All Forum Comments
Eric Hendrickson in Tennessee restored my ME F about a year and a half ago. At the time, I didn't have a lens so he couldn't verify the focus confirmation. Since then, I got a lens and unfortunately, the af doesn't work. Other than that, it is spot on. I also have that winder.
MrCynical wrote:
1. Why is this lens about the same price as the Nikon 35mm f1.8, despite the latter having a silent motor, quick shift, and an extra stop of speed/bokeh?
2. For those who could buy the DA35, should they buy that lens or the 35mm f2.4?
3. Why is this 'only' f2.4 when Pentax had a 35mm f2 lens until about 9 months ago? Why couldn't they just put digital coatings on the FA35?
OK so that's three things, but I think I've summarised the questions which have been raised.
Still, if the DA35 Macro did not exist I would be jumping all over this lens - I suspect a million eBay CZJ Flektogon sellers just cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced, if you can forgive a popculture reference
The FA 35/2 actually had the Ghostless Coating on the rear elements just like all the FA and DA ltd lenses do. chrissinkpen wrote:
For me, should this new lens be evaluated solely on it's price?
After all, it wasn't that long ago that you could buy an FA50 1.4 for the same price as the new 35, were people questioning the quality of that lens at it's price point, it is now of course twice that price.
Just strange Pentax pricing policy I guess.
The point is not so much whether this lens is worth the money - it certainly seems to be. There are really two pressing questions in price terms:For me, should this new lens be evaluated solely on it's price?
After all, it wasn't that long ago that you could buy an FA50 1.4 for the same price as the new 35, were people questioning the quality of that lens at it's price point, it is now of course twice that price.
Just strange Pentax pricing policy I guess.
1. Why is this lens about the same price as the Nikon 35mm f1.8, despite the latter having a silent motor, quick shift, and an extra stop of speed/bokeh?
2. For those who could buy the DA35, should they buy that lens or the 35mm f2.4?
3. Why is this 'only' f2.4 when Pentax had a 35mm f2 lens until about 9 months ago? Why couldn't they just put digital coatings on the FA35?
OK so that's three things, but I think I've summarised the questions which have been raised.
Still, if the DA35 Macro did not exist I would be jumping all over this lens - I suspect a million eBay CZJ Flektogon sellers just cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced, if you can forgive a popculture reference
The lens elements in this DA 35/2.4 are about 1mm smaller in diameter. That's the only discernible difference except for the lack of the aperture diaphragm and the f2-f2.4. The FA 35 had a skinny manual focus ring and didn't have quick shift.
I kind of like this lens but think Pentax should have brought out a DA 28/2.4 based on the F 28/2.8. That said, I would get this lens except that I have the DA 35mm ltd which is my main af lens for dSLR plus I have the F 28/2.8. I may end-up with this new lens anyway if it covers the 24x36 film plane.
Comment by Blue posted on DAL 35mm available at 16/10/2010 - 02:27
The ES & ES II and elements of the K2 were derived from the Metallica II prototype unveiled at the 1966 Photokina. It was the first electronically controlled aperture priority camera. The Electro, ES, and ES II featured fabric stepless shutters and the K2 had a stepless vertical run metal shutter. The Metallica II was a bayonet mount prototype. There was also a shutter priority bayonet mount prototype displayed next to the Metallica II called the Memorica. Both were ahead of their time! Asahi went with the aperture priority lines obviously.
Comment by Blue posted on Vintage M42 Gear at 06/08/2010 - 20:09
Dangermouse wrote:
The wonderful part (for me at least) is that you could pick up any of these old cameras and providing you understand the basics of photography you'd be able to use it. The ES in particular looks so similar to the KM/K1000.
Talking of using them, how do I go about using a Super Takumar lens on an ES II? Bear in mind that while I'm competent with a KM I've never used anything earlier, and I have an ES II along with a Super Tak 35mm f3.5 here that I'd love to have a go with.
The ES is actually more like a K2. It has a stepless fabric shutter that works when set in the automatic mode for aperture priority. The K2 has a metal stepless shutter. The K2 also has mirror lock up. Both are able to do open aperture metering. However, The ES, ES II and Spot F need one of the S-M-C or SMC Taks to take advantage of open aperture metering, otherwise, stop down metering is required. The KX is more like a Spot F and the KM is more like a Spot 1000.The wonderful part (for me at least) is that you could pick up any of these old cameras and providing you understand the basics of photography you'd be able to use it. The ES in particular looks so similar to the KM/K1000.
Talking of using them, how do I go about using a Super Takumar lens on an ES II? Bear in mind that while I'm competent with a KM I've never used anything earlier, and I have an ES II along with a Super Tak 35mm f3.5 here that I'd love to have a go with.
Comment by Blue posted on Vintage M42 Gear at 06/08/2010 - 19:59
Monobod wrote:
Serial number is 561979. I also have the original black tooled leather ever ready case.
The green R on the film crank and the serial number confirm that its the early version. The early version has the rectangular part of the door latch on the door rather than the body. It also has the aperture actuation bar shaped like a crescent in the middle. That is the most important feature. The early models can't be used with the Super Tak 50mm f1.4 lenses because that bar and possible the mirror will hit and engrave the rear element. The late versions have a slightly deeper mirror box. The early version was made for a shorter period and is less common, especially in the condition of yours.Serial number is 561979. I also have the original black tooled leather ever ready case.
I love the metal stepless shutter on the K2. It was the last of the elements of the Metallica II prototype shown at the 1966 Photokina. Its a bit ironic that the Pentax K is my favorite m42 body and the K2 is my favorite K-mount body.
Comment by Blue posted on K Series Family Portrait. at 06/08/2010 - 00:21
womble wrote:
Front row second in is a Pentax K, third in is a black SV, back row are Heiland Pentax H1 and H2 I think. The Ashaiflex I think is a IIb
I stand to be corrected on all these.
K.
That's close. The one is an H3 rather than an H1. Everything else is spot on. The IIb is the 'late' version obvious by the hole cover for the slow speed dial. When the IIA came out, they started using the same top plate for both models.Front row second in is a Pentax K, third in is a black SV, back row are Heiland Pentax H1 and H2 I think. The Ashaiflex I think is a IIb
I stand to be corrected on all these.
K.
To honor RubenO's request:
Group shots . . .
Back Row: Praktiflex FX, Heiland H3, Heiland H2
Front Row: Contax D, Pentax K, black SV late version
Asahiflex IIb (late), Pentax K, Contax D, Praktiflex in back.
Portraits . . .
Pentax K
late black SV with my second 'Zebra' which has half stops
Asahiflex IIB late
The chrome ES reported by some sources as not existing.
Comment by Blue posted on Vintage M42 Gear at 05/08/2010 - 23:18
Some have expressed interest in the ID. The first 2 are more of the IIB "late" Asahiflex. Then I screwed up and double posted the H2 'Heiland' version twice. The last one is the film advance of the H3. One of the double post images was supposed to be the advance for the K and is updated for this post.
Blue wrote:
A few more 'portraits.'
K advance
H3 Advance
A few more 'portraits.'
K advance
H3 Advance
Comment by Blue posted on Vintage M42 Gear at 05/08/2010 - 23:05
hefty1 wrote:
Nice collection! I think the K is the most handsome model there, one I wouldn't mind for myself.
I agree with you there. It is my favorite m42 body of all! It has the grace of the AP & S, but also has the auto-aperture compatibility plus a slightly better focusing screen.Nice collection! I think the K is the most handsome model there, one I wouldn't mind for myself.
Edit: I think these Zebra 55 lenses are the best of all the 55mm Takumars!
Comment by Blue posted on Vintage M42 Gear at 05/08/2010 - 23:01
