[Gyroscope]

I think both of these lenses are available now so hopefully someone has had a chance to test both. The 28-105 seems a little old fashioned, slow and consumer oriented but is not really that cheap - is it a high quality lens? And by that I mean will it be as sharp and good quality as the 24-70 at apertures between f8 & f16 for landscape photography purposes?

I have almost made up my mind to get a K-1 as backup and complimentary body to my 645z but need to decide on a suitable lens. Maybe the 28-105 might better suit my purposes but there is not much info out there about it yet.

[Adam]

is it a high quality lens? And by that I mean will it be as sharp and good quality as the 24-70 at apertures between f8 & f16 for landscape photography purposes?

Yes, it's just as sharp stopped down, even in the corners. Wide-open it's also surprisingly good, at times better than the 24-70mm wide-open. Its main weakness is vignetting, which is considerably more pronounced at wider aperture settings.

[fwbigd]

Can't speak for the D AF 24-70mm, but the 28-105 is a fantastic value. I have tested it all through the zoom range at f5.6 and it's extremely sharp. It compares to the sharpness of the Limited 70mm and 77mm lens. Plus is small and compact making it great for a walk around lens.

[zmohie]

Me too cant speak about 24-70 but 28-105 is more than a kit lens. it is sharp even at 28 mm and it shines from 35mm to 70 at f 8 +.
the build quality is so good and light weight is a bonus.
as Adam said befor may be the only con is the dark OVF when using slow aperture compare to f2.8.
with k1 nois control capabilties slow aperture is not a serious issue.

[robjmitchell]

Both seem good!
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/hd-pentax-d-fa-28-105mm-f-3-5-5-6-ed-dc-wr-lens-review-29352
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/pentax-hd-pentax-d-fa-24-70mm-f-2-8-ed-sdm-wr-review-29349

[Edgar_in_Indy]

Does anybody know how close the 28-105mm can focus? If it has close-focusing, then the sharpness and the range would make it a perfect lens for using in the studio for my product photography. My trusty old Tamron 28-75mm recently died, so I'm looking for a replacement.

[zmohie]

Does anybody know how close the 28-105mm can focus? If it has close-focusing, then the sharpness and the range would make it a perfect lens for using in the studio for my product photography. My trusty old Tamron 28-75mm recently died, so I'm looking for a replacement.

I got close focus at almost 40cm from the subject

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Last edited by zmohie; 05-27-2016 at 06:10 AM.

[Edgar_in_Indy]

I got close focus at almost 40cm from the subject

Is that at 105mm?

[zmohie]

Is that at 105mm?

at 28 mm

[Edgar_in_Indy]

at 28 mm

How close can it focus at full telephoto? That's where I would spend a lot more time for product photography.

[Gyroscope]

Both seem good!
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/hd-pentax-d-fa-28-105mm-f-3-5-5-6-ed-dc-wr-lens-review-29352
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/pentax-hd-pentax-d-fa-24-70mm-f-2-8-ed-sdm-wr-review-29349

My searches had not turned up this review previously. It is very encouraging. It seems i might have been dismissing this lens out of hand because of the apertures - a canon lens of this aperture would typically be a consumer lens but it does not seem the case for this lens. I think it might be quite a good landscapers lens. Thanks for the links.

[David L]

Hi, the closest focus distance at 105 mm end I got is around 28 cm (distance between the object and the front of the lens without hood).
I have both the 24-70 and 28-105. at aperture f5-f11 they are both good and I cannot tell the difference. The 28-105 is so much lighter therefore better for travel, but the 24-70 can do f2.8, and has nicer bokeh.

[Edgar_in_Indy]

Hi, the closest focus distance at 105 mm end I got is around 28 cm (distance between the object and the front of the lens without hood).

Thanks for the info. 28cm/11in at 105mm seems like pretty good magnification!

[stevebrot]

a canon lens of this aperture would typically be a consumer lens but it does not seem the case for this lens.

Oh, it is a consumer lens, just a very good consumer lens.


Steve

[Schraubstock]

Oh, it is a consumer lens, just a very good consumer lens.

You are right, it is!

Optically however it is not better than some older lenses from other makers in the past. For example, when I compare the 28-105 to my Tamron AF Aspherical AD (IF) 24-135 (FF) the Tamron's IQ is very much equal (and in some cases better) than the new Pentax. The only difference I find is the Tamron's extreme corner sharpness is a bit worse than the Pentax's and while the amount of distortion is the same they differ in character. As well, chromatic aberration is about the same.

The new Pentax though has it over the Tamron as it is lighter, is weather sealed and of course focuses with a build in near silent motor.

I now have a hard time to decide which one to take on my travels.

Cheers.

(P.S. I intensely dislike the word "consumer" in relation to goods. To me it always instills a vision of going in at one end and coming out the other transformed into something else, if you get my drift. I would rather prefer these type of goods to be called "starter" like as in this case "Starter Lens".)