Is Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Lens a good travel lens for K-5?

**loyalt** · 11-17-2021, 10:59 AM

I am going to give my daughter my K-5 before she leaves to study/do service work abroad and want to get a good lens (that I can afford) to go with it. (I already have the 24-70mm, f2.8 in my bag, but can't afford that for her) Will the Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Lens work well on the K-5? I am getting a newer body for my professional photo jobs, so want to give the well-loved K-5 to her while it has good life and she can learn on it.

Last edited by loyalt; 11-17-2021 at 11:12 AM.

Bad Boy · 11-17-2021, 11:12 AM

I am shooting with a K-5. The lens I use most is DA* 16-50 f2.8. I also like the Sigma 17-50 f2.8 which is on my wife's K-5 camera. Both are affordable used. I paid $325 for the DA* and $250 for the Sigma. The D FA 28-105 will work fine but you do not need a full frame lens for the K-5. I would rather have a faster f2.8 APSC lens.

**robgski** · 11-17-2021, 11:26 AM

I traveled for six months with the DA 18-135 WR and no complaints. I am sure the 28-105mm will meet most needs.

steephill · 11-17-2021, 11:38 AM - **1 Like**

The only problem might be the focal range which doesn't cover wide angle.

Adam · 11-17-2021, 11:47 AM - **2 Likes**

I would get the 18-135mm since it provides more flexibility on APS-C. Both are great everyday lenses!

**loyalt** · 11-17-2021, 11:52 AM

Originally posted by Bad Boy

I am shooting with a K-5. The lens I use most is DA* 16-50 f2.8. I also like the Sigma 17-50 f2.8 which is on my wife's K-5 camera. Both are affordable used. I paid $325 for the DA* and $250 for the Sigma. The D FA 28-105 will work fine but you do not need a full frame lens for the K-5. I would rather have a faster f2.8 APSC lens.

Thank you, Bad Boy. I agree about the f2.8, but knowing her, she would probably get a K-1 someday, so thinking for the future, as well. I just am wondering if this lens works well on the K-5. Thank you!

MrB1 · 11-17-2021, 12:13 PM

The 28-105 is an excellent lens but the better travel option for the K-5 is the 18-135. There are other possible digital era zooms but none is as versatile, light-weight and compact (for carrying around all day), and as inexpensive (new price) as the 18-135. See loads of image samples here:
DA 18-135 WR, Show us what it can do - PentaxForums.com

Philip

AfterPentax Mark II · 11-17-2021, 12:27 PM

Originally posted by loyalt

I am going to give my daughter my K-5 before she leaves to study/do service work abroad and want to get a good lens (that I can afford) to go with it. (I already have the 24-70mm, f2.8 in my bag, but can't afford that for her) Will the Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Lens work well on the K-5? I am getting a newer body for my professional photo jobs, so want to give the well-loved K-5 to her while it has good life and she can learn on it.

As others mentioned here, the 18-135 is a great lens and is very affordable. It is also a lot smaller and lighter than the DFA 28-105. I have used this lens on several Pentax camera's and each time it amazes me how good it is. Recommended! Hope this helps.

**UncleVanya** · 11-17-2021, 12:30 PM - **3 Likes**

That greatly depends on what she will shoot and what other lenses she may have. The 28mm will be more like a slightly wide normal lens (43mm is close on ff) and the 105 will be a modest telephoto. Most people don’t travel with a 40-150 zoom as their main lens when traveling since a lot of architectural shots are very hard to get with that lens. (Creatively focusing on smaller sections and details of course is an option)

Typically these are the lenses I’d recommend for a apsc Pentax user traveling:

Pentax 18-135, 16-85, or 17-70
Sigma 17-70

Faster 2 lens versions:
Pentax 16-50, 50-135
Sigma 17-50, 50-150

Superzooms:
Pentax 18-250, 18-270
Tamron 18-300

The key here is that I typically recommend a zoom with at least an 18mm wide end (similar to the 28mm perspective on FF) as the main carry option for travel unless it is to a location that emphasizes long shots where the 55-300 is more reasonable as the first choice.

Buy what works now, the future will sort itself later. The 28-105 has less range at both ends than the 18-135 and is larger and weighs more. Pairing the 28-105 with a 12-24 or a 10-20 is another possible approach. Of these I’m partial to the 12-24. The upper end (24) offers a nice perspective on apsc similar to many rangefinders that saw a lot of years of use as a travel camera. For that matter the DA 21 makes a good possible rangefinder analog.

**pres589** · 11-17-2021, 12:39 PM

18-135 or one of the Sigma 17-70's would be my pick (don't care which flavor of Sigma 17-70, they all seem good, I liked mine a lot before it was stolen). 28mm on crop just isn't that wide.

Pentax 16-85 seems good but it's bigger and heavier and costs more. And I like the images I get with my 18-135.

**UncleVanya** · 11-17-2021, 12:44 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pres589

Pentax 16-85 seems good but it's bigger and heavier and costs more. And I like the images I get with my 18-135.

Same here. The way I tend to shoot on the long end is destined to be cropped often and centered so the edge performance is not often important to me.

Oldbayrunner · 11-17-2021, 12:56 PM

Getting her an 18-135mm is going to give her the versatility of a wider angle of view and longer reach then the 28-105mm on an apsc camera making it a better walk around lens imo.

**pres589** · 11-17-2021, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Same here. The way I tend to shoot on the long end is destined to be cropped often and centered so the edge performance is not often important to me.

With the savings going with an 18-135 vs. the 16-85, something like the previous generation DA 55-300 could be partially paid for, making the weaker performance from around 80mm out to 135mm less of an issue. Or some other lens (like a DA 50 1.8 which I think I'd rather have but that's just me and my interests speaking).

Kiwizinho · 11-17-2021, 02:00 PM

I have a K-70 which has an APS-C sensor like the K-5, and a D-FA 28-105, and I've found that it's a great lens. I'd prefer something a bit wider as it's a full frame lens, and the DA 16-85 is about the equivalent field of view for APS-C sensors as the D-FA 28-105 on full frame, however I was able to purchase a used D-FA 28-105 for about a third the price of a new DA 16-85, and I've rarely seen them show up on the used market.
If you can find a reasonably priced DA 16-85 that's probably preferable for the K-5, but if you can't then the D-FA 28-105 is a nice lens.

**ramseybuckeye** · 11-17-2021, 02:09 PM - **1 Like**

I like to travel with the 20-40 and 55-300plm with my KP, both are very compact and excellent performers. But if a K-1 is not far off the 28-105 should be fine. I used the old version on APS-C a few years ago and it was fine, although I replaced it with an 18-135 and the extra width was beneficial

11-17-2021, 10:59 AM	#1
loyalt Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Albums Posts: 261	Is Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Lens a good travel lens for K-5? I am going to give my daughter my K-5 before she leaves to study/do service work abroad and want to get a good lens (that I can afford) to go with it. (I already have the 24-70mm, f2.8 in my bag, but can't afford that for her) Will the Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Lens work well on the K-5? I am getting a newer body for my professional photo jobs, so want to give the well-loved K-5 to her while it has good life and she can learn on it. Last edited by loyalt; 11-17-2021 at 11:12 AM.

11-17-2021, 11:47 AM - 2 Likes	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	I would get the 18-135mm since it provides more flexibility on APS-C. Both are great everyday lenses! Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

11-17-2021, 02:09 PM - 1 Like	#15
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291	I like to travel with the 20-40 and 55-300plm with my KP, both are very compact and excellent performers. But if a K-1 is not far off the 28-105 should be fine. I used the old version on APS-C a few years ago and it was fine, although I replaced it with an 18-135 and the extra width was beneficial Last edited by ramseybuckeye; 11-18-2021 at 02:00 AM.

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11-17-2021, 11:12 AM	#2
Bad Boy Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Western Washington State Posts: 41	I am shooting with a K-5. The lens I use most is DA* 16-50 f2.8. I also like the Sigma 17-50 f2.8 which is on my wife's K-5 camera. Both are affordable used. I paid $325 for the DA* and $250 for the Sigma. The D FA 28-105 will work fine but you do not need a full frame lens for the K-5. I would rather have a faster f2.8 APSC lens.

11-17-2021, 11:26 AM	#3
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,796	I traveled for six months with the DA 18-135 WR and no complaints. I am sure the 28-105mm will meet most needs.

11-17-2021, 11:38 AM - 1 Like	#4
steephill Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 585	The only problem might be the focal range which doesn't cover wide angle.

11-17-2021, 11:52 AM	#6
loyalt Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Albums Posts: 261 Original Poster	Originally posted by Bad Boy I am shooting with a K-5. The lens I use most is DA* 16-50 f2.8. I also like the Sigma 17-50 f2.8 which is on my wife's K-5 camera. Both are affordable used. I paid $325 for the DA* and $250 for the Sigma. The D FA 28-105 will work fine but you do not need a full frame lens for the K-5. I would rather have a faster f2.8 APSC lens. Thank you, Bad Boy. I agree about the f2.8, but knowing her, she would probably get a K-1 someday, so thinking for the future, as well. I just am wondering if this lens works well on the K-5. Thank you!

11-17-2021, 12:13 PM	#7
MrB1 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Hertfordshire, England Posts: 845	The 28-105 is an excellent lens but the better travel option for the K-5 is the 18-135. There are other possible digital era zooms but none is as versatile, light-weight and compact (for carrying around all day), and as inexpensive (new price) as the 18-135. See loads of image samples here: DA 18-135 WR, Show us what it can do - PentaxForums.com Philip

11-17-2021, 12:27 PM	#8
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,461	Originally posted by loyalt I am going to give my daughter my K-5 before she leaves to study/do service work abroad and want to get a good lens (that I can afford) to go with it. (I already have the 24-70mm, f2.8 in my bag, but can't afford that for her) Will the Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Lens work well on the K-5? I am getting a newer body for my professional photo jobs, so want to give the well-loved K-5 to her while it has good life and she can learn on it. As others mentioned here, the 18-135 is a great lens and is very affordable. It is also a lot smaller and lighter than the DFA 28-105. I have used this lens on several Pentax camera's and each time it amazes me how good it is. Recommended! Hope this helps.

11-17-2021, 12:30 PM - 3 Likes	#9
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	That greatly depends on what she will shoot and what other lenses she may have. The 28mm will be more like a slightly wide normal lens (43mm is close on ff) and the 105 will be a modest telephoto. Most people don’t travel with a 40-150 zoom as their main lens when traveling since a lot of architectural shots are very hard to get with that lens. (Creatively focusing on smaller sections and details of course is an option) Typically these are the lenses I’d recommend for a apsc Pentax user traveling: Pentax 18-135, 16-85, or 17-70 Sigma 17-70 Faster 2 lens versions: Pentax 16-50, 50-135 Sigma 17-50, 50-150 Superzooms: Pentax 18-250, 18-270 Tamron 18-300 The key here is that I typically recommend a zoom with at least an 18mm wide end (similar to the 28mm perspective on FF) as the main carry option for travel unless it is to a location that emphasizes long shots where the 55-300 is more reasonable as the first choice. Buy what works now, the future will sort itself later. The 28-105 has less range at both ends than the 18-135 and is larger and weighs more. Pairing the 28-105 with a 12-24 or a 10-20 is another possible approach. Of these I’m partial to the 12-24. The upper end (24) offers a nice perspective on apsc similar to many rangefinders that saw a lot of years of use as a travel camera. For that matter the DA 21 makes a good possible rangefinder analog.

11-17-2021, 12:39 PM	#10
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	18-135 or one of the Sigma 17-70's would be my pick (don't care which flavor of Sigma 17-70, they all seem good, I liked mine a lot before it was stolen). 28mm on crop just isn't that wide. Pentax 16-85 seems good but it's bigger and heavier and costs more. And I like the images I get with my 18-135.

11-17-2021, 12:44 PM - 1 Like	#11
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	Originally posted by pres589 Pentax 16-85 seems good but it's bigger and heavier and costs more. And I like the images I get with my 18-135. Same here. The way I tend to shoot on the long end is destined to be cropped often and centered so the edge performance is not often important to me.

11-17-2021, 12:56 PM	#12
Oldbayrunner Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 1,665	Getting her an 18-135mm is going to give her the versatility of a wider angle of view and longer reach then the 28-105mm on an apsc camera making it a better walk around lens imo.

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11-17-2021, 01:02 PM	#13
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Originally posted by UncleVanya Same here. The way I tend to shoot on the long end is destined to be cropped often and centered so the edge performance is not often important to me. With the savings going with an 18-135 vs. the 16-85, something like the previous generation DA 55-300 could be partially paid for, making the weaker performance from around 80mm out to 135mm less of an issue. Or some other lens (like a DA 50 1.8 which I think I'd rather have but that's just me and my interests speaking).

11-17-2021, 02:00 PM	#14
Kiwizinho Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Blenheim Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,290	I have a K-70 which has an APS-C sensor like the K-5, and a D-FA 28-105, and I've found that it's a great lens. I'd prefer something a bit wider as it's a full frame lens, and the DA 16-85 is about the equivalent field of view for APS-C sensors as the D-FA 28-105 on full frame, however I was able to purchase a used D-FA 28-105 for about a third the price of a new DA 16-85, and I've rarely seen them show up on the used market. If you can find a reasonably priced DA 16-85 that's probably preferable for the K-5, but if you can't then the D-FA 28-105 is a nice lens.