what did I buy, anyway?

GeneV · 03-11-2010, 03:10 PM

A 35/2 is a terrific lens on the APS-C format. I use the FA 35/2 constantly. Both the K and FA have terrific image quality. The FA has some big advantages over the K in that it has auto-aperture and auto-focus. It also commands more than twice the price these days.

**dadipentak** · 03-11-2010, 03:28 PM

This is the part that bothers me:

Originally posted by LouD

One sales rep said it was a fully manual lens, another that is was an A series, e.g manual focus but able to adjust aperture/shutter automatically

Unless there was some confusion, the second rep was flat-out wrong (quite uncharacteristic of KEH in my experience.)

Nick Siebers · 03-11-2010, 07:52 PM

Well, I have one of these (K 35/2) and I like it a lot. The colors and sharpness are distinctly better than the Super-Tak 35/2 I had, and the bokeh is just fabulous. Better than the DA35 for normal shooting. Of course it does not focus as closely.

All that said, I use my DA40 more, for the AF. The OP may be better served by selling this one and geting an FA 35/2. I have never tried one of those, so can't compare.

LouD · 03-15-2010, 09:42 AM

Well, I wimped out and sent back the 35. In defense of KEH, the gal wasn't 100 percent sure and made it clear I could return the lens if it wasn't what I wanted
Took some nice pix, but manual focus was a bit of a PITA for me. Maybe manual in some other focal length, but this one would be my main walk around lens.
I am rethinking lenses generally. I currently loaded for bear with a Sigma 10-20 a Sigma 24-70, and Tammy 70-300 (well ok, the tammy is for bunny rabbits). The 24-70 was swap when Sigma couldn't fix my old 24-60. Plus an FA50 for low light.
The 24-60 was nice walk-around lens, the 24 70 weighs something like two pounds and change. It takes beautiful photos, but damn, it's heavy. I either need a bigger camera bag, a smaller lens, or a different philosophy. I was whining about this to the tech guy at Berger Brothers last week while he cleaned my k100 sensor, and he just smiled and whipped out his Canon S90, already beat to hell from overuse. Pretty little thing, and cheaper than most of the "walk around" lenses.
KEH should have that 35 back in stock shortly. Give 'em a call if you're interested.

Last edited by LouD; 03-15-2010 at 09:43 AM. Reason: add

ilya80 · 03-15-2010, 01:42 PM

Originally posted by LouD

Well, I wimped out and sent back the 35. In defense of KEH, the gal wasn't 100 percent sure and made it clear I could return the lens if it wasn't what I wanted

Check out Sigma 30\1.4

If you liked everything about 35\2 but the absence of AF, this might be it.

Make sure to pick one at birck and mortar and test it before you pay, though.

LouD · 03-16-2010, 05:35 AM

That's my main candidate right now. Not too worried about a "bad copy" I'm 15 min away from their Ronkonkoma repair depot, and they'll adjust the lens to the camera while you wait.

I was also thinking about the Sigma 28/1.8. About the same size, I don't get a real good sense from the reviews here which is better. 1.8 is plenty fast for a 30 mm because you can shoot it at not quite half the shutter speed of a 50 1.4. In the real world, that Sigma 30's probably getting down near Notilux territory.

Pentaxor · 03-16-2010, 09:35 AM

Originally posted by LouD

That's my main candidate right now. Not too worried about a "bad copy" I'm 15 min away from their Ronkonkoma repair depot, and they'll adjust the lens to the camera while you wait.

I was also thinking about the Sigma 28/1.8. About the same size, I don't get a real good sense from the reviews here which is better. 1.8 is plenty fast for a 30 mm because you can shoot it at not quite half the shutter speed of a 50 1.4. In the real world, that Sigma 30's probably getting down near Notilux territory.

maybe you should try both before purchasing. for me, the 28mm focal length gives more ideal room compared to the 30mm.

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03-11-2010, 03:10 PM	#16
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	A 35/2 is a terrific lens on the APS-C format. I use the FA 35/2 constantly. Both the K and FA have terrific image quality. The FA has some big advantages over the K in that it has auto-aperture and auto-focus. It also commands more than twice the price these days.

03-11-2010, 03:28 PM	#17
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	This is the part that bothers me: Originally posted by LouD One sales rep said it was a fully manual lens, another that is was an A series, e.g manual focus but able to adjust aperture/shutter automatically Unless there was some confusion, the second rep was flat-out wrong (quite uncharacteristic of KEH in my experience.)

03-11-2010, 07:52 PM	#18
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	Well, I have one of these (K 35/2) and I like it a lot. The colors and sharpness are distinctly better than the Super-Tak 35/2 I had, and the bokeh is just fabulous. Better than the DA35 for normal shooting. Of course it does not focus as closely. All that said, I use my DA40 more, for the AF. The OP may be better served by selling this one and geting an FA 35/2. I have never tried one of those, so can't compare.

03-15-2010, 09:42 AM	#19
LouD Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 39 Original Poster	Well, I wimped out and sent back the 35. In defense of KEH, the gal wasn't 100 percent sure and made it clear I could return the lens if it wasn't what I wanted Took some nice pix, but manual focus was a bit of a PITA for me. Maybe manual in some other focal length, but this one would be my main walk around lens. I am rethinking lenses generally. I currently loaded for bear with a Sigma 10-20 a Sigma 24-70, and Tammy 70-300 (well ok, the tammy is for bunny rabbits). The 24-70 was swap when Sigma couldn't fix my old 24-60. Plus an FA50 for low light. The 24-60 was nice walk-around lens, the 24 70 weighs something like two pounds and change. It takes beautiful photos, but damn, it's heavy. I either need a bigger camera bag, a smaller lens, or a different philosophy. I was whining about this to the tech guy at Berger Brothers last week while he cleaned my k100 sensor, and he just smiled and whipped out his Canon S90, already beat to hell from overuse. Pretty little thing, and cheaper than most of the "walk around" lenses. KEH should have that 35 back in stock shortly. Give 'em a call if you're interested. Last edited by LouD; 03-15-2010 at 09:43 AM. Reason: add

03-15-2010, 01:42 PM	#20
ilya80 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Saint-Petersburg, Russia Photos: Albums Posts: 410	Originally posted by LouD Well, I wimped out and sent back the 35. In defense of KEH, the gal wasn't 100 percent sure and made it clear I could return the lens if it wasn't what I wanted Check out Sigma 30\1.4 If you liked everything about 35\2 but the absence of AF, this might be it. Make sure to pick one at birck and mortar and test it before you pay, though.

03-16-2010, 05:35 AM	#21
LouD Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 39 Original Poster	That's my main candidate right now. Not too worried about a "bad copy" I'm 15 min away from their Ronkonkoma repair depot, and they'll adjust the lens to the camera while you wait. I was also thinking about the Sigma 28/1.8. About the same size, I don't get a real good sense from the reviews here which is better. 1.8 is plenty fast for a 30 mm because you can shoot it at not quite half the shutter speed of a 50 1.4. In the real world, that Sigma 30's probably getting down near Notilux territory.

03-16-2010, 09:35 AM	#22
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by LouD That's my main candidate right now. Not too worried about a "bad copy" I'm 15 min away from their Ronkonkoma repair depot, and they'll adjust the lens to the camera while you wait. I was also thinking about the Sigma 28/1.8. About the same size, I don't get a real good sense from the reviews here which is better. 1.8 is plenty fast for a 30 mm because you can shoot it at not quite half the shutter speed of a 50 1.4. In the real world, that Sigma 30's probably getting down near Notilux territory. maybe you should try both before purchasing. for me, the 28mm focal length gives more ideal room compared to the 30mm.