Some consider the Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2 Distagon the best 35mm lense made for Pentax mount (ZK). It was discontinued in 2010 resulting in high prices for deadstock and lenses in mint condition (especially in comparison to the same lens with Nikon or Canon mount, and they are rarely seen for sale on sites like MPB.
I got the Zeiss 35mm f/2 after having worked with a Carl Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/2 macro with a Nikon D3 for various projects (beginning with macro-photography of vacuum 6CS7 tubes for a Leben amplifier.
The Carl Zeiss Milvus 2/50 (makro-planar design) weighs in at 730 grams, the Zeiss 35mm f/2 (distagon design) is ‘only’ 570 grams.
Significantly heavier than my Pentax 77mm 1.8 limited (270 grams) with a generally more solid feel to it. The focusing ring of the 35mm Zeiss is a tighter and the throw is significantly longer compared to the 77mm 1.8 Pentax.
Some compare the ZK mount family of lenses with older lenses produced by Zeiss for Hasselblad cameras.
If you’re considering getting one, you should note that it’s a 100% manual focus lens.
Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2 specification (ZK / Pentax mount)
Manual focus only
9 elements in 7 groups
Minimum focusing distance: 30cm
Full frame compatible: yes
Design principle: Distagon
Precise manual focusing
Full-metal construction
Focal length: 35mm
Range: f/2 – f/22
Max diameter of image field: 43mm
Image ratio at close range: 1:5.3
Weight: 530 grams.
Photos taken with the Zeiss 35mm f/2
