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10-04-2016, 04:53 PM   #1
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DFA 28-105 or DFA 100mm?

Currently use 24,40,50,70 AF(non WR) primes on the K1 so i'm tossing up between these 2.I dont do much macro and have plenty of manual lenses that cover that.
Both have WR, not that its needed too often, I'm leaning towards the zoom.

10-04-2016, 04:56 PM   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by surfar Quote
Currently use 24,40,50,70 AF(non WR) primes on the K1 so i'm tossing up between these 2.I dont do much macro and have plenty of manual lenses that cover that.
Both have WR, not that its needed too often, I'm leaning towards the zoom.
I have both (not a K-1 to shoot them on, alas). Why were you considering the 100mm?
10-04-2016, 05:02 PM   #3
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Its a little cheaper new, and a lot cheaper used.
10-04-2016, 05:07 PM - 1 Like   #4
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I mean, these two lenses are unbelievably different in function. What do you plan to do and what need do you have?

I have the DFA100. I rarely use it because I shoot mostly portraits and I don't need the distance. But it fills an important hole: sometimes I want to shoot a small object (say a book) and have it fill the frame. I can't get close enough with the 77 to do that. The 100 can focus from wherever so you never have to worry about that. That's an advantage the zoom will not give you. I used it to take all the photos for the lenses I sold, for instance, because my next longest lens, the 77, requires being too far away:

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10-04-2016, 05:11 PM   #5
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Really? I ordered both over the last month: $417 for the 28-105 and $399 for the 100mm, both used. They both manually focus, though I'd call the 100mm's metal body and focus ring more of a joy to use. The 100mm offers more depth of field. In situations where light is plentiful, the zoom is also fine (as well as sealed and small and light for a zoom).

It's been super dark where I live, so I've only had a chance to use the 100mm much: for birding and with the 77mm for product photography.
10-04-2016, 05:23 PM   #6
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Unfortunately the zoom doesnt come along used yet in OZ....750 new A$.Whereas used !00s can be had for around half that.

My budget allows me to spend the $750, so i think the zoom is more versatile.
10-04-2016, 05:28 PM   #7
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This is about as apples and oranges as you can get. One is a walk around, travel type zoom; the other is a specialized prime. Since you mention that you dont do much macro, seems like a no brainer to get the zoom.

Not to confuse the matter, but how about a telephoto zoom? You dont have anything longer than 70mm.

10-04-2016, 05:28 PM   #8
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I have the 28~105 for the K-1 - sharp and versatile, if a bit limited in speed. ISO 3200 helps. Fast focusing and accurate, very light, reversed zoom and focus rings, the modern way.
10-04-2016, 05:51 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by cali92rs Quote
This is about as apples and oranges as you can get. One is a walk around, travel type zoom; the other is a specialized prime. Since you mention that you dont do much macro, seems like a no brainer to get the zoom. Not to confuse the matter, but how about a telephoto zoom? You dont have anything longer than 70mm.
Ive got longer focal lengths covered thanks for the suggestion, i only mentioned the AF glass thats in the Focal range.Interesting observations!
10-04-2016, 06:19 PM   #10
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I agree that's it's a no brainer to get the zoom since you're not into macro. I had the 100 for a while, didn't use it enough to justify having it and thus sold it. But it was a beautiful lens and produced great results.
10-04-2016, 06:41 PM   #11
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I tend to double focal lengths as I space lenses out then fill in later. So from 70 I'd look at 135. But as you say longer us already covered if it were me the zoom would be first then maybe 100 or 135.
10-04-2016, 06:51 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by MadMathMind Quote
I mean, these two lenses are unbelievably different in function. What do you plan to do and what need do you have?
I'd take some time to answer this!


It looks a little like you have a budget that you're trying to fill with a lens as opposed to a need you're trying to fulfill within a budget? Not that there'd be anything wrong with that of course.
10-04-2016, 07:03 PM   #13
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Weather Resistant walk about zoom is a gap you seem to have. 100mm isn't far off from 70mm and can be easily cropped into from the 36mp you have. However if that's the DA 70 then the edges are decidedly weaker than the DFA 100. If that matters then maybe this isn't such a simple question.

I own many of the same lenses but I shoot on the K-3 and I also have the 18-135. If it were me and I had my DA 15, DA 40, DA 70 and had to choose between DFA 100 or the DA 18-135 I would likely pick the zoom because it fills a gap that I can't get otherwise. This is in spite of the fact that macro is something I really like. But I can always toss a lens on a tube or add a Raynox. I can't always change a lens in the rain or carry a large bag.
10-04-2016, 07:55 PM   #14
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Unless macro is a huge priority, go with the zoom. I think you have your primes covered and the zoom with WR will be infinitely more useful to you.
10-04-2016, 08:42 PM   #15
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A FF walk around zoom is probably next on my list, but I do wish it were 24mm at the wide end. My waist pack camera has become the Sony A6000 with the 16-70 Zeiss. I seldom take that lens off that body. The K1 is a fantastic body, and deserves an outstanding all round lens.

I still enjoy the 18-135 for Pentax APS-C bodies, but I'm becoming pretty fond of having that wider FOV on the short end. Sony is now offering a 24-240 for FF. I hope the next Pentax walk around has a bit more range than the 28-105.
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