[abacus07]

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.

---

In the end a lens should only be compared with comparable focal lengths and apertures. It's silly to say that a zoom isn't as sharp, as fast or as light as a prime. It's also silly to compare a fast normal zoom with a slower telephoto zoom. A large aperture normal zoom is a great lens for those that need that zoom range and don't mind the weight.

[Pablom]

here is a recent shot with the FA* 28-70/2.8



here is a crop to show some detail

I want one!

Damn..

[shim]

There are several versions of the F 28-80mm f/3.5 - 4.5. The original and expensive (twice the price of an F50mm 1.4) SMC version which is quite rare and a Takumar plus an F version that isn't SMC and has Pentax-F painted on the barrel. The latter looks to be made in the same factory as the Takumar. The boxes even have different coloured lettering the SMC is red and the non-SMC is black.

The SMC version is excellent and has quite a sharp macro position at 80mm.

One on ebay today didn't even have a bid on it (£25 starting)

Pentax 28-80mm Zoom Lens | eBay

The A series is the same... SMC, plus a cheaper version and a Takumar. The F SMC is better than the A SMC (just).

My FA 28-70mm f/4 is quite poor.

-

[Parallax]

you may notice there was a guy with a fake moniker, "oswego-otter" who left a "1" rating for the FA* 28-70/2.8 just to sandbag the average. He even admitted doing so in his review. Interestingly, that same guy also reviewed the DA 55-300 and gave it a perfect 10.
Where is the justice? moderators??

We (mods) discussed this and felt it was best not to moderate reviews lest it appear we are trying to steer or skew the results. The downside of that approach is that it does open the door for others to do so. (e.g. giving a low numerical rating that the reviewer admits is artificially low to offset those that he felt were artificially high ) It's sort of "damned if we do, damned if we don't" issue, so we figured it was better to leave all of the reviews in place and hopefully the readers will look at them critically enough to sort the wheat from the chaff.

[Pablom]

My FA 28-70mm f/4 is quite poor

this is the only one of the three that I own and the only zoom I use regularly. I find it very sharp even wide open at the long end. it is also extremely light.

[builttospill]

here is a recent shot with the FA* 28-70/2.8
here is a crop to show some detail

Mike, as I've mentioned before you are a master of seascape.

[Blue]

MikeSF,

This is a heck of a shot!

[eastman]

I've used the 28-70/4 that I bought from KEH on one model shoot so far. It has been a good complement to the 50-135/2.8 and at least so far seems to be sharper than either the Pentax 28-80 or the Tamron 28-105 that I have.

For the price (around $70 with 2nd day air shipping), I think it was a good purchase.

[D0n]

my 28-70 f4 is an excellent copy and performs very well.

[rdj92807]

If I recall, the Pentax 28-70/4 FA was a decent lens that had a severe manufacturing defect. After a period of time, I believe some of it's elements came unglued....or something, Anyway, I doubt you can find a decent copy at this time. Stay with the 28-70/2.8 FA* for sure.

[builttospill]

If I recall, the Pentax 28-70/4 FA was a decent lens that had a severe manufacturing defect. After a period of time, I believe some of it's elements came unglued....or something, Anyway, I doubt you can find a decent copy at this time. Stay with the 28-70/2.8 FA* for sure.

If I recall, the K-5 was a decent camera that had a severe manufacturing defect. After a period of time, I believe people started to notice spots on some of the Sony supplied sensors...or something. Anyway, I doubt you can find a decent copy at this time. Stay with the K1000 for sure.




Wait, I just recently received my FA 28-70/4 and it's a very nice copy. Also many others here mentioned their copy is nice too, like the post above yours. Even though I think you're right some of those lenses do delaminate, it's not the end of the world, especially with a $60-70 lens.

[mikeSF]

a minty 28-70 just hit craigslist near me:
SMC Pentax FA* 28-70mm f/ 2.8

[eastman]

a minty 28-70 just hit craigslist near me:
SMC Pentax FA* 28-70mm f/ 2.8

Although I'm sure it is a wonderful lens, the price convinces me that I made the right choice with the 28-70/4 instead.