Pentax-F 35-70mm

I had one of these, sold it, regretted it, bought another one off ebay (I say bought - it actually came bundled with another lens and body, both of which I sold on at a small profit after fees.) I am simply amazed by the quality of this lens. Not only is it sharp across the frame and at either end of zoom, but the colour and contrast seem to be alive. And there's a reasonable attempt at macro at the 70 end.

It's also extremely ugly and noisy and can't focus that close (which certainly describes me after a few pints), but that just makes me want to love it more.

So stop moaning about the price of the 50mm prime - I'm selling mine because this beast can match it for quality, just fails with the other things like speed. And the small zoom range means you have some of the prime discipline for composition and using your feet. Seriously, these are popping up on evilbay and the 40-odd quid I think is a real bargain!

Tony

It is a good lens, apart from the mediocre close focusing ability that is common to most F series zooms.