Pentax-A Zoom 28-80mm 1:3.5~4.5

ChrisN · 08-17-2007, 05:57 AM

Just acquired one of these by chance and looking for information about it. Saw that Bojidar Dimitrov lists the availability as "once in several years" - presumably that means rare? What's the performance like? My copy has clean lenses and cosmetics but the controls feel very loose (almost like an auto-focus lens, not damped). Were they made that way?

FotoPete · 08-17-2007, 06:11 AM

This is the non SMC version right? I tested one at the camera store and yes the focus ring is rather loose I found. Another forum member recently bought a Takumar 28-80 Macro. Basically the same lens.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/10269-remorse-...-80-macro.html (Btw, the OP isn't remorseful anymore. =P)

Remember than while a lens on Bojidar's maybe listed as rare, it does not necessarily relate to image quality.

ChrisN · 08-17-2007, 06:32 AM

Thanks Pete - some interesting stuff in the linked thread.

Yeah - rarity has no relationship with IQ, does it! And I've noticed that some items Bojidar lists as having limited availability show up fairly regularly on ebay.

This was an impulse buy (gotta stop that!). AUD$99 for lens with a P30T body, also in good nick. Now trying to decide whether to keep or sell. I was looking for a useful zoom to use with my LX, and this feels a little bigger and heavier than I really want to carry.

FotoPete · 08-17-2007, 06:35 AM

Maybe look into some of the more modern zooms for compact size. The Tamron SP 24-135 pretty small and gets good reviews.

ChrisN · 08-17-2007, 06:42 AM

Re your earlier question re non-SMC: I think this is coated - I have lovely green and purple reflection in the glass from my desk lamp.

I'll probably keep it, and also look at other contemporary lenses for the LX. Just a game - modern lenses for the K10D and old Pentax lenses for the LX!

FotoPete · 08-17-2007, 08:07 AM

It it this one here?

If it doesn't have "SMC" on the rim then it doesn;t have Pentax's Super Mulit Coating.

Most lenses are single coated if they don't have any "MC" designations.

hinman · 08-17-2007, 09:07 AM

So far with two outings testing my Takumar 28-80 Macro without SMC coating, I kind of like it over my kit's lens for the extra zoom. And so far I really like this inexpensive lens for practicing Manual focus shooting preparing me for the potential future with other manual and M42 lens

More photos in
Takumar Asahi 28-80 Macro Test Shots - a photoset on Flickr

More links in
Hin's Tech Corner: 1st Day with Takumar Asahi 28-80 Macro

Thanks,
Hin

hinman · 08-17-2007, 11:53 AM

I put my thoughts in this post

Hin's Tech Corner: Thoughts on Takumar Asahi 28-80 Macro

For my lens without SMC coating, I am in the process of getting a lens hood with 58 mm screw mount.

Thanks,
Hin

08-17-2007, 05:57 AM	#1
ChrisN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Downunda Photos: Gallery Posts: 212	Pentax-A Zoom 28-80mm 1:3.5~4.5 Just acquired one of these by chance and looking for information about it. Saw that Bojidar Dimitrov lists the availability as "once in several years" - presumably that means rare? What's the performance like? My copy has clean lenses and cosmetics but the controls feel very loose (almost like an auto-focus lens, not damped). Were they made that way?

08-17-2007, 08:07 AM	#6
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	It it this one here? If it doesn't have "SMC" on the rim then it doesn;t have Pentax's Super Mulit Coating. Most lenses are single coated if they don't have any "MC" designations. Last edited by FotoPete; 08-17-2007 at 08:12 AM.

08-17-2007, 09:07 AM	#7
hinman Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,473	Takumar Asahi 28-80 Macro So far with two outings testing my Takumar 28-80 Macro without SMC coating, I kind of like it over my kit's lens for the extra zoom. And so far I really like this inexpensive lens for practicing Manual focus shooting preparing me for the potential future with other manual and M42 lens More photos in Takumar Asahi 28-80 Macro Test Shots - a photoset on Flickr More links in Hin's Tech Corner: 1st Day with Takumar Asahi 28-80 Macro Thanks, Hin

08-17-2007, 11:53 AM	#8
hinman Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,473	My thgouths on Takumar 28-80 I put my thoughts in this post Hin's Tech Corner: Thoughts on Takumar Asahi 28-80 Macro For my lens without SMC coating, I am in the process of getting a lens hood with 58 mm screw mount. Thanks, Hin

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08-17-2007, 06:11 AM	#2
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	This is the non SMC version right? I tested one at the camera store and yes the focus ring is rather loose I found. Another forum member recently bought a Takumar 28-80 Macro. Basically the same lens. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/10269-remorse-...-80-macro.html (Btw, the OP isn't remorseful anymore. =P) Remember than while a lens on Bojidar's maybe listed as rare, it does not necessarily relate to image quality.

08-17-2007, 06:32 AM	#3
ChrisN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Downunda Photos: Gallery Posts: 212 Original Poster	Thanks Pete - some interesting stuff in the linked thread. Yeah - rarity has no relationship with IQ, does it! And I've noticed that some items Bojidar lists as having limited availability show up fairly regularly on ebay. This was an impulse buy (gotta stop that!). AUD$99 for lens with a P30T body, also in good nick. Now trying to decide whether to keep or sell. I was looking for a useful zoom to use with my LX, and this feels a little bigger and heavier than I really want to carry.

08-17-2007, 06:35 AM	#4
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	Maybe look into some of the more modern zooms for compact size. The Tamron SP 24-135 pretty small and gets good reviews.

08-17-2007, 06:42 AM	#5
ChrisN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Downunda Photos: Gallery Posts: 212 Original Poster	Re your earlier question re non-SMC: I think this is coated - I have lovely green and purple reflection in the glass from my desk lamp. I'll probably keep it, and also look at other contemporary lenses for the LX. Just a game - modern lenses for the K10D and old Pentax lenses for the LX!