| Author: | | New Member Registered: March, 2016 Posts: 2
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 20, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | size, weight, iq | | Cons: | maybe there are some at full frame, none at aps-c | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: k-70
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Amazing with a k-70, i dont know how good is it with a k1.
Low distortion, low vigneting, some cromatic aberrations but easy to correct in post. Ultra fast AF with good light. Relatively fast aperture. Supercompact at 70, maybe the compactest? This lens is amazing.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2014 Location: Tennessee Posts: 20
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 21, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | small, sharp, nice build quality | | Cons: | zoom ring a little stiff | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 6
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-70
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strongly recommend only around $40
my video review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr9rHTAM95k
 | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2016 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 6, 2016 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very light weight, very sharp from 5.6 and on, inexpensive | | Cons: | None | |
This is the only Pentax autofocus lens I kept after selling my Pentax digital gear a couple of years back. I used it a lot with an ME Super and I still used it with an LX, although now I prefer a wider zoom. It was the main lens I took when on the road traveling or hiking. I bought it as part of a complete outfit (ME Super, Vivitar Series 1 70-210, flash and filters) for $50 at a church sale about 12 years ago. Handles very well even when mounted on a manual focusing body. Although the lens may feel cheap and plasticky to some, the optics is outstanding; if you travel a lot with your gear on your back you will appreciate the light weight.
| | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2015 Posts: 15
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 24, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Small, real sharp, good color rendition. | | Cons: | Limited zoom range (maybe(. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K20D
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Even with a metal lens-hood permanently on, this is easier to handle than the kit lens.
It is probably the best portrait lens I have used (see below), and such value.
I have done well in club competitions with this lens.
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2007 Location: North West UK Posts: 390
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 17, 2015 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Small, nice build, Sharp, fast AF, great colour | | Cons: | Noisy AF (ar'nt all screw AF?) narrow FOV on APS-C | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-01, K-5, K20D, MZ-7, MZ-5n
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This is a little gem of a lens. I now have two, one bought and one given to me.
There is a nice weight to it, not too light, not too heavy. But it's biggest advantage is how small it it. It really if a prime in size, yet provides so much flexibility.
It is not that fast, but then again a 35-70mm F2.8 would be huge, let alone if there ever was a 35-70 F1.4!!
How good is it when it comes to image quality? Well I can say it is sharp, even from wide open, Bokeh is great and the colour rendition is spot on.
Think of it as a bundle of primes in one compact lens.
Downsides?
Well the Angle of view on APS-C is a tad long, 52.5mm to 105mm, but then again if you know that, you adjust accordingly.
The AF is noisy, but it is screw drive from the 80's so reality is what do you expect.
Best camera? Well it is actually perfect for my K-01. A great small combination for street and general photography.
If travel is your thing, and want a small kit system that compliment each other, then how about a K-01, 10-17 Fisheye, 20-40 Limited and this lens. The perfect trio.  | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: August, 2012 Posts: 12
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 8, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Compact, fast focusing, light | | Cons: | focal length range | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-5
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This lens has the sharpness of a prime, and is as little as a prime! Awesome image quality. Such a wonderful value.
just a little example from my flickr.
 IMGP15911 by JZackery, on Flickr
| | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2012 Posts: 14
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 6, 2014 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Lightweight, Macro, Small, Sharp | | Cons: | Difficult focusing ring | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: K10D, K-5 IIs
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I absolutely love this lens. It's extremely light and small, the macro mode is usable whenever it's needed and it's sharper than any other lens i've seen in the same price range. It has 4.5 at it's farthest zoom range which is nice compared to other lenses of this type and price which are usually 5.6. The distance to turn the dial between 35 and 70 is short enough that it's easy to quickly zoom between them when needed. The only complaint I have is that the focus ring is the typically difficult to use f series type. I like the later and FA series ones which give you something to grip onto. It's still very usable though, you just have to use your fingertip to turn it instead of both your thumb and forefinger which can be good but can also be done on the newer styled ones as well. This lens makes a great lens for street photography if you like tighter cropping over an 18-55 kit lens.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: February, 2014 Location: Warsaw Posts: 76
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 24, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Decent sharp wide open, Fast Focus, resonably fast, good macro mode | | Cons: | narrow FOV | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-500
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I just got it and I am really astonished.
As for zoom lens it is very sharp, even wide open!
Lens is sharp not prime sharp but almost as good.
I am just discovering prime lenses quality and was recently amazed by Pentax A 50/1.7 image quality. This lens is not as fast but offers almost as good image quality and is more versatile. So now it is my first choice for day walk around lens. Also much better then Kit lens.
Main complains are: lens has a bit too narrow field of view and, is only 35-70mm.
Great lens, cheap, light, sharp and reasonably fast, with good macro mode.
At 35mm
At 70mm
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2012 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 464
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 6, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $54.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | size, sharpness, handling, filter size | | Cons: | focus ring/zoom ring kind loose, some CA | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K5.K7,K10D
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https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zwo_GNOhvk4/UHcl2bfU3ZI/AAAAAAAAAWA/tlBTM...K10D-57339.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Fj-mZlVIIaY/UHcmYFe_98I/AAAAAAAAAWA/icVOA...K10D-57319.jpg
UPDATE:
*Macro!!!
I haven't used any macro lens before, but! this lens totally fulfill my little curiosity of macro lens. And the macro function made this lens unbeatable for daily use----it reduced the minimum FL to around 10cm.
*Walk-around:
This is a pretty nice lens for walking around. Actually for this price it has already gave me too much.
With K-5's excellent high-ISO performance, I don't really care about the max aperture that much. And what is the best is that it is still sharp when wide-open.
As a Pentaxian, I have to say it is pretty shame that Pentax stopped making this lens.
Just some off-topic words: about 2 weeks ago I got tired of my bulky gears which costs lots of $$$. So I sold them all----a DA 16-45, M50, K55, Bower 85/1.4, and one tammy 70-200/2.8. I made a decision: 1, Pentax lens only, 2: since for me size matters, so I decided to get some small but money-worthy lenses, 3: whatever pentax release the FF or not, I'll stick on those FF-support lenses.
So I kept the F50/1.7, and after that I started reading all the reviews, and found this baby.
After some searching, I got one from ebay at $54. The seller was pretty nice and shipped this out very quickly.
And here is a short review after playing it for half an hour:
Pros:
1. Size. As what I said, I got tired of taking bulky lenses walking around. This one is a little bit taller (half inch) taller than my F50/1.7, however, still very small.
2. IQ. amazingly good---I mean, I did not shot a lot but only couple images with full-open and F8. Full-open---completely usable!! Very sharp in the central!
3. Price. this lens is a 52mm to 105mm equivalent to a 35mm camera. and from daily walking around, to some portrait---perfect.
Cons:
1. CA, as well as some purple fringe. The purple fringe is not a good new on the film-era lenses, however, the CA is confusing. ----the green fringe is kind annoying.
2. Violent AF: Not sure whether this is a pro or a con----the AF is fast, however very violent---you can even feel the how camera is shaking.
Anyway I'm very happy with this purchasing. And for photography---how to shot an amazing picture with a lens of $40, is my current task | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2010 Posts: 648
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 1, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | colors, handling, AF | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I am just wondering how come this lens has such a low score.
It deserves much higher one.
I just love it.
Great colors, perfect sharpness even wide open, pleasure to handle and work with.
It works great as for portraits and a street fotography.
Well, it is not F/1.4 or 1.7, so what?
Yes, it is plastic, then so what, will your metal one survives if you drop it?
It is very light in terms of its weight.
I am glad I bought it for $30 with Pentax SF1N.
If you see it, do not miss it.
(Non working links removed)
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2008 Location: bremerton, wash. Posts: 6
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 14, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $68.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | The macro is fun. Sharpness is surpriseing. Color is just beautiful. Fast focus. 35 to 70mm is a good range. | | Cons: | rotating front element. Actually it is unnerving but the lens has great sharpness. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K5
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I do a lot of outdoor shots. For the price I paid the lens has been a surprise. I use my 18-55mm WR lens a lot. But this lens is so much better I use the 35-70mm when there isn't a water or dust problem. I got my lens on e-bay. It was found in somebody's closet with the Factory tags on it. It has performed well. It is so much better than my WR 18-55mm lens I am giving the 35-70mm a 10. The color is so great that the Saturation sliders in Lightroom are of no use. I am going to use it for Portraits in the future. I am asked to take care of the Church photos at times. The sharpness of this lens will be perfect for this.
I have a 50mm and a 100mm Pentax prime lenses. They are perfect but this lens is sits better in my bag when I am on a hike and my old brain doesn't worry about the lens. Primes I love but my budget cannot handle the cost of bunch of them. The primes are better overall but this lens is more useable.
The lens focus is fast. It is and I worry about the lens is very cold weather. I worry about linkage failure so I use my 18-55 lens for adverse conditions. On the Olympic Peninsula where I live, my Pentax K5 goes out in rain and snow and very cold weather in the mountains. But that is what my war tank WR 18-55mm lens is for. I am very careful with this lens. If I had my wish , I would wish for a remake of this lens in better materials. It does have a cheap feel to it. It was a brilliant idea made with low budget materials
I am not a very careful reviewer but I have not found any aberrations yet.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2011 Posts: 95
6 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 11, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, fast focus, light, bright, cheap | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
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This is lens one little gem, very sharp, nice colors, fast focus, for this money I highly recommend it. Sharper, lighter and smaller then the kit 18-55 and it has better auto focus 
100% crop:
Bridge:
100% crop:
 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: California Posts: 2,223
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 2, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Small, neat, sharp, light and AF | | Cons: | None - Maybe not too fast, but does not matter | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I bought this lens from KEH about a year and a half ago after looking at some photos taken with this lens. Also, after I learned that someone used to copy documents and archive them. This lens is great for that, it doesnot distort the document. Besides, I take it quite often out and take nice sharp photos. It is the best of the cheapo AF zoom. I really like it.
------------------
Update: March 2, 2014.
Using this lens on the K3 is something really different. The AF flies at the speed of light, noisy and scary, but I like it. The IQ, etc, are great.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: June, 2008 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,165
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 30, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $45.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Portable, inexpensive, sharp, macro, convenient | | Cons: | Funny looking | |
In the month I've had this lens it hasn't come off my camera. Great for family snapshots, casual/candid portraits, the occasional flower or other odd (not quite 1:1) macro shot. For me the 52-105mm range on a DSLR is very handy, I never need longer and rarely miss the wider end. AF is nice, and usually fast although occasionally it hunts a bit. I really like the "A" version of this lens too, but on a K100 it is especially nice not to input the focal length with zooming for SR purposes. The "macro" mode shots seem particularly sharp. Plus my wife can use the "scene" modes with this lens - it's a winner. A 10 rating might seem high, I certainly can imagine a better lens, but with value figured in it just can't be beat.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: September, 2020 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,759
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 29, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $75.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Small, quick and accurate AF, good IQ, useful zoom range | | Cons: | Slight image softness (vintage look), slight fringing, plastic build | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-1 Mark II
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The quality and performance of this lens belie its diminutive size and weight. It really punches above its class in just about every way, even on a modern 36mp digital sensor, which is not what it was designed for. The optical compromises are very tolerable on a FF sensor. The slight softness I see stopped down may be the result of the sensor outresolving the optics, I am not an expert in that area, but I know that slight sharpening in post processing sharpens things up nicely and the gentleness of what I would call vintage rendering is more pleasant to me than clinical sharpness and microcontrast. Colors are nice and overall contrast is good. The AF speed really must be emphasized. It's not just good for an old lens, but good for a modern lens. Locks onto moving targets very reliably and quickly. This makes a very good street lens.
 IMGP2406_DxO by Andrew Lossing, on Flickr
 IMGP2424_DxO by Andrew Lossing, on Flickr
 IMGP2462_DxO by Andrew Lossing, on Flickr
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