The presence of the K-35s can be traced back to the early 1970s, when Canon found itself designing a competitor to the Zeiss Super Speeds. From their introduction to the market, these relatively sharper, higher contrast primes had a profound impact on cinema. The Canon K-35 cine lenses had their heyday in the 1970s with classics like Barry Lyndon and later Aliens. Their use was continued for decades, and slowed as film embraced a sharper look in the late 90s early 2000s. In recent years, the K-35s have found plenty of success on Hollywood pictures, big and small. This is because the K-35s have a softening effect on sharp, pixel-perfect digital imagery. It gives a dreamier character and authenticity that is generally lacking among modern-day equipment.
At the time of its inception, the K-35 look was sharper and had more contrast than the standard look. Nowadays, the K-35s have a softer, dreamier appeal unseen in modern day lenses. Compared to modern day lenses, the vintage K-35 cinema lenses also have less contrast, with a look that’s been called “painterly”. The K-35 has a 15-blade iris, which renders bokeh in a soft, circular form. Its out of focus areas appear “swirly”, lending itself to a softer appearance. Similarly, skin tones are rendered softer and without the sharpness that’s sometimes represented on human faces.