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09-02-2015, 01:09 PM   #1
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Recommendations for best Zoom lens (on Pentax film cameras)

Hello all,
Just wondered if anyone has recommendations for a standard (autofocus) zoom lens suitable to be used on Pentax 35mm film cameras? I'm looking ideally for compact & lightweight but most importantly sharp, to compliment my range of primes for travel/walkabout photography. My hope is for something equivalent to the 28-80 or 28-200 G lenses on Nikon (which are plasticky but tiny & pin-sharp). Lenses with some nice bokeh or other special 'characteristics'/interesting colour rendering etc would also be a welcome bonus (though not essential!). The 24-90 FA lens looks promising & goes nicely wide, but seems to get mixed reviews. The 20-35 doesn't go long enough. Would be really grateful for any help!
Thanks very much :-)

09-02-2015, 01:26 PM - 1 Like   #2
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I got a Promaster 28-105 with a film body and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was on my K-5 for the price. It's no stack of primes but seemed quite good at 70mm.
Yes, it's plastic.
09-02-2015, 01:34 PM   #3
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I used Tamron f2.8 28-70 mm lenses on my Pentax MS-Z. New to the film camera but initial processed shots are good, useful zoom range, and used lens is fairly affordable.
09-02-2015, 02:20 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by TER-OR Quote
I got a Promaster 28-105 with a film body and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was on my K-5 for the price. It's no stack of primes but seemed quite good at 70mm.
Yes, it's plastic.
+1 I got one for like $30 on eBay. While it wasn't that sharp at either end, it's was very sharp in the middle -even wide open.

09-02-2015, 02:28 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by TER-OR Quote
I got a Promaster 28-105 with a film body and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was on my K-5 for the price. It's no stack of primes but seemed quite good at 70mm.
Yes, it's plastic.
I can vouch for this being a great lens, it's made by Tamron, their version was named Tamron AF (IF) 28-105mm 1:4-5.6, and there is also a rebadged version with the Pentax name. I had a Promaster and a Tamron. I gave my Promaster to my daughter and it is usually on her K-x, I sold my Tamron version when I got the DA18-135. But it was a good enough lens that I recently acquired another in a a LBA fueled auction which I haven't tested yet, and a couple days ago bought another in an auction (I must have about 7-8 lenses acquired due to LBA that I haven't tested yet. It is a sharp lens with fairly fast autofocus, plastic, and lightweight. You masy find it in black or silver.
09-02-2015, 03:06 PM   #6
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Pentax-F 35-70 is well regarded and certainly fits for small light weight and sharp. The Pentax FA 28-70 f/4 is also worth a look if you get a good one. They are dirt cheap and good copies very nice but there are a lot out there with de-lamination issues. (Or something like that)

I also have the FA 24-90 and vouch that it is a very nice lens if stopped down a bit.
09-02-2015, 03:10 PM   #7
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Hi, Thank you all for some brilliant suggestions. Tbh I hadn't thought about third-party lenses before, but the Promaster 28-105 certainly sounds like it could fit the bill. Does anyone know the model name under the Pentax branding (I've spotted an SMC-Pentax FA 28-105mm f4-5.6 & another IF version)? Also, has anyone compared this to the Pentax-FA 24-90mm? Thanks again!

09-02-2015, 03:46 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by pentax_rob Quote
(I've spotted an SMC-Pentax FA 28-105mm f4-5.6 & another IF version)
The Pentax FA 28-105 f/4-5.6 is not as good (IMHO) as the FA 28-105 f/3.2-4.5. If you are considering getting one of these.
09-02-2015, 04:09 PM   #9
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SMC Pentax-F 24-50mm F4, its not cheap but sharp throughout the entire zoom range (and will even cost more once pentax release its full frame digital)

by the way if you think the nikon 28-80 or 28-200 g is sharp then the Tamron 28-70mm F2.8 and the Promaster 28-105 (which is a rebadged tamron) will be fine for you
09-02-2015, 04:10 PM   #10
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Heres a pic with the tamron/promaster 28-105. I kinda wish I didn't sell this lens. Oh well
09-02-2015, 04:13 PM   #11
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Hers the picture. Sorry

---------- Post added 09-02-15 at 04:17 PM ----------

And I just save this pic from my Fb page to post here so it's not as good as the original. I've always been amazed at the detail on the towels. Especially for a $30 lens.

Last edited by Another dyemention; 08-05-2017 at 12:47 PM.
09-02-2015, 04:39 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Another dyemention Quote
Especially for a $30 lens.
very nice, that pic just reminded me that film plays a part in sharpness, do not expect sharp results using typical consumer films like kodak gold and fujifilm superia.
09-02-2015, 06:13 PM   #13
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FA* 28-70 f/2.8 but super expensive. And 800g...

---------- Post added 09-02-15 at 09:15 PM ----------

F 35-70 is highy respected but not wide.
09-02-2015, 09:22 PM   #14
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I have the FA 24-90 and is a great lens. The build quality is very poor though, but the IQ will more than compensate for its poor build.
09-02-2015, 09:27 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Denali_Mark Quote
I used Tamron f2.8 28-70 mm lenses on my Pentax MS-Z. New to the film camera but initial processed shots are good, useful zoom range, and used lens is fairly affordable.
Another vote for the Tamron 28-75/2.8, works great on MZ-S, K10, K20, K-5 and K5II-s. Fast, sharp and constant aperture. Mine is 8 years and constantly used. Versatile.
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