| Author: | |
Site Supporter Registered: July, 2008 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 243 | | Review Date: April 9, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | small, solid, fewer elements equal better detail | | Cons: | not fully auto | | Handling: 7
Value: 10
Camera Used: k70
| |
Have not studied this lens' results closely enough to rate in detail, however the small size is a big advantage over other Pentax lenses.
I think (from large monitor and initial 11X17 prints it will be fabulously good for me.
A key detail is the "A" function combined with HDR and Auto setting. I typically shoot both when I'm dealing with the kind of subject that most appeals to me...I play them off against each other...when the file is Auto I often take a look at it via HDR/NIK (which can be wild looking or simply a good way to adjust contrast.  | |
| |
| | |
Site Supporter Registered: February, 2017 Posts: 2,030 | | Review Date: September 17, 2022 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: film and K1
| |
I bought this lens about 10 years ago for my KM film camera as a pick up and take anywhere kit. As such with slide, B&W and colour negative film it works just fine. 30-70mm is a perfectly decent focal range and keeps the IQ properties of the lens on the positive side of things. When it comes to digital though things get a bit different. I have experimented with the lens on my K3 and KP cameras and frankly found the IQ to be disappointing. On my K1 ii though things improve considerably. Shooting at f5.6 provides sharp images, though lacking slightly in contrast and saturation. This does not matter as this can easily be adjusted for either in camera or post. Chromatic aberrations are well controlled. Zooming in up to, but not beyond 100%, you will detect only slight softness apparent in the corners, across the lens' zoom range. For normal viewing, even the corners are good. Centre and edge performance is good. The lens focuses decently close, so flower shots at 70mm are easy.
Handling wise the lens is quite heavy but has decent balance on a KM and even better on a K1. The A function is welcome on digital cameras. Focusing is easy on the K1, less so on MF film cameras due to the slow aperture dimming out the viewfinder. The build quality is decent but not stellar. There should be no problems however. I paid £40 for mine and prices seem to be about the same still. If you like a general purpose zoom lens I would take a good look at this one. For landscape use you could probably pick up this and a similarly performing A 70-210mm f4 for around £100 or just over and have a great kit to cover almost all needs.
| |
| | |
New Member Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 14 | | Review Date: September 13, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | very sharp lens | | Cons: | some very few CAs wide open | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Camera Used: pentax k-5 k-x k200 k-s1 Fuji x-t100 x-e1
| |
++ very sharp lens (Inspite of the simple optical design 7/7) 
O/+ some few CAs wide open 
++ CAs disappearing with f 8-11 totally
++ nice color rendition
a fine lens - I've got both - the manual and the AF version - highly recommended  | |
| | |
Senior Member Registered: February, 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 198 | | Review Date: August 1, 2020 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | solid build, light, sharp, handling | | Cons: | manual focus | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K1 MKII
| |
An old film lens i had and never used on APS-C. Tried it out on the K! and got very good results. i think i found a light walk around alternative to my 24-70 f2.8 although definitely not as sharp as that one.
| |
| |
| | |
New Member Registered: October, 2019 Posts: 2
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 5, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $24.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Excellent low light results | | Cons: | none | |
Another great lens. Great sharpness, provided you are adept at dialing in focus manually.
- Pentax-A Zoom 35-70mm F4
- Pentax K-50 DSLR (16.3mp)
- mounted on tripod
- aperture priority
- ISO 100
- white balance set to AWB
- focus peaking enabled on camera
- using manual focus assist / check
- 2-second timer
Right-click the following images and click "Open Image in New Tab", then zoom in.
All jpegs right from the my Pentax K-50.
F4, 1 second exposure:
 | |
| | |
Forum Member Registered: May, 2018 Location: NYC Posts: 80
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 18, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | price, sharpness, close focus | | Cons: | aperture and focus rings quite close together | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 9
Camera Used: Sony A7III
| |
Picked this up cheap and since it was an A series figured it would be decent and worth a try.
I shoot with a Sony A7III and an PK->NEX adapter fro Pentax lenses.
The 35-70 I found to be very sharp across the frame rendering pleasing colors and nice contrast.
Although it has no 'macro' mode you can shoot very close.
For the shot of the cat here I was very close (I focused on the eyes).
Also note that even though f4 is not 'fast', on a camera such as the A7III that handles low light well its not an issue (and the cat shot is indoors with artificial light)
I shot straight into the sun without a hood to get the shot of the sun flare.
If you check out the leaves and branches out at the edges of the frame you'll see that they are nice and sharp!
(I think this was shot at the 70mm end).
I gave this a 7/10 for handling mainly because the aperture and focus rings are right next to each other and I found myself grabbing the wrong one on occasion.
I have a native AF Sony 28-70mm lens and a bunch of faster primes that are probably more practical for most situations but if you want a nice performing, manual, cheap 35-70mm lens this one is certainly a goodie.
 ABW04711 by Andrew B. White | |
| | |
Veteran Member Registered: August, 2011 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 328 | | Review Date: February 17, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $43.40
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Size, sharp, good color, macro capable | | Cons: | a bit soft wide open | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
| |
I found this lens recently and bought it due to previous reviews here. I am glad I did. So far I am impressed with the performance. Paired with my FA 20-35 on my K-3, it makes a wonderful walk around pair. This lens is very under valued in my opinion.
| |
| | |
New Member Registered: May, 2013 Location: Jakarta Posts: 2
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 9, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | zoom macros, bokeh, aberrations | | Cons: | F4 | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K5, A7, A6000
| |
I got this lens in flea market, in very poor condition, filter thread is lost, with internal corrosive
then I bring it to a repair man for cleaned and services, later ready to use
first time using the lens I'm surprise with the bokeh characters, this lens can produce beautiful bokeh, it's also has good sharpness, macro focusing is easy
here are the samples image capture:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/roe_groho/sets/72157644221845184/ | |
| | |
Site Supporter Registered: March, 2013 Posts: 300
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 20, 2014 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Handling, image quality, build. | | Cons: | Separate focus and zoom rings (not a big deal though) | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K100d Super
| |
I've had this lens for over 15 years but only recently used it on digital. On film it was a very good performer overall, excellent at the long end.
This has now become my standard lens since I started using it seriously on the K100dS. I have started concentrating on abstracts, still life and close up. The lens range is excellent for that, plus it's compact and sharp. On digital is is approximately the same as a film 50-100mm. Worth buying you if find a clean copy and that focal range is useful to you.
| |
| | |
Inactive Account Registered: January, 2013 Posts: 3
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 5, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $52.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp, contrast | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: Pentax k-x DSRL
| |
I can do everything with this lens is the one I use the most since I bought it. I still have this little slow but I have already seen great things for my skills. I use it on my Kx digital and I saw an amazing sharpness and contrast.
Here's an example I know that I need to improve exposure, but if a little 'too open is still ok.
 | |
| | |
New Member Registered: May, 2012 Posts: 14
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 24, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $75.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp, good color rendition, macro function | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 9
Camera Used: Ist*DS2, Ist*DL
| |
The use of this lens is a joy. It's well made and operates smoothly.
The lens is sharp and has a fantastic colour rendition, comparable to the 35mm 3.5.
It has a very nice close focus ability and images are very pleasing and contrasted. One of my favorite lenses. Another positive point is his price. For around 75€ you get a very good image quality in a sturdy built lense.
| |
| | |
New Member Registered: October, 2011 Posts: 9
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 17, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | just lovely | | Cons: | none to speak of, could be a tad faster.. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 9
| |
So far, I have only had joy from this lens. I bought one last week off of ebay and after a very short learning curve can only say good things about it.
The macro is also lovely.
Here are a few snaps I took on its first day out when walking my dog.
 | |
| | |
New Member Registered: December, 2009 Posts: 14 | | Review Date: August 4, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | good handling, very nice feel to the focus, great value | | Cons: | CA | |
I am actually reviewing the cosmicar 35-70mm f4, but it is the same lens except without SMC. It's coatings are just labeled as MC so 
I picked my copy up from a goodwill for $15 in good condition.
the best thing about this lens is it handles great. good heft, nice compact size, and a very nice focus ring. my only complaint about build is that my copy has a very small amount of play in the zoom ring.
optically, the lens produces good results regardless of focal length (benefit of an short 2x zoom range). there is a little bit of softness at f/4 but not much, from f/5.6 to f/16 the lens is very sharp. Past f/16 diffraction starts taking its toll. There is no perceptible distortion when used on digital, and I haven't noticed any on film either. CA can be a problem wide open, but I would say it is less pronounced than in the 18-55mm kit.
macro performance is very good for a zoom, even when used on extension tubes.
great walk around lens especially if speed is not important to you.
| |
| | |
Senior Member Registered: December, 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 276 | | Review Date: April 21, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $75.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | IQ, bokeh | | Cons: | manual focus | |
I got this at an auction, so the $75 is half of the price of the lot it was in.
I haven't owned this one very long, but I find it a joy to use. Av/Tav/M modes work like a charm; spin the dials, focus, zoom and shoot. As others have said, great IQ and sharpness. Nice bokeh. Grab one if you can find it.
| |
| | |
New Member Registered: April, 2009 Posts: 16 | | Review Date: October 1, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp 1 stop down,high quality material, | | Cons: | PF wide open | |
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3558/3381308671_f2041d6485_b.jpg
Look at the shot,not sharpened!!
Amazing lens,easy to use,hard to part.. Macro capabilities are very useful,though i frequently find myself wishing for a wider zoom ring.Nothing to worry about!!
| |
