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03-22-2018, 10:49 PM   #1
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Which lens is better for my MZ-S

Okay, I'd like some opinions. Which lens is better to use on my MZ-S?

1. Pentax SMC FA Zoom 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 IF AL - I believe this was the standard kit zoom for the MZ-S when it came out.

2. Pentax SMC FA 28-105mm F3.2-4.5 IF AL - I think this was available about the same time, not quite as wide but a little longer.

Both seem to have good reviews, perhaps #1 has slightly better recommendations. They both seem very compact, would be good walk around lenses, #2 is much lighter.

Any experience with these?

Presently I'm using the SMC Pentax-FA 28-80mm F3.5-5.6, black, the SMC Pentax-FA 28-90mm F3.5-5.6, silver, and the SMC Pentax-F 35-70mm F3.5-4.5 with Macro, all of which I like, but maybe more partial to the 35-70 for it's small size.

Thanks!

03-22-2018, 11:26 PM - 1 Like   #2
dms
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You likely should also consider FA 28-70 mm f/4. And suggest you look at following: Stan's Pentax Photography.
03-23-2018, 02:52 AM - 1 Like   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by dms Quote
You likely should also consider FA 28-70 mm f/4. And suggest you look at following: Stan's Pentax Photography.
Nothing but good with the 24-90 on my two MZ-S cameras. I have used for long time with excellent results and no problems. I also like it that it was the kit lens. I think the 24-90 is an often overlooked treasure in all but build quality, and there it is adequate but will not win any contests, :>)
03-23-2018, 03:12 AM - 1 Like   #4
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24-90 is my k-1 kit lens...

03-23-2018, 03:15 AM - 1 Like   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Andrea K Quote
24-90 is my k-1 kit lens...
The 24-90 has not been produced for many years, so it is surprising that it came with your K-1 as the kit lens.
03-23-2018, 03:30 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by ivanvernon Quote
The 24-90 has not been produced for many years, so it is surprising that it came with your K-1 as the kit lens.
ahahaah you know what I meant!
03-23-2018, 04:29 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by Andrea K Quote
ahahaah you know what I meant!
I know, just could not resist. :>)

03-23-2018, 11:50 AM   #8
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03-23-2018, 12:29 PM - 1 Like   #9
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A good copy of the 24-90 is sharp, bright and colorful. The build quality was less than stellar - subject to de entering and barrel wobble, and like many FA lenses manual focus lacks tactile feedback. I’m on my third copy for my MZ-S, this one bought NIB/NOS. It’s about as close to perfect as a 15 year old FA lens can be. It clearly outresolves color film, but with the slow, variable aperture it needs light to be at its best. As a solo travel lens with the MZ-S you probably can’t do much better.
03-23-2018, 02:02 PM - 1 Like   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by OldChE Quote
Okay, I'd like some opinions. Which lens is better to use on my MZ-S?

1. Pentax SMC FA Zoom 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 IF AL - I believe this was the standard kit zoom for the MZ-S when it came out.

2. Pentax SMC FA 28-105mm F3.2-4.5 IF AL - I think this was available about the same time, not quite as wide but a little longer.

Both seem to have good reviews, perhaps #1 has slightly better recommendations. They both seem very compact, would be good walk around lenses, #2 is much lighter.

Any experience with these?

Presently I'm using the SMC Pentax-FA 28-80mm F3.5-5.6, black, the SMC Pentax-FA 28-90mm F3.5-5.6, silver, and the SMC Pentax-F 35-70mm F3.5-4.5 with Macro, all of which I like, but maybe more partial to the 35-70 for it's small size.

Thanks!
Both are run of the mill lenses IMO. I always liked Pentax's own FA 28-105mm F4-5.6 more (as opposed to the Tamron rebrand F3.2-4.5 version) for the build quality. There's also the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 which is quite good.

Adam
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03-23-2018, 08:32 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by dms Quote
You likely should also consider FA 28-70 mm f/4. And suggest you look at following: Stan's Pentax Photography.
Thanks, I looked at both. However, still leaning toward one of the two proposed above.

---------- Post added 03-23-2018 at 10:33 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by ivanvernon Quote
Nothing but good with the 24-90 on my two MZ-S cameras. I have used for long time with excellent results and no problems. I also like it that it was the kit lens. I think the 24-90 is an often overlooked treasure in all but build quality, and there it is adequate but will not win any contests, :>)
Good to hear of your positive experience, thanks!

---------- Post added 03-23-2018 at 10:41 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by Andrea K Quote
24-90 is my k-1 kit lens...
What has been your experience with it on a K-1? Because I would like to get a K-1 or a K-1 mark 2 eventually, so I was thinking I might use this lens on the K-1 eventually as well. I just got a K-70 a few months ago, to replace my K-50, and I'm really enjoying the K-70 so probably will not get the K-1 for a while yet. I got the 18-134 WR lens with the K-70 and that seems to be a good match.

---------- Post added 03-23-2018 at 10:43 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by monochrome Quote
A good copy of the 24-90 is sharp, bright and colorful. The build quality was less than stellar - subject to de entering and barrel wobble, and like many FA lenses manual focus lacks tactile feedback. I’m on my third copy for my MZ-S, this one bought NIB/NOS. It’s about as close to perfect as a 15 year old FA lens can be. It clearly outresolves color film, but with the slow, variable aperture it needs light to be at its best. As a solo travel lens with the MZ-S you probably can’t do much better.
Thanks for the comments. I've been leaning towards the 24-90, particularly as it was the original kit lens for the MZ-S and I like the "historical" aspect. On the other hand, it is harder to find and maybe twice as expensive as one of the 28-105 options.

---------- Post added 03-23-2018 at 10:46 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by Adam Quote
Both are run of the mill lenses IMO. I always liked Pentax's own FA 28-105mm F4-5.6 more (as opposed to the Tamron rebrand F3.2-4.5 version) for the build quality. There's also the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 which is quite good.
Adam - thanks for your comments, I understand your point and I've read other reviewers as well who seem to agree with that. I did look at the FA 28-105 F4-5.6, but the size and weight of the PZ lens is a negative point for me. Though if I did get it, i believe that was the original kit zoom for the PZ-1P, which I also have, so I am interested in it. I'll check out the Tamron F2.8 you mentioned, I haven't looked at that.
03-24-2018, 02:17 PM - 1 Like   #12
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Both lenses you are considering have their own advantages. I have the very compact FA 28-105mm f/3.2-4.5 AL, but I think the FA 24-90mm would be the better choice. One potentially important factor is it can still be useful on APS-C digital bodies since it would still offer some wide angle capability, comparable to 35mm on your MZ-S. 28mm does not translate to much in the way of wide angle for APS-C, being comparable to 43mm on your film body.
03-31-2018, 08:48 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by mikesbike Quote
Both lenses you are considering have their own advantages. I have the very compact FA 28-105mm f/3.2-4.5 AL, but I think the FA 24-90mm would be the better choice. One potentially important factor is it can still be useful on APS-C digital bodies since it would still offer some wide angle capability, comparable to 35mm on your MZ-S. 28mm does not translate to much in the way of wide angle for APS-C, being comparable to 43mm on your film body.
Good points, thanks! I was thinking that although the 24-90 was costly, I could use it eventually when I get a Pentax full frame. I convinced my wife to buy me a 24-90 that I found on ebay from KEH, I received it this week and it looks and works great. It was quite expensive (as compared with most older Pentax lenses I have purchased), but then again so was my MZ-S and my BG-10 battery grip. I had to put it back in the box, though, for her to wrap up for my birthday in a couple weeks.

I understand that the same Pentax lens design engineer that designed the FA 24-90 also designed the FA 28-105 F3.2-4.5 that you have. That looks like a fine lens as well, and was my second choice. It seems to be a better value though.
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