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ChristianRock · 12-16-2019, 07:37 AM

For a cheap (under 100 dollars) AF solution in a 28-xx range I would say the FA 28-70 f4 might be your best bet.

jcoat · 12-16-2019, 07:13 PM

Thanks for the recommendations... The Pentax 35-105 and Vivitar 28-90 both look like very interesting options.

While I'll probably keep an eye out for one of those, I just picked up a Soligor C/D 28-200mm f3.5-5.6 Macro for 99 cents (plus $8 shipping) on ebay. I have my doubts. But then again it was less than ten bucks, so I'll give it a go.

Thanks again. And I'll keep an eye on this thread periodically, so any other recommendations that come to mind would be appreciated... after I move on from my bargain budget lens.

troika · 12-16-2019, 11:40 PM - **1 Like**

I've never met a Tokina At-X lens that I didn't love, either.

I had a 50-250 lens that was astonishingly good for lens than $40. Gave it to a friend and bought a 100-300/4 that I will be buried with for $120 or so.

If you came across something in your range for a good price that was part of the AT-X line, it could be worth a shot.

Wasp · 12-17-2019, 01:35 AM

Kit lenses from the AF film era, such as the F or FA 28-80mm, are easy to find, cheap and cheerful. They have proper aperture rings and should work on an MF body. The only deal breaker is the focus ring - lack of resistance and short throw.

**From1980** · 01-15-2020, 11:48 PM

Originally posted by troika

I've never met a Tokina At-X lens that I didn't love, either.

I had a 50-250 lens that was astonishingly good for lens than $40. Gave it to a friend and bought a 100-300/4 that I will be buried with for $120 or so.

If you came across something in your range for a good price that was part of the AT-X line, it could be worth a shot.

Ditto about love for the Tokina ATX line. There was a nice but slower 28-85. The f2.8 models were about 2:1 zoom ratio or so.

kypfer · 01-16-2020, 12:14 AM

My Tamron Adaptall-2 28-80mm (model 27A) served me well for very many years ... never saw the need to compare it to anything else

edom31 · 02-11-2020, 08:53 PM

Vivitar Series 1 35-85/2.8 = I just spent day 1 with it. I got it as an add on to what I really wanted; thus I did not know about it.

It is not sharp like the others... not sharp at all... but if you want to shoot digital and have a film-like result.... ohh boy. No filters necessary.

I always wanted a legacy 85mm prime to do portraits and such. i think I found what I was looking for.

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12-16-2019, 07:37 AM	#16
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,912	For a cheap (under 100 dollars) AF solution in a 28-xx range I would say the FA 28-70 f4 might be your best bet.

12-16-2019, 07:13 PM	#17
jcoat New Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12 Original Poster	Thanks for the recommendations... The Pentax 35-105 and Vivitar 28-90 both look like very interesting options. While I'll probably keep an eye out for one of those, I just picked up a Soligor C/D 28-200mm f3.5-5.6 Macro for 99 cents (plus $8 shipping) on ebay. I have my doubts. But then again it was less than ten bucks, so I'll give it a go. Thanks again. And I'll keep an eye on this thread periodically, so any other recommendations that come to mind would be appreciated... after I move on from my bargain budget lens.

12-16-2019, 11:40 PM - 1 Like	#18
troika Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Seattle, WA USA Posts: 1,753	I've never met a Tokina At-X lens that I didn't love, either. I had a 50-250 lens that was astonishingly good for lens than $40. Gave it to a friend and bought a 100-300/4 that I will be buried with for $120 or so. If you came across something in your range for a good price that was part of the AT-X line, it could be worth a shot.

12-17-2019, 01:35 AM	#19
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	Kit lenses from the AF film era, such as the F or FA 28-80mm, are easy to find, cheap and cheerful. They have proper aperture rings and should work on an MF body. The only deal breaker is the focus ring - lack of resistance and short throw.

01-15-2020, 11:48 PM	#20
From1980 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Essex, Ontario Posts: 682	Originally posted by troika I've never met a Tokina At-X lens that I didn't love, either. I had a 50-250 lens that was astonishingly good for lens than $40. Gave it to a friend and bought a 100-300/4 that I will be buried with for $120 or so. If you came across something in your range for a good price that was part of the AT-X line, it could be worth a shot. Ditto about love for the Tokina ATX line. There was a nice but slower 28-85. The f2.8 models were about 2:1 zoom ratio or so.

01-16-2020, 12:14 AM	#21
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,598	My Tamron Adaptall-2 28-80mm (model 27A) served me well for very many years ... never saw the need to compare it to anything else

02-11-2020, 08:53 PM	#22
edom31 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Garden City, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,349	Vivitar Series 1 35-85/2.8 = I just spent day 1 with it. I got it as an add on to what I really wanted; thus I did not know about it. It is not sharp like the others... not sharp at all... but if you want to shoot digital and have a film-like result.... ohh boy. No filters necessary. I always wanted a legacy 85mm prime to do portraits and such. i think I found what I was looking for.

Film Era Manual Mid-range Zoom Comparison

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