[kacansas03]

I used to own a manual focus lens for film cameras that was a 35 to 150 mm and frankly I miss it. Well I don't miss it's weight! So I have been reading reviews and trying to decide Which(?) lens might serve me well on my K100. I guess an ideal would be something like 20 or 24 through 105 or 150 mm with f4 to f5.6. I just am having a hard time finding that range in an AF even though this is just for outdoor snapshots and nothing critical. I have the excellent image part already covered in Primes mostly with a few favorite zooms. Any opinions anyone??????? Thanks!!

[deadwolfbones]

Probably your best option is the Sigma 17-70/2.8-4, or the Pentax 17-70/4. If you don't mind going shorter on the tele end, the Pentax 16-50/2.8 and Tamron 17-50/2.8 are both excellent. Pentax also made a 28-105/4 that was well-regarded, but 28 on digital is closer to a "normal" FOV than a wide one.

[kacansas03]

Now that is my problem. I do want that wide, say no more than 24, plus tele which could be as great as 200 but somehow I just don't trust a lens that is 18 to 300 or something. I think that's Too many compromises. And wouldn't it be nice to be a steady f2.8 while I am wishing!!!

Probably your best option is the Sigma 17-70/2.8-4, or the Pentax 17-70/4. If you don't mind going shorter on the tele end, the Pentax 16-50/2.8 and Tamron 17-50/2.8 are both excellent. Pentax also made a 28-105/4 that was well-regarded, but 28 on digital is closer to a "normal" FOV than a wide one.

[deadwolfbones]

Now that is my problem. I do want that wide, say no more than 24, plus tele which could be as great as 200 but somehow I just don't trust a lens that is 18 to 300 or something. I think that's Too many compromises. And wouldn't it be nice to be a steady f2.8 while I am wishing!!!

Yeah, the best option to get that reach with that speed is two paired zooms, something like the Pentax DA* 16-50/2.8 + 50-135/2.8, or the Tamron 17-50/2.8 + 70-200/2.8.

Another option if you can go a little slower is the FA 24-90/3.5-4.5, which gets some decent reviews:

Pentax Lens Review and Specification Database - 24-90mm F3.5-4.5 AL [IF]

[kacansas03]

Any opinion on The Sigma 18 to 125 mm??? It is a slower lens but I do plan to use it outdoors which should give pretty good light. That is where I use the old film lens. I am really sorry I sold it!!!!

[kacansas03]

Also I am interested in the Pentax 28 to 105 mm zooms or perhaps the 28 to 200 mm zoom. It seems a bit dark but I am on a budget. Also the reviews seem to be either hate it or love it range???

[jct us101]

In the Pentax mount, this is the only DA lens that I really think is missing, the exact range that you stated.

Hopefully they'll start to get the message and actually come out with one, I'd probably get it.

[kacansas03]

Yes. I can understand all the work to achieve wide angle when you have a small sensor and Pentax has done a good job. However the assumption(I do so dislike assume) that people want to change lenses to go from wide angle to moderate tele photo is difficult to understand in todays world of ever better "complete" cameras without the ability to change lenses. Many wide to long tele photo have been developed with most being disappointing. Since this feat of making about a 35 to 150 was done by many companies years, decades ago why is it this is neglected today? The cost? The size? Is it too hard to get light down the tube??? I do not know.

In the Pentax mount, this is the only DA lens that I really think is missing, the exact range that you stated.

Hopefully they'll start to get the message and actually come out with one, I'd probably get it.

[Jodokast96]

Because of the crop sensors, many lens makers are now making them with the equivilent FOV. That's why there's now a 50-135 (75-200), though I think I'd still prefer a 70-200 even with the cropped view. The 17-70 would be like a 28-105 that you may be used to. You may also be able to find a Sigma 28-105 f/2.8-4 (40-160 equiv.) for $100 or so. Not a great lens, but not horrible for what it is.

[kacansas03]

Thanks for the suggestion but I would like wide angle to tele which I define for this application as about 135. The 35 mm film lens I am used to and have mentioned several time was a 35 to 150 mm which is a little bit wide angle to telephoto with out going into the long telephoto one gets on an APS-C sensor with a 200 mm lens. I have not seen anyone selling any lenses marked with only the equivalent FOV, all are sold with their true focal length since it would be an advertising mistake to mark them otherwise. All those Federal laws about truth in advertisments ya know.

Because of the crop sensors, many lens makers are now making them with the equivilent FOV. That's why there's now a 50-135 (75-200), though I think I'd still prefer a 70-200 even with the cropped view. The 17-70 would be like a 28-105 that you may be used to. You may also be able to find a Sigma 28-105 f/2.8-4 (40-160 equiv.) for $100 or so. Not a great lens, but not horrible for what it is.

[Just1MoreDave]

I have gone through a few of these. What I wanted was at least a KA mount, so I could use it for family events with a flash. IQ was not a huge priority. I sold the Vivitar 28-105mm f2.8-3.8 Series 1 because of the yellow tint of its coatings. I sold the Pentax-F 35-135mm f3.5-4.5, soft above 100mm. I'm trying to sell the Pentax-A 28-135mm f4, pretty big but I think better than its reviews. I am keeping the Pentax-FA 28-105mm f4-5.6 Power Zoom: the range works the best for my needs, a reasonable size, no IQ issues.

All these lenses are pretty chunky even though they're not particularily fast. There's a lot more choice in lenses starting at 28mm than at 24mm. I think my FA28-105 is considered second or third best among the different Pentax models. It tends to be the cheapest because the power zoom switch falls off and it looks bad, though power zoom doesn't matter and the lost switch doesn't affect anything else.

[Jewelltrail]

Kacansas03:I used to own a manual focus lens for film cameras that was a 35 to 150 mm and frankly I miss it. Well I don't miss it's weight! So I have been reading reviews and trying to decide Which(?) lens might serve me well on my K100. I guess an ideal would be something like 20 or 24 through 105 or 150 mm with f4 to f5.6. I just am having a hard time finding that range in an AF even though this is just for outdoor snapshots and nothing critical. I have the excellent image part already covered in Primes mostly with a few favorite zooms. Any opinions anyone??????? Thanks!!

Well, the 28-75 f 2.8 Tamron is a great lens, if faster than your needs and a bit short on the Tele end, and a bit long on the wide end. It has nice close focus ability and get nice reviews too:

PentaxForums.com Third-Party Lens Review Database - Macro SP AF28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD

Sigma offers a comparable zoom in the 28-70mm range too. Have you gone through the Reviews section here, searching for a good match for your needs? Sifting through there might be good, since you know best what compromises you are willing to make.

[kacansas03]

Ok So maybe I found it in the lens reviews. A Sigma 24 to 135 mm f 2.8 to 4.5 see the link:
PentaxForums.com Third-Party Lens Review Database - 24-135mm F2.8-4.5 Aspherical IF
It is given good enough reviews for my snapshot, walk around use and may even work in brightly lit indoor scenes. I do not know if it is an AF lens or not but it should not be hard to find out. As another poster said I wanted at least KA operation and I can handle focus and zoom. SO I think I will go back and read all the reviews to get all the information.

[Jodokast96]

Yes, it is an AF lens. It's discontinued, so finding one for sale is the trick. But I've seen a few pop up here from time to time.

[kacansas03]

Looks as though I recently missed one on the market place, oh well. At least I know what to look for now. Not a one on eBay either. Now to check a few other places.

Yes, it is an AF lens. It's discontinued, so finding one for sale is the trick. But I've seen a few pop up here from time to time.