Looking for a general-purpose, bright, fixed f lens

Fallingwater · 03-02-2010, 10:59 PM

My main lens is currently a SMC-FA 28-105 f4.0-6.3. It gives decent results in bright conditions, but when the sun goes down the problems come up.
Looking for something better, I decided to go for a fixed-f lens, as it seems the best way to get decent zoom without having to worry about brightness decreasing as zoom goes up.
I've had a look around, and it seems the best compromises are in the 28-70 or 28-75mm, f2.8 range.
After a quick eBay search, in this range I can get lenses by Tamron or Sigma.

Sigma has the 28-70 f2.8 EX DG; I can find it for about €270 second-hand, otherwise the same lens goes for €360. But then, the 28-70 f2.8 EX DF costs €280 new. What's the difference between DF and DG? Is there a catch?

Tamron has the SP AF 28-75mm 28-75 f/2.8 f2.8 XR Di LD, which costs approximately € 320 shipped from Hong Kong. The 35-108 f2.8 tempts me too; I could use the higher zoom, and I don't think I'd be too bothered by the minimum 35mm. But, it somehow costs less than the 28-75 (about €260). What's the deal?

General opinions and suggestions are appreciated, of course.

ilya80 · 03-03-2010, 12:04 PM

Originally posted by Fallingwater

My main lens is currently a SMC-FA 28-105 f4.0-6.3. It gives decent results in bright conditions, but when the sun goes down the problems come up...

Hey there! A year after I bought my K10D I was in a same situation - I was looking for brighter lens, however I had no idea what you can do with fast primes back then.

I ended up with a used Tokina 28-70 2.6~2.8, which is a good lens, however looking back, I think I would be good getting an used F35mm 1:2 instead. Did you consider getting yourself a fast normal prime like that? Sigma 30mm 1:1.4 can work wonders.

Regarding your question about specific models, Tamron 28-75 1:2.8 is generally praised for good image quality ( However I didnt have any of the two )

Blue · 03-03-2010, 12:23 PM

There is an FA 28-70mm f4 in the marketplace at the moment. Those are fairly compact lenses. Its almost on par with the the F 35-70mm f3.5-4.5 IQ wise but not quite. But it is wider. Both of these are hard to beat for the money and performance ratio if the focal length range works for you.

Marc Sabatella · 03-03-2010, 12:35 PM

Originally posted by Fallingwater

Tamron has the SP AF 28-75mm 28-75 f/2.8 f2.8 XR Di LD, which costs approximately € 320 shipped from Hong Kong. The 35-108 f2.8 tempts me too; I could use the higher zoom, and I don't think I'd be too bothered by the minimum 35mm. But, it somehow costs less than the 28-75 (about €260). What's the deal?

What 35-108/2.8? I've never heard of such a lens, and Google hasn't either (your post here is the only relevant hit)...

little laker · 03-03-2010, 12:42 PM

If you want to shoot in those conditions your actually better of buying a tripod.
I honestly don't find that a fast lens will buy me muck longer once the sun starts going down, whereas I can shoot all night when using a good tripod.

Where a fast lens is nice is on a dimly lit room, where your not allowed to use a flash or a tripod.

ilya80 · 03-03-2010, 01:14 PM

I was bored and got a sample out with my Tokina 28-70 1:2.6~2.8.

Shot in low light, slight PP. Should give you an idea of what you can get out of similar lens.

P.S. Damn I gotto shake dust off the thing more often! Its a good lens.

**krs** · 03-03-2010, 01:44 PM

It seems I shoot frequently in low light where a flash is not appropriate, and have acquired several lenses, all of which have their place, including the FA 50mm/1.4, the FA 31mm/1.8, a Sigma 28-70/2.8, and a Tamron 70-200/2.8.

There are times that even the 2.8 is not enough, so the primes and an aperture of 2-2.4 have made the difference. That is on the assumption that the objects are moving and you cannot just solve it with a tripod and a longer exposure.

Mike.P® · 03-03-2010, 01:51 PM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

What 35-108/2.8? I've never heard of such a lens, and Google hasn't either (your post here is the only relevant hit)...

An easy guess would say he probably means a Tamron 35-105mm f2.8.

Would love to get one of those .. never seen a AF version in Pentax mount and the Adaptall 2 version is just as rare.

Fallingwater · 03-04-2010, 09:40 PM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

What 35-108/2.8? I've never heard of such a lens, and Google hasn't either (your post here is the only relevant hit)...

PentaxForums.com Third-Party Lens Review Database - Adaptall SP 35-105 f 2.8
Yeah, it's -105, not -108. Sorry, my mistake.

It seems to be incredibly rare. I can find a few on eBay, but for Canon and Sony mounts. No Pentax.

As for primes: I already have a 50mm f1.4 that I carry around and break out when things get really dim, but it's not really suitable as a main lens. I really need a zoom of some sort.

I looked for the Tokina on eBay Italia, but got no hits.

So apparently my only choices are the Sigma 28-70 and the Tamron 28-75...

03-02-2010, 10:59 PM	#1
Fallingwater New Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Trieste, Italy Posts: 24	Looking for a general-purpose, bright, fixed f lens My main lens is currently a SMC-FA 28-105 f4.0-6.3. It gives decent results in bright conditions, but when the sun goes down the problems come up. Looking for something better, I decided to go for a fixed-f lens, as it seems the best way to get decent zoom without having to worry about brightness decreasing as zoom goes up. I've had a look around, and it seems the best compromises are in the 28-70 or 28-75mm, f2.8 range. After a quick eBay search, in this range I can get lenses by Tamron or Sigma. Sigma has the 28-70 f2.8 EX DG; I can find it for about €270 second-hand, otherwise the same lens goes for €360. But then, the 28-70 f2.8 EX DF costs €280 new. What's the difference between DF and DG? Is there a catch? Tamron has the SP AF 28-75mm 28-75 f/2.8 f2.8 XR Di LD, which costs approximately € 320 shipped from Hong Kong. The 35-108 f2.8 tempts me too; I could use the higher zoom, and I don't think I'd be too bothered by the minimum 35mm. But, it somehow costs less than the 28-75 (about €260). What's the deal? General opinions and suggestions are appreciated, of course.

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03-03-2010, 12:04 PM	#2
ilya80 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Saint-Petersburg, Russia Photos: Albums Posts: 410	Originally posted by Fallingwater My main lens is currently a SMC-FA 28-105 f4.0-6.3. It gives decent results in bright conditions, but when the sun goes down the problems come up... Hey there! A year after I bought my K10D I was in a same situation - I was looking for brighter lens, however I had no idea what you can do with fast primes back then. I ended up with a used Tokina 28-70 2.6~2.8, which is a good lens, however looking back, I think I would be good getting an used F35mm 1:2 instead. Did you consider getting yourself a fast normal prime like that? Sigma 30mm 1:1.4 can work wonders. Regarding your question about specific models, Tamron 28-75 1:2.8 is generally praised for good image quality ( However I didnt have any of the two )

03-03-2010, 12:23 PM	#3
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	There is an FA 28-70mm f4 in the marketplace at the moment. Those are fairly compact lenses. Its almost on par with the the F 35-70mm f3.5-4.5 IQ wise but not quite. But it is wider. Both of these are hard to beat for the money and performance ratio if the focal length range works for you.

03-03-2010, 12:35 PM	#4
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by Fallingwater Tamron has the SP AF 28-75mm 28-75 f/2.8 f2.8 XR Di LD, which costs approximately € 320 shipped from Hong Kong. The 35-108 f2.8 tempts me too; I could use the higher zoom, and I don't think I'd be too bothered by the minimum 35mm. But, it somehow costs less than the 28-75 (about €260). What's the deal? What 35-108/2.8? I've never heard of such a lens, and Google hasn't either (your post here is the only relevant hit)...

03-03-2010, 12:42 PM	#5
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	If you want to shoot in those conditions your actually better of buying a tripod. I honestly don't find that a fast lens will buy me muck longer once the sun starts going down, whereas I can shoot all night when using a good tripod. Where a fast lens is nice is on a dimly lit room, where your not allowed to use a flash or a tripod.

03-03-2010, 01:44 PM	#7
krs Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Photos: Gallery Posts: 395	It seems I shoot frequently in low light where a flash is not appropriate, and have acquired several lenses, all of which have their place, including the FA 50mm/1.4, the FA 31mm/1.8, a Sigma 28-70/2.8, and a Tamron 70-200/2.8. There are times that even the 2.8 is not enough, so the primes and an aperture of 2-2.4 have made the difference. That is on the assumption that the objects are moving and you cannot just solve it with a tripod and a longer exposure.

03-03-2010, 01:51 PM	#8
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella What 35-108/2.8? I've never heard of such a lens, and Google hasn't either (your post here is the only relevant hit)... An easy guess would say he probably means a Tamron 35-105mm f2.8. Would love to get one of those .. never seen a AF version in Pentax mount and the Adaptall 2 version is just as rare.

03-04-2010, 09:40 PM	#9
Fallingwater New Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Trieste, Italy Posts: 24 Original Poster	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella What 35-108/2.8? I've never heard of such a lens, and Google hasn't either (your post here is the only relevant hit)... PentaxForums.com Third-Party Lens Review Database - Adaptall SP 35-105 f 2.8 Yeah, it's -105, not -108. Sorry, my mistake. It seems to be incredibly rare. I can find a few on eBay, but for Canon and Sony mounts. No Pentax. As for primes: I already have a 50mm f1.4 that I carry around and break out when things get really dim, but it's not really suitable as a main lens. I really need a zoom of some sort. I looked for the Tokina on eBay Italia, but got no hits. So apparently my only choices are the Sigma 28-70 and the Tamron 28-75...