For Sale - Sold: Rare Fast Pentax-M SMC 35-70mm f/2.8-3.5 lens with case and box

Nick Siebers · 07-13-2010, 01:11 PM

Price $91 NOW $80
Shipping in US $8

This is a sweet old lens, the fastest manual focus zoom Pentax ever made. It is heavy and built like a tank, with a very firm zoom that eliminates zoom creep while still being quite manageable. I would imagine it was a "professional" lens back in its day, and remains quite useful for indoor shooting as well as out. I find the 35-70mm range great for chasing kids, as I can easily fit 2-3 in at 35mm and yet can get nice candid pics of one at 70mm. Very useful at performances and such, too.

The lens is in very good used condition, with some external brassing and a few small scratches; it clearly has been used! The glass is quite clear, though, with no haze scratches or fungus - only a few dust specks. Aperture is crisp and snappy too. The case has not been used, as far as I can tell, and the strap for the case is still wrapped in original plastic! Box is in good shape too, with various price tags on it from $52 to $596, not sure what monetary units. :-)

IQ is very nice for a zoom, with the best color and contrast I have seen in a Pentax zoom in this range. Wide open it can give a little "glow" at times, and backlit bokeh can be a little strange, although generally it is pleasing. Sharpness is good even wide open, and does improve on stopping down.

Pentax rear and generic front caps are included. If you find the lens other than as described I am happy to refund your purchase price on return. I will ship to other countries but shipping costs will be more. If interested, please send me a PM, or if you have any questions.

Thanks for looking!
Nick

Last edited by Nick Siebers; 08-27-2010 at 07:53 PM.

Nick Siebers · 07-13-2010, 01:14 PM

A few sample shots:

**rajubhai55** · 07-13-2010, 01:20 PM

Send PM

Nick Siebers · 07-14-2010, 06:21 AM

PMs answered, lens still available.

pickles · 07-14-2010, 03:49 PM

A great little lens, & quite rare too, I'd say.
I'd definitely buy that......if it was.....a screwmount!
I'm sure it'll be snapped up very quickly...Good luck with your sale.
Cheers, Pickles.

Blue · 07-14-2010, 10:04 PM

The argument could be made that this is the best manual focus zoom lens Pentax ever made. If it wasn't for the fact I have the AF 35-70mm f2.8, I would be all over this like a cheap suite. I'm not all that fond of zoom lenses, this is one of the exceptions.

Nick Siebers · 07-16-2010, 05:46 AM

Thanks Pickles and Blue!

I had only previously ever seen one other for sale, but I notice one sold on eBay a few days ago for $79.99 plus shipping. That one had no box or case, but was coming from a camera store for what that is worth.

hangu · 07-16-2010, 06:04 AM

Originally posted by Blue

The argument could be made that this is the best manual focus zoom lens Pentax ever made. If it wasn't for the fact I have the AF 35-70mm f2.8, I would be all over this like a cheap suite. I'm not all that fond of zoom lenses, this is one of the exceptions.

Even better than the 35-105 A?

Blue · 07-16-2010, 08:01 AM

Originally posted by hangu

Even better than the 35-105 A?

Yes, that argument can be made. The optics were based on the earlier AF 35-70mm f2.8 lens. The M version is still faster than the A 35-105. It will come down to the argument of speed vs. focal length. I think optics goes to the 35-70.

**rajubhai55** · 07-16-2010, 12:34 PM

How about the sharpness of 35-70 vs 35 -105?

Blue · 07-16-2010, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by rajubhai55

How about the sharpness of 35-70 vs 35 -105?

At f2.8, the lens for sale here.

I don't recall any official tests of them so it would come down to opinion beyond that.

Nick Siebers · 07-16-2010, 05:49 PM

Having had both, I never saw any real IQ difference between them. I sold the A 35-105 much earlier because of the handling - too front heavy for me, this balances much better on my K100d and is more convenient for walking around. Both are very good zoom lenses.

Nick Siebers · 07-18-2010, 05:46 AM

Price reduced!

hangu · 07-18-2010, 08:27 AM

It's kind of sad that this and the A35-105 in the marketplace are still here after several days...

**rjohnst3** · 07-18-2010, 09:51 AM

The 35-70 should be sold (to me)...the offer was accepted...just waiting for Nick to verify...RJ

07-13-2010, 01:11 PM	#1
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,165 Feedback Score: 95 (100%)	*[SOLD] Rare Fast* Pentax-M SMC 35-70mm f/2.8-3.5 lens with case and box** Price $91 NOW $80 Shipping in US $8 This is a sweet old lens, the fastest manual focus zoom Pentax ever made. It is heavy and built like a tank, with a very firm zoom that eliminates zoom creep while still being quite manageable. I would imagine it was a "professional" lens back in its day, and remains quite useful for indoor shooting as well as out. I find the 35-70mm range great for chasing kids, as I can easily fit 2-3 in at 35mm and yet can get nice candid pics of one at 70mm. Very useful at performances and such, too. The lens is in very good used condition, with some external brassing and a few small scratches; it clearly has been used! The glass is quite clear, though, with no haze scratches or fungus - only a few dust specks. Aperture is crisp and snappy too. The case has not been used, as far as I can tell, and the strap for the case is still wrapped in original plastic! Box is in good shape too, with various price tags on it from $52 to $596, not sure what monetary units. :-) IQ is very nice for a zoom, with the best color and contrast I have seen in a Pentax zoom in this range. Wide open it can give a little "glow" at times, and backlit bokeh can be a little strange, although generally it is pleasing. Sharpness is good even wide open, and does improve on stopping down. Pentax rear and generic front caps are included. If you find the lens other than as described I am happy to refund your purchase price on return. I will ship to other countries but shipping costs will be more. If interested, please send me a PM, or if you have any questions. Thanks for looking! Nick Last edited by Nick Siebers; 08-27-2010 at 07:53 PM.

07-13-2010, 01:14 PM	#2
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,165 Feedback Score: 95 (100%) Original Poster	A few sample shots: Last edited by Nick Siebers; 08-27-2010 at 07:53 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Pentax smc A 400mm f5.6 + original case box ecc (Worldwide)	Fleafly	Sold Items	4	08-22-2010 01:26 PM
For Sale - Sold: [Worldwide] Pentax SMC K 28/2 28mm F2 Rare Collector's Item, Like New In Box	frank	Sold Items	3	02-19-2010 10:15 AM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax SMC FA* 80-200mm/2.8 - includes original box, Pentax+Lowepro case + mor	Marc Langille	Sold Items	9	10-28-2009 05:55 AM
For Sale - Sold: Like New Pentax SMC FA 50mm F1.4 Fast Prime Lens w/ Box	winglik	Sold Items	2	06-08-2009 09:17 AM

07-13-2010, 01:20 PM	#3
rajubhai55 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 252 Feedback Score: 39 (100%)	Send PM

07-14-2010, 06:21 AM	#4
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,165 Feedback Score: 95 (100%) Original Poster	PMs answered, lens still available.

07-14-2010, 03:49 PM	#5
pickles Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: melbourne Posts: 937 Feedback Score: 0 (0%)	A great little lens, & quite rare too, I'd say. I'd definitely buy that......if it was.....a screwmount! I'm sure it'll be snapped up very quickly...Good luck with your sale. Cheers, Pickles.

07-14-2010, 10:04 PM	#6
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Posts: 17,377 Feedback Score: 28 (100%)	The argument could be made that this is the best manual focus zoom lens Pentax ever made. If it wasn't for the fact I have the AF 35-70mm f2.8, I would be all over this like a cheap suite. I'm not all that fond of zoom lenses, this is one of the exceptions.

07-16-2010, 05:46 AM	#7
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,165 Feedback Score: 95 (100%) Original Poster	Thanks Pickles and Blue! I had only previously ever seen one other for sale, but I notice one sold on eBay a few days ago for $79.99 plus shipping. That one had no box or case, but was coming from a camera store for what that is worth.

07-16-2010, 06:04 AM	#8
hangu Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 1,071 Feedback Score: 24 (100%)	Originally posted by Blue The argument could be made that this is the best manual focus zoom lens Pentax ever made. If it wasn't for the fact I have the AF 35-70mm f2.8, I would be all over this like a cheap suite. I'm not all that fond of zoom lenses, this is one of the exceptions. Even better than the 35-105 A?

07-16-2010, 08:01 AM	#9
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Posts: 17,377 Feedback Score: 28 (100%)	Originally posted by hangu Even better than the 35-105 A? Yes, that argument can be made. The optics were based on the earlier AF 35-70mm f2.8 lens. The M version is still faster than the A 35-105. It will come down to the argument of speed vs. focal length. I think optics goes to the 35-70.

07-16-2010, 12:34 PM	#10
rajubhai55 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 252 Feedback Score: 39 (100%)	How about the sharpness of 35-70 vs 35 -105?

07-16-2010, 03:53 PM	#11
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Posts: 17,377 Feedback Score: 28 (100%)	Originally posted by rajubhai55 How about the sharpness of 35-70 vs 35 -105? At f2.8, the lens for sale here. I don't recall any official tests of them so it would come down to opinion beyond that.

07-16-2010, 05:49 PM	#12
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,165 Feedback Score: 95 (100%) Original Poster	Having had both, I never saw any real IQ difference between them. I sold the A 35-105 much earlier because of the handling - too front heavy for me, this balances much better on my K100d and is more convenient for walking around. Both are very good zoom lenses.

07-18-2010, 05:46 AM	#13
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,165 Feedback Score: 95 (100%) Original Poster	Price reduced!

07-18-2010, 08:27 AM	#14
hangu Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 1,071 Feedback Score: 24 (100%)	It's kind of sad that this and the A35-105 in the marketplace are still here after several days...

07-18-2010, 09:51 AM	#15
rjohnst3 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Doylestown, PA Posts: 177 Feedback Score: 49 (100%)	The 35-70 should be sold (to me)...the offer was accepted...just waiting for Nick to verify...RJ

For Sale - Sold: Rare *Fast* Pentax-M SMC 35-70mm f/2.8-3.5 lens with case and box

For Sale - Sold: Rare Fast Pentax-M SMC 35-70mm f/2.8-3.5 lens with case and box