24-70mm f/2.8 versus 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6??

**robgski** · 03-20-2023, 05:07 PM

The 28-105mm is far more than a mere Kit Lens, especially when paired with the K-1 . I own both, and the DFA 24-70mm is a great lens, but heavy! The 28-105 is a great all around lens, and much lighter with great results, and WR so it makes a great walk around choice but I could use it to take portraits or others specialized images without fear.

Oldbayrunner · 03-20-2023, 07:23 PM

When I was pondering a lens set for my K1mkll I originally thought about getting the 24-70mm but as a range I wanted wider, a good walk around lens & another to fit my needs for landscapes. So opted to try the 28-105mm and couldn't be happier with that decision. Then I added the 15-30mm f 2.8 for my wide angle needs & a 70-200 f2.8. They are beasts but are great lenses. I already had a Sigma 70-300 & a Sigma 150-500mm for my long tele's and a few primes.

lesmore49 · 03-20-2023, 07:42 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by clackers

if you need f2.8 in the future, that rules out the 28-105, and you need to cough up with the cash.

The 24-70 f2.8 is one of the so-called Holy Trinity of lenses for a pro photographer, for example.

Otherwise, the DA28-105 is great for a kit lens, I have one myself.

I agree.

I bought the 28-105 with my K1 and really like that lens. Photo images are excellent. After I bought the 28-105, I thought about the 24-70 F2.8, and if I recall correctly, when I read reviews, there were a number of people that were lukewarm about the 24-70, including those who had both lenses.

A smoking deal came up for a 24-70 and I picked one (new) up.

No doubt it is a good lens, and I like having that part of the Holy Trinity, as I do use the F 2.8 ...available indoor light. I find it is one of the couple of lenses that I generally have attached to my K1. It is a heavy lens...and the only complaint I have of this lens, is the lens hood, seems a little on the flimsy side.

I tripped over a prairie dog hole last summer...while I was walking in a vintage car salvage yard....on the Great Northern Plains (North America) and I was able to save my camera, and the 24-70...albeit got some serious black and blue bruises on my knees and elbows...the lens hood fell off...cracked . Bought a new lens hood.

Not complaining, I was lucky there wasn't more damage.

Lesson learned...yep...when I walk the prairies...without looking where I'm going...don't be surprised if trouble finds me.

The other most common lens attached to my K1...my Pentax 100 WR Macro, F 2.8. I don't just use this for macro, I use it for portraits...mostly of our grandson...who just turned 5. That kid is a quick little rascal...and I find the 100 Macro...is great for available indoor light.

**PKMike** · 03-20-2023, 09:11 PM

Originally posted by morepower

costs almost 3x the price of the 28-105

And weighs almost twice as much.

I don't own the 24-70, but am very happy with the 28-105.
Really depends on personal needs.
I find the 24-70 interesting but have 24,28,35,40,50,55,and 70 primes that are between F1.2 and F2.8, so can't see buying one.
The 24-70 is no doubt a handy workhorse for some uses, and maybe for yours.

VictorDA · 03-21-2023, 12:43 AM - **1 Like**

To the OP: based on your stated interests in the other thread:
- Primarily still photos
- Primarily outdoors in daylight [...]
The answer looks very clear to me! Go for the 28-105... You will have time (and saved seed money) later on to add a few nice primes to cover the wide end or the low-light situations.

**mikesbike** · 03-21-2023, 03:45 PM

I am also very happy with its performance. Mine came along with the K-1 II together in a specially-made carton by Ricoh-Pentax, with a picture of both the camera and the DFA 28-105mm lens on the carton. A free camera bag of sizeable proportins was included in my deal from B&H, and either this lens is on-camera for travel, or if I should happen to have another lens on it, this lens will be in the bag! The saying- "don't leave home without it" applies to this lens for me when traveling!

angerdan · 03-25-2023, 04:02 AM

Originally posted by morepower

It's down to these two "general purpose" lenses for an upcoming purchase K-1 body.

The 24-70 focal range better suits my needs and is faster, but costs almost 3x the price of the 28-105 kit lens.

Thoughts and comments are most appreciated!

How about two primes instead of a zoom?
Like FA* 24mm and FA 77mm.
<= F2.8 <= 900g Premium Full Frame Prime FA Series Lenses between 24mm and 77mm with Autofocus | PentaxForums.com

Or the F 24-50mm F4.
<= F4 <= 900g Full Frame Zoom Lenses between 24mm and 105mm with Autofocus | PentaxForums.com

**Scorpio71GR** · 03-25-2023, 04:49 AM

I have the K-1 and the 28-105. That 28-105 is highly under rated. It simply blows away every film era lens I own and I have plenty of them. I still do not have the 24-70. The K-1 is heavy enough on it's own. The 28-105 balances just fine without the grip.. I do not feel the same can be said of the 24-70. I really do not shoot much portrait work. That is where the 24-70 will better suited then the 28-105. Maybe someday when I have the cash or find a really good deal I will get the 24-70. Right now I could not be happier with my K-1 and 28-105.

**GaryM** · 03-26-2023, 09:34 PM

I have both lenses, and have good uses for each of them. But if I could only own one, it would be the 28-105, no contest. I've owned a K-1 since it came out in 2016, and over half of my images (just passed the 10k mark) have been made with that lens. It's my dependable work-horse, and I consider it a no-brainer purchase for any K-1 owner.

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03-20-2023, 05:07 PM	#16
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,798	The 28-105mm is far more than a mere Kit Lens, especially when paired with the K-1 . I own both, and the DFA 24-70mm is a great lens, but heavy! The 28-105 is a great all around lens, and much lighter with great results, and WR so it makes a great walk around choice but I could use it to take portraits or others specialized images without fear.

03-20-2023, 07:23 PM	#17
Oldbayrunner Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 1,665	When I was pondering a lens set for my K1mkll I originally thought about getting the 24-70mm but as a range I wanted wider, a good walk around lens & another to fit my needs for landscapes. So opted to try the 28-105mm and couldn't be happier with that decision. Then I added the 15-30mm f 2.8 for my wide angle needs & a 70-200 f2.8. They are beasts but are great lenses. I already had a Sigma 70-300 & a Sigma 150-500mm for my long tele's and a few primes.

03-20-2023, 07:42 PM - 2 Likes	#18
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,343	Originally posted by clackers if you need f2.8 in the future, that rules out the 28-105, and you need to cough up with the cash. The 24-70 f2.8 is one of the so-called Holy Trinity of lenses for a pro photographer, for example. Otherwise, the DA28-105 is great for a kit lens, I have one myself. I agree. I bought the 28-105 with my K1 and really like that lens. Photo images are excellent. After I bought the 28-105, I thought about the 24-70 F2.8, and if I recall correctly, when I read reviews, there were a number of people that were lukewarm about the 24-70, including those who had both lenses. A smoking deal came up for a 24-70 and I picked one (new) up. No doubt it is a good lens, and I like having that part of the Holy Trinity, as I do use the F 2.8 ...available indoor light. I find it is one of the couple of lenses that I generally have attached to my K1. It is a heavy lens...and the only complaint I have of this lens, is the lens hood, seems a little on the flimsy side. I tripped over a prairie dog hole last summer...while I was walking in a vintage car salvage yard....on the Great Northern Plains (North America) and I was able to save my camera, and the 24-70...albeit got some serious black and blue bruises on my knees and elbows...the lens hood fell off...cracked . Bought a new lens hood. Not complaining, I was lucky there wasn't more damage. Lesson learned...yep...when I walk the prairies...without looking where I'm going...don't be surprised if trouble finds me. The other most common lens attached to my K1...my Pentax 100 WR Macro, F 2.8. I don't just use this for macro, I use it for portraits...mostly of our grandson...who just turned 5. That kid is a quick little rascal...and I find the 100 Macro...is great for available indoor light.

03-20-2023, 09:11 PM	#19
PKMike Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 628	Originally posted by morepower costs almost 3x the price of the 28-105 And weighs almost twice as much. I don't own the 24-70, but am very happy with the 28-105. Really depends on personal needs. I find the 24-70 interesting but have 24,28,35,40,50,55,and 70 primes that are between F1.2 and F2.8, so can't see buying one. The 24-70 is no doubt a handy workhorse for some uses, and maybe for yours.

03-21-2023, 12:43 AM - 1 Like	#20
VictorDA Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lyon area, France Posts: 718	To the OP: based on your stated interests in the other thread: - Primarily still photos - Primarily outdoors in daylight [...] The answer looks very clear to me! Go for the 28-105... You will have time (and saved seed money) later on to add a few nice primes to cover the wide end or the low-light situations.

03-21-2023, 03:45 PM	#21
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,549	I am also very happy with its performance. Mine came along with the K-1 II together in a specially-made carton by Ricoh-Pentax, with a picture of both the camera and the DFA 28-105mm lens on the carton. A free camera bag of sizeable proportins was included in my deal from B&H, and either this lens is on-camera for travel, or if I should happen to have another lens on it, this lens will be in the bag! The saying- "don't leave home without it" applies to this lens for me when traveling!

03-25-2023, 04:02 AM	#22
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,639	Originally posted by morepower It's down to these two "general purpose" lenses for an upcoming purchase K-1 body. The 24-70 focal range better suits my needs and is faster, but costs almost 3x the price of the 28-105 kit lens. Thoughts and comments are most appreciated! How about two primes instead of a zoom? Like FA* 24mm and FA 77mm. <= F2.8 <= 900g Premium Full Frame Prime FA Series Lenses between 24mm and 77mm with Autofocus \| PentaxForums.com Or the F 24-50mm F4. <= F4 <= 900g Full Frame Zoom Lenses between 24mm and 105mm with Autofocus \| PentaxForums.com

03-25-2023, 04:49 AM	#23
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,005	I have the K-1 and the 28-105. That 28-105 is highly under rated. It simply blows away every film era lens I own and I have plenty of them. I still do not have the 24-70. The K-1 is heavy enough on it's own. The 28-105 balances just fine without the grip.. I do not feel the same can be said of the 24-70. I really do not shoot much portrait work. That is where the 24-70 will better suited then the 28-105. Maybe someday when I have the cash or find a really good deal I will get the 24-70. Right now I could not be happier with my K-1 and 28-105.

03-26-2023, 09:34 PM	#24
GaryM Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montclair, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 426	I have both lenses, and have good uses for each of them. But if I could only own one, it would be the 28-105, no contest. I've owned a K-1 since it came out in 2016, and over half of my images (just passed the 10k mark) have been made with that lens. It's my dependable work-horse, and I consider it a no-brainer purchase for any K-1 owner.