Pentax A 35-70 f4 smc


melness

Link Posted 08/05/2016 - 20:38
Has anyone used/use this lens if so could you tell me your thoughts on it . I've look at the Pentax Forums reviews on the lens ,sometimes i'm not convinced by their scoring lol

Sean
Thanks
Sean

Algernon

Link Posted 08/05/2016 - 21:26
Excellent lens. Comparable to primes. Better than popular F version.
Beaten only by the F SMC 28-80mm.

One of the nicest lenses to use.

Can occasionally suffer from hazy balsam separation.

--
Half Man... Half Pentax ... Half Cucumber

Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff

Algi

davidwozhere

Link Posted 09/05/2016 - 00:11
It is indeed an excellent lens. Some would grumble about it having two rings but I prefer that. It's a bit chunky at 58mm filter ring diameter and it is a bit heavy for its size, being full of glass but the results are first class. Here are a couple from this time last year ..........






Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

My page on Photocrowd - link

JAK

Link Posted 09/05/2016 - 01:30
I also have an A 35-70. I've not really used it much but will take something tomorrow. The reason I haven't used it is that I also have a Chinon 35-70 and that has always amazed me with its sharpness. i'll do some comparison shots tomorrow (well, later this morning when I get up!!). Melness, is it for use on Full Frame or APS-C? I'll take the samples accordingly.
John K
Last Edited by JAK on 09/05/2016 - 01:31

melness

Link Posted 09/05/2016 - 10:12
Thanks for the input

Sean
Thanks
Sean

melness

Link Posted 10/05/2016 - 18:11
Received lens today ,have just given it a quick try out in the back garden and have to say i'm impressed so far . My only concern is the loseness of the focusing ring and the slight play in it ,would this be fixable or not .

Thanks for looking

Sean
Thanks
Sean

melness

Link Posted 10/05/2016 - 18:39
This is a very tight crop of one of our chickens ....




Thanks
Sean

Algernon

Link Posted 10/05/2016 - 18:46
It looks sharp enough. The colours need a bit of a tweak, which isn't the lens, it has very natural colours.

If your not happy with the focussing ring, can't you send it back? Any repairs if possible would probably cost more than another lens.

--
Half Man... Half Pentax ... Half Cucumber

Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff

Algi

johnriley

Link Posted 10/05/2016 - 19:40
The focusing ring on these was always loose, but there shouldn't be any excessive play.
Best regards, John

melness

Link Posted 10/05/2016 - 19:58
I wouldn't call it excessive ,probably just used to the other lenses i have being the total opposite .

Thanks
Sean
Thanks
Sean

johnriley

Link Posted 10/05/2016 - 21:05
I've had four of these over the years, all the same. It's a really useful lens, but I've never tried it on digital.
Best regards, John

davidwozhere

Link Posted 10/05/2016 - 22:45
I just looked at mine. Turning it is absolutely effortless. It doesn't quite spin but it is far "looser" than any of my other 'A' series. I then grabbed its little brother that has a one touch zoom and focus. That too is a bit on the loose side but neither of them is sloppy or has what I'd call excessive play.
Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

My page on Photocrowd - link

RussV

Link Posted 11/05/2016 - 13:59
My favourite lens on digital, but that does also depend on intended subject.
www.russv.me.uk

Algernon

Link Posted 11/05/2016 - 15:02
Just checked mine the focus ring is smooth and has just enough resistance to stop it getting accidentally knocked. Just how I like it.

The zoom ring is stiffish but not too stiff.

Only just noticed that the MACRO goes down to 0.37X at 250mm (70mm end).

So it is in effect a TRUE 70MM MACRO LENS i.e. the shot only needs magnifying 2.7X to give a 1:1 result. Strange not many people have noticed that.

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/zooms/medium/A35-70f4.html

--
Half Man... Half Pentax ... Half Cucumber

Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff

Algi
Last Edited by Algernon on 11/05/2016 - 15:19

melness

Link Posted 11/05/2016 - 17:43
I'm not happy on how loose the focus ring is so lens is going to be returned. Shame because it produces lovely sharp images without too much effort . The chances of coming across another one for the money I paid is slim I think .
Thanks
Sean
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