| Author: | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2009 Location: Southern Tablelands NSW Posts: 406
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 29, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $125.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, great colour rendition, ideal ' people' equivalent zoom range | | Cons: | Heavy, not as ideal an equivalent focal length for street-landscape (hey I'm being picky here) | |
I admit I was swayed towards this lens by the balance of these reviews
PROS:
....and boy am I glad I was. This lens is sharp enough throughout the range (though obviously plays its strongest suit in the f8-11 zone). The colour rendition is superb - especially for reds and yellows - see test shots below. In my opinion the APS-C equivalency of 50-150-ish makes it a great portrait lens.
"CONS":
On the flipside of the same coin, the equivalency is a little too tight for landscapes or street work, but just wait until Pentax comes out with its FF oFFering...this lens will be just the ticket - and I'll still have it at the ready the day that body is released...and a few months after that when I can actually afford it. The lens is on the heavy side, but it is not a lumpy dead-weight. The heft reminds you that this is pure metal and glass - no plastic casings or moulds! So, personally, I find the weight reassuring. It is not a bad fit on the K20D and fairly balanced...either way it is a confidence-inspiring piece of manual focus magic. Thanks Pentax!
Highly recommended! I'm saving the '10' so I have some wiggle room on the day I try out an Ltd or Leica lens 
Full-size image @ ~90mm, 1/3sec, f6.3:
 | | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: April, 2009 Location: Ha Noi Posts: 70
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 6, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 9 |
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This is my first lens and also Pentax lens. It have made me felling in love with Pentax.
Positive:
+Full range for beginner (35-105mm in 35mm film camera bring enough view, Macro mode is good to begin and easy to shot)
+F3.5 - Best for portrait
+Price - not too cheap (like 50mm 1.7) but good for newbie to practice
+Color - I love its yellow
+Build: Look big and "pro" (which I like being when start)
Negative
+Too big to bring any where
+Make other people "scare" or "nervous" (compare with little 50mm lens)
+Shouldn't use in low light
I think its zoom circle is good and easy to use. It is different from f circle, and make more place for focus circle - which is more importance
Photos
 | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: May, 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 3,574 | | Review Date: January 31, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $125.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | solid construction, fixed f-stop, very high image quality | | Cons: | a touch heavy | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 7
Value: 9
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I bought this lens about 7 or 8 years before I went digital. I really thought I'd use it more with my film cameras, but something about it's zoom range didn't jive with my vision, so it mostly sat unused. That all changed when I went digital. Suddenly, this lens' range fit perfectly for me. Plus, the image quality matched or exceeded that of any of my other lenses, fixed focal length or zoom. If I were to be stranded on a desert island and could only take one lens from my collection, this would be the lens I would choose. Taking into account that this lens is a 2-touch zoom and a manual focus lens, it's only negative is it's weight. If you're willing to put up with that...your efforts will be rewarded.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2007 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 336 | | Review Date: January 11, 2010 | Recommended
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | very nice IQ, a decent macro mode | | Cons: | heavy/bulky | |
I like this lens a lot. Mine came with a large scratch right in the middle of the glass (but very inexpensive at that). That adds a little haze to the centre of my shots, which I sometimes use for creative effect. Even with this, it still produces really lovely images. Can't really use it in low light until I get a more sensitive body (K-x), but it's an excellent daytime walkaround lens, even at its considerable weight/size. And it can do nice macros in a pinch. Here are some samples from my K20D:
@35mm, f8.0, ISO 200, 1/100s:
@35mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/320s:
@100mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/125s:
Macro mode. @100mm, f7.1, ISO 2000, 1/20s (negative image)
 | | | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: October, 2009 Posts: 2
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 8, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $75.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Built like a tank, smooth focus ring, well balanced | | Cons: | Built like a tank, awkward zoom ring, weird macro mode | |
Sharpness is excellent throughout the focal range, and near perfect at all but the largest stop. Other users have commented on the rather realistic red tones this lens can produce, and I completely agree. I often use that as one parameter to gauge small differences between a good lens and a really great one. Works well on the "A" setting with a variety of newer generation DSLR's. The macro mode maintains sharpness up close, but the access to this mode is rather unconventional. The lens uses a push-pull cam mechanism to engage the remaining element for up-close work; starange, but seems to do the trick very well. I gave this lens a '10' to emphasize it's 'sleeper' qualities, taking into consideration that it can be had for a song, and will rival many newer generation lenses at a quarter of the price. Even the weight which might be viewed as a negative, seems to redeem itself as it counterbalances many lighter DSLR's nicely. Build quality looks and feels great, something sorely lacking in all but a few more modern designs.
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2009 Posts: 6
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 22, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Tack sharp at all focal lengths; great colour rendition. | | Cons: | Susceptible to flare. | |
I bought this lens about two months ago and have now taken a few thousand shots with it. It is amazingly sharp at all focal lengths and stopped down one stop. Once stopped down to about f5.6 it's as sharp as some of my primes. When I compared the same shot taken with a Canon 450D+17-55mm/f2.8 and my K20D+35-105mm/f3.5 at the same focal length and aperture, this zoom appeared sharper. I also don't notice a difference in sharpness in the corners compared to the center (on my APS-C K20D).
I love the versatility of this zoom, it covers the normal angle to mild telephoto at constant aperture with the focus distance starting in the macro region. I use it as my primary walk around lens.
Some people complain about the weight. I use it on a K20D with a grip so I don't notice the added weight as much. The build quality is excellent.
It is susceptible to flare so at least the use of a hood (67mm screw size) is a must.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: July, 2009 Location: Europe, Benelux, Zeeuwsch-Vlaanderen, Terneuzen Posts: 26 | | Review Date: July 8, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $175.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Speed (f/3.5), zoom range (on film), build quality | | Cons: | missing lens hood, zoom range (digital) | |
My best zoom lens. Comparably fast (only half stop slower than Professional zooms but much smaller, lighter, cheaper), little distortion, vignetting etc.
Balance is very good (much better than my Tokina ATX 28-80/f1/2.8 AF PRO)
Filter size is good (Ø67mm, anything bigger is not convenient anymore)
Zoom range is exellent on film-camera, especially if combined with a prime of 24 or 28mm. (Zooms whith a range of 28-70, 28-80, 28-85, 28-90, 28-100, 28-105, ... tend to have much more distortion)
The only thing I miss when its on my Z1 or other film-camera is a lens hood.
On digital I miss some range towards the wide-angle though.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: September, 2008 Location: Quezon City, Philippines Posts: 168 | | Review Date: May 16, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $135.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | color rendition, build quality | | Cons: | blank exif data on my K100D | |
Why nine? It is much much better than my other lenses, a Tokina 19-35/3.5-4.5 and a Sigma 24-60/2.8 EX-DG
The first time I used it, I was pleasantly surprised at it's color saturation and the bokeh (though I am not an expert on this, I just liked it). And very sharp though I tend to shoot at large apertures.
I don't think it is a heavy lens at all.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: December, 2008 Location: Stouffville, ON, Canada Posts: 181 | | Review Date: May 9, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $86.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Image quality, build quality, sharp, fast | | Cons: | None so far | |
I just got this lens today, and so far I'm loving it. It's got really great IQ, the build quality is solid like most Pentax lenses, very sharp and it's pretty fast for it's focal range.
The only 2 things I'm not as 'fond' about is that you have to move the focus ring up to go into macro mode, and I wish it just 1 full rotation instead of having to switch to it, but I think I will get used to it. The other thing is that the zoom ring is pretty small and sometimes I go for the aperture ring instead. Again, not a big problem, and something that's just a matter of getting used to.
I rated it 8/10 because it's really great, but those too little things are the only thing that I am going to complaint about, but they're not big at all.
Great lens! I recommend it!!
-Isaac
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2009 Location: Texel/Groningen, Netherlands Posts: 41 | | Review Date: March 7, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $70.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | Image quality is great, nice focal range | | Cons: | Heavy, very wobbly build (my copy at least) | |
Image quality from this lens is great, nice color rendition and sharp enough at f3.5. Macro function works very well too.
I rarely use it however because:
- It is very heavy,too heavy for me being used to DA zoom lenses and K and M prime lenses to be walking around with for a long time.
- Build quality of mine is not very good, front part of the lens is very wobbly and I don't like the varying smoothness of the focus rong (too loose in normal range and too tight in macro range). This might be caused by the previous owner having tampered with it.
- I don't have filters or a hood that fits the 67mm thread.
All in all it is a great "poor man's alternative" to the DA* 50-135, but be sure to check it out on your camera before buying it if possible (I didn't)
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: July, 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 11,590 | | Review Date: August 27, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Great IQ, well built | | Cons: | Awkward zoom ring, barrel rotates when focusing, not well-balanced on camera | |
This is a really unique lens with an unconventional (but, for me, very useful) FL range. It certainly has it's quirks. Although I prefer two-touch zooms, the zoom ring on this lens is awkward: very narrow and close to the aperture ring. And, while I don't find it really heavy, it's certainly front-weighted and doesn't balance well on on camera. Also, the lens barrel (and front element) rotates while focusing which make the use of a polarizing filter difficult.
Why, then, with all those issues, did I rate it a 9? It's all about the IQ--absolutely superb. Resolution, if you nail the focus, is amazing, bokeh is sweet and color and contrast are unsurpassed by any lens I've ever shot with.
I've got some very high-quality primes within this zoom range and, while I'm not about to unload them, this lens has a secure place in my kit. It's not one I'd use for moving subjects (street, candid portraits or wildlife.) It's the kind of lens you put on the camera to see where it wants to go. If any lens deserves a "cult following" this is one. http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=8994133 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2007 Location: Idaho,USA Posts: 1,619
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 30, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Very nice manual focus, sharp, great color rendition, great build quality, constant aperture | | Cons: | none for me | |
I just shot my first wedding a couple of weeks ago and used this lens outdoors and I am very pleased with the results I got. Versatile and it performed, I don't know what I would have done without it. I was shooting mostly in the f/6.3 to f/7.1 range to insure sharp pictures and I got them.
Like others, I prefer primes but in this instance this lens got the job done. It's always with me because of it's versatility.
It's built like a tank and manual focusing is a pleasure to use, especially if you're using a KatzEye screen. It's not THAT heavy and balances well on the K10D. It could be wider, I suppose, but then it wouldn't be the A 35-105:-).
Highly recommended.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: January, 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 22 | | Review Date: February 29, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharp all the way down | | Cons: | none..... | |
I bought this lens here on the marketplace forum and I'm VERY please with it. The review about the reds is absolutely correct. No smeary oversaturated reds, no "orange" cast; just clear red. The bottle brush tree in front of my house is going to bloom soon and I can't wait to photograph the blossoms with this lens. The portraits I've made have turned out beautifully with very little post processing.
example: http://www.pbase.com/jypsee/image/92851314
This lens is perfect for me, with a PK-A 28 and the 35-105 I have a very nice kit.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: September, 2006 Posts: 259 | | Review Date: June 20, 2007 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp, even wide open; good contrast;; excellent bokeh, comparable to best Pentax primes;3.5 is only 0.5 stops slower than "fast" 2.8 zooms are.... constant aperture is very convenient while composing, no need for focusing after zooming | | Cons: | heavy | |
I bought this lens from seller here PentaxForums and has been since amazed of the picture quality of this oldie.
There is differences how lenses behave in different bodies, for example my A 100mm wasnt especially good in *ist D but very good in K10D.
This 35-105 is even wide open almost as good as primes I have have had, stopped down I cant see the difference at all.
Picture quality stays very good thru the zoom range, I have not pointed any focal length as an "sweet spot" where it is better than elsewhere...
I can honestly recomment this lens for K10D owners willing focus manually and being capable to carry little heavier stuff ( K10D, grip, battery, leather strap, Manfrotto plate, metal 67mm hood and A 35-105/3.5 are together 1850 g)
I can recommend this hood for 35-105: http://cgi.ebay.de/TELE-Gegenlichtblende-Sonnenblende-67mm-LENS-HOOD-67-mm_W...QQcmdZViewItem
It does not wignet at 35mm at all, is made of metall and is compatible with the outlooks of 35-105 :-)
| | | | | Administrator
Site Webmaster Registered: September, 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 51,595
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 15, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Versatile, Fixed Aperture, Super Build Quality | | Cons: | None | |
I used this lens as my main walkaround on my SuperProgram- it proved useful in almost all situations, from macro to landscape. A wider focal length than 35mm would be nice, but I can't complain about this lens at all because of the amazing sharpness and bokeh that it renders.
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