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02-14-2017, 05:59 PM   #31
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QuoteOriginally posted by awscreo Quote
Got the lens, tested it a little bit here and there, so far seems optically it's solid! And it's built very well, much better than a Canon variable zoom I had for another body, which was similar in price. Impressive! Was wondering - my zoom ring seems a bit stiff, is that normal, or it's just my copy? It doesn't bother me too much, just was wondering if that's the feature of this lens. I mean it's stiffer than my Tamron 70-200 for sure.
Mine is is a little stiffer than my 5 year old 18-135, but not as stiff as my 60-250 that just had 3 seals replaced.

02-14-2017, 06:27 PM   #32
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
Mine is is a little stiffer than my 5 year old 18-135, but not as stiff as my 60-250 that just had 3 seals replaced.
Hmm, maybe Tamron is looser because it's an internal zoom? Dunno if that matters. It's kind of nice to have a tight zoom ring, at least it's not loose which would suck.

Pleasantly surprised with af speed and accuracy as well.
02-14-2017, 08:21 PM   #33
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QuoteOriginally posted by awscreo Quote
Got the lens, tested it a little bit here and there, so far seems optically it's solid! And it's built very well, much better than a Canon variable zoom I had for another body, which was similar in price. Impressive! Was wondering - my zoom ring seems a bit stiff, is that normal, or it's just my copy? It doesn't bother me too much, just was wondering if that's the feature of this lens. I mean it's stiffer than my Tamron 70-200 for sure.
I think it's normal. I get resistance when zooming. Parts fit well; there's no barrel wobble at max zoom, and no zoom creep if the lens is aimed upwards or downwards.
03-17-2017, 11:19 AM   #34
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I'm seriously considering one for my crop-sensor KS2's as part of a three lens carry for hikes, nature parks, et al. At the moment it's the Sigma 17-50, DA*200 and DFA 100. Thinking about using the DFA 28-105 instead of the Sigma, perhaps even replacing my DA*50-135. Would it be a mistake? Is there much difference image-wise between the 28-105 and the Sigma or *50-135?

03-17-2017, 12:15 PM   #35
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I've had my 28-105 for about a month now. I've used it on my K-5 and K1. I like it a lot. Excellent sharpness. Although some may express concerns about the fact that it may not be fast for indoor situations, it's not an issue for me. As others have said they...and I use my faster lenses....50 Macro F 2.8, 50 normal , F 1.4...also have some Limiteds (ASP-C)...40mm F 2.8, 70 F 2.4.

But for a general purpose, good all rounder, I find it hard to beat.

I do wish it was a bit faster and a bit wider (24mm)....but no big deal really, fine the way it is.
I would recommend it.
03-17-2017, 01:14 PM   #36
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QuoteOriginally posted by gatorguy Quote
I'm seriously considering one for my crop-sensor KS2's as part of a three lens carry for hikes, nature parks, et al. At the moment it's the Sigma 17-50, DA*200 and DFA 100. Thinking about using the DFA 28-105 instead of the Sigma, perhaps even replacing my DA*50-135. Would it be a mistake? Is there much difference image-wise between the 28-105 and the Sigma or *50-135?
The 28-105 is a sharp, compact, relatively inexpensive lens. I like it a lot on my K-1. However...

IMO using the Pentax 28-105 to replace the Sigma 17-50 on a crop sensor is a mistake. You'll lose the entire 17mm through 27mm zoom range while hiking, a range I like a lot for landscapes.

How often do you use your 17-50 and 50-135 at f2.8? If you don't care about shallow DoF or handheld low-light usage, and can live within the 28-105 focal range, then go ahead and replace those 2 lenses.
03-17-2017, 04:56 PM   #37
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QuoteOriginally posted by lesmore49 Quote
I've had my 28-105 for about a month now. I've used it on my K-5 and K1. I like it a lot. Excellent sharpness. Although some may express concerns about the fact that it may not be fast for indoor situations, it's not an issue for me. As others have said they...and I use my faster lenses....50 Macro F 2.8, 50 normal , F 1.4...also have some Limiteds (ASP-C)...40mm F 2.8, 70 F 2.4.

But for a general purpose, good all rounder, I find it hard to beat.

I do wish it was a bit faster and a bit wider (24mm)....but no big deal really, fine the way it is.
I would recommend it.
Thanks for your input. (I love this place!) In general I've been a prime guy, but do have a couple of zooms. They're good, just not amazingly great IMHO compared to something like the DFA 100 or *200. . I've had better shots with the 50-135 but it a relatively slow focuser compared to my other glass and thus not my first choice for quick "street" shots.

I think the quicker AF of the 28-105 (it is quicker isn't it?) might fill a niche more for me but I don't particularly want to keep multiple somewhat expensive lenses in the same focal ranges without good reason. That's why I asked whether I'd be giving up image quality, and particularly IQ, if I replaced a couple of them with a 28-105. Bottom-line image is more important to me than quicker focus. I can work on technique more but if both the 28-105 and 50-135 are in the same neighborhood image-wise. . .

QuoteOriginally posted by DeadJohn Quote
The 28-105 is a sharp, compact, relatively inexpensive lens. I like it a lot on my K-1. However...

IMO using the Pentax 28-105 to replace the Sigma 17-50 on a crop sensor is a mistake. You'll lose the entire 17mm through 27mm zoom range while hiking, a range I like a lot for landscapes.

How often do you use your 17-50 and 50-135 at f2.8? If you don't care about shallow DoF or handheld low-light usage, and can live within the 28-105 focal range, then go ahead and replace those 2 lenses.
I've used the Sigma many, many times but to be honest haven't hit many Wow shots with it. Some really nice ones but nothing that seriously impressed me. And I do have the 15 Ltd and 10-17 Pentax if I think I might need that really wide shot. The 15 wouldn't take up any room in fact, so not at all inconvenient to carry along I suppose.

Maybe this is one of these instances where I just need to get one and see for myself, then sell off what I then don't see need for?


Last edited by gatorguy; 03-17-2017 at 05:05 PM.
03-17-2017, 05:51 PM   #38
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The 28-105 is definitely a fine lens. For me I would not want to rely on for an ASP-C camera. 28mm is just too narrow, effectively a 42mm field of view on a full frame camera. On my K3 I now use the 16-85. It is actually sharper in the corners than my DA*16-50 at 16mm.
03-17-2017, 06:04 PM   #39
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QuoteOriginally posted by Scorpio71GR Quote
The 28-105 is definitely a fine lens. For me I would not want to rely on for an ASP-C camera. 28mm is just too narrow, effectively a 42mm field of view on a full frame camera. On my K3 I now use the 16-85. It is actually sharper in the corners than my DA*16-50 at 16mm.
Oh .I agree! I wouldn't rely on it as a one-size-fits-all, tho I've often been known to go out with only the DFA100WR. Zoom with my feet. But anyway if I'm out on a hike I'd be carrying a three lens kit, and as compact as I can. One is GUARANTEED to be that DFA 100. It's the other two I'm thinking about.

EDIT: BH has the DFA 28-105 for just $436 right now! A deal PF apparently hasn't yet noted.

Last edited by gatorguy; 03-17-2017 at 06:22 PM.
03-17-2017, 06:37 PM   #40
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The DFA 100 WR is compact enough to almost always find a spot in my bag. I really need to use it more. Now that I have a K-1 it should see a lot more use.




I can not see how you will regret buying it. Although you may regret not buying it sooner.

Last edited by Scorpio71GR; 03-17-2017 at 06:50 PM.
03-17-2017, 06:47 PM   #41
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QuoteOriginally posted by Scorpio71GR Quote
The DFA 100 WR is compact enough to almost always find a spot in my bag. I really need to use it more. Now that I have a K-1 it should see a lot more use.




I can see how you will regret buying it. Although you may regret not buying it sooner.
For over a year I was enamored with my Kiron 135 for macro. then on a whim I picked up a DFA100. I've never looked back.

Anyway, knowing now that I'll be carrying a three lens combo should the 28-105 be one of them along with the DFA100? That's what I'm considering. If I toss in the DA 15 Limited instead (or maybe in addition to since it's so compact) the *200? From the KS2 and up the resolution allows for a LOT of crop and PP is getting easier and better all the time, so reach is less of an issue than it might have been a few years ago IMHO. The quick focus, if it in fact is real, does interest me. Do other users agree that it is noticeably faster to focus even on APS-c?

Last edited by gatorguy; 03-17-2017 at 07:02 PM.
03-17-2017, 07:00 PM   #42
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QuoteOriginally posted by gatorguy Quote
Anyway, knowing now that I'll be carrying a three lens combo should the 28-105 be one of them along with the DFA100? That's what I'm considering. If I toss in the DA 15 Limited instead (or maybe in addition to since it's so compact) the *200? The quick focus, if it in fact is real, does interest me. Do other users agree that it is noticeably faster to focus even on APS-c?
I made a correction to a typo in my previous post.

If the field of view of the 28-105 suits you then I say go for it. With a wide prime like the DA 15 you have a nice kit. The 28-105 is about the same size as the 18-135. The IQ the 28-105 delivers is better than any of my non star DA lenses. I miss Quick Sift everytime I mount a lens that does not have it. Right now there is nothing that can deliver what the 28-105 can deliver in its focal range and size.
04-07-2017, 10:02 AM   #43
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QuoteOriginally posted by Scorpio71GR Quote
I made a correction to a typo in my previous post.

If the field of view of the 28-105 suits you then I say go for it. With a wide prime like the DA 15 you have a nice kit. The 28-105 is about the same size as the 18-135. The IQ the 28-105 delivers is better than any of my non star DA lenses. I miss Quick Sift everytime I mount a lens that does not have it. Right now there is nothing that can deliver what the 28-105 can deliver in its focal range and size.
So far so good. As someone else mentioned a crop-sensor hits the sweet-spot of this lens, no edge softness to speak of as mentioned with the full-frame K-1. Colors are rendering nicely, focus is quick (much faster than my 50-135 and so far no hunting!) but some signs of inconsistency in a shot or two so I'll do a focus check and adjustment on it this weekend if need be. I've only a couple dozen test shots with it so far so could have been user error and probably is. At least a KatzEye makes a quick-shift focus tweak painless and fast. It'll get some use Sunday at the airshow which will be a much better test of it.

So overall it's looking like a keeper for the foreseeable future. Seems to play well on my KS2. Thanks for all the comments guys.
04-07-2017, 10:14 AM   #44
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D FA28~105 punches well above its price Class

I think satisfaction with 28~105 is a matter of expectations versus delivery. It's a $400 - $500 variable zoom, not a constant aperture fast * lens, so don't expect it to do things it simply cannot do (deep DoF shots indoors w/o bounce flash for instance). Give it some light and it is sharp, bright, punchy colors and focuses fast and silently - it nails PDAF focus every time on K-1 (CDAF has been a different proposition for me . . . ).

It is sharp enough for me edge to edge.
04-07-2017, 11:06 AM   #45
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QuoteOriginally posted by monochrome Quote
I think satisfaction with 28~105 is a matter of expectations versus delivery. It's a $400 - $500 variable zoom, not a constant aperture fast * lens, so don't expect it to do things it simply cannot do (deep DoF shots indoors w/o bounce flash for instance). Give it some light and it is sharp, bright, punchy colors and focuses fast and silently - it nails PDAF focus every time on K-1 (CDAF has been a different proposition for me . . . ).

It is sharp enough for me edge to edge.
I'm starting to notice a bit of uneven frame sharpness, especially on the left side. Might send mine in to pentax for a tune up. But even as is, I like this lens a lot and I usually take it with me everywhere.
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