| Author: | | New Member Registered: April, 2012 Location: Prague Posts: 18
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 2, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $230.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Oh, wonderful lens right ? | | Cons: | AF !? | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-5
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People talks much about this lens and I agree with all those strong points.
I only have a little problem with the AF of this lens with my K-5. The AF has problem with back/front focus that I cannot expected in many times. Many article talks about the K-5 AF and I really do not know the AF problem comes from my K-5 or this lens !
Anyway, it is a fantastic lens with the price !!! Highly recommended !!!
| | | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: July, 2011 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 2, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $195.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Optical quality, focal length, price | | Cons: | No Quick Shift, disappointing max aperture | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 7
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-x, K-5
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This lens has such potential that I always feel a bit disappointed when I take it out. Make no mistake - this is a DA L lens when it comes to build quality. But optically it belongs in a much higher class.
Let’s start with the good: this lens has outstanding color and contrast. This is worth saying again - the color and contrast of photos taken with this lens, without any digital enhancement, are remarkable! And while 6 aperture blades doesn’t sound like much, I can report that the bokeh of this lens is quite pleasant and smooth. Sharpness is excellent as well, and I haven’t had any problems with flare or CA. Simply put, your photos will look great when taken with this lens.
However, there’s more to a lens than its optical qualities. This lens is all plastic, and while this makes it remarkably lightweight, the feel just doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence (and screwing metal filters into its plastic threads makes such a terrible sound). Thankfully, the focus ring feels surprisingly good given its construction, but the lens lacks any form of focus markings. Worst of all, though, is the absence of Quick Shift. What’s the point of lightning-fast AF if you have to flip a switch before you can tweak it? This missing feature is why I occasionally consider replacing this lens (and why I’m a bit nervous about investing in any FA Limiteds).
There’s more to gripe about too. In terms of price and focal length this lens is fulfilling the role of the classic “fast fifty”. Yet at F2.4 it’s not all that fast, nor is it particularly small (being larger than several of my full-frame primes). Also, the front and rear lens caps are of the cheap variety and make the lens all the more annoying to use in the field.
These optics deserve better. But with the FA 35mm F2.0 out of production (and over twice the price at B&H), this lens is currently your best choice for a normal prime that won’t break the bank. And if you can live with the mechanical shortcomings, the photos you take will rival lenses costing far more.
 | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: May, 2011 Location: Helsinki Posts: 64
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 22, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $213.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Small | | Cons: | plastic, slow, no inner focus | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax k-5
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This is a very good lens for the price. Image quality is very good and size is nice. A perfect lens for my walks.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2012 Posts: 19
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 19, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $206.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Cost, image sharpness, size, weight | | Cons: | Absence of a hood | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 6
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-5
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I just wish my new K-5 camera had been fitted with this lens from the outset, instead of the rather disappointing kit zoom. Admittedly its fixed focal length is not my default choice, but the optical quality of the lens gives a far better reflection of the capabilities of the camera's sensor than the 18-55mm, which appears very well made, but does scant justice to the camera's qualities, especially when image files are viewed at full resolution.
I have been extremely impressed by the corner to corner sharpness of my pictures at all aperture settings, and colours are faithfully reproduced. Contrast levels are also good and very little post processing has been needed so far. The only cosmetic change I have made is a subjective one - using the embedded raw image camera colour profile instead of Adobe Standard, which I feel renders the blue tones too saturated. I am sure that equally applies to other lenses used on the K-5.
I would unreservedly recommend the lens to all Pentax users old and new and hope that the manufacturer continues to offer similarly affordable lenses, together with its more highly regarded Limited range.
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2011 Location: California Posts: 369
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 24, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $170.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Cheap, Sharp, Light | | Cons: | Plastic Build | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K10D
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This is perfect lens for a walk around lens and it's amazingly sharp! Everyone has to pick this up, its super cheap to get brand new, its basically a steal! Amazing lens for almost anything!  | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: April, 2010 Location: California Posts: 484
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 9, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $170.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, cheap, nice bokeh, light-weight, an incredible bargain | | Cons: | Some CA wide open | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-x
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Everything has been said already. This lens represents an excellent value. If you don't need something smaller, faster or a macro feature, getting this one is a complete no-brainer. If Pentax brings us more smash hits like this, they have a bright future ahead of them. See the 100% center crop below (f/8, ISO 200, straight from the K-x) for a good example of what this baby can do.
 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2011 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 1,071
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 13, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $169.99
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Low priced, f/2.4, accurate colors, great bokeh, compact, excellent IQ despite plastic construction | | Cons: | Plastic body and lens mount. No lens hood. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-5
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Despite how plasticky this lens is (plastic mount, plastic body), this is an extremely well-rounded lens that performs very well in spite of what it is - a budget prime. While f/1.8 would be nice, f/2.4 is great. AF is very quick and accurate, although there is no quick shift focusing. This isn't a macro lens, but it focuses quite well close up and produces impressive bokeh. It also performs quite well in low light situations. CA was barely noticeable at f/2.4 and was gone by f/4.5 or so. Overall image sharpness also becomes stellar past f/8, and center sharpness is excellent even at f/3.5. All in all, if you're willing to deal with a plastic mount (just be careful mounting and removing this lens), this is an excellent bargain buy, and makes a great standard length package with a DA40.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: May, 2011 Posts: 233
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 10, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $180.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | extremely sharp, extremely fast AF,great color redition | | Cons: | plastic build, can be slightly faster (aperture), some fringing | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: kx, k5
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just add another review to bump up the score of this little gem.
it is my third lens (beside 18-55 and the 55-300 kit), and it is always been my favorite.
extremely fast AF compare to "all" zoom lenses;
great sharpness across the frame even wide open;
attractive "pentax" color redition;
decent aperture speed at f2.4 (though i wish it can go 2.0 or 1.8);
price can't beat (cost only around $150 on 2012 spring).
a must have lens no matter what pentax DSLR you are using.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2011 Posts: 95
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 4, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $144.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | the best Pentax lens | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax k-r
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My best Pentax lens 
Here is my first shot with it (no LR sharpening at all):
and here are some 100% crops:
 | | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2010 Location: Ladys Pass, Victoria Posts: 7
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 5, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $169.95
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Cheap, light, f/2.4, | | Cons: | Has trouble at "infinity" | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
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What can I say, it was cheap($169.95 on Amazon with $50 off), it's much better for lower light with the f/2.4(I've heard it may be slightly wider, maybe even f/2.2). Plus it is basically a 50mm equiv.
I'd have liked a DOF scale, but only so I know where infinity is(it's impossible to use the viewfinder at night with only starlight).
It's made from plastic, sure, but it doesn't make you feel uneasy about it's strength. It feels like the K-x, light but strong. Plus it keeps the weight down, which is always a bonus.
Nothing more to say really, it is my first prime for a Pentax, had the K-x for 18 months and it was time to get it.
10/10, maybe a 9.5/10 because of the lack of DOF scale.
| | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2011 Posts: 1
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 27, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $180.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | great color, bokeh, contrast, crisp and sharp even on f2.4, f2.4 is fairly open and fast, versatile focal length, lightweight, cost | | Cons: | plastic build | | Sharpness: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
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Recently got this lens and I have to say that I absolutely love it! Compared to my DA 18-55mm kit lens it always gets a crisp, sharp image and great contrast that is more difficult on the former. With the right exposure images are almost always all around bright with bright color and a smooth feeling. I have a Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 that I use on my k-x as well and there is no beating that lens but this one is very close. f2.4 is not as great as f1.4 obviously but it wonderful on its own, allowing for very nice depth and bokeh, and also faster than the more common f2.8 and and f3.5 lenses. 35mm is a perfect focal length, being very close to the traditional 50mm on a film camera and therefor closest to real life size. This makes for a very versatile frame size for portraits, still life, landscapes, snapshots, et cetera. The only disappointment here is the plastic build, but it seems sturdy in how it has been put together. For any amateur dslr photographer it is definitely worth the great price.
    | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2011 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 368
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 22, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $170.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | great lens, highest value lens | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
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All the good things that have been said about this lens is true. It is a great lens considering the cost. IQ is fairly comparable to FA 35 f2.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2011 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 448
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 3, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $210.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Lightweight & compact, small lens thread getting to be rare these days, Great for Walkaround | | Cons: | Nothing really for what it is and for it's sharpness | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
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I purchased this lens almost a year back - around March this year. Since I am new to DSLR I was waiting to understand the lens before I post a review as I know I am not an expert about everything in a lens. Now, I think I am starting to get more control on it, now I am seeing it as a versatile light weight lens for walkaround. I had earlier seen many review suggesting the same and that is what influenced me the purchase as I don't want to buy multiple lens and keep my investment low.
After the purchase though, I felt it was really not fulfilling the all-purpose tag - I thought I was actually not good in the handling. Yes now just 2 days back I was able to do a variety of shots from portraits to group shots all giving satisfying results in some where I even covered wide angle in the background thus signalling me to confirm it is really versatile.
I am starting to understand that the centre focusing point makes a lot of difference as we can specifically and for sure know where we are intending to focus or forcing the camera to focus rather than the multiple focus point especially in the autofocus mode. In the past months I was exclusively using the multi-focus points.
Of course it is not a real wide angle but this will serve for sure as an all purpose lens with great sharp results. You can see many of my samples here in this thread. The first posting is of mine, I keep adding this post with my favorite shots as I capture them - there are many undisclosed shots of family which I am hesitant to post it in the public realm that has influenced me to write in favour of this lens. Must have lens for what it is! | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: January, 2011 Location: Plymouth Posts: 359
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 27, 2011 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, ease of use, weight. | | Cons: | Knowing the limitations of the lens before I bought it, none. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
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I got my copy of this lens today so I've not had that much time playing with it. However, I took it out with me tonight and the first portrait I took with it is so sharp you can count the pores in their face, the colour and saturation is bang on for the style of shooting I do, it's light, it's cheap, and fairly fast. The only lens I have that's sharper is an A 1:7 50mm, but being manual focus it's not so convenient in a bar/club/party - I'm happy to lose the tiny bit of difference in sharpness for the speed and convenience of an AF lens. I took a few shots on my way home as well and I'm very happy with how it delivers on night-time cityscapes of Plymouth and the sea - I'm very surprised at how well it renders colours and contrast in 1- 2 sec exposures under son - t lights. Can't wait to give it a proper try out in daylight tomorrow, I may well update this review soon when I've taken more than the 100 or so shots I've taken so far.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: August, 2011 Location: Victoria Posts: 201
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 25, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $265.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Cheap, fast, light. Great sharpness throughout. | | Cons: | No hood mount? Can always get a screw in I supose. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
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This is my second prime, and probably my most used lens now. It is small and light so stays on my camera quite a lot. The autofocus is zippy, it's sharp throughout and it has provided me with many pleasing images where my kit 18-55 really disappointed.
It can be had quite cheaply these days ($170 on Amazon last I saw) and I think it is a must have for everybody's bag. For the price, or even anything remotely close to it, this is the best AF lens you can get. Only possible to find something better in old manual lenses.
I was tempted to get the 2.8 macro version, but this focuses quite close anyway, so I didn't see the need to pay almost twice as much when this lens is brilliant as is.
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