Good standard zoom for an AF film body?

earlofmar11 · 07-20-2008, 05:59 AM

I recently acquired a secondhand *ist film body. Up to now, I only had manual focus film bodies, and my lenses covered them adequately. In the digital realm, I use the DA 16-45mm as my standard zoom on the K10D, but that's not adequate on a film body, and a FA 50/1.4 and F 28/2.8.

So here is my question: I'm looking for a standard autofocus zoom with good or better image quality for when I don't want to use my autofocus primes. Anything like an 28-70, 28-80 to 28-105 (or maybe something starting at 24mm?), Pentax or other, to be bought second hand at a reasonable price (as it is not to be my main lens).

What are your suggestions?

Marc.

Lowell Goudge · 07-20-2008, 06:39 AM

why not look at some of the 28-80 or 28-105 pentax FA power zooms.

Although you can't use the power zoom function these lenses are good optically.

ftpaddict · 07-20-2008, 07:00 AM

Have a look through our lens review database.

Pentax Lens Review Database - Pentax K-Mount Lenses

pentkon52 · 07-20-2008, 08:51 AM

The 28-105 lived on my Pz-1. Its very good.

Dave

*Richard Day* · 07-20-2008, 09:47 AM

I used the FA 28-105 f3.2-4.5 on my MZ-S, it was an excellent lens and also worked exceptionally well on my istD. I found that the K10D began to show up it's shortcomings as the IQ didn't improve greatly from the istD whereas the DA 16-45 improved considerably.

Another fine standard zoom to consider would be the Tamron 28-75 f2.8

*troyz* · 07-20-2008, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by Richard Day

Another fine standard zoom to consider would be the Tamron 28-75 f2.8

I've found that a Tamron 28-75/2.8 + a compact telephoto prime (e.g. M135/3.5) + a film body makes an excellent travel kit.

It might be hard to find a used 28-75 at a good price; however the street price of a new lens is quite reasonable for the image quality and versatility.

pasipasi · 07-20-2008, 10:19 AM

I recently bought a Pentax SMC-FA 28-70 with a constant aperture of F4 for 65€. Good lens.

pentkon52 · 07-20-2008, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Richard Day

I used the FA 28-105 f3.2-4.5 on my MZ-S, it was an excellent lens and also worked exceptionally well on my istD. I found that the K10D began to show up it's shortcomings as the IQ didn't improve greatly from the istD whereas the DA 16-45 improved considerably.

Another fine standard zoom to consider would be the Tamron 28-75 f2.8

I had some focus issues with my istD at the 28 and 105 end, but yes agree the IQ suffers a bit on the K10D.

Dave

*monochrome* · 07-20-2008, 11:47 AM

How about the F35~70/3.5~4.5 and the F70~210/4~5.6 as a pair. Great IQ / price ratio, both rated in the 8's here and the 70~210 has a bit of a cult following. I let the 70~210 go last week since I bought the DA 55~300, but I kept the 35~70.

*Canada_Rockies* · 07-20-2008, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by earlofmar11

I recently acquired a secondhand *ist film body. Up to now, I only had manual focus film bodies, and my lenses covered them adequately. In the digital realm, I use the DA 16-45mm as my standard zoom on the K10D, but that's not adequate on a film body, and a FA 50/1.4 and F 28/2.8.

So here is my question: I'm looking for a standard autofocus zoom with good or better image quality for when I don't want to use my autofocus primes. Anything like an 28-70, 28-80 to 28-105 (or maybe something starting at 24mm?), Pentax or other, to be bought second hand at a reasonable price (as it is not to be my main lens).

What are your suggestions?

Marc.

I suggest the FA 24-90. The wide end is the equivalent to 16mm on your dSLR, the long end stretches to just make the portrait focal length. This was my walkaround lens with the MZ-S, and it is still on it now that my wife is using that camera.