Originally posted by Flubber Hello
I have a maximum budget of around 1000 euros/1200 dollars to spend on a 35mm lens. Which one would you recommend within my budget, and why?
It doesn't have to cost that much. That's just the most I would be willing to spend on a good 35.
It would be used on the K-1.
If you don't mind manual focus, the A35/2 is very good, though I think it might be a bit on the rare side. It's sharp, contrasty and very flare resistant, and is solidly built.
The FA35/2 is good, with many of the same characteristics as the A series lens (the optical formula is very different), but I don't like the feel of the lens. It feels flimsy to me.
The newer version that was just released is probably better in all respects, but I can't comment on it beyond that as I don't own it.
Obviously the 31mm is the one to reach for if you can stretch that far. It's a little faster, the build quality is very nice, and the optics are superb.
I own all three, in fact for a while I had 2 samples of the 31. The medium wide isn't a lens I get a lot of use out of, but the 31 and the two 35s that I mentioned are all good glass. I can't comment on third party options as I see no reason to buy them.
---------- Post added Sep 18th, 2020 at 09:48 AM ----------
Originally posted by Bob 256 Some how, everyone so far other than Kozloc has assumed that you want a single focal length lens.
This might have a lot to do with what he specified in his original post when he said he was looking for recommendations for a 35mm lens, not a zoom lens that covers 35mm.