FA 28-105 f4-5.6 older vs newer model - OK experts, jump in

imtheguy · 04-18-2009, 07:04 PM

I have the itch to get one of these two lens in the next few days in prep for family events. I know neither will knock my socks off but either fills the gap in range for a walk around, fits budget and fits my existing filters. I have the chance to get the old heavy one, in black thank god, for $125 used or just buy the new light-weight silver version from Adorama for $209. Can't find much in the way for reviews to compare the two. Anybody have experience with either or both and wish to steer me? I have been married a long time and thus steer easily.

thanks.

**Just1MoreDave** · 04-18-2009, 07:58 PM

I should probably have some advice here because I own the older FA 28-105mm f4-5.6. I bought three lenses to cover that range, including the Pentax-F 35-135mm f3.5-4.5 and the Vivitar Series 1 KA 28-105mm f2.8-3.8. I ended up using the Pentax-F only, because it does the job and when I want a zoom, I'm not that picky. I have never used the FA except for testing, and the Vivitar has strange colors.

The FA has a good reputation I think - there is a third version that always confuses me. I see a lot of copies with broken power zoom switches, and mine has a broken one. Mine also has a strange lumpy feeling when manually focusing, like a gear has a broken tooth. I should sell it but I tend to keep the problem lenses. It works fine. If you want it for like $40, PM me. As I recall, it's a bit heavy, probably $7 shipping.

Venturi · 04-18-2009, 09:08 PM

There are 3 versions of the FA28-105 (two of them came/come in black and silver/black):

FA 28-105/4-5.6 (power zoom)
FA 28-105/4-5.6 [IF]
FA 28-105/3.2-4.5 AL [IF]

I have a copy of the PZ version. If you have a PZ series camera that can make use of the various built-in functions they're a fun lens to have, but its not what I would refer to as a "go to" lens. It's difficult to fine-adjust the power zoom for regular use and the front element spins while focusing.

**pacerr** · 04-18-2009, 10:17 PM

I have the FA 28-105/4-5.6 [IF] third version in silver finish - the one said to be the Tamron design.

I like it. If there's no lens-specific plan, this lens as often as not ends up on the primary camera body. It delivers typical Tamron build and image quality for this class of lens and covers a useful range, although occasionally 24mm would be nice at the lower end. Within its focal length range, I use it much as I imagine I'd use the Tamron 18-250 and its image quality seems consistent with what I've seen from that lens. Noticably better than the two 18-55's I've used.

It isn't a lens I'd have chosen - it came with my first K200D - but now I think it would be one of the last general purpose, mid-range lenses I'd let go. In baseball terms, it's a good utility infielder that consistently bats .285 and never gets injured.

I wouldn't intentionally look for the Power Zoom model, but the other two versions appear to have good reputations for image and durability.

H2

Marc Sabatella · 04-18-2009, 10:32 PM

For a while a few years ago, the 3.2-4.5 version was really popular as a sort of "alternate kit lens". Cheap, light, and pretty good IQ - but faster and with a much more impressive zoom range (if you don't need the wide end).

imtheguy · 04-18-2009, 11:20 PM

Wow, thanks for the feedback V. I should have done this before making an offer on the first lens. Its the PZ I committed to and I did NOT know the front element spins. Oh well, that kills part of my reason for wanting this lens to use existing CP and GND filters. I can cancel my purchase if need be though.

PACERR: I like the baseball analogy!

MARC: If I had seen the faster version I would probably opt for that but since I seem to always end up stopping down to f/8 for best IQ not sure why I pay more for faster lens. Could it be because I don't know what i'm doing yet????

Marc Sabatella · 04-18-2009, 11:47 PM

Or it could be because you never shoot in low light, or don't care about creating shallow DOF.

imtheguy · 04-18-2009, 11:54 PM

ah true about the light....i spend as much time as possible with the 55-300 trying to get marsh birds in flight and as little time as possible with my camera at family events getting ANOTHER 50 pictures of my inlaws indoors.

I checked out your pics Marc and you hit the light and dark while I stay stuck in the light. I have a lot to learn before i get anywhere near that level. Very nice looking portfollio. Will take me a while to get through the whole flickr album. really nice.

oh....forgot to mention early on. cant find any of the f/3.2-4.5 lens. Everybody reputable is out of stock.

figmental1978 · 04-19-2009, 04:47 PM

I used to have the f/3.2 version, great walk around lens! I used it primarily on my honeymoon in Malaysia and I had no complaints for the price I paid. The only reason I sold it is that I wanted to help pay for a prime lens.

04-18-2009, 07:04 PM	#1
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	FA 28-105 f4-5.6 older vs newer model - OK experts, jump in I have the itch to get one of these two lens in the next few days in prep for family events. I know neither will knock my socks off but either fills the gap in range for a walk around, fits budget and fits my existing filters. I have the chance to get the old heavy one, in black thank god, for $125 used or just buy the new light-weight silver version from Adorama for $209. Can't find much in the way for reviews to compare the two. Anybody have experience with either or both and wish to steer me? I have been married a long time and thus steer easily. thanks.

04-18-2009, 11:54 PM	#8
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950 Original Poster	ah true about the light....i spend as much time as possible with the 55-300 trying to get marsh birds in flight and as little time as possible with my camera at family events getting ANOTHER 50 pictures of my inlaws indoors. I checked out your pics Marc and you hit the light and dark while I stay stuck in the light. I have a lot to learn before i get anywhere near that level. Very nice looking portfollio. Will take me a while to get through the whole flickr album. really nice. oh....forgot to mention early on. cant find any of the f/3.2-4.5 lens. Everybody reputable is out of stock. Last edited by imtheguy; 04-19-2009 at 12:01 AM.

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04-18-2009, 07:58 PM	#2
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I should probably have some advice here because I own the older FA 28-105mm f4-5.6. I bought three lenses to cover that range, including the Pentax-F 35-135mm f3.5-4.5 and the Vivitar Series 1 KA 28-105mm f2.8-3.8. I ended up using the Pentax-F only, because it does the job and when I want a zoom, I'm not that picky. I have never used the FA except for testing, and the Vivitar has strange colors. The FA has a good reputation I think - there is a third version that always confuses me. I see a lot of copies with broken power zoom switches, and mine has a broken one. Mine also has a strange lumpy feeling when manually focusing, like a gear has a broken tooth. I should sell it but I tend to keep the problem lenses. It works fine. If you want it for like $40, PM me. As I recall, it's a bit heavy, probably $7 shipping.

04-18-2009, 09:08 PM	#3
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	There are 3 versions of the FA28-105 (two of them came/come in black and silver/black): FA 28-105/4-5.6 (power zoom) FA 28-105/4-5.6 [IF] FA 28-105/3.2-4.5 AL [IF] I have a copy of the PZ version. If you have a PZ series camera that can make use of the various built-in functions they're a fun lens to have, but its not what I would refer to as a "go to" lens. It's difficult to fine-adjust the power zoom for regular use and the front element spins while focusing.

04-18-2009, 10:17 PM	#4
pacerr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Paris, TN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,349	I have the FA 28-105/4-5.6 [IF] third version in silver finish - the one said to be the Tamron design. I like it. If there's no lens-specific plan, this lens as often as not ends up on the primary camera body. It delivers typical Tamron build and image quality for this class of lens and covers a useful range, although occasionally 24mm would be nice at the lower end. Within its focal length range, I use it much as I imagine I'd use the Tamron 18-250 and its image quality seems consistent with what I've seen from that lens. Noticably better than the two 18-55's I've used. It isn't a lens I'd have chosen - it came with my first K200D - but now I think it would be one of the last general purpose, mid-range lenses I'd let go. In baseball terms, it's a good utility infielder that consistently bats .285 and never gets injured. I wouldn't intentionally look for the Power Zoom model, but the other two versions appear to have good reputations for image and durability. H2

04-18-2009, 10:32 PM	#5
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	For a while a few years ago, the 3.2-4.5 version was really popular as a sort of "alternate kit lens". Cheap, light, and pretty good IQ - but faster and with a much more impressive zoom range (if you don't need the wide end).

04-18-2009, 11:20 PM	#6
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950 Original Poster	Wow, thanks for the feedback V. I should have done this before making an offer on the first lens. Its the PZ I committed to and I did NOT know the front element spins. Oh well, that kills part of my reason for wanting this lens to use existing CP and GND filters. I can cancel my purchase if need be though. PACERR: I like the baseball analogy! MARC: If I had seen the faster version I would probably opt for that but since I seem to always end up stopping down to f/8 for best IQ not sure why I pay more for faster lens. Could it be because I don't know what i'm doing yet????

04-18-2009, 11:47 PM	#7
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Or it could be because you never shoot in low light, or don't care about creating shallow DOF.

04-19-2009, 04:47 PM	#9
figmental1978 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 789	I used to have the f/3.2 version, great walk around lens! I used it primarily on my honeymoon in Malaysia and I had no complaints for the price I paid. The only reason I sold it is that I wanted to help pay for a prime lens.