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**Rorschach** · 12-31-2008, 06:57 AM

Hi,

Does this lens have a rotating front element? If not, it would seem like a perfect lens to use on my K10D with the Pentax Stereo Adapter. The adapter needs a FOV close to 50mm (in 35mm format) and couples to filter thread size 52mm.

This lens also has pretty nice light gathering abilities and I guess optical quality is also good (though only one review in the lens review section...) ? So it could perhaps serve more general photographic duties as well.

Thanks for any info on the lens.

Best regards and a Happy New Year!

Boucicaut

CSoars · 12-31-2008, 08:16 AM

No it doesn't have a rotating element. Big chunk of metal and glass, 8 element/7 groups. Like a few have said, it's a little soft @ f/2 but quite sharp from 2.8 onwards, but I've only used it on film. I picked up mine from KEH.com and it's become my normal walkaround.

I don't suppose you could use a step-down ring and use on of the M or A series?

**Rorschach** · 12-31-2008, 08:36 AM

Originally posted by CSoars

Not it doesn't have a rotating element. Big chunk of metal and glass, 8 element/7 groups. Like a few have said, it's a little soft @ f/2 but quite sharp from 2.8 onwards, but I've only used it on film. I picked up mine from KEH.com and it's become my normal walkaround.

I don't suppose you could use a step-down ring and use on of the M or A series?

Thanks! Looks like I can start the search for a cheap copy. I guess using a step-down ring is also a possibility though.

Miserere · 12-31-2008, 11:19 AM

Originally posted by Boucicaut

Thanks! Looks like I can start the search for a cheap copy.

Good luck with that!

**Rorschach** · 12-31-2008, 11:49 AM

Originally posted by Miserere

Good luck with that!

So what kind of price should I expect for a copy in, say, EX condition in KEH terms?
I'm not in a hurry with this, I can wait for a good offering

CSoars · 12-31-2008, 12:34 PM

I think I paid $235 USD for my copy, EX rated. They wanted to tack on $65 USD shipping via UPS, but I convinced them to send it by regular US Post to save some money.

Quicksand · 12-31-2008, 12:49 PM

I didn't know there was such a thing as a stereo adapter!

I hope you realize that by bringing it up here, you have obligated yourself to post some 3-D pictures once you have all the equipment together.

**Rorschach** · 12-31-2008, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by CSoars

I think I paid $235 USD for my copy, EX rated. They wanted to tack on $65 USD shipping via UPS, but I convinced them to send it by regular US Post to save some money.

Oops! Looks like won't be getting one very soon. Maybe sometime in the spring (translation: the wife does not approve at the moment).

**Rorschach** · 12-31-2008, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by Quicksand

I didn't know there was such a thing as a stereo adapter!

I hope you realize that by bringing it up here, you have obligated yourself to post some 3-D pictures once you have all the equipment together.

I certainly would do that but, alas, you need a special monitor for on-screen viewing of the images. If you print them (digital or film) you still need a viewing device (looks like a pair of el cheapo goggles).

Old adapter:
Pentax Stereo Adapter for SLRs

New gadget (which I have):
Pentax Stereo Adapter 3D Set (3D image viewer included) - Digital Camera Warehouse Australia

Alfisti · 12-31-2008, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by CSoars

Like a few have said, it's a little soft @ f/2 but quite sharp from 2.8 onwards, but I've only used it on film. I picked up mine from KEH.com and it's become my normal walkaround.

I am a VERY hard marker (see my lens reviews on this site), I just don't see that softness at f/2, it is stunning wide open. This is a first rate lens. In pure optical terms it bests the 77 limited IMHO. Probably the best lens I ever used optically, it just works.

Alfisti · 12-31-2008, 02:38 PM

This is f/2 ... 100% crop no less. Hand held 1/13th sec.

CSoars · 12-31-2008, 03:11 PM

Originally posted by Alfisti

I am a VERY hard marker (see my lens reviews on this site), I just don't see that softness at f/2, it is stunning wide open. This is a first rate lens. In pure optical terms it bests the 77 limited IMHO. Probably the best lens I ever used optically, it just works.

It is a fantastic lens, and I've only run about 3 rolls of film through it so far, so I'm not completely familiar with it in every situation. I can tell the difference between f/2 and f/4, though, it's brutally crisp stopped down, even with home-developed ISO 400 film.

So maybe I should rephrase that it's a little soft wide open compared to the rest of the range, but holds its own wide open compared to other lenses. Kind of like the DA 70, which is very useable wide open.

Good to see other people have it too, it seems overlooked quite a bit

**Rorschach** · 12-31-2008, 03:12 PM

Originally posted by Alfisti

This is f/2 ... 100% crop no less. Hand held 1/13th sec.

Very impressive indeed.

CSoars · 12-31-2008, 03:18 PM

Some resized 1600 DPI scans

at f/2, ISO 200, 1/30th

at f/4, ISO 400, 1/30th

12-31-2008, 06:57 AM	#1
Rorschach Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kuusamo, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 652	Pentax K 35mm f2.0 Hi, Does this lens have a rotating front element? If not, it would seem like a perfect lens to use on my K10D with the Pentax Stereo Adapter. The adapter needs a FOV close to 50mm (in 35mm format) and couples to filter thread size 52mm. This lens also has pretty nice light gathering abilities and I guess optical quality is also good (though only one review in the lens review section...) ? So it could perhaps serve more general photographic duties as well. Thanks for any info on the lens. Best regards and a Happy New Year! Boucicaut

12-31-2008, 08:16 AM	#2
CSoars Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 322	No it doesn't have a rotating element. Big chunk of metal and glass, 8 element/7 groups. Like a few have said, it's a little soft @ f/2 but quite sharp from 2.8 onwards, but I've only used it on film. I picked up mine from KEH.com and it's become my normal walkaround. I don't suppose you could use a step-down ring and use on of the M or A series? Last edited by CSoars; 12-31-2008 at 03:13 PM. Reason: spelling

12-31-2008, 03:18 PM	#14
CSoars Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 322	Sorry for big Images Some resized 1600 DPI scans at f/2, ISO 200, 1/30th at f/4, ISO 400, 1/30th

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12-31-2008, 08:36 AM	#3
Rorschach Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kuusamo, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 652 Original Poster	Originally posted by CSoars Not it doesn't have a rotating element. Big chunk of metal and glass, 8 element/7 groups. Like a few have said, it's a little soft @ f/2 but quite sharp from 2.8 onwards, but I've only used it on film. I picked up mine from KEH.com and it's become my normal walkaround. I don't suppose you could use a step-down ring and use on of the M or A series? Thanks! Looks like I can start the search for a cheap copy. I guess using a step-down ring is also a possibility though.

12-31-2008, 11:19 AM	#4
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	Originally posted by Boucicaut Thanks! Looks like I can start the search for a cheap copy. Good luck with that!

12-31-2008, 11:49 AM	#5
Rorschach Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kuusamo, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 652 Original Poster	Originally posted by Miserere Good luck with that! So what kind of price should I expect for a copy in, say, EX condition in KEH terms? I'm not in a hurry with this, I can wait for a good offering

12-31-2008, 12:34 PM	#6
CSoars Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 322	I think I paid $235 USD for my copy, EX rated. They wanted to tack on $65 USD shipping via UPS, but I convinced them to send it by regular US Post to save some money.

12-31-2008, 12:49 PM	#7
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	I didn't know there was such a thing as a stereo adapter! I hope you realize that by bringing it up here, you have obligated yourself to post some 3-D pictures once you have all the equipment together.

12-31-2008, 01:07 PM	#8
Rorschach Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kuusamo, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 652 Original Poster	Originally posted by CSoars I think I paid $235 USD for my copy, EX rated. They wanted to tack on $65 USD shipping via UPS, but I convinced them to send it by regular US Post to save some money. Oops! Looks like won't be getting one very soon. Maybe sometime in the spring (translation: the wife does not approve at the moment).

12-31-2008, 01:13 PM	#9
Rorschach Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kuusamo, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 652 Original Poster	Originally posted by Quicksand I didn't know there was such a thing as a stereo adapter! I hope you realize that by bringing it up here, you have obligated yourself to post some 3-D pictures once you have all the equipment together. I certainly would do that but, alas, you need a special monitor for on-screen viewing of the images. If you print them (digital or film) you still need a viewing device (looks like a pair of el cheapo goggles). Old adapter: Pentax Stereo Adapter for SLRs New gadget (which I have): Pentax Stereo Adapter 3D Set (3D image viewer included) - Digital Camera Warehouse Australia

12-31-2008, 02:06 PM	#10
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	Originally posted by CSoars Like a few have said, it's a little soft @ f/2 but quite sharp from 2.8 onwards, but I've only used it on film. I picked up mine from KEH.com and it's become my normal walkaround. I am a VERY hard marker (see my lens reviews on this site), I just don't see that softness at f/2, it is stunning wide open. This is a first rate lens. In pure optical terms it bests the 77 limited IMHO. Probably the best lens I ever used optically, it just works.

12-31-2008, 02:38 PM	#11
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	This is f/2 ... 100% crop no less. Hand held 1/13th sec.

12-31-2008, 03:11 PM	#12
CSoars Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 322	Originally posted by Alfisti I am a VERY hard marker (see my lens reviews on this site), I just don't see that softness at f/2, it is stunning wide open. This is a first rate lens. In pure optical terms it bests the 77 limited IMHO. Probably the best lens I ever used optically, it just works. It is a fantastic lens, and I've only run about 3 rolls of film through it so far, so I'm not completely familiar with it in every situation. I can tell the difference between f/2 and f/4, though, it's brutally crisp stopped down, even with home-developed ISO 400 film. So maybe I should rephrase that it's a little soft wide open compared to the rest of the range, but holds its own wide open compared to other lenses. Kind of like the DA 70, which is very useable wide open. Good to see other people have it too, it seems overlooked quite a bit

12-31-2008, 03:12 PM	#13
Rorschach Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kuusamo, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 652 Original Poster	Originally posted by Alfisti This is f/2 ... 100% crop no less. Hand held 1/13th sec. Very impressive indeed.

Pentax K 35mm f2.0

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