would you buy a FA* 28-70mm today?

arpaagent · 01-28-2009, 12:01 PM

Originally posted by kenyee

LOL. Too late if it's still available. I asked one of my friends in Vancouver to see if it is and pick it up for me if it is ;-)

We'll see who gets it first

legacyb4 · 01-28-2009, 12:12 PM

Ha ha, I've written to him too and offered up my Canon 17-40 F4 as a trade if that's what he's getting into.

May the best man win!

leeak · 01-28-2009, 12:16 PM

I can't find too many reviews for the FA28-70/2.8 but here is something from Popphoto from all the way back:

Popular Photography Tests

Popphoto also reviewed the Tamron 28-75/2.8 in 2003. You can compare the two results and I think the Tamron fared better than the FA28-70/2.8. Would actually users/owners of both lenses agree with this?

jsherman999 · 01-28-2009, 12:19 PM

Originally posted by legacyb4

Ha ha, I've written to him too and offered up my Canon 17-40 F4 as a trade if that's what he's getting into.

May the best man win!

LOL

I've learned the lesson long ago that if you find a great deal, keep it to yourself until the deal is done!

legacyb4 · 01-28-2009, 12:26 PM

Ah, I figured the cat's out of the bag from the original post anyway.

Worst case, I think I've made up my mind and am going to try and flip the Canon 17-40 F4 (great lens, btw) for either a FA 31mm Ltd. or a DA 21mm.

Cheers.

Originally posted by jsherman999

LOL

I've learned the lesson long ago that if you find a great deal, keep it to yourself until the deal is done!

jsherman999 · 01-28-2009, 01:47 PM

Originally posted by legacyb4

Ah, I figured the cat's out of the bag from the original post anyway.

Worst case, I think I've made up my mind and am going to try and flip the Canon 17-40 F4 (great lens, btw) for either a FA 31mm Ltd. or a DA 21mm.

Cheers.

Yeah, my post was directed more at the OP who mentioned seeing it in the Vancouver CL - you were the result of him not keeping it low

The Pentax FA* 28-70 2.8 is expensive, but not more so than the 28-70(75)'s from Nikon, etc. Tamron has that great alternative, otherwise we'd probably not even be questioning the FA*'s value.

Myself - I don't know if I'd spring for the FA*, but I could probably convince myself to if I had both the Tammy and the FA* for a day and saw a difference.

.

axl · 01-28-2009, 03:23 PM

I saw offer for around £780. I passed on...
I decided to go prime...

**Ron Boggs** · 01-28-2009, 03:43 PM

Much of the industry has switched to 24-70 or something similar rather than the earlier 28-70 range. However, with the APS-c sensor, you need a wider zoom anyway (like the 12-24 that I use), so as a kit, you have 12-24, 28-70 and 80-200 which gets you a very wide range of extreme quality optics with just 3 lenses and no overlap (ok, the 12-24 isn't as "extreme" as the FA*'s but it still isn't a cheapo "it'll do" lens either). And really, the point isn't what other companies use for their zoom range. The point is, do you like the images produced by the 28-70? Does it fill a niche in your shooting arsenal? And for me, are the images of higher quality than what most lenses can produce? To me, the zoom range doesn't matter in this case because I'm literally freaked out at the IQ this Pentax zoom produces--and I'm very, very picky.
If Pentax eventually builds a FF as most of us presume, just replace the 12-24 with a prime 20 or 21 and the kit remains valid. Then I'll be sorry for selling my FA20 and FA20-35 lenses to other forum members...both were super lenses.

roentarre · 01-28-2009, 05:27 PM

It is a good zoom for sure but I would not buy it for that price.

The whole concern to use this wonderful zoom is the weight and its propensity to have paint loss. Most of the third party zooms in this focal length are very good performers as well and this is more of a collector item than a lens to use on the daily basis

arpaagent · 01-28-2009, 06:07 PM

Just out of curiosity...how is the build of the tamron 28-75/2.8 lens? Since it is much more affordable, does it come at the cost of build quality? I love the old manual lenses because of their top-notch construction using metal etc, and would be hoping to get the same type of quality out of the FA* zoom.

If the tammy is built like a rock then I might consider it as an alternate choice. Also, is the tammy for FF or crop?

Ole · 01-28-2009, 06:17 PM

Originally posted by arthur pappas

Curious to know if anyone would consider this lens today, or would you look to alternatives? How much money would you pay for this FA*?

No, I would not buy that lens!

I have it already

! It is my most used lens, incredibly sharp!
I paid $1,300 for an (almost) mint copy. The hood had a couple of scruffings; the lens was (still is) like new.

**Ron Boggs** · 01-28-2009, 09:30 PM

That's what I paid new when it was first released. Didn't come with the soft case standard at that time either--add an exorbitant $65. After about a year for the overanxious to pay premium, it dropped down to about a grand and held there for several years. Found it new at $1019.95 in the 2005 B&H 35mm Source Book. This also proves it isn't a terribly outdated lens--still selling new in '05.

Yes, the lens hood is way oversized and heavy making the lens nose heavy and adding unnecessary diameter. However that lens hood also fits the FA*80-200/2.8. Interchangability is nice. Funny, we can pick at it for weight, size, external focus, rotating front element, soft finish, small range of coverage etc. but what all of us who use the lens keep coming back to is IQ, IQ, IQ. Every time I try to retire it, it finds a way back into my "everyday" kit. I even replaced it with the 31,43, 77 Limited trio and darned if it didn't force it's way in along with those stunning lenses.

Somebody with testing facilities can probably laugh at me, but the actual images--sharpness, contrast, COLOR, vibrance, 3D look etc. really rival even the Limiteds. Magazine editors love the shots that come from this lens. I've even shot a couple covers with it. I swear it pops colors like a color enhanced film can. Enough already. If the price isn't too bad, the lens is a "can't lose" investment. Try it, you'll like it!

**tranq78** · 01-28-2009, 10:39 PM

Originally posted by Ron Boggs

<snip for brevity> what all of us who use the lens keep coming back to is IQ, IQ, IQ.

I swear it pops colors like a color enhanced film can. Enough already. If the price isn't too bad, the lens is a "can't lose" investment. Try it, you'll like it!

You and Ole nailed it about this lens. For CAD$500 (that's about US$400) I would run, not walk, to the seller's home to buy it. Seriously.

And you better hope that seller isn't reading this thread.

legacyb4 · 01-29-2009, 12:34 AM

The post is off Craigslist so either someone here scored lucky or there were more interested parties than we thought.

There's a wishful thinker posting an ad for a 28-70/F4 though:

Quote:

mint condition pentax AF lens FA 28-70/4 AL for sell with b+w filter.
the structure is just same with FA* 28-70/2.8,only different is aperture.
i am asking $120.ebay price is around $160 USD

Night all!

kenyee · 01-29-2009, 08:34 AM

Someone got lucky...guess it wasn't someone on this forum or he's be posting about his score ;-)
I was 2nd on the the waiting list.

01-28-2009, 06:17 PM	#26
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,408	Originally posted by arthur pappas Curious to know if anyone would consider this lens today, or would you look to alternatives? How much money would you pay for this FA*? No, I would not buy that lens! I have it already! It is my most used lens, incredibly sharp! I paid $1,300 for an (almost) mint copy. The hood had a couple of scruffings; the lens was (still is) like new.

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01-28-2009, 12:01 PM	#16
arpaagent Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 803	Originally posted by kenyee LOL. Too late if it's still available. I asked one of my friends in Vancouver to see if it is and pick it up for me if it is ;-) We'll see who gets it first

01-28-2009, 12:12 PM	#17
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	Ha ha, I've written to him too and offered up my Canon 17-40 F4 as a trade if that's what he's getting into. May the best man win!

01-28-2009, 12:16 PM	#18
leeak Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 245	I can't find too many reviews for the FA28-70/2.8 but here is something from Popphoto from all the way back: Popular Photography Tests Popphoto also reviewed the Tamron 28-75/2.8 in 2003. You can compare the two results and I think the Tamron fared better than the FA28-70/2.8. Would actually users/owners of both lenses agree with this?

01-28-2009, 12:19 PM	#19
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by legacyb4 Ha ha, I've written to him too and offered up my Canon 17-40 F4 as a trade if that's what he's getting into. May the best man win! LOL I've learned the lesson long ago that if you find a great deal, keep it to yourself until the deal is done!

01-28-2009, 12:26 PM	#20
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	Ah, I figured the cat's out of the bag from the original post anyway. Worst case, I think I've made up my mind and am going to try and flip the Canon 17-40 F4 (great lens, btw) for either a FA 31mm Ltd. or a DA 21mm. Cheers. Originally posted by jsherman999 LOL I've learned the lesson long ago that if you find a great deal, keep it to yourself until the deal is done!

01-28-2009, 01:47 PM	#21
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by legacyb4 Ah, I figured the cat's out of the bag from the original post anyway. Worst case, I think I've made up my mind and am going to try and flip the Canon 17-40 F4 (great lens, btw) for either a FA 31mm Ltd. or a DA 21mm. Cheers. Yeah, my post was directed more at the OP who mentioned seeing it in the Vancouver CL - you were the result of him not keeping it low The Pentax FA* 28-70 2.8 is expensive, but not more so than the 28-70(75)'s from Nikon, etc. Tamron has that great alternative, otherwise we'd probably not even be questioning the FA's value. Myself - I don't know if I'd spring for the FA, but I could probably convince myself to if I had both the Tammy and the FA* for a day and saw a difference. .

01-28-2009, 03:23 PM	#22
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	I saw offer for around £780. I passed on... I decided to go prime...

01-28-2009, 03:43 PM	#23
Ron Boggs Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MT Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,349	Much of the industry has switched to 24-70 or something similar rather than the earlier 28-70 range. However, with the APS-c sensor, you need a wider zoom anyway (like the 12-24 that I use), so as a kit, you have 12-24, 28-70 and 80-200 which gets you a very wide range of extreme quality optics with just 3 lenses and no overlap (ok, the 12-24 isn't as "extreme" as the FA*'s but it still isn't a cheapo "it'll do" lens either). And really, the point isn't what other companies use for their zoom range. The point is, do you like the images produced by the 28-70? Does it fill a niche in your shooting arsenal? And for me, are the images of higher quality than what most lenses can produce? To me, the zoom range doesn't matter in this case because I'm literally freaked out at the IQ this Pentax zoom produces--and I'm very, very picky. If Pentax eventually builds a FF as most of us presume, just replace the 12-24 with a prime 20 or 21 and the kit remains valid. Then I'll be sorry for selling my FA20 and FA20-35 lenses to other forum members...both were super lenses.

01-28-2009, 05:27 PM	#24
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	It is a good zoom for sure but I would not buy it for that price. The whole concern to use this wonderful zoom is the weight and its propensity to have paint loss. Most of the third party zooms in this focal length are very good performers as well and this is more of a collector item than a lens to use on the daily basis

01-28-2009, 06:07 PM	#25
arpaagent Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 803	Just out of curiosity...how is the build of the tamron 28-75/2.8 lens? Since it is much more affordable, does it come at the cost of build quality? I love the old manual lenses because of their top-notch construction using metal etc, and would be hoping to get the same type of quality out of the FA* zoom. If the tammy is built like a rock then I might consider it as an alternate choice. Also, is the tammy for FF or crop?

01-28-2009, 09:30 PM	#27
Ron Boggs Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MT Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,349	That's what I paid new when it was first released. Didn't come with the soft case standard at that time either--add an exorbitant $65. After about a year for the overanxious to pay premium, it dropped down to about a grand and held there for several years. Found it new at $1019.95 in the 2005 B&H 35mm Source Book. This also proves it isn't a terribly outdated lens--still selling new in '05. Yes, the lens hood is way oversized and heavy making the lens nose heavy and adding unnecessary diameter. However that lens hood also fits the FA*80-200/2.8. Interchangability is nice. Funny, we can pick at it for weight, size, external focus, rotating front element, soft finish, small range of coverage etc. but what all of us who use the lens keep coming back to is IQ, IQ, IQ. Every time I try to retire it, it finds a way back into my "everyday" kit. I even replaced it with the 31,43, 77 Limited trio and darned if it didn't force it's way in along with those stunning lenses. Somebody with testing facilities can probably laugh at me, but the actual images--sharpness, contrast, COLOR, vibrance, 3D look etc. really rival even the Limiteds. Magazine editors love the shots that come from this lens. I've even shot a couple covers with it. I swear it pops colors like a color enhanced film can. Enough already. If the price isn't too bad, the lens is a "can't lose" investment. Try it, you'll like it!

01-28-2009, 10:39 PM	#28
tranq78 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,005	Originally posted by Ron Boggs <snip for brevity> what all of us who use the lens keep coming back to is IQ, IQ, IQ. I swear it pops colors like a color enhanced film can. Enough already. If the price isn't too bad, the lens is a "can't lose" investment. Try it, you'll like it! You and Ole nailed it about this lens. For CAD$500 (that's about US$400) I would run, not walk, to the seller's home to buy it. Seriously. And you better hope that seller isn't reading this thread.

01-29-2009, 12:34 AM	#29
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	The post is off Craigslist so either someone here scored lucky or there were more interested parties than we thought. There's a wishful thinker posting an ad for a 28-70/F4 though: Quote: mint condition pentax AF lens FA 28-70/4 AL for sell with b+w filter. the structure is just same with FA* 28-70/2.8,only different is aperture. i am asking $120.ebay price is around $160 USD Night all!

01-29-2009, 08:34 AM	#30
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	Someone got lucky...guess it wasn't someone on this forum or he's be posting about his score ;-) I was 2nd on the the waiting list.