Are there any decent (sharp) 28-105 lenses out there?

ChopperCharles · 12-26-2013, 09:52 AM

I have a Sigma UC-II 28-105, and it is absolutely awful. Beyond awful. Softest thing I've ever used seen, the kit 18-55 is several orders of magnitude sharper.

That being said, the 28-105 is a really useful range. Is there a sharp one out there that won't break the bank, and isn't super slow? Preferably f3.5 at the wide end.

Thoughts?

Charles.

**boriscleto** · 12-26-2013, 09:55 AM

The FA 28-105 (PZ) is F4 at the wide end, but it is a nice sharp lens. The F 35-135 is F3.5 at the wide end, but only 35mm.

SMC-Pentax FA 28-105mm F4-5.6 - PentaxForums.com

SMC Pentax-F 35-135 F3.5-4.5 - PentaxForums.com

Grokh · 12-26-2013, 09:58 AM

Sigma UC means Ultra Compact. For the many years UC are anything else but not the optical devices.
Optical good for example is the old Pentax Power Zoom 28-105 but it is not too fast.

**jatrax** · 12-26-2013, 09:59 AM

I like the Pentax FA 28-105 f/3.2 version. There is another slower version that is actually rated higher but I think the ratings are skewed by a few reviews, read through to decide. SMC Pentax-FA 28-105mm F3.2-4.5 AL [IF] Reviews - FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

It does have a quirky AF system, I thought the complaints in the reviews were just user error but I was wrong, it will occasionally just refuse to lock focus. A re-focus solves it but it is annoying. Image quality is quite good though.

**dms** · 12-26-2013, 10:44 AM

The Vivitar series 1 28-90 f2.8-3.5 is very sharp/good contrast. It is somewhat rare in PKA mount but they are there.

**dms** · 12-26-2013, 10:46 AM

Oh--I meant to add but forgot--Vivitar also came in 28-105 mm (similar fstop range) and is reputed to be very fine also, but I have never used it.

**TER-OR** · 12-26-2013, 10:49 AM

I have a Promaster 28-105 autofocus lens which is really very nice. The sweetspot seems to be around 70mm. It's light, too. I'm not sure how much use I'll get out of it, but I've got it.

blende8 · 12-26-2013, 11:21 AM

The FA 3.2-4.5 / 28-105 is very good in my opinion.
Sharp, small, AF is very fast. I really like it.

**Aristophanes** · 12-26-2013, 11:25 AM

I've used this one:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/229112-sal...-mount-ff.html

And find it very good.

rockmaster1964 · 12-26-2013, 11:33 AM

Originally posted by Aristophanes

I've used this one:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/229112-sal...-mount-ff.html

And find it very good.

I use to own this lens. It is a very good lens.

Adam · 12-26-2013, 11:49 AM

Originally posted by ChopperCharles

I have a Sigma UC-II 28-105, and it is absolutely awful. Beyond awful. Softest thing I've ever used seen, the kit 18-55 is several orders of magnitude sharper.

That being said, the 28-105 is a really useful range. Is there a sharp one out there that won't break the bank, and isn't super slow? Preferably f3.5 at the wide end.

Thoughts?

Charles.

There's the pentax 18-135, which is probably better than most of the film era consumer zooms. Idk if the sigma 24-105 is going to ever come out for pentax, but if it does then it would be worth looking at as well.

robtcorl · 12-26-2013, 12:20 PM

Originally posted by Aristophanes

I've used this one:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/229112-sal...-mount-ff.html

And find it very good.

I have this lens in the Promaster brand.
Not fast, but pretty darn sharp, and fast focusing.
Appears to be the same as the FA 28-105.
Also works very well with with the Q and adapter.

ChopperCharles · 12-26-2013, 01:18 PM

I'm trying to avoid Tamron if possible. Every other lens from them seems to front focus :/

The FA 28-105mm f3.2-4.5 sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. My only question is, how well does it work with Live View? I'll be using it quite a bit on my K-01.

18-135 sounds nice in theory, but that's a pricey lens. I'm looking for something I won't be horrified about the thought of losing. Something I can attach to my K-01 or my K-x when there is some (slight) risk of having the camera lifted or damaged. (and leave my K-30 at home). ~$200 camera and ~$70 lens I can handle losing. $600 camera and $500 lens would hurt quite a bit more.

Charles.

**ramseybuckeye** · 12-26-2013, 01:49 PM

More votes for the Tamron AF (IF) 28-105mm 1:4-5.6 (or Promaster re-branded or Pentax re-branded) I had the Tamron and Promaster versions, both were very sharp. I ended up selling the Tamron because I got a DA18-135. I gave the Promaster to my daughter and it lives on her Kx. I would have been happy to keep the lens but I needed a sealed lens and was very happy with the DA18-135. Unfortunately the guy I sold it to had a mishap and fell on it. I also had the PZ version which would have made a nice portrait lens, but became very soft on the long end when shooting at a distance. If you are lucky you may find these at quite a bargain price on ebay, I got both when packaged with AF film cameras, each cost me around $40. I had that Sigma UCII and was not impressed. If you are fortunate enough to find one of these hopefully it has a hood, if not find one. For some reason a lot of these old lenses owners either lost or threw away the hoods.

**c.a.m** · 12-26-2013, 04:38 PM

This one is not well known, but presumably sharp.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/246534-help-identify-lens.html

12-26-2013, 09:52 AM	#1
ChopperCharles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Durham, nc Photos: Albums Posts: 946	Are there any decent (sharp) 28-105 lenses out there? I have a Sigma UC-II 28-105, and it is absolutely awful. Beyond awful. Softest thing I've ever used seen, the kit 18-55 is several orders of magnitude sharper. That being said, the 28-105 is a really useful range. Is there a sharp one out there that won't break the bank, and isn't super slow? Preferably f3.5 at the wide end. Thoughts? Charles.

12-26-2013, 11:49 AM	#11
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,166	Originally posted by ChopperCharles I have a Sigma UC-II 28-105, and it is absolutely awful. Beyond awful. Softest thing I've ever used seen, the kit 18-55 is several orders of magnitude sharper. That being said, the 28-105 is a really useful range. Is there a sharp one out there that won't break the bank, and isn't super slow? Preferably f3.5 at the wide end. Thoughts? Charles. There's the pentax 18-135, which is probably better than most of the film era consumer zooms. Idk if the sigma 24-105 is going to ever come out for pentax, but if it does then it would be worth looking at as well. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

12-26-2013, 01:49 PM	#14
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,061	More votes for the Tamron AF (IF) 28-105mm 1:4-5.6 (or Promaster re-branded or Pentax re-branded) I had the Tamron and Promaster versions, both were very sharp. I ended up selling the Tamron because I got a DA18-135. I gave the Promaster to my daughter and it lives on her Kx. I would have been happy to keep the lens but I needed a sealed lens and was very happy with the DA18-135. Unfortunately the guy I sold it to had a mishap and fell on it. I also had the PZ version which would have made a nice portrait lens, but became very soft on the long end when shooting at a distance. If you are lucky you may find these at quite a bargain price on ebay, I got both when packaged with AF film cameras, each cost me around $40. I had that Sigma UCII and was not impressed. If you are fortunate enough to find one of these hopefully it has a hood, if not find one. For some reason a lot of these old lenses owners either lost or threw away the hoods. Last edited by ramseybuckeye; 12-26-2013 at 03:22 PM.

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12-26-2013, 09:55 AM	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,247	The FA 28-105 (PZ) is F4 at the wide end, but it is a nice sharp lens. The F 35-135 is F3.5 at the wide end, but only 35mm. SMC-Pentax FA 28-105mm F4-5.6 - PentaxForums.com SMC Pentax-F 35-135 F3.5-4.5 - PentaxForums.com

12-26-2013, 09:58 AM	#3
Grokh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: St.-Petersburg Photos: Albums Posts: 267	Sigma UC means Ultra Compact. For the many years UC are anything else but not the optical devices. Optical good for example is the old Pentax Power Zoom 28-105 but it is not too fast.

12-26-2013, 09:59 AM	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I like the Pentax FA 28-105 f/3.2 version. There is another slower version that is actually rated higher but I think the ratings are skewed by a few reviews, read through to decide. SMC Pentax-FA 28-105mm F3.2-4.5 AL [IF] Reviews - FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database It does have a quirky AF system, I thought the complaints in the reviews were just user error but I was wrong, it will occasionally just refuse to lock focus. A re-focus solves it but it is annoying. Image quality is quite good though.

12-26-2013, 10:44 AM	#5
dms Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New York, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,184	The Vivitar series 1 28-90 f2.8-3.5 is very sharp/good contrast. It is somewhat rare in PKA mount but they are there.

12-26-2013, 10:46 AM	#6
dms Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New York, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,184	Oh--I meant to add but forgot--Vivitar also came in 28-105 mm (similar fstop range) and is reputed to be very fine also, but I have never used it.

12-26-2013, 10:49 AM	#7
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,696	I have a Promaster 28-105 autofocus lens which is really very nice. The sweetspot seems to be around 70mm. It's light, too. I'm not sure how much use I'll get out of it, but I've got it.

12-26-2013, 11:21 AM	#8
blende8 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 1,521	The FA 3.2-4.5 / 28-105 is very good in my opinion. Sharp, small, AF is very fast. I really like it.

12-26-2013, 11:25 AM	#9
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	I've used this one: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/229112-sal...-mount-ff.html And find it very good.

12-26-2013, 11:33 AM	#10
rockmaster1964 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Frisco Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 382	Originally posted by Aristophanes I've used this one: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/229112-sal...-mount-ff.html And find it very good. I use to own this lens. It is a very good lens.

12-26-2013, 12:20 PM	#12
robtcorl Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,606	Originally posted by Aristophanes I've used this one: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/229112-sal...-mount-ff.html And find it very good. I have this lens in the Promaster brand. Not fast, but pretty darn sharp, and fast focusing. Appears to be the same as the FA 28-105. Also works very well with with the Q and adapter.

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12-26-2013, 01:18 PM	#13
ChopperCharles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Durham, nc Photos: Albums Posts: 946 Original Poster	I'm trying to avoid Tamron if possible. Every other lens from them seems to front focus :/ The FA 28-105mm f3.2-4.5 sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. My only question is, how well does it work with Live View? I'll be using it quite a bit on my K-01. 18-135 sounds nice in theory, but that's a pricey lens. I'm looking for something I won't be horrified about the thought of losing. Something I can attach to my K-01 or my K-x when there is some (slight) risk of having the camera lifted or damaged. (and leave my K-30 at home). ~$200 camera and ~$70 lens I can handle losing. $600 camera and $500 lens would hurt quite a bit more. Charles.

12-26-2013, 04:38 PM	#15
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,806	This one is not well known, but presumably sharp. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/246534-help-identify-lens.html