what did I buy, anyway?

LouD · 03-10-2010, 07:58 PM

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Got a manual lens from KEH. No photo displayed, incomplete description. 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, sort of like my FA 50 in manual mode. Focal length 35 mm/f2.
Well, it arrived today. Sure bears no resembles to an FA series. Hefty, beautiful all-metal construction with rubberized focus ring. zilch in the way of automation. The lens identifies as "Ashai Opt. Co. Japan; SMC Pentax 1:2/35 5006889. Price was around $250.
I have no experience with manual lenses, but this one seems to render beautifully with a little "chimping" on my part. What the heck is it? A keeper? I have return privileges, it's not what I had in mind, but I gotta wonder if this one's worth playing with...

braver · 03-10-2010, 08:07 PM

Ashai or Asahi?

burnie · 03-10-2010, 08:07 PM

check here... only 2 reviews though
Pentax Lens Review and Specification Database - 35mm F2

scott

LouD · 03-10-2010, 08:16 PM

well, I read those reviews, which is why I bought it figuring maybe that was what I was getting. But it does not have an A setting as shown in one of the photos. My bad, it did say asahi.
Anyone have one of these? I was sorta hoping this would be my go-to walkaround lens, not so sure at this point.

LouD · 03-10-2010, 08:21 PM

Oh, one other thing, the aperture ring is flush against the body, there's not secondary inset behind it as per the photo in the review section, or like you normally see in an FA series. In other words the lens cylindrical.

Pentaxor · 03-10-2010, 08:56 PM

could you take a picture of the front of the lens?

pbo · 03-10-2010, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Oh, one other thing, the aperture ring is flush against the body, there's not secondary inset behind it as per the photo in the review section, or like you normally see in an FA series. In other words the lens cylindrical.

Like this one?

**Just1MoreDave** · 03-10-2010, 10:01 PM

Originally posted by LouD

Got a manual lens from KEH. No photo displayed, incomplete description. 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, sort of like my FA 50 in manual mode. Focal length 35 mm/f2.
Well, it arrived today. Sure bears no resembles to an FA series. Hefty, beautiful all-metal construction with rubberized focus ring. zilch in the way of automation. The lens identifies as "Ashai Opt. Co. Japan; SMC Pentax 1:2/35 5006889. Price was around $250.
I have no experience with manual lenses, but this one seems to render beautifully with a little "chimping" on my part. What the heck is it? A keeper? I have return privileges, it's not what I had in mind, but I gotta wonder if this one's worth playing with...

OK, you paid $250 and aren't sure what you bought. By the way, I happen to have a few lenses for sale...

Just kidding. The lens is the first K-mount 35mm f2. We tend to call these the K series (like K35/2) because the other series have letters, but the lens label doesn't have a K on it. It is regarded as a very good 35mm lens. Here's a test on film, comparing it to the FA 35mm f2:

The New smc PENTAX-FA35/2AL Impression

It's one of the lenses that got worse when they made the Pentax-M line. The price is reasonable. The A version works better with a DSLR but isn't a very good formula. If you don't mind the manual stuff, it's got image and build quality.

JeffJS · 03-10-2010, 10:22 PM

Originally posted by pbo

Like this one?

I was just going to ask if it was a K lens.. If so, very nice hunk of glass.

stevebrot · 03-10-2010, 10:25 PM

What Dave said...

Given the relative rarity of this lens, the price was appropriate.

Steve

LouD · 03-11-2010, 01:49 AM

Oh dear. Rare? This is indeed it. Though I had avoided LBA. This isn't what I need, but it's what I want...I'm going to give another day or two...

Pentaxor · 03-11-2010, 09:55 AM

Originally posted by LouD

Oh dear. Rare? This is indeed it. Though I had avoided LBA. This isn't what I need, but it's what I want...I'm going to give another day or two...

good find and worth the money.

deadwolfbones · 03-11-2010, 11:51 AM

Great lens. Keep it.

Pentaxor · 03-11-2010, 11:58 AM

yet some people still complain why the autofocus 35/2 costs at around $350. AF should be worth atleast a $150 given the convenience.

Miserere · 03-11-2010, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

yet some people still complain why the autofocus 35/2 costs at around $350. AF should be worth atleast a $150 given the convenience.

Well...you can buy the Samsung version for $600 if you really want to pay a big extra for AF

For a bit less, you can get the authentic FA 35mm f/2 for $550 on eBay.

...

03-10-2010, 07:58 PM	#1
LouD Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 39	what did I buy, anyway? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Got a manual lens from KEH. No photo displayed, incomplete description. 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, sort of like my FA 50 in manual mode. Focal length 35 mm/f2. Well, it arrived today. Sure bears no resembles to an FA series. Hefty, beautiful all-metal construction with rubberized focus ring. zilch in the way of automation. The lens identifies as "Ashai Opt. Co. Japan; SMC Pentax 1:2/35 5006889. Price was around $250. I have no experience with manual lenses, but this one seems to render beautifully with a little "chimping" on my part. What the heck is it? A keeper? I have return privileges, it's not what I had in mind, but I gotta wonder if this one's worth playing with...

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03-10-2010, 08:07 PM	#2
braver Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hanover, NH Posts: 157	Ashai or Asahi?

03-10-2010, 08:07 PM	#3
burnie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: southern california Posts: 220	check here... only 2 reviews though Pentax Lens Review and Specification Database - 35mm F2 scott

03-10-2010, 08:16 PM	#4
LouD Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 39 Original Poster	well, I read those reviews, which is why I bought it figuring maybe that was what I was getting. But it does not have an A setting as shown in one of the photos. My bad, it did say asahi. Anyone have one of these? I was sorta hoping this would be my go-to walkaround lens, not so sure at this point.

03-10-2010, 08:21 PM	#5
LouD Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 39 Original Poster	Oh, one other thing, the aperture ring is flush against the body, there's not secondary inset behind it as per the photo in the review section, or like you normally see in an FA series. In other words the lens cylindrical.

03-10-2010, 08:56 PM	#6
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	could you take a picture of the front of the lens?

03-10-2010, 09:08 PM	#7
pbo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 891	Quote: Oh, one other thing, the aperture ring is flush against the body, there's not secondary inset behind it as per the photo in the review section, or like you normally see in an FA series. In other words the lens cylindrical. Like this one?

03-10-2010, 10:01 PM	#8
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by LouD Got a manual lens from KEH. No photo displayed, incomplete description. 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, sort of like my FA 50 in manual mode. Focal length 35 mm/f2. Well, it arrived today. Sure bears no resembles to an FA series. Hefty, beautiful all-metal construction with rubberized focus ring. zilch in the way of automation. The lens identifies as "Ashai Opt. Co. Japan; SMC Pentax 1:2/35 5006889. Price was around $250. I have no experience with manual lenses, but this one seems to render beautifully with a little "chimping" on my part. What the heck is it? A keeper? I have return privileges, it's not what I had in mind, but I gotta wonder if this one's worth playing with... OK, you paid $250 and aren't sure what you bought. By the way, I happen to have a few lenses for sale... Just kidding. The lens is the first K-mount 35mm f2. We tend to call these the K series (like K35/2) because the other series have letters, but the lens label doesn't have a K on it. It is regarded as a very good 35mm lens. Here's a test on film, comparing it to the FA 35mm f2: The New smc PENTAX-FA35/2AL Impression It's one of the lenses that got worse when they made the Pentax-M line. The price is reasonable. The A version works better with a DSLR but isn't a very good formula. If you don't mind the manual stuff, it's got image and build quality.

03-10-2010, 10:22 PM	#9
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by pbo Like this one? I was just going to ask if it was a K lens.. If so, very nice hunk of glass.

03-10-2010, 10:25 PM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	What Dave said... Given the relative rarity of this lens, the price was appropriate. Steve

03-11-2010, 01:49 AM	#11
LouD Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 39 Original Poster	Oh dear. Rare? This is indeed it. Though I had avoided LBA. This isn't what I need, but it's what I want...I'm going to give another day or two...

03-11-2010, 09:55 AM	#12
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by LouD Oh dear. Rare? This is indeed it. Though I had avoided LBA. This isn't what I need, but it's what I want...I'm going to give another day or two... good find and worth the money.

03-11-2010, 11:51 AM	#13
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Great lens. Keep it.

03-11-2010, 11:58 AM	#14
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	yet some people still complain why the autofocus 35/2 costs at around $350. AF should be worth atleast a $150 given the convenience.

03-11-2010, 01:52 PM	#15
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	Originally posted by Pentaxor yet some people still complain why the autofocus 35/2 costs at around $350. AF should be worth atleast a $150 given the convenience. Well...you can buy the Samsung version for $600 if you really want to pay a big extra for AF For a bit less, you can get the authentic FA 35mm f/2 for $550 on eBay. ...