[tjstimbo]

I would add that I have both the 24-70 and the 28-105. Although the latter can be useful, especially if you are travelling light and 24-70 I feel is a great lens and is in my K1 most of the time. But I agree with the comments that the 50 mm 1.4 may be a good filler lens and is of stunning quality so that may be your best bet. I'm trying desperately hard not to want this lens as my birthday and Christmas are fast approaching. But I suppose if I can sell my Sigma 18-35 1.8 then that may help ?-)

[awscreo]

How are the corners on the 24-70? At say f5.6 to f11? I find 28-105 extremely sharp at f8 and I use it a lot for landscapes, but 24-70 is tempting if it can match the performance.

[C_Jones]

If you desire the F 2.8 advantage for situations which it may come in handy, and the flexibility of the 24 wide end with a range up to 70 on the same lens, I would. recommend the Pentax 24-70. Otherwise, if you do not necessarily need the zoom, the Pentax 50 mm 1.4 may be a nice choice if you are planning on moving around to accommodate your subject distance and if you also are interested in the use of the 1.4 aperture. Both of the lenses I am mentioning may be valuable in event situations, depending on how you shoot. The 15-30 you have covers a lot of landscape situations, but if you want the 24-70 range flexibility for certain shoots, it would prove itself valuable. I see the 28-105 as a convenient lens that performs well and has portability, but the 24 end on the 24-70 is very useful and the lens has excellent capability. It looks like it really depends on what you plan on shooting, each individual lens has a category it may cover.

If you shoot with aps-c also and want a range performance that is similar at the wide end and has a longer reach than the 24-70, I would suggest the Pentax 16-85. I have one and it is capable of excellent results.

Good luck with your choice.

[Craigbob]

Thanks for the responses, those three are not my only lenses. I also have the following bits of glass:
Pentax 100mm WR macro,
Sigma 50-500
Pentax FA-J 18-35
Phoenix 100-400
Pentax FA 50 1.7
Tokina 28-300 (primarily used for air travel when I don't want to haul a bunch of gear)
Sigma 50mm f/2.8 macro

Soon to go up for sale
Rokinon 14mm f/2.8
Pentax FA 100-300 (silver)
Pentax/Vivitar 100 f/3.5 macro

The new 50 1.4 is on the list but no way is it going to be available for the price I can get the 24-70 2.8 for.

The only other lens that interests me is the 150-450, but again outside the price range.

Maybe if I can get rid of the other lenses and use the money for the 24-70, I could get the 50 1.4, but I rarely use the nifty fifty I currently have.

[biz-engineer]

Having both the 28-105 and 24-70 (initially bought the 28-105 as a travel lens thanks to its small size). Optically, the 28-105 is good, but overall I prefer the handling and image rendering of the DFA24-70. I use the 24-70 much more often, simply because I've had some random shots blurred with the 28-105, which never happened with the 24-70. Also, 24mm on ff is wide enough that I don't have to carry another lens for the wide angle side. DFA24-70 is a better lens overall.

[Rondec]

I guess I will differ a bit from the others. I find the 24-70 to be very good. Not at the level of the 15-30 or 70-200. If you want to shoot at f2.8 in this range, there aren't very many options otherwise that I have found.

The fact that the 28-105 starts at 28mm is a non-starter for me, as I do a lot of landscapes. If you don't mind that and don't need f2.8 then I would stick with the 28-105. Otherwise it is certainly reasonable to look seriously at the 24-70.

[aslyfox]

. . . Help me PentaxForums.com your my only hope.

we are your only hope ??

good luck

seriously my standard response to these questions from members in the US is to consider renting the lens in question and doing your own " hands on " evaluation.

I have had good service from LensRental.com from Tennessee [ no, I do not work with them or have any ownership interest ]

LensRentals.com - Rent Lenses and Cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Leica, and more

of course, since this is a " deal " we are talking about perhaps there isn't time?

[Dericali]

get the new 50mm f1.4. It's in a class all of its own

[Craigbob]

get the new 50mm f1.4. It's in a class all of its own

I would but it is way out of my budget. The 24-70 is about $150 less than the lowest ebay price.

[Merv-O]

Although this thread is a bit dated...I think the 24-70mm f2.8 is a great versatile lens and with a little cropping has more versatility than the 28-105mm K-1 series kit lens. I sold the kit lens and picked up a 12-24mm SIGMA EX DG f4.5-5.6 because I had a need for lower end wide angle. This lens is slower than several in this range but it captures great images up to about ISO 6400 on the K-1. Lenses and how they match up to your camera body and your style of shooting ultimately makes the difference,
Conversely, due to its sheer girth, my newer IRIX 15mm isn't used often and though faster than the 12-24mm, lacks versatility...

[Craigbob]

Well, I couldn't resist the call of the 24-70. I picked one up in great condition from EBay for under $700.00

[awscreo]

Well, I couldn't resist the call of the 24-70. I picked one up in great condition from EBay for under $700.00

That's a steal! I'd buy one for that low too (after I get my paws in GRIII)

[Craigbob]

That's a steal! I'd buy one for that low too (after I get my paws in GRIII)

$695 + shipping. but they refunded $20. since it didn't come with the hood as advertised. I ordered one off Amazon for $40. so my net for everything was $727. There are several more on eBay close to that price as of a few days ago.

[Merv-O]

$695 + shipping. but they refunded $20. since it didn't come with the hood as advertised. I ordered one off Amazon for $40. so my net for everything was $727. There are several more on eBay close to that price as of a few days ago.

Big fan of the 24-70 vs. the 18-105mm for FF shooting....I think it's just a better quality lens (not small for the focal length, but with several ASPH lenses aboard and the new coating, it's a beast....period.