Most feedbacks I have seen for the A lens were not very positive. Mechanically not very good also. Enjoy the F lens and forget the A!The A35-70 f/3.5-4.5 is the same optical formula as the F35-70/3.5-4.5. I found one of the latter in "as new" condition for $45. It's a very good lens, a bargain at that price. Focuses well manually, contrasty/sharp/good rendering, and is very compact and light.
Same optical formula indeed but the difference in performance for these two lenses are so different that I think Pentax modified the optics for the F lens.
Well, is that good or bad? My A35-70/3.5-4.5 is too damaged to use for evaluation, and my F35-70/3.5-4.5 is an excellent performer.
Thanks.
I have a friend who has one of the A35-70s that he likes, but it's in the shop for repairs to the mount. I'll likely give him mine (it only cost me about $8 due to the lens element damage) as a donor if his repair tech can't scrounge the parts elsewhere.
Godfrey
