| Author: | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2021 Location: Ancona Posts: 83 | | Review Date: October 31, 2022 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | autofocus,bright, small, light, price, very good image quality | | Cons: | the lens hood and the aperture ring are missing,it is not tropicalized, | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: KP
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It is still my only lens with autofocus. It is perfect for everyday use. Lightweight and economical.Paid 100 Euro
| | | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: July, 2017 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,561
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 22, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $87.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Inexpensive , sharp , small. | | Cons: | No aperture Ring , plastic mount. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: KS2 , KP
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I don't know exactly why I didn't do this earlier.
Picked this up on an Amazon Prime deal for $87. I wanted small and light.
There is not much to be said that hasnt been said previously by other reviewers.
It is sharp , small , and inexpensive.
I could live out the rest of my life a contented man if it was the only lens I had.
( Thankfully it isnt)
Mine does everything well. From quick portraits , to landscapes.
I have zero complaints even if it cost triple what it did for me.
Definitively has lived up to its name and reputation as the " Plastic Fantastic" !
My overall rating is 8.5 considering everything.
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2013 Posts: 2
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 7, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Superb price to performance ratio | | Cons: | Plastic mount, no hood | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 5
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K70
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Great lens, sharp, compact. Only drawbacks are lack of aperture ring, no hood supplied, and a plastic mount. Optically very good, superb when cost is factored in.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: October, 2010 Location: Portugal Posts: 30
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 18, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $165.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | -Is light, -it takes up little space, -it is cheap, -compatible with 35mm format -focus fast | | Cons: | -Makes noise (little) -no marks on the lens -no quick-shift -no wr | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K5
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It is a "correct" focal length. 35mm is sufficient for all normal photos. Half-length portraits with a slight blur or sharp landscapes. As they say, it is the 4x4 of the fixed lens.
Pros
-Is light,
-it takes up little space,
-it is cheap,
-compatible with 35mm format
-focus fast
Cons
-Makes noise (little)
-no marks on the lens
-no quick-shift
-no wr
I personally love these low cost lenses   | | | | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2021 Posts: 8
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 21, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, fast enough and lightweight | | Cons: | Not weather sealed | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 7
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K5 iis
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This little plastic fantastic was my first lens with autofocus, and I can say I was not only surprised by how useful it is, but also by the quality of the images I can get from such a cheap lens. I do love some sharp images, and with the K5 iis, this lens delivers in that respect. Strictly speaking of image quality, it won't disappoint. My only gripe is how the lens handles. It's not too bad, but the lack of weather sealing and on-the-go focus adjustments and a decent focus ring are minor annoyances. All in all, I can't complain for the price. Us Pentax users are lucky to have access to this much quality at this price!
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2017 Posts: 1,794
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 29, 2020 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Light weight, price, IQ | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K3, KP
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This is the first DA prime lens I bought for my K3, back in 2016. It is the best value prime lens along with its sister, the DA 50mm f1.8, that you could wish to buy. So, if you are looking for your first prime, look not further than this (or the 50mm).
I also now own the HD DA Ltd. 35mm f2.8 Macro, and since the acquisition of that lens, the DA f2.4 sees rare use. Let me explain why.
Overall I prefer the handling and build quality of the Ltd. - as to be expected considering the price difference. Also, the close focus abilities of the Ltd. suit my shooting better, and despite the DA being marginally sharper at f2.8 than the Ltd. I prefer the "look" that the latter's images produce. However, this is all subjective, and if not for the ownership of the Ltd., I would never feel I would be lacking anything when using the DA.
From f2.8 the DA is plenty sharp enough for any ones needs. Its images are crisp and punchy. There are some handling limitations - no quick shift MF and it does not focus as close as I would like - but for the money you will not find better IQ. In fact you will not find better IQ unless you spend considerably more than several more times its price. The low cost is of course the result of the plastic construction and plastic mount and lack of weather resistance, but due to its size this does make the lens fragile. The plus side of this construction is that it is very light and easy to pack around with you. The AF is relatively noisy, being screw drive, but no worse than other screw drive lenses. I do not find it distracting
In short, if you are wondering whether or not to dip your toe into the waters of prime ownership, there is no better place to start. Small financial outlay means minimal risk should you decide that primes are not for you, and you will not be disappointed with the IQ. The only question you should be asking is "this or the DA 50mm f1.8?"
 | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2015 Location: Piła Posts: 6
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 11, 2020 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | picture quality, price, handling, overall value | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax K5II
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This is my primary lens since long time. Very useful angle, light and sharp even wide open. With this price is best 35mm for amateur (also advanced). Great also with diorama photo
| | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2016 Posts: 4
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 17, 2020 | Recommended
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Unbelievably good value for money | | Cons: | doesn't perform as well on the 24mpx sensor (K3) as on lower mpx sensor | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 6
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-S2, K-3, K-1
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I made a full review in video format at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q54QKPKp3bE but to summarise this lens is outstanding value for money and was excellent on my K-S2 but I didn't feel it was so sharp on the much higher pixel density sensor of the K-3 but was actually better on the K-1 than the K-3 I can only surmise due to the lower pixel density of the sensor.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2020 Posts: 44 | | Review Date: March 9, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $199.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | Quick focus, ease of use | | Cons: | None yet | | Sharpness: 5
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 6
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 7
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-50
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Decent lens for the price, ok value for the money.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2017 Location: Sale, Cheshire Posts: 210 | | Review Date: January 13, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $97.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very sharp, low CA, fast focussing | | Cons: | Some AF noise, lack of quick shift focus, not WR | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-3
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I initially had a 2nd hand version of this lens, which appeared to have infinity focussing problems (perhaps my calibration technique at the time was a little suspect). This was returned and I bought a new lens, which is excellent. I bought it for stills and video use in low light conditions. Initially, autofocus calibration of +7 was required, after which very sharp from f 2.4, when shooting in RAW and sharpening appropriately. Excellent colour rendition, with fast and accurate autofocus. Very resistant to flare, even without a hood, and generally very low CA. A little noise from the screw autofocus, but I have number of screw autofocus lenses, where the noise does not bother me (and they generally focus quickly on the K-3). If the autofocus speed is good, I am more concerned about the optical performance and handling.
I do have a 50mm SMC Pentax-A 1:1.7 lens, but focusing using the viewfinder focus light is not always spot-on, hence the attraction of the SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 AL, which also gives a greater depth of field.
Overall, optically, the SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 AL is excellent and amazing value for money.
| | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2015 Posts: 11 | | Review Date: January 12, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $160.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Fast AF; pleasing warm tones for portraits | | Cons: | Bit soft | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-S2; K-30
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Probably the best value lens in Pentax world. Much better than DA 50mm f/1.8 with respect to AF speed, AF sound, and CA. For good results for portaits use it at f/3.2. Make sure you micro-adjust the AF. For optimum sharpness, use it at f/5.6. Good warm pleasing colour tones for portraits.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: June, 2018 Posts: 131
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 5, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Cheap, good, the start of my photography journey | | Cons: | busy hexagonal bokeh, but that's all. | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 5
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K50, K3ii
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Much better than it looks, I took my baby photos with this and began my photography journey in the process. I don't like the bokeh or the focus ring or the lack of a lens hood, but everything else is good. I don't use it much now I have better lenses but I wouldn't part with it.
 | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: May, 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,661 | | Review Date: January 1, 2020 | Recommended
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Very sharp, decent contrast | | Cons: | I didn't "suit" my "style" | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
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I had a used one for a few months some years ago when I bought it for a trip toThailand - I used it there once or twice, and the results were impressive, but as mentioned above, it doesn't "suit my style" because, for "my usage" a semi-wide angle zoom is more useful for me.
OTOH, if it suits "your style" then "go get"
PS: didn't lose much cash when I sold it on - "people" love it!
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2019 Posts: 6
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 31, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | No CA, very sharp, fast focus | | Cons: | Screw type autofocus is louder | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K50
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I recently bought a used K50 from Ebay, for $270 Canadian. It is in like new condition, only had 1100 shutter actuations when I received it and I am extremely happy with the value I received. I paired it with a newly bought 35mm f2.4 Pentax lens I purchased from AZN, for $100 USD.
I am extremely impressed with this 35mm f2.4 lens. It focuses super fast, has no CA even when I magnify the image about 40x - 50x its original capture size, and overall, the sharpness is excellent. I also like the manual focus ring. The ring doesnt have a long focus adjustment window, but it is very responsive and you can fine-tune the focus easily. The length of the lens is perfect as well. I think this lens is the bargain of the century, except it doesnt have manual aperature adjustment and the focus motor is louder than I would like.
Some additional background on my K50 purchase, just as an fyi to camera newbies who might be thinking about buying a Pentax, as that was me not too long ago:
Last winter, I bought an Optio E80 and was blown away by the fact that this old camera could outperform my new Canon ELPH 180 in picture quality. I suppose the pentax lens was superior to the canon lens, but there could be other reasons too. Anyways, I thought to myself that Pentax must make great DSLRs if their old point and shoots perform so well. So, I started thinking about buying a Pentax DSLR when the opportunity presented itself.
Perusing Ebay, I found a seller in Canada that had a mint K50 with only 1100 shutter actuations. Tax was included, shipping was included and Ebay was giving me a 10% Ebay bucks discount if I bought something in the next 24 hours. I found the K50 and pulled the trigger. It arrived shortly after and I am so impressed with how the camera handles, how it is built and how it performs.
The K50s bigger grip is SUPER COMFORTABLE. I was mislead into believing that Pentax cameras have grips that are too large, but I found the larger grip to be much better to hold than the tinier girps found on Canons and Nikons. The smaller grips cause my hand to cramp because the grip is unnaturally compressed, whereas the Pentax K50 allows me to naturally curl my fingers around the camera grip. It results in a much more comfortable, satisfying grip to hold onto. My hand doesnt hurt at all and I dont even feel like I am holding much weight. The K50 actually feels lighter to me than a Nikon D5600 because of the K50s better grip.
Next, I was further impressed with how easy the K50 is to pick up and shoot with. I didnt read the manual, yet in about 20 minutes I was able to use the camera with better efficiency than my Fuji XT100, which I have owned for over 1 month. The Fuji isnt a hard camera to master, but the Pentax is so logical and easy, I truly think anyone can enjoy using it. It makes a big difference when you dont have to think about the complexity of your camera and can just focus on taking pictures and composing your shot.
Now for image quality, the Pentax 35mm f2.4 lens I bought - brand new - for $100 USD, is spectacular for the price. I can take a photo, upload it to my computer, crop the photo and magnify it about 50x bigger than its original recording size and the crop is still without any Chromatic Abberation. The detail is also good, considering I have blown up the image 50x over and I am using a 16MP sensor instead of a 24MP sensor as found in the KP, for example.
I cant wait to get a dediated macro lens and see what my Pentax camera can do. The results, I suspect, will be phenomenal.
I wanted to say that many of the knocks against Pentax that are proclaimed by non-Pentax users turned ou to not be true. The grip is not uncomfortable and is actually the best grip I have ever used on any camera. The image quality is the best I have ever seen on any camera regardless of brand. The focus is great. The build quality is great. Almost everything is much better than I was told by those who tend to dismiss Pentax as a brand option.
The only area in which my K50 has to improve is the shutter sound and vibration. I find the K50 makes a louder than typical mirror sound and the movement causes the camera to sligtly vibrate. Having said that, with the built in IBIS, all my pictures turned out super sharp and without blur. So, I guess it doesnt much matter in the end.
Regards,
Michael
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: February, 2019 Posts: 2,016 | | Review Date: December 30, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $110.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Excellent image quality, Light, Ideal focal length for a prime | | Cons: | No distance scale, Classic autofocus, No hood, Front cap | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-S2
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The Plastic Fantastic (this lens!) is extremely light, has a good look (even if it does not look like premium), and has an excellent image quality. Furthermore, 35mm on APS-C is more or less the "human eye point of view", this means that even if it is a prime, it can almost do everything as long as you zoom with your feet. Only wide landscapes and astrophotography will be out of reach with this lens. You can see that "Fantastic" is not a too strong word when it comes to this lens.
This lens is cheap (second cheapest of Pentax lens line) and have a really good image quality, so it is not a surprise that cost measures have been taken : no quick shift, no distance scale, no hood.
The front cap is rather annoying. Instead of the common center-pinch cap, here you have to put your fingers on the edge of the cap and press the buttons in order to remove the cap. It's taking a longer time and I am always worried to put my fingers on the front element. The DA 50 F1.8 (the Other Plastic Fantastic) does not have this problem. I replaced the original cap with a cheap generic 2 € center-pinch one.
Bottom line, if you want a prime for greater image quality, greater maximum aperture or just for the sake of trying prime, this one is probably the first one you should buy. And you will probably keep it and love it, like me. Well, until you buy a Limited of course.  | | |
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