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ivandimarco · 08-11-2019, 02:08 PM

I've purchased a Pentax Spotmatic F for when traveling and packing light.
My first purchase in terms of lenses has been a 55 mm f/1.8 because I really like the focal length, it was cheap and I knew the person who was selling it.

I do landscape photography while hiking in Scotland and, sometimes, seascapes. I don't do portraits or street photography, and I don't need anything super-fast, cause the camera is 80% of the time attached to the tripod.

My pick will be in between the 35 mm f/3.5 or the 28 mm f/3.5.

I tried to look online and seems that both lenses are, potentially, good performers and I was wondering if anyone has tried at least one of them.

Honestly there's no much difference talking about focal length, so I'll go for the one with best overall performances.

Thanks for helping!

mauri · 08-11-2019, 03:49 PM

I don't think you'll be dissatisfied with either one. I'd go for the 28 purely because it's further away in viewing angle from your 50 than the 35.

ivandimarco · 08-11-2019, 11:34 PM

Originally posted by mauri

I don't think you'll be dissatisfied with either one. I'd go for the 28 purely because it's further away in viewing angle from your 50 than the 35.

Thanks. This is what I've thought and, usually, I find myself quite confident with the 28. Most important thing is both glasses are good. Cheers

**Kerrowdown** · 08-11-2019, 11:57 PM

Originally posted by ivandimarco

between the 35 mm f/3.5 or the 28 mm f/3.5

If you go 28mm, you could have a dual genre lens on your hands...

Whilst I know you said you don't... you could have a crack at "street" photography, as IMHO it's the ideal focal length for such things.

Dartmoor Dave · 08-11-2019, 11:59 PM - **1 Like**

If you get the 28mm then you'll have two-thirds of the classic film shooter's kit of 28mm, 50mm(or 55mm) and 135mm. There have been many people who used nothing but that basic three lens kit over their whole photographic lives and never felt a need for anything more.

I'd only recommend the 35mm if you're thinking of using a different basic kit, such as a 24mm for wide angle and a 35mm as your "normal". Personally I've always found 50mm too long for me as a "normal" lens, so I'm happier with a 24mm and 35mm kit when I'm shooting film rather than a 28mm and 50mm. But all that matters is what works best for you as an individual.

**pepperberry farm** · 08-12-2019, 12:12 AM - **2 Likes**

35mm and a 24mm.. skip the 28 altogether....

**From1980** · 08-12-2019, 04:29 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

35mm and a 24mm.. skip the 28 altogether....

My opinion too. I also add a short tele focal length because it's a great lens to isolate details. It often simplifies compositions with a narrower angle of view and a different perspective than the panoramic wide look it seems most default to first.

**aslyfox** · 08-12-2019, 05:08 AM

looking at a 35mm might temp you to go for a limited

HD Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro

SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro

be aware that is a slippery slope

**boriscleto** · 08-12-2019, 05:24 AM

Originally posted by aslyfox

looking at a 35mm might temp you to go for a limited

HD Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro

SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro

be aware that is a slippery slope

OP is using a Spotmatic F.

**TwoUptons** · 08-12-2019, 05:25 AM

I thought the classic “film shooters kit” was 35, 50, and 135mm...

But I’d get the 28...

Eventually, you’re going to want them all anyway

And don’t forget the telephotos... Pentax made some extremely tiny (for the time) telephoto lenses for M42...

-Eric

**aslyfox** · 08-12-2019, 05:32 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

OP is using a Spotmatic F.

oops

missed that

ivandimarco · 08-12-2019, 05:58 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by TwoUptons

I thought the classic “film shooters kit” was 35, 50, and 135mm...

But I’d get the 28...

Eventually, you’re going to want them all anyway

And don’t forget the telephotos... Pentax made some extremely tiny (for the time) telephoto lenses for M42...

-Eric

Yep, me too. Always thought that the classic kit was 35, 50 and 135. Honestly, I tend to skip the 35 because too close to the 50 but I read so many great reviews about the Pentax 35 M42 and I started to think about it. About telephoto lenses I'd love to get the 105 one day, if I can find one! I know isn't that long, but again, seems to have such a great reputation!

**pepperberry farm** · 08-12-2019, 06:02 AM

the S-T 105/2.8 is a gorgeous lens....

**TwoUptons** · 08-12-2019, 06:26 AM - **1 Like**

I have the 120mm f2.8, and it’s pretty neat, too...

As is the 35mm F2.0...

There are tons of options...

-Eric

**pepperberry farm** · 08-12-2019, 06:29 AM

Originally posted by TwoUptons

I have the 120mm f2.8, and it’s pretty neat, too...

As is the 35mm F2.0...

There are tons of options...

-Eric

which 35/2?

the fat/early or the thin/late?

08-11-2019, 02:08 PM	#1
ivandimarco New Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 17	Wide Angle Lens I've purchased a Pentax Spotmatic F for when traveling and packing light. My first purchase in terms of lenses has been a 55 mm f/1.8 because I really like the focal length, it was cheap and I knew the person who was selling it. I do landscape photography while hiking in Scotland and, sometimes, seascapes. I don't do portraits or street photography, and I don't need anything super-fast, cause the camera is 80% of the time attached to the tripod. My pick will be in between the 35 mm f/3.5 or the 28 mm f/3.5. I tried to look online and seems that both lenses are, potentially, good performers and I was wondering if anyone has tried at least one of them. Honestly there's no much difference talking about focal length, so I'll go for the one with best overall performances. Thanks for helping!

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08-11-2019, 03:49 PM	#2
mauri Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bain's Vlei, FS Photos: Albums Posts: 62	I don't think you'll be dissatisfied with either one. I'd go for the 28 purely because it's further away in viewing angle from your 50 than the 35.

08-11-2019, 11:34 PM	#3
ivandimarco New Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 17 Original Poster	Originally posted by mauri I don't think you'll be dissatisfied with either one. I'd go for the 28 purely because it's further away in viewing angle from your 50 than the 35. Thanks. This is what I've thought and, usually, I find myself quite confident with the 28. Most important thing is both glasses are good. Cheers

08-11-2019, 11:57 PM	#4
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,867	Originally posted by ivandimarco between the 35 mm f/3.5 or the 28 mm f/3.5 If you go 28mm, you could have a dual genre lens on your hands... Whilst I know you said you don't... you could have a crack at "street" photography, as IMHO it's the ideal focal length for such things.

08-11-2019, 11:59 PM - 1 Like	#5
Dartmoor Dave Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dartmoor, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,890	If you get the 28mm then you'll have two-thirds of the classic film shooter's kit of 28mm, 50mm(or 55mm) and 135mm. There have been many people who used nothing but that basic three lens kit over their whole photographic lives and never felt a need for anything more. I'd only recommend the 35mm if you're thinking of using a different basic kit, such as a 24mm for wide angle and a 35mm as your "normal". Personally I've always found 50mm too long for me as a "normal" lens, so I'm happier with a 24mm and 35mm kit when I'm shooting film rather than a 28mm and 50mm. But all that matters is what works best for you as an individual.

08-12-2019, 12:12 AM - 2 Likes	#6
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,797	35mm and a 24mm.. skip the 28 altogether....

08-12-2019, 04:29 AM - 1 Like	#7
From1980 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Essex, Ontario Posts: 682	Originally posted by pepperberry farm 35mm and a 24mm.. skip the 28 altogether.... My opinion too. I also add a short tele focal length because it's a great lens to isolate details. It often simplifies compositions with a narrower angle of view and a different perspective than the panoramic wide look it seems most default to first.

08-12-2019, 05:08 AM	#8
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	looking at a 35mm might temp you to go for a limited HD Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro be aware that is a slippery slope

08-12-2019, 05:24 AM	#9
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Originally posted by aslyfox looking at a 35mm might temp you to go for a limited HD Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro be aware that is a slippery slope OP is using a Spotmatic F.

08-12-2019, 05:25 AM	#10
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,227	I thought the classic “film shooters kit” was 35, 50, and 135mm... But I’d get the 28... Eventually, you’re going to want them all anyway And don’t forget the telephotos... Pentax made some extremely tiny (for the time) telephoto lenses for M42... -Eric

08-12-2019, 05:32 AM	#11
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	Originally posted by boriscleto OP is using a Spotmatic F. oops missed that

08-12-2019, 05:58 AM - 1 Like	#12
ivandimarco New Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 17 Original Poster	Originally posted by TwoUptons I thought the classic “film shooters kit” was 35, 50, and 135mm... But I’d get the 28... Eventually, you’re going to want them all anyway And don’t forget the telephotos... Pentax made some extremely tiny (for the time) telephoto lenses for M42... -Eric Yep, me too. Always thought that the classic kit was 35, 50 and 135. Honestly, I tend to skip the 35 because too close to the 50 but I read so many great reviews about the Pentax 35 M42 and I started to think about it. About telephoto lenses I'd love to get the 105 one day, if I can find one! I know isn't that long, but again, seems to have such a great reputation!

08-12-2019, 06:02 AM	#13
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,797	the S-T 105/2.8 is a gorgeous lens....

08-12-2019, 06:26 AM - 1 Like	#14
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,227	I have the 120mm f2.8, and it’s pretty neat, too... As is the 35mm F2.0... There are tons of options... -Eric

08-12-2019, 06:29 AM	#15
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,797	Originally posted by TwoUptons I have the 120mm f2.8, and it’s pretty neat, too... As is the 35mm F2.0... There are tons of options... -Eric which 35/2? the fat/early or the thin/late?

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