| Author: | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897 | | Review Date: December 30, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Compact, well built, fairly sharp wide open | | Cons: | Not super-sharp wide open, not the smoothest bokeh | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-3
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I am reviewing the same copy of the lens as Kerrowdown, to whom I sold it, so I'm very glad to see he's enjoying it. Actually I had thought I'd already added a review but it seems not.
I have owned the M version of this lens for some years and it has been my favourite manual standard prime for APS-C cameras due to it's fantastic build quality and very good optics. When a mint condition A version popped up locally I jumped on it as these are pretty rare and I have wanted to try one for some time, just to see if it's better than the M, even though I believe the optical design is the same.
And is it? Well, I can't really say. It's certainly sharper wide open than my copy of the M and the build quality is lovely which makes it a pleasure to use. Colour and contrast are good and I was very happy with the overall image quality. The reason I can't say if it's better is that I never took it on any trips to give it a good workout like I did with the M. The M proved to be an excellent general use lens and I have very much enjoyed using it on multiple trips when I've had time to enjoy photography, and that has earned it a special place for me. I decided to change camera systems not long after buying and, while I still use many Pentax lenses with adapters, I decided to keep my M and let the A go. Ideally I'd have kept it but tough choices had to be made.
So from the limited time I spent with it I enjoyed the lens and it produced good results, some of which I've posted below. If you like a good quality manual fast 35mm lens then this is certainly a great choice and may even be the best there is for the K mount.
At f/2.8
Brass fist by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
The red tree III by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
And wide open at f/2 you can see that it captures detail with a very slight glow if you zoom in, but it's perfectly useable
Lion by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
| | | | | | | PEG Moderator Registered: August, 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Posts: 57,819 | | Review Date: December 27, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Small, Compact | | Cons: | None So Far | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K1
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After some six months odd of ownership, I thought it best to just put a quick review here.
It does fill a wee gap that I had in the Harem/lens line up, as duly noted by another forum member, who kindly considered me when about to sell her.
I must admit that I've more than pleasantly surprised by the results I'm getting from her.
Now to the point I've made a mental note to self... along the lines of must use it more.
A few examples of my imagery from the few outings with this lens.
 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2017 Posts: 2,032
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 12, 2020 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | IQ, build, versatility, handling | | Cons: | Rarity | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 8
Camera Used: K3, KP
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Having suffered from LAS for a few years now, I have come to realize I prefer a good MF lens over a good AF one. So I had been looking for a good MF 35mm lens for my K3 and KP for a while. I am blessed with the wonderful HD DA 35mm Ltd., but it is AF and, yes I know the MF on it is just fine, I want MF! I considered the K , f2 and f3.5, but the F2 was too expensive and the f3.5, too similar to my K 30mm f2.8. in terms of size and speed. I then considered the M 35mm f2 but the reviews on that lens were a bit hit and miss, so I set my heart on the A version or a K version if a relatively cheap one came up for sale. I managed to get my A version for £250 including tax and delivery costs, which was a bit more than I wanted to pay, but now that it is in my possession I can confirm it is worth it. I am reviewing this only as a crop sensor lens as I neither have a desire for a K1 or to use it on film, so please bear in mind that caveat
It is useably sharp wide open at f2 and quickly becomes very sharp thereafter. My copy is actually a smidge sharper than the already excellent HD DA Ltd at f2.8 or 3.5, but this is only if you do some serious peeping. The colour rendition is the same as my Ltd and my K 28mm f3.5, so for me, that is a great result as I really like the look of these two lenses. There is some CAs at the wider apertures, and a slight loss of contrast wide open, but nothing to lose sleep about. It focuses nice and close too.
It has a decent build quality, if not quite as good as the K range, and is reasonably light with smooth focus and the convenience of the A setting.
The only downside I can see is its availability. It is rare. If you can find one and like MF as I do or need the aperture control for film use, do not hesitate. If you can not find one or prefer the convenience of AF, you are better off getting a used Ltd. model as the difference in IQ is so slight it may be down to sample variation.
UPDATE June 2021
I soon discovered the infinity focus was way off on my copy, so I had to send it for re-calibration. In the time it was off a couple of other 35mm's came my way - K 35mm f3.5 and HD FA 35mm f2.0. Each has had some considerable testing. The K produces (slightly) nicer colours, at the expense of a slight decrease in sharpness wide open. The HD FA is comparable IQ wise but offers the added benefit of AF at the expense of size and weight. The A remains my favourite 35mm though, especially on the K3, which I have equipped with a microprism focusing screen. The HD FA suits my KP better. Some more shots from this beauty:-
 | | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2018 Posts: 2
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 15, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $370.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharp, light, automatic, handsome | | Cons: | rare, not cheap, worth it | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 8
Camera Used: k5
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beautiful and consistent color rendition
fast and SHARP stepped up and wide open. paid a bit more than you all did but i acknowledge these people and take no offense.
will get expensive as people realize wwhat
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2018 Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 10, 2018 | Not Recommended | Price: $220.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | sharpness in the center of the frame | | Cons: | sharpness at the edge of the frame | | Sharpness: 6
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 6
Camera Used: SONY A7 42Mpx
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I tested the lens on the SONY a7 42Mpx
sharpness in the center of the frame..A - f2 - 5 , f2.8 - 8 , f4 - 9 ,f5,6 - 9 , f8 -8
sharpness at the edge of the frame....B - f2 - 2 , f2,8 - 3, f4 - 6 , f5,6 - 7 , f8 - 7
sharpness at the edge of the frame....C - f2 - 1 , f2,8 - 1, f4 - 2 , f5,6 - 3 , f8 - 4
recommend this lens to the matrix - APS-C or smaller.
 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2015 Posts: 3,520
6 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 18, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $270.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharp wide open, fast, great colours, nice focus | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K5IIs, K3, K-01
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One of the very best 35mm lenses Pentax ever made. In some regions it might well be the best.
I own 2 of them and sold my FA35/2 in favor as I prefer the A35 despite the FA being lighter and an AF-lens. The only 35/2 lens which I do find better is the Zeiss Distagon T* 35/2, but this is quite a heavy lens, not at all the lens you chose for light travel. I also have the SMC Takumar 35/2 which is optically identical with the K35/2. There is no question, the DA35 Macro-Limited is a fantastic lens as well, great macro, but… AF hunts due to its macro ability and long focus throw, most of the time I use it manually for that very reason.
At 2,8 the A35/2 is as sharp as the DA35limited but allows F2 and thus is more versatile aside of lack of macro ability. But add a Canon D240 52mm achromatic close-up lens plus an 49-52mm adapter and one has excellent close-up abilities. Or a Canon D250 achromat. Both fantastic value.
Sigma or Pentax achromatic lenses cannot compare.
At infinity the A35/2 is as sharp as the DA35limited. It does not have this special micro-contrast which the Zeiss Distagon supplies. Wide open sharp enough, it allows portrait, particular because
bokeh with its 6 blades is astonishingly nice wide open, I did not expect that.
At F3.5 the A35/2 is as sharp as my K35/3.5 wide open! The K35/3.5 is of course very light and has this special 3-D presentation which it shares with the Zeiss, but it's use is limited. If I would have to chose just one lens, it might well be the A35/2.
I prefer the A35/2 even over the A28/2 (I have two copies of this lens as well, because both, the A35 and the A28 allow excellent DLSR comparison)
Built quality is excellent, similar to the M35/2.
I am aware that a review is very subjective, normally I would rate this lens 9 or 9,5, but due to some rather "of-the-point reviews" it got I feel one has to balance this out. 10 points is what I would give the best Limiteds of the Zeiss Distagon and the K28/2. So a healthy 9.5 it is.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2013 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,381
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 3, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $280.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness on FF | | Cons: | None yet | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-01, K-3, BMD4K, A7s, GH4
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I've had one of these gems for a couple of months now, used for Video/Cinema shooting, and the occasional still.
When I have a 50mm on a full frame A7s, this 35mm gives a close enough to similar framing when on a K-01 or BMD camera with s35 sensor to be able to match the shots between FF and s35.
The K-01 loves it, so does the K-3 - Very easy to do hand-held work with a K-3 and this lens.
This lens makes a BMD camera look better then they are,..
The M4/3 sensor of a GH4 really doesn't take all that much advantage of the lens though - the 35 looks like a 70mm.
Put the 35mm on a Full Frame A7s, and the section of the glass used by the APS-c and s35 cameras is excellent, but there is a fall off in focus sharpness out near the edges of the frame - the sort you wouldn't notice in a still, but do when a person moves partially in to the soft zone in video.
I recommend this lens to anyone shooting FF, s35 or APS-c, it's excellent value for money.
The consistency of the colour transmission also makes it very easy to match colour grades between this and other SMC lenses, especially the 50f1.7, 85f2, 100f2.8 and 135f2.8
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2011 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 328
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 9, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $189.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Solid build, smooth focus, sharp, great color | | Cons: | no auto-focus??? | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I also agree this lens in under-rated. It shines next to the FA 35 F/2 version with a much better build and every bit as good optically. I had owned one for near 20 years before selling it after moving to digital...a mistake. I found a nice example recently at a good price and have been enjoying it very much on my K-3. A previous reviewer calls it ugly. I don't understand at all. Every one of the pre F/FA/DA lenses are beautiful in my eyes and I am so glad to be able to use them on the new cameras. Perhaps there are few reviews simply because it is somewhat rare. It is very nice indeed shot wide-open with a wonderfully smooth bokeh. I have not tested it for CA in extreme lighting. I suspect it will have the usual bit of easily corrected fringing.
The only criticism I have is it is soft at F/2 when focused at infinity. Closer than 30 ft or so and it is just fine. It seems to be optimized for medium to close distances.
| | | | | Banned Registered: March, 2013 Posts: 360
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 11, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharp, fast,iq, bokeh, color rendering, optical performance | | Cons: | N/A | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: K5
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First of all, previous reviews of this lens are very strange. Just one rating, only for sharpness category, and it is 7??? C'mon consumer zooms sometimes got better ratings here on pentax forum. Are those ratings some kind of conspiracy by Pentaxian holy order? Masked secret weapon with false ratings?
Second, see ratings for SMC Pentax-A 28mm f/2, that lens got 9.10 overall. But this is a better lens. I tested them side by side and keep this one. Slightly, but noticeably better sharpness, better/easier focusing (wierd, in theory should be opposite?), better bokeh, better color rendering (subjective).
Third this is probably the best 35mm ff lens Asahi/Pentax ever made ( not 30, not 31, just 35  ). This statement is based on expirience with K35f/2, K35f/3.5, M35f/2, M35f/2.8, A35f/2, A35f/2.8 and FA35f/2.
Overall rating should be 9 but I give it 10 because of previous reviews and ratings.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,953
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 11, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Wide maximum aperture, build quality, optics | | Cons: | Rare, front of lens looks average looking | | Sharpness: 7
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Got a pristine copy of this rare lens from a good friend. The lens looks very similar to its f/2.8 sibling but just a tad longer in length. Build quality is good and the optical quality is good on my copy. The first impression is the very nice color rendition this lens gives, just warm and punchy. Kinda hard to get the original hood but with the proliferation of generic 49mm metal hoods, this is not an issue. I'm very pleased with the focal length on digital and is ideal as a prime lens for walkabouts. The f/2 maximum aperture (very usable) and 6 bladed aperture does make a difference bokeh wise compared to the cheaper and more plentiful A 35mm f/2.8.
UPDATE: When this lens was tested against other Pentax 35mm lenses, the resolution was found to be worse compared to the newer Pentax lenses. For this reason, I have changed my recommendation.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2009 Location: N Carolina, USA Posts: 475
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 5, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $275.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Great build quality, IQ, size, good bokeh and DOF & it's beautiful | | Cons: | none other than it's fairly rare | |
First of all, I think the Pentax-A series lenses are great looking and most of them have great build quality and IQ. Also, most of them are fairly compact and have a great fit and feel on modern DSLRs.
The copy I have is sharp wide open and only gets better when stopped down. The color and contrast are great throughout the aperture and focus range and bokeh is good for the focal length.
DOF is predictable and consistent and the lens is a pleasure to use, especially with a split-image focusing screen. The focus ring rotates @180 degrees which makes minor adjustment easy.
It's small and compact for a fast lens, but not too small, light but not cheap or "plasticky".
Highly recommended if you can find it.
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1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 22, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $340.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Great focal length on digital, decent build, really good all rounder | | Cons: | Ugly | |
I was nervous about buying this lens as I couldn't find an awful lot of information about it out there on the net. The screenshots I could find showed a fairly ugly lens, and I was braced for disappointment.
In fact, when it came, I realised it's a gem. It's very sharp, and quite useable even wide open, and the bokeh is nice. I don't think it's going to set the world on fire, but I absolutely cannot fault it. If this was the only lens I could ever have I'd shrug my shoulders and say "fine", because it really does the job.
No complaints from me.
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