Lens Decision for new K1

Bengan · 06-10-2019, 01:13 PM

I started out with the 28-105. It's a good all-round lens. Like the 18-135 for crop bodies it has some CA that can be dealt with in post. A nother more annoying drawback is the zoom creep. I'm using a sling strap and the creep really annoys me.
Reasently i decided to buy Nikon bodies to be able to buy the lenses I wanted. I then bought Tamron 24-70 G2 and that lens impressed the h-ll out of me. I the bought the 24-70 for my K-1 and I must say that although it's not as good as the Tamron G2, it's definitely a step up from the 28-105. My suggestion is that you should go with the 24-70. Almost forgot, it has a lock switch that prevents zoom creep when carried.

Last edited by Bengan; 06-10-2019 at 10:11 PM.

Sandy Hancock · 06-10-2019, 01:28 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Bengan

Another more annoying drawback is the zoom creep. I'm using a sling strap and the creep really annoys me.

I walk with my right hand on the lens barrel. It stops the whole she-bang from swinging around, and eliminates zoom creep

**clickclick** · 06-10-2019, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by PentaxMuc

Thanks for your answers so far! It seems as if the consensus favors the DFA 28-105 clearly over the Sigma. If i go this way the saved money would also allow another used prime lens or sth like that...

One thing that makes the sigma very interesting is the superb optics and sharpness everyone talks about😅
But not sure if someone can see a difference in normal prints?

Astro: well it would be nice to have the opportunity trying it out a little bit. But no major decision point.

The 24-70 is also interesting, yet another price class. Is 2.8 vs 3.5 worth it?

I have the 24-70 and Sigma 35. The Sigma is a very solid and heavy lens. It feels good on the K-1, but over time I've become more sensitive to long periods of carrying equipment and the weight adding up, and for the weight of this lens, you have only one lens. For the weight, you could trade it for the versatility of the "fast" 24-70/2.8, or cut the weight with the 28-105.Starting with the 28-105, if you add a prime like the 43 Limited, you're probably about the same as just the Sigma.on the K-1. From this angle alone, I think the 28-105 has lots of appeal. I used to think I didn't care about weight and would take all I wanted. Not so much anymore. I find I use the Sigma for very specific things. It is brilliantly sharp and has lovely bokeh. As a result, I use it a lot chasing flowers in the neighbor's garden. Not so much as a general shooting lens on full frame - too wide for portraits, but seems not wide enough for interior, architecture, landscape etc - yes, there are always exceptions, but that's kinda where I have landed. So I'd lean towards starting with one of the modern zooms and see what you are trending to for focal lengths and style, and then perhaps the right prime(s) to supplement will start falling into place, and you may or may not find the Sigma is one of them.

Kingman · 06-10-2019, 03:28 PM

I bought my K1 with the D FA 24-70/2.8. Images are awesome throughout the range, especially for landscape photography. The downside is the weight and size and cost. I just acquired the D FA 28-105/3.5-5.6 because the weight is much less for easier walk around street photography. I've done some limited astro work with the Pentax FA 20/2.8 and the Lawoa 12/2.8. I feel the D FA 28-105mm with its f3.5, you will only give up 1/2 a f-stop which is not bad considering the price advantage and weight advantage. The 24mm range is however, much nicer than a 28mm for landscape work for sure. The K1 is plenty sensitive with either lens for astro work at the wide angle settings of either lens.

Unregistered User · 06-10-2019, 04:15 PM

Originally posted by Adam

...
You could also compromise and meet in the middle with something like the D FA 24-70mm, which would give you a faster aperture and a bit wider field of view, which can make a big difference if you primarily shoot landscapes...

my thoughts exactly.

**RICHARD L.** · 06-10-2019, 05:40 PM - **2 Likes**

**AstroDave** · 06-10-2019, 06:52 PM

I agree with many above: you can't beat the 28-105 for price, performance, and focal length coverage. I took it on a 3 hour hike yesterday and it did fine. At one point, I wished for wider, and alternatively, I wished for longer (at the Osprey nest) briefly, but unless I had had an unwieldy camera bag with me to hold alternatives, it can't be beat. I'd have missed the action at the nest if I had to change lenses.

It's a (the!) great starter lens for the K1.

btnapa · 06-11-2019, 06:46 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by PentaxMuc

I would be glad to hear suggestions and experiences from you.

I have not done astro with my K1 or the 28-105. For everything else and as an all around lens, the 28-105 is a no brainer. I have the FA 31, 43, and 77 along with a bunch of other manual and autofocus lenses and the 28-105 is by far the most used lens to a point that I leave the rest at home most of the time. If I had to replace it with another zoom, it would be the 24-70 f2.8 but that lens is much more expensive and bulkier. For now the 28-105 delivers everything I need.

normhead · 06-11-2019, 08:33 AM

Originally posted by btnapa

I have not done astro with my K1 or the 28-105. For everything else and as an all around lens, the 28-105 is a no brainer. I have the FA 31, 43, and 77 along with a bunch of other manual and autofocus lenses and the 28-105 is by far the most used lens to a point that I leave the rest at home most of the time. If I had to replace it with another zoom, it would be the 24-70 f2.8 but that lens is much more expensive and bulkier. For now the 28-105 delivers everything I need.

A pretty good percentage of my images are shot at 105mm. It's hard to know which I'd like better. But, the 28-105 is a walking, good light lens. And I don't consider 2.8 to be all that good for low light since I got the FA*55 1.4.

barthovis · 06-11-2019, 11:42 AM

Check out this YouTube video by Ben Evans:

You Tube

The real point is that in his comments, he compares the Sigma 35mm f1.4 to 3 Pentax lenses (28-105 included), and has a Google drive link to photos comparing all of the lenses. I think the 28-105 fares quite well.

normhead · 06-12-2019, 05:46 AM

Just the percentage of people saying "buy this lens" should be a clue. And the comment from the guy who owns both the 28-105 and 24-70 should be the clincher.

**mikesbike** · 06-12-2019, 12:12 PM

WR is also a factor, and with its high quality imaging with lower carrying weight, I also vote for the DFA 28-105mm lens. If you don't really, really need the f/1.4 you might additionally consider the FA 35mm f/2 as your fast 35mm prime alternative when you need that, since it saves weight, cost, and can deliver fine results even wide open.

---------- Post added 06-12-19 at 12:34 PM ----------

Originally posted by barthovis

Check out this YouTube video by Ben Evans:
English Photographer - Pentax 31mm f1.8 vs Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art Lenses Compared - YouTube

The real point is that in his comments, he compares the Sigma 35mm f1.4 to 3 Pentax lenses (28-105 included), and has a Google drive link to photos comparing all of the lenses. I think the 28-105 fares quite well.

Ben's comparison is a good summation between the FA 31mm f/1.8 LTD and the Sigma f1.4 ART lenses, but in his last imaging comparison in that video shoot the Pentax lens to me was showing a lot less flair. Flair can on-and-off wash out whatever "better" image quality the Sigma can offer under more ideal conditions.

PentaxMuc · 06-12-2019, 03:01 PM - **1 Like**

Thank you very much for your answers! I decided to start with the 28-105 and for a future upgrade maybe go for a DFA 50mm 1.4.
The weather sealing was another point which made the decision easier

**Roaming** · 06-30-2019, 05:07 PM

I am going through a similar process , or at least started, Pentax K1 & 28-105mm ordered due to 15% off Pentax sale, quite a jump over my Pentax Kx , yet to arrive but on back order.
Am lusting over the Sigma Art 35 mm, i keep looking at things like the Samyang, but keep coming back to it, but one thing that perturbs me/ scares me off if the Docking Cradle thing, the necessity of calibration is outside my skill set , or is this a 'pixel peeper' thing. Guidance on this would be greatly appreciated..
I would like to end up with 3 quality lenses from the DFA range (iplus the Sigma) , but time will tell where my interest goes.
I have a love for the Australian bush/desert, so see a lot of astro/night/landscape in my future.

zapp · 07-05-2019, 08:31 AM

I tried hard to make the Art35 work on my K1. No chance, AF adjust with and without dock compensation failed. Even tried two copies. FA77 and DFA50 work much better here. 24-70 is quite universal and performs well. It has all you need. Tried to make mine obsolete with Hollywood 28, but l am not totally convinced yet.

06-10-2019, 05:40 PM - 2 Likes	#21
RICHARD L. Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,582	The DFA 28-105 surprises me every time I use it. I got mine used for 260 $ at KEH.

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06-10-2019, 01:13 PM	#16
Bengan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,756	I started out with the 28-105. It's a good all-round lens. Like the 18-135 for crop bodies it has some CA that can be dealt with in post. A nother more annoying drawback is the zoom creep. I'm using a sling strap and the creep really annoys me. Reasently i decided to buy Nikon bodies to be able to buy the lenses I wanted. I then bought Tamron 24-70 G2 and that lens impressed the h-ll out of me. I the bought the 24-70 for my K-1 and I must say that although it's not as good as the Tamron G2, it's definitely a step up from the 28-105. My suggestion is that you should go with the 24-70. Almost forgot, it has a lock switch that prevents zoom creep when carried. Last edited by Bengan; 06-10-2019 at 10:11 PM.

06-10-2019, 01:28 PM - 1 Like	#17
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Originally posted by Bengan Another more annoying drawback is the zoom creep. I'm using a sling strap and the creep really annoys me. I walk with my right hand on the lens barrel. It stops the whole she-bang from swinging around, and eliminates zoom creep

06-10-2019, 02:23 PM	#18
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	Originally posted by PentaxMuc Thanks for your answers so far! It seems as if the consensus favors the DFA 28-105 clearly over the Sigma. If i go this way the saved money would also allow another used prime lens or sth like that... One thing that makes the sigma very interesting is the superb optics and sharpness everyone talks about😅 But not sure if someone can see a difference in normal prints? Astro: well it would be nice to have the opportunity trying it out a little bit. But no major decision point. The 24-70 is also interesting, yet another price class. Is 2.8 vs 3.5 worth it? I have the 24-70 and Sigma 35. The Sigma is a very solid and heavy lens. It feels good on the K-1, but over time I've become more sensitive to long periods of carrying equipment and the weight adding up, and for the weight of this lens, you have only one lens. For the weight, you could trade it for the versatility of the "fast" 24-70/2.8, or cut the weight with the 28-105.Starting with the 28-105, if you add a prime like the 43 Limited, you're probably about the same as just the Sigma.on the K-1. From this angle alone, I think the 28-105 has lots of appeal. I used to think I didn't care about weight and would take all I wanted. Not so much anymore. I find I use the Sigma for very specific things. It is brilliantly sharp and has lovely bokeh. As a result, I use it a lot chasing flowers in the neighbor's garden. Not so much as a general shooting lens on full frame - too wide for portraits, but seems not wide enough for interior, architecture, landscape etc - yes, there are always exceptions, but that's kinda where I have landed. So I'd lean towards starting with one of the modern zooms and see what you are trending to for focal lengths and style, and then perhaps the right prime(s) to supplement will start falling into place, and you may or may not find the Sigma is one of them.

06-10-2019, 03:28 PM	#19
Kingman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: North Texas Posts: 199	I bought my K1 with the D FA 24-70/2.8. Images are awesome throughout the range, especially for landscape photography. The downside is the weight and size and cost. I just acquired the D FA 28-105/3.5-5.6 because the weight is much less for easier walk around street photography. I've done some limited astro work with the Pentax FA 20/2.8 and the Lawoa 12/2.8. I feel the D FA 28-105mm with its f3.5, you will only give up 1/2 a f-stop which is not bad considering the price advantage and weight advantage. The 24mm range is however, much nicer than a 28mm for landscape work for sure. The K1 is plenty sensitive with either lens for astro work at the wide angle settings of either lens.

06-10-2019, 04:15 PM	#20
Unregistered User Guest	Originally posted by Adam ... You could also compromise and meet in the middle with something like the D FA 24-70mm, which would give you a faster aperture and a bit wider field of view, which can make a big difference if you primarily shoot landscapes... my thoughts exactly.

06-10-2019, 06:52 PM	#22
AstroDave Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 1,637	I agree with many above: you can't beat the 28-105 for price, performance, and focal length coverage. I took it on a 3 hour hike yesterday and it did fine. At one point, I wished for wider, and alternatively, I wished for longer (at the Osprey nest) briefly, but unless I had had an unwieldy camera bag with me to hold alternatives, it can't be beat. I'd have missed the action at the nest if I had to change lenses. It's a (the!) great starter lens for the K1.

06-11-2019, 06:46 AM - 1 Like	#23
btnapa Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,616	Originally posted by PentaxMuc I would be glad to hear suggestions and experiences from you. I have not done astro with my K1 or the 28-105. For everything else and as an all around lens, the 28-105 is a no brainer. I have the FA 31, 43, and 77 along with a bunch of other manual and autofocus lenses and the 28-105 is by far the most used lens to a point that I leave the rest at home most of the time. If I had to replace it with another zoom, it would be the 24-70 f2.8 but that lens is much more expensive and bulkier. For now the 28-105 delivers everything I need.

06-11-2019, 08:33 AM	#24
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by btnapa I have not done astro with my K1 or the 28-105. For everything else and as an all around lens, the 28-105 is a no brainer. I have the FA 31, 43, and 77 along with a bunch of other manual and autofocus lenses and the 28-105 is by far the most used lens to a point that I leave the rest at home most of the time. If I had to replace it with another zoom, it would be the 24-70 f2.8 but that lens is much more expensive and bulkier. For now the 28-105 delivers everything I need. A pretty good percentage of my images are shot at 105mm. It's hard to know which I'd like better. But, the 28-105 is a walking, good light lens. And I don't consider 2.8 to be all that good for low light since I got the FA*55 1.4.

06-12-2019, 05:46 AM	#26
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Just the percentage of people saying "buy this lens" should be a clue. And the comment from the guy who owns both the 28-105 and 24-70 should be the clincher.

06-12-2019, 12:12 PM	#27
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,551	WR is also a factor, and with its high quality imaging with lower carrying weight, I also vote for the DFA 28-105mm lens. If you don't really, really need the f/1.4 you might additionally consider the FA 35mm f/2 as your fast 35mm prime alternative when you need that, since it saves weight, cost, and can deliver fine results even wide open. ---------- Post added 06-12-19 at 12:34 PM ---------- Originally posted by barthovis Check out this YouTube video by Ben Evans: English Photographer - Pentax 31mm f1.8 vs Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art Lenses Compared - YouTube The real point is that in his comments, he compares the Sigma 35mm f1.4 to 3 Pentax lenses (28-105 included), and has a Google drive link to photos comparing all of the lenses. I think the 28-105 fares quite well. Ben's comparison is a good summation between the FA 31mm f/1.8 LTD and the Sigma f1.4 ART lenses, but in his last imaging comparison in that video shoot the Pentax lens to me was showing a lot less flair. Flair can on-and-off wash out whatever "better" image quality the Sigma can offer under more ideal conditions.

06-12-2019, 03:01 PM - 1 Like	#28
PentaxMuc New Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Thank you very much for your answers! I decided to start with the 28-105 and for a future upgrade maybe go for a DFA 50mm 1.4. The weather sealing was another point which made the decision easier

06-30-2019, 05:07 PM	#29
Roaming Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Working in PNG Posts: 45	I am going through a similar process , or at least started, Pentax K1 & 28-105mm ordered due to 15% off Pentax sale, quite a jump over my Pentax Kx , yet to arrive but on back order. Am lusting over the Sigma Art 35 mm, i keep looking at things like the Samyang, but keep coming back to it, but one thing that perturbs me/ scares me off if the Docking Cradle thing, the necessity of calibration is outside my skill set , or is this a 'pixel peeper' thing. Guidance on this would be greatly appreciated.. I would like to end up with 3 quality lenses from the DFA range (iplus the Sigma) , but time will tell where my interest goes. I have a love for the Australian bush/desert, so see a lot of astro/night/landscape in my future.

07-05-2019, 08:31 AM	#30
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	I tried hard to make the Art35 work on my K1. No chance, AF adjust with and without dock compensation failed. Even tried two copies. FA77 and DFA50 work much better here. 24-70 is quite universal and performs well. It has all you need. Tried to make mine obsolete with Hollywood 28, but l am not totally convinced yet.