| Author: | | Junior Member Registered: February, 2022 Posts: 38 | | Review Date: May 9, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $450.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Resolution, bokeh | | Cons: | CA, SMC-A almost as good | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 6
Value: 7
Camera Used: Lumix S1R + 15mm Shift
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The main question in the 2020s is: should I stump up for the (current, and currently very expensive) D-FA version, or get the older, cheaper manual focus SMC-A? Or is the FA the best of both worlds?
I made a series a of detailed comparisons between this and the SMC-A 35/3.5 (and other lenses) for 16-9.net, at 4.3 microns across the image circle, which is more demanding that 645Z users require, but is relevant (for instance) to GFX users looking for adapted shift lenses. This summary therefore refers to aspects of performance that don't apply to every application. Here's looking at you Rick "who would need smaller pixels than on the 645z to find many flaws with this lens" Denney.
The FA is definitely more refined that the SMC: it's a better corrected lens (field curvature is smooth rather than waveform), and because Zones C-D (film-frame corners) are notably sharper at all apertures, you can see it. Unfortunately the comparison is full of similar back-handed compliements: the FA appears to have more CA in the outer image circle, because the SMC-A can't generate sufficient contrast to aberrate. The FA has better coatings, but is more affected by veiling flare in contra-lighting because of the bulbous front element –*and the ten-element FA has a specific internal reflection issue the nine-element A didn't suffer from. The FA added autofocus, but in the process made manual-focusing herky jerky. While the FA has sharper corners, the A resolves slightly better in Zones A-B from f5.6-11. Not everything about the upgrade was an upgrade.
Where it clearly scores over the SMC-A is in sub-f4 performance; its Zone C-D resolution at all apertures; its moderately improved geometric distortion (moustache, but less kinky); its prettier sunstars; and –*perhaps most crucially –*greatly improved bokeh: now smooth, undistracting and artefact-free. Samples are also younger, which makes a difference: many SMC-A 35/3.5 in circulation are now suffering (or have suffered, and have been repaired with varying degrees of competence) with fungus – though in its defence the older manual focus lens seems mechanically more robust than the lighter-seeming (but actually heavier) FA 35/3.5.
I've given the FA an 8 for sharpness - the same mark as I gave the A. But this 8 is just an 8 – not an average of 8: it's performance across the frame and aperture range is more consistent than the SMC-A. I'll stop short of a 9 for both because, under the scrutiny of smaller pixels, neither emerged unscathed from the comparison with the Olympus 35/2.8 Shift and Zeiss 35 PC-Distagon.
Both are very good lenses, approaching value parity as the FA seems to have plummeted (somewhat unfairly) while the A has (reasonably) become more expensive – returning us to the first five years of the millennium when both were sold side-by-side in the Pentax catalogue. The choice is harder now than it was then: the FA delivers images with a more attractive overall look but with smaller-than-film sensors they compete on more equal terms than ever.
I've not compared the FA to the D-FA because they're in such different price brackets but will be comparing them to the 33-55mm at 16-9.net where the full version of this review lives.
| | | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: October, 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,565
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 17, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $480.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, light, great contrast and color rendering, easy to handle | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: 645Z
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I now have a full array of Autofocus FA lenses for my 645Z : FA 35, DFA 55, FA 120, FA 200, FA* 300, FA 400 plus 5 FA zooms (33-55, 45-85, 55-110, 80-160 and 150-300), all superb lenses. I also have 9 manual-focus A lenses I gathered for my 645N over the years. Now I can easily pick 2 or 3 lenses to make a "light travel kit" for the day. Most perform best between f/8 and f/16.
. Upper picture below taken @ f/8, second image @ f/11 with the handheld FA 35 mm f/3.5. This lens produces excellent sharpness and contrast as well as beautiful colors. It is light and easy to handle, though it is always best to use it mounted on a tripod. I personally didn't see any lack of edge-to-edge sharpness due to excessive curvature of field. No medium-format lens is at its best when used "wide-open", just like large-format optics. . At first, I wanted the newer HD version but the price is ridiculously high. The optical arrangement of the FA and DFA versions is exactly the same (10 elements in 7 groups), only the coatings seem to have been changed and the diaphragm of the new lens reputedly has 9 blades instead of 8. I got this like-new FA copy for only 480 $ used on eBay from Japan, with caps, lens hood and an 82 mm Hoya multi-coated CPL, better than the 1700 $ asked for a used HD version (probably due to rarity instead of "highly superior quality"). I'm very satisfied with the results up to now. The lens remains very sharp from f/6.3 to f/32, permitting the use of smaller apertures to extend the depth-of-field when needed. The Sainte Anne River series was taken in bright backlighting and the images hold their contrast and resistance to flare admirably. It passes my battery of tests for a landscape lens.
Below : No Flare, no Color Fringing ! .
Below : Sainte Anne River : a SWELL lens ! . . . . .
Performance remains practically constant between f/8 and f/22. . 1/1000 sec @ f/8 on the left, 1/125 sec @ f/22 on the right .  @ f/6.3.
OPTIMUM APERTURE OPENING RANGE : f/6.3 to f/22
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2021 Location: Pianezza (Torino -Italy) Posts: 23
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 23, 2021 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Flawless body, smooth controls, great sharpness | | Cons: | nothing, except the filter diameter | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax 645 D
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Lens to buy without hesitation.
Solid construction, acceptably light weight and above all excellent performance at all apertures.
At f 8 the sharpness is excellent and the 13 "x 19" prints I print at home are extraordinary
 | | | | | Junior Member Registered: August, 2019 Posts: 25
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 24, 2019 | Recommended
| Rating: N/A |
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 | | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2018 Location: NoVA Posts: 635
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 15, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Critically sharp when carefully used | | Cons: | It isn't quite wide enough :) | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: 645z
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An excellent wide on the 645z. My testing views the raw file as corrected by DXO Photolab, but this lens is not in the database (unlike the D version).
I see very slight lateral color in the corners wide open. It's gone by f/8.
I also see a bit of softness in the corners at wide apertures, again gone by f/8. There may be a touch of curvature, but I don't usually photograph flat things and a bit of curvature often works to my advantage. There isn't enough here to be worth bothering with. At f/8, this lens is sensor-limited.
This lens is every bit as good on the 645z as the legendary 45mm wide-angle lens on the 6x7. I'm spoiled by large-format Super Angulons, and this lens compares favorably at f/11 and f/16 (and those Super Angulons don't reach optimal until f/22).
Even at f/8, depth of field is quite good viewed at 1:1 on my display (which is a 60" image width). At 400%, sharp edges consume one pixel at most, maybe a hair more in the corners.
I will have no hesitation to use this lens for critical work, though other aspects of technique are still important. To get the most from this lens, one needs a good tripod. Another way to say that is that this lens will reward meticulous technique.
Rick "who would need smaller pixels than on the 645z to find many flaws with this lens" Denney
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2017 Posts: 5
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 1, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $800.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Not expensive | | Cons: | Not very sharp in infinity | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: 645D
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I would say, this lens is excellent in focus and size for a wide lens. I would recommend this lens rather than manual lens because of the minimum focus distance is better. The hood is good but it needs to be covered by tape if you really like to keep it for long while. The weight of this lens seems a bit heavy but for me is still satisfy.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: November, 2009 Posts: 29 | | Review Date: August 8, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $1,400.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, light and compact. | | Cons: | Curved plane of focus. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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Sharp lens. Compact and light weight (as compared to the Zeiss 645 35mm). My copy required slight focus adjustment due to back-focus. The 35mm Pentax is a very desirable focal length (especially since the 45mm is not so great) and works well with the 55mm as a wide angle set for the 645D body.
The plane of focus is slightly curved, so corners are out of focus when the center is in focus. This effect is only noticeable with near, flat objects, and effectively disappears when using f8 to f11.
While this lens is very good, it is not in the same league as the Rodenstock HR Digaron-S 35mm for digital backs. If the Rodenstock is a 10 for sharpness; the Pentax is a notch or two down from what is possible.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2008 Location: Washington DC, USA Posts: 632
1 user found this helpful
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f/8
f/11
f/16
f/22
f/32
@ f/13
@ f/8
@ f/11
@ f/16
@ f/6.3
@ f/25
