Diff. Lens lengths for same Focal Point..

[JayWatt]

I'm using a Pentax K-1000 along with some vintage lenses to get back into film photography. I found listings for two types of 35mm focal point lenses, and am a little confused about them. They're both prime lenses, and both go down to F2. One is clearly physically larger than the other though. Is there a benefit of picking one over the other? I'm wondering mainly about image quality rather than ergonomics, condition or price. I've found several Sears and Vivitar lenses that tend to be MUCH cheaper than Pentax lenses. Has anyone got any experience with any of those?

SMC Pentax-M 35mm F/2 Lens For Pentax K-Mount 35mm Film Cameras | eBay

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【NEAR MINT】SMC PENTAX 35mm F/2 MF Wide Angle Lens For K Mount From JAPAN #4828 | eBay

Admin No. 4828. Lens 5208118. Lens condition. Mark in the lens. 93-94% Near Mint Minimal sings of use, Still clean. 95-96% Mint Minimal sings of use, Still very clean. 97-98% Top Mint Almost no signs of use.

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Other than that, I'm going to have to open the camera up and check the flash sync contacts. It fired the flash several times when I got it, but it has now stopped. Heard that those contacts can get dirty over time. Not looking forward to that, but it has to be done. Luckily, I don't anticipate doing much flash photography.

 

[cgw]

As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. ???
Check the minimum focus distances. No charge.

 

[smoke665]

I'm not sure there is a difference other than possibly age (one might be earlier later model). Pentax only lists a review on the -m SMC Pentax-M 35mm F2 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

On price difference one is coming from Japan, one from a US seller. On the first one from the US shipper it's free shipping/you pay return. On the second from Japan shipping is $35, and you also pay return shipping if required. This alone would make me choose the first one.

 

[JayWatt]

Thank you. That lens review site is an excellent resource. I didn't know about that. Been looking through it.

I have a Pentax A F2.8 28mm, Pentax M F2 50mm and a telephoto. Can't remember the designation off-hand on that one. Aside from the 28mm, it all belonged to my late grandfather. Inheriting his old kit has gotten me into trying film photography. I never had the money back in the day to try anything nicer than those cheap plastic 35mm point and shoot jobs. Enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would to be honest. Going to be shooting my daughter's wedding using some Portra and Ektar for the ceremony outside next to a river, and then some Cinestill for the reception. The reception is in an old converted barn, and they have lights set up all around the ceiling to look like stars. Dimly lit. I thought that might look particularly nice with that Cinestill. Will find out. Thanks again.

 

[JayWatt]

As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. ???

Yeah, I didn't type that. I just posted the links. Guess the website gets a commission or something.

 

[smoke665]

@JayWatt I started with Pentax Spotmatic in 72. Camera was built like a tank, very durable and did the job but the M42 threaded lenses were difficult to change at times. K1000 next and actually still have it somewhere, but can't find it. Next was a Z-50, still have and use occasionally. Switched to digital with the K30, then K3ii, and finally K1MII. Over the years I've accumulated some Legacy glass that I love. Use the 135 A f/2.8 and 50mm F/1.8 frequently for portraiture. Some of the others I use randomly I've held onto them more because I'm a pack rat, than because they're special.

 

[snowbear]

As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. ???

Yeah, I didn't type that. I just posted the links. Guess the website gets a commission or something.

Yes, it seems to be something imbedded in the forum software. Even typing "eBay" causes a link to be created, and TPF get's something if bought using the link, apparently. I don't think you or I can get around it.

 

[ACS64]

Back to the OP's original questions. The two 35mm lenses are distinctively different design types, the smaller being a double Gaussian design and the larger being a retrofocus (reverse telephoto) design. Likely the larger one is the later design as the retrofocus design allow better correction of vignetting and barrel distortion. On the other question, back in the day Pentax lenses were considered good and Vivitar lenses were considered good for the price. Your mileage may vary but in all cases you pay your money and make your choice.

 

[RacePhoto]

Back to the OP's original questions. The two 35mm lenses are distinctively different design types, the smaller being a double Gaussian design and the larger being a retrofocus (reverse telephoto) design. Likely the larger one is the later design as the retrofocus design allow better correction of vignetting and barrel distortion. On the other question, back in the day Pentax lenses were considered good and Vivitar lenses were considered good for the price. Your mileage may vary but in all cases you pay your money and make your choice.

That covers it, I just wanted to add that the construction, materials and quality for the Vivitar lenses, and I had many of them in the 70s, was not as robust as say a Canon, Minolta, Nikon or Pentax lens. Plastic parts and gears vs stronger metal parts.

They work, they were less expensive, I got what I paid for. The only one that still is clear, and works as it did 50 years ago, is a 28mm, and I have that on a reverse adapter mount, making it into a Macro lens.

All the others, telephotos are fogged, haze or mold, just decorative nick-knacks. My Canon lenses from the same time are still clear and function perfectly.