Ah...   Here we are, looking at a favorite lens during APS-C times now on Full Frame. The SMC Pentax 1:3.5/35, originally designed during the days of the m42 screwmount and introduced in 1959!!!! the lens formula then being unchanged except for coating changes through the transition to the K series that introduced the K Bayonet mount It was last produced in 1977. The copy I have was purchased from a Pentax forum member many years ago. (RIP BrandRx) on my K5 it was a mild telephoto joy in a small package, in my K1 it is a mild wide angle with a small aperture wide open at f3.5, and still a small package. I will freely admit that one of the compromises made to go full frame DSLR is that the camera body is... unsmall. I accept that for the IQ and the handling, I find that Mirrorless Cameras have too small of a body for me to really hold correctly especially as the lenses get bigger and full frame lenses, especially the modern ones, are quite chunky and can often make the size of mirrorless bodies look silly as well as make using bigger lenses a ergonomic nightmare. So, I find myself making the choice of big chunky body, that while heavy is solid, durable and useable as a self defense weapon in a pinch with smaller old primes that make the package manageable. I have my big zooms, but don't like to use them on the street unless traveling (See my series of posts on my trip to England/Scotland) as they are... just... bigger. Which brings us to this lovely lens, it is small, the smallest I own and doesn't get in the way much when running around town. It does not quite qualify as a pancake lens, but it is close enough for my purposes. 

Optically, this lens is well regarded, the longevity of it's production run from 1959 to 1977 is impressive especially when it is noted that Asahi/Pentax revised most of their lens designs several times along the way but not this one. I have never found it lacking sharpness on APS-C or on Full Frame. I am working on getting some lenses together to do a direct comparison and some real world resolution comparisons, I do not have the ability to do formal resolution testing. That will be part 2.

When I got my K1 mii I started new galleries on my website where I would put photos sorted by lens for when I write these reviews up. I put the first of these sample photos in well over a year ago 2023 actually, sadly I never got around to taking many photos with it during the summer months, but got a few in the fall and then some quite recently. The first few are taken at a spot called Gallivan Plaza in Downtown Salt Lake City, UT. I have taken quite a few photos there over the years as the lights give me opportunity to test out of focus blur and starburst production. Due to the shutter speeds in these light conditions shooting off a tripod is a must.   

The out of focus light discs get oval towards the edges which is common on older lenses, but are pleasing, due to the max aperture of f3.5 the discs do not get as large as an f2 lens would. I have toyed with the idea of buying one, there are many manual focus and AF Pentax lenses in 35mm that are f2. Contrarian that I am I have resisted the urge and make do with what I have so I can dream of a multitude of different MF lenses instead of just one autofocus lens.   

Yes that IS me,   

I do not know why I like these but I do, sometimes the moment is blurry and everything is in motion, especially in the morning on my way into work. This reflects to me what I see when I look through the front of the train over the conductors shoulder.   

The focal length of 35mm is for me a little constricting, I have been feeling more comfortable with 28mm or 24mm of late when streetwalking. But I have been testing those lenses too, so... shrugs. I felt just... constricted here. 

One of the things I actually like is the resolution the lens can achieve wide open, which is helped by the modest aperture of f3.5 which gives a larger depth of field (area in focus) the downside is a tradeoff of less separation from the background, meaning you can see more detail in the background and it can be a little nervous? or busy maybe? I don't hate it here, but have deleted a few shots that the blur was just... blech.    

The aperture has 5 blades which I tend to prefer as it gives better starbursts from point light sources, in this setting and partially stopped down it gives pentagonal shape to some of the light gaps between tree branches. I think it is likely part of what contributes to the blur being busy or harsh. I can deal with it. I do not think Pentax has any 35mm's with rounded aperture blades. Sigma has a 35mm f1.4 Art lens that I would love to play with someday... but the price is prohibitive and I'm not sure the focal length deserves the money for my style.   

The color rendering is typical Pentax and the light falloff in the corners is negligible for my purposes, and can be fixed in post easily anyway.    

Some people take pictures of brick walls to show distortion etc... I take pictures of brick walls for different reasons. Stopped down the depth of field is quite large and I liked the perspective the focal length afforded me.   

I cannot remember but I believe this was at f5.6 or f8 but at closer focus distance, getting the sign fully in focus was my aim not blurring the background out. I am struck by the way that not having the option to just blur everything out in the background changes my compositions. I remember fussing a bit on this before deciding to take the shot despite my urge to blur everything but the subject. Could be a failing on my part.    

The Pentax SMC (Super Multi Coating) technology was revolutionary at the time and still holds up well, despite the sun not being directly in frame there was sunlight hitting the front element from the right. The single pentagonal flare and preservation of contrast and color is excellent. This is an aspect of this lens that I really REALLY enjoy in that I do not need to worry about flare or chromatic aberrations with this gem.   

Closest focus and wide open, this is a blurred as I can make a background, not terrible. Also notice the lack (near absence but not quite) of green or purple Chromatic Aberration on the sticker. Most lenses of this era would not do as well.    

What do you think of the background? 

Hand held wide open closest focus distance, had to bump the ISO and this is not as sharp as I would like, but it is still kind of fun.   

Just a few feet down the street, same settings but now at infinity focus.

I need to practice my panning technique, this bus pulling in was a little tough.   

This time of year I go to work and leave in the dark. Sucks, but not as bad as when I was in school in Scotland for a couple years. That place is HARD!!!! You shoot with the light you got unless you have some to bring with you. I do have that but not when commuting. Hand Held Flashlight doesn't play well with Camera Holding.  

More accomplished photographers probably look at my posts and are shocked at my lack of ability to weed out the mundane. I don't worry about that too much, I'm not taking pictures for them...

Thanks for looking and be on the lookout for part two when I can arrange some indoor time to play with lenses on tripods.