yet I shot it very happily for years on first a K1000 and then my ME Super. Guess it's back to the old YMMV.

07-03-2018, 04:41 PM	#36
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,213	Originally posted by pres589 Could get a whole stupid pile of 35's and do a comparo! DA 35 f2.4, K 35 f2, and at least one of these 35mm f2.8's. Crop digital won't stress the edges, of course, but it's a lot easier to do a comparison there vs. film. There’s the answer... you could go on your trip with one body and eight 35mm lenses... As you go through the trip, you sell the ones you don’t like and post them from the road. Winner is still in your bag at the end... -Eric

07-03-2018, 10:13 PM	#37
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by pres589 Christian, would you want to focus an FA 35 f2 manually 100% of the time? Most AF lenses aren't that much fun to focus manually anyway. I do agree that pricing for the A 35 f2.8 seems oddly high. I am not Christian, but I am an enthusiastic FA 35/2 fanboy. The short answer is that I do use my FA 35/2 on my manual focus film cameras with my only complaint being the size and placement of the focus ring. I have also used it for manual zone focus on my dSLRs. The FA 35/2 has adequate focus throw (about the same as the A 35/2.8) and is a sterling performer even when manually focused. Below is one of my favorite manual focus shots with the FA 35/2... That being said, a better focus ring with similar performance would be hard to pass up. Steve

07-05-2018, 01:11 PM	#38
onlineflyer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,091	Originally posted by Ronald Oakes "Lens Tester" will be forever "NOT" be forgotten by this forum....lol. He swooped in , gave us the blunt scoop , Straightened us all out , and quickly left ! Wow.....what a Show ! And his Revealing reviews will forever be etched on Pentax Forum's Lens review section. 'Lens Tester' really trashed the M 35-70/2.8-3.5 in his review. I can emphatically state he either had a very bad copy or was extremely biased. My copy shines and I'm a prime guy.

07-06-2018, 06:02 AM	#39
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529 Original Poster	Right now I'm watching a couple of online auctions, for an M 35 f2.8 that has a slow aperture (seems straightforward to clean up) and an M 40. Both lenses seem to have their merits.