| Author: | | New Member Registered: March, 2007 Location: Norway Posts: 1 | | Review Date: March 13, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Excellent IQ, solid, nice handling, fast. | | Cons: | None I can think of. | |
I got this for my LX and it is now one of my most used lenses with this camera. Handling is excellent, focusing and aperture rings are smooth and the f2 aperture makes for accurate focusing. Shows ecellent contrast and sharp from 2.8.
I have not used this on digital.
| | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: January, 2009 Location: Italy Posts: 50 | | Review Date: January 22, 2009 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, colour rendition, build quality | | Cons: | Little chromatic aberrations in backlight | |
An higly recommended lens, color rendition is fantastic and really true to life with smooth gradations and rich colours, contrast is magnificent like most of best K version lenses, mechanically is perfect and well designed.
It suffers chromatic aberrations in backlight condition expecially wide open.
It's very rare and hard to find.
Optically is the same lens as SMC Takumar 35 f2
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: May, 2008 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 322 | | Review Date: January 29, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $240.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build quality, speed, sharpness, bokeh | | Cons: | size, rarity | |
Rated for film only.
Bought mine sight unseen from KEH in EX condition. Previously had used Tokina & Pentax M 28/2.8's, and tried a stint with the A 35 f/2. The K 35/2 dwarfs them all with it's 8/7 lens grouping and 52mm filter threads. A little large for a winder-less MX, but great for the LX with accessory grip.
Bulk aside, it's very easy to focus and is quite crisp from f/2.8 up, at f/2 the rendering of hard edges/high contrast (printed letters) suffers a little bit. In my reasoning, a fast wide angle is there to make focusing easier and give you some leeway to 'stop down' to optimal aperture, one click of the ring has you in that zone with this lens.
Even with only 6 aperture blades the bokeh is quite nice, I've not noticed any little coma wings as reported elsewhere on the internet (I suspect the element grouping gives it an edge over the K 35/3.5). The SMC coating must be doing its job as I've had no issues with flare or ghosting, and I use this lens without a hood.
If you frequently shoot in low light, the f/2 really does make a great difference in focusing ease, as does the speed if you intend to use it on a cropped sensor. If you're mainly a landscape/daytime shooter, the K 35/3.5 appears to be capable of higher resolution in a smaller, cheaper package, at the expense of speed and bokeh rendering.
It's my go-to lens for day to day shooting.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092 | | Review Date: July 25, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Speed, versatility and quality. | | Cons: | Cost, not as sharp as other cheaper lenses in similar focal lengths. | | Camera Used: K Series film bodies (K1000, KM, KX, K2, K2DMD)
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The 35mm focal length on a film camera is kind of unique. It fits nicely between a normal (50-55mm) and a more common wide angle of 28mm. So you can use this FL as a one lens option for many shooting situations. It’s also perfect for traveling.
F/2 is fairly fast for this FL, which lets you use the K35/2 in just about any lighting condition. The K35/2 also has a 52mm filter size and shares the same lens hood as the other K series 28mm & 35mm WA lenses. I have found no vignetting issues using a polarizer or stacking filters on this lens.
I am quite pleased with the results that I have gotten using my K35/2 and it seems relatively sharp. I have not done any head to head tests with other lenses that I own in similar focal lengths, but I do not think it’s as sharp as my K28/3.5 or K35/3.5. It also does not have the same 3D effect that the K28/2 can produce in close-ups.
Overall this is a versatile lens that I would recommend if you want to travel light and as with all K series lenses the build/quality is superb. The K35/2 is somewhat rare, so you will pay much more for it than a K28/3.5 or K35/3.5. (Though the prices for the K35/3.5 have gone way up recently.)
Sample shots taken with the K35/2.0. Photos are medium resolution scans from original slides or negatives.
Camera: KX Film: Fuji Velvia 100 ISO: 100
Camera: K2 Film: Ilford FP4 Plus ISO: 125
 | | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 509 | | Review Date: August 26, 2010 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Uniform performance less Vignetting, Solidly built | | Cons: | Bigger and heavier than the M | |
35mm f2 is a well known Pentax focal length which can be traced back to the early Takumar age. My understanding is that this is the same optically as the 2nd version of the Super Multi-coated Takumar 35mm f2 lens. I have the first version 35mm f2 Takumar which has a much bigger front opening.
The lens is very well built, like all other K lenses. I am not sure if this is true. Some of my early K version lenses (excluding K24 f2.8, K135 f2.8 and K50 f1.4) start to have aperture delay problems. Some of the delay does not affect regular use. But using f22 begins to be problematic.
In comparison with my M35 f2, this is much bigger and longer. The image quality is more uniform throughout the whole picture. While the contrast is slightly low at f2, the Vignetting problem is less significant than M35. More importantly, the corner quality is much better than M35 at f2. The differences are less apparent at f8.
If you have a M35, should you get a K35 f2? For me, absolutely if you can find one. For daily use M35 is more than sufficient in my opinion.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2009 Location: Strand Posts: 1,366 | | Review Date: March 2, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $320.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Excellent IQ, build quality, speed, sharpness, bokeh | | Cons: | Heavy, some CA bokeh | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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This is one of the lenses make me stay with K-mount. Excellent IQ with one click down. A bit soft wide open, but it's still sharp and good IQ. I have no problem using this lens in low light conditions wide open.
I also use this lens from time to time to shoot in snow/white bright background, using f3.2 for best image quality and blurred background. The subject in focus area is sharp, but the bokeh/out-of-focus area does have some CA and hard to be fixed in post processing.
I have seen a Canon shooter using this lens on their body.
Highly recommended.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 31 | | Review Date: March 8, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $260.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Velvet feel , sharp , great colours . Buildt to last . | | Cons: | non so far . | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K5 ll
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 Sold as a M ,but could tell from the photos that it was a K .Got  it becourse of my newly K add. and the rarety of it .
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: April, 2015 Location: Lower Saxony Posts: 181
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 13, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp enough wide open, colors | | Cons: | short focus screw ~150°, esp. near infinity | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-5 IIs
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Got my one a month ago.
Today first tests at long last nice light conditions and satisfied with f/2.0 result of focusing a well exposed botanazing model
K-5 IIS, out of camera jpg, 1/2500 s, ISO 200, f/2.0
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2016 Posts: 4 | | Review Date: September 29, 2016 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharpness, bokeh, handling, value, built quality | | Cons: | maybe the weight, flare resist | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K 3 Prestige Edition,LX,K2DmD
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Bear in mind this is a great lens !
My copy was found nearly cheap at e-bay, compared to my really sharp A-35 f2,8
it is the same leaque if not better especially in built quality !
Ok it is bigger in size and weight, but it suits the K3 with Grip so fine :-)
It is really a pleasure to work with - built to last !
The flare resistence is not so good - a adequate hood is needed -
just did not find the right, so I avoid some situations ...
On Film it is a real compagnion to my LX - love the f2 for street shots .
Color rendition is SMC like - really pleasing !
Axel
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2017 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: February 8, 2017 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Smooth Bokeh | | Cons: | Haven't found any yet | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-30
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This is easily one of my favorite K lenses. The lens has creamy smooth bokeh wide open and is really sharp at f8. Maybe not quite as sharp as the K 35mm f3.5, but very close.
 | | | | | Forum Member Registered: February, 2016 Location: Moab, Utah Posts: 90
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 10, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $225.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Bokeh, contrast, close focusing | | Cons: | prone to flare, radioactive | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: Sony a7ii, a7s
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I think this lens benefits from the larger 52mm filter thread in comparison to other f2 35mm lenses. It has very nice sharpness, best in class bokeh, is nice and contrasty, and this lens also does not lose much "pop" factor in achieving these qualities. It's only drawbacks are the fact that it's quite radioactive, and it does not resist flare as well as other SMC 35mm lenses I have.
I also have and have compared in detail, this lens to the Takumar 1:4 f=35mm, Auto-Takumar 35mm f2.3, the S-M-C Takumar 35mm f3.5, M series 35mm f2.8, and FA 35mm f2. For anyone curious and wanting to compare, see my video for a comprehensive review with examples.
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 7 | | Review Date: March 2, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Contrast, colors, bokeh | | Cons: | Heavy | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 8
Camera Used: Sony A7
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Excellent lens. In fact, I don't believe it's the same as the smc Takumar 35/2 v2, as suggested by some people. The lens diagram, at least on the forum, is different.
I have both lenses, so I have to compare them side by side, but I was able to take much better pictures with the K lens. It also focusses much closer I think.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: September, 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,070
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 15, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $165.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, excellent low light abilities, nice bokeh | | Cons: | Hard to focus, some chromatic aberrations | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-3, K-x
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This is a nice lens, as I was able to get excellent photos with it. It's major flaw was a short focus throw, which made it hard to get photos consistently in focus. I am usually pretty good with getting the job done with manual focus lenses, as I've owned many. But I decided to go to its FA sibling with autofocus after some family pictures where not too many were in focus to my taste. Yes, I like hair popping sharpness, which this lens can give, just not with faster moving subjects. Another con was I noticed it started to yellow again after the previous owner sold it to me after he "de-yellowed" it by putting it under UV light. This leads me to believe it is has a radioactive element, which doesn't bother me, only the fact that I don't like to have to periodically de-yellow my lenses, but expect them to be ready when I need them. Otherwise it is a very well built, dense object that is smooth focusing and is fun to shoot with. Get closer to your subject and you get nice bokeh too. Stop down a little and it's soooo sharp. A little chromatic aberrations and/or lack of contrast can be seen wide open but never too harsh in my opinion and adds character. I'd recommend giving this lens a try. It definitely holds it value well and is a sought after lens. Here are some samples:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/adudenamedjosh/45479152402/in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/adudenamedjosh/45479187432/in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/adudenamedjosh/44804361004/in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/adudenamedjosh/44616152625/in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/adudenamedjosh/31657482778/in/dateposted/ | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: June, 2013 Location: Utrecht Posts: 255
7 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 1, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $225.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | K-build quality, sharp, contrasty | | Cons: | Rare, rather expensive | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K1ii
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I could buy this one for € 200 in pristine shape, I couldn't resist although owning a M35 F2.0. I do not regret, this is a wonderful lens as well in performance as in looks. I did some test shots to compare it with its M sibling and with the DFA kit lens at @35. My first impressions :
- I do not believe this lens is radioactive. It has different optics than the Takumars, it shows not yellow at all and I could not find one K-serie lenses being listed radioactive. The reason Pentax did not copy the Takumar lens formula for the K35 F2.0 is to produce it non-radioactive.
- The K-coatings differ much from the M-coatings, the K shows much clearer elements.
- The M35 is a little bit wider than the K35.
- The K35 vignettes less than the M35 does.
- Wide open the K35 is a bit soft, but easy correctable in post. From f2.8 it shows nice contrast.
- The M35 really glows wide open, and remains very vulnerable for front light closing down. Seriously worse than the K35.
- Wide open the K35 shows some red aberrations, the M35 shows some purple ones. Both lenses are wide open decent sharp all over the frame. I did not expect that from the much smaller M35.
- Closing down the K35 is crispier than the M35 that is visible softer and suffers even then from flare in contrasty situations.
- Compared to the DFA 28-105 at @35mm there is little between this and the K35. Both lenses perform extremely well. The K35 offers two stops extra.
The next three test shots are taken with a dimmed sun shining in the lens. I developed it from RAW. The JPEG of the M35 was much softer and mistier than the here showed recovery from RAW. I only adjusted the sliders of the levels to result in comparable diagrams.
 | | | | | amateur dirt farmer Registered: December, 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Posts: 41,757
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 2, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | color, clarity, sharpness, rendering, quality-feel | | Cons: | loss of contrast wide-open, hexa-bokeh can be busy | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-3
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what a great versatile lens - all month long, I was continually impressed by this lens...
the lens' clarity, sharpness, color rendition, even its MFD was a joy to use all month long....
occasionally, I would find that wide-open, it would be a bit 'glowy' and I'd lose some contrast in strong light, but stopping down a bit would easily solve that issue....
also, I did find its bokeh a bit harsh with sharp-sided hexagons, again, only occasionally....
I rarely found myself wishing for a different lens while working with it....
and the shots:
 sunflower & bee by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
 copper... by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
 tiny tortoise by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
 lawn chairs, west field by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
 sunrise by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the rest of my album for this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157705243816581/page1
in short, hugely capable and versatile - should be on your short list for a fast wide angle MF lens....
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