Bryan, The original 35-70mm autofocus can be used manually, but it is too big! Focusing isn't much different than with some F series lenses. You have to grip a 1/4 inch band on the end of the lens to focus. ...not convenient, but not impossible.
There is an F35-70/3.5-4.5 autofocus lens which I don't have experience with. There are also 2 other A series 35-70's. One is a two-touch constant aperture f4 lens with a pretty good reputation. The other is a one-touch, smaller sized push-pull zoom with variable aperture from f3.5 to f4.5. This looks like a consumer grade zoom made to be sold with the A3000 (A3) originally. There is also a old K 35-70 zoom. It is a bit bigger than the A's and has a variable aperture f2.8-3.5. I like the results of the small A zoom better. You should check Boz's excellent site for the precise details... http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/ Regards, Bob S. << Bryan Carter Vyhmeister Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 5:42 PM I know that Pentax has made a 35-70mm f/2.8 with autofocus that only works on the ME-F. Do any of you use this lens? How well does it work with just manual focus? Any ideas why Pentax has not made a more recent lens like this? I have looked at the SMCP FA* 28-70 f/2.8 but it is huge and expensive. Something like a 35-70 would be much smaller and presumably cost less. I have the SMCP FA 24-90 f/3.5-4.5 which I like very much but it would be nice to have a faster zoom for low light shooting while traveling, especially if it worked well with manual focus for my LX. It would also be nice if it worked well with my MZ-S but that would be secondary to my LX. My second question is whether anyone has the SMCP FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited? It seems like a very nice lens. I would be interested in any thoughts about the lens from anyone who owns it or has used it. I have the SMCP FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited and the SMCP FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited and like them both very much. I am wondering if I should add the 31mm. Thank you for your time. Bryan >> - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
