[mattt]

! picked up 15-30, 70-210 but keep the 28-105 because it meets my needs. A capable and useful partner to my K-1.

[dave_roe]

The D-FA 28-105 is walk around lens on my K1.

It does an outstanding job and was affordable.

I did a couple of test shots at a camera shop here and it never made it back into the box. Was put into use almost immediately.

[jatrax]

I've been considering getting the K-1 full frame DSLR. I've been shooting with a K-50, and now a K-70, for a few years. I also have a dozen Pentax film bodies and many k-mount MF and AF lenses for the film cameras. When I purchase the K-1, would you recommend I get the lens that is typically sold with it (the HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Lens), since I already have similar full-frame Pentax AF lenses? For example, I have a very nice SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm F3.5-4.5 AL [IF] (2001) that I got to use with my MZ-S - it should work fine with the K-1, no? I also have a SMC Pentax-F 35-70mm F3.5-4.5 with Macro (1987) for something a bit lighter and more compact. Then I have three other standard zooms, a SMC Pentax-F Zoom 1:4-5.6 35-105mm (1988), a SMC Pentax-FA 28-90mm F3.5-5.6 (2001), and a SMC Pentax-FA 28-80mm F3.5-5.6 (1998), any of which should work, no?

I was thinking, rather than spend $400 more to get the 28-105 as part of the package, I could spend that on the 100 WR macro or something like that. Note, though, I'm unlikely to spend as much as some of the limited or DA* lenses will cost.

For longer k-mount AF zooms, I have a couple Tamrons, a Tamron 80-210mm 1:4.5-5.6, and a Tamron AF 70-300 F4-5.6 LD Di Tele-Macro (1:2), which are OK. Maybe I would spend that extra on a nice Pentax ~70-200 lens.

Is the HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Lens so much better than some of these legacy lenses I already have? I do realize it is WR, so that is something to consider. I really like my SMC PENTAX-DA 1:3.5-5.6 18-135mm ED AL [IF] DC WR, it would be great if there was an equivalent for the K-1, but of course with the full frame that would be too large and heavy for an equivalent focal length range. Perhaps the 28-105 WR is the best equivalent. I find that the 18-135 really handles most of what I like to shoot with the K-70.

Thanks - Richard.

I'm not sure what I can add to the comments above. Except that I also have a very good set of vintage zooms. Mostly Pentax-F including the 35-70, 35-105 and the 35-135. I've also used the FA 24-90 though I sold it on.

In short if you are happy with the image quality of those lenses they will all work very nicely on the K-1. But the DFA 28-105 is simply head and shoulders better in all aspects. I still break out my Pentax-F glass occasionally for fun but the DFA 28-105 has replaced all of those older lenses. It is quite clearly a superior lens. Now, whether you want to spend the cash for it is a question only you can answer. But I am very glad I did.

[Sidney Porter]

I don't have the k1 nor do I have the lenses you have. But unless you are getting a discount on the new lens at the time of purchase of the k1 I would wait. Buy the k1but budget the cost of the new lens. Use the k1 with your old lenses determine if you want the new lens or something else

[normhead]

I don't have the k1 nor do I have the lenses you have. But unless you are getting a discount on the new lens at the time of purchase of the k1 I would wait. Buy the k1but budget the cost of the new lens. Use the k1 with your old lenses determine if you want the new lens or something else

One should note, several of us tried this strategy and in the end went or the DFA 28-105. Based on my experience, I'd point out, that while you futz around with alternatives, in my case, FA 35-80, FAJ-18-35, AF 50macro etc. you're probably not going to be as happy with the camera. When you do finally end up with the DFA 28-105, you may wonder (as I did) why I put up with the frustration. Waiting ends up being a penalty in itself.

The DFA 28-105 was made for the K-1, and it shows. It took me a few months to get over that it wasn't 24-105. Sad, but that's the way it went down. You may end up kicking yourself if you follow this plan. That's how good it is on this camera. My wife borrows mine to use on her K-5 in place of her 17-50, that's how good it is on any camera. And she is way pickier about what lenses she uses than I am.

Unfortunately not having a really good performing lens can affect what you think of the camera, even though it's not the camera's fault.

But hey, how about them Buckeyes?

[Elroy Jetson]

I bought a K-1 Mk2 just before Christmas. It was a package deal, including the 28-105 lens and I must admit, in spite of having 'a lot' of legacy glass, I'm very happy with the new lens. The range is very reasonable and the performance is strong for anything I've tried with it so far. Sure, you'll want some specialty lenses (macro etc.), but as a complement to the K-1 the 28-105 is well worth it, IMHO. Good luck.

[OldChE]

Wow! 14 responses just overnight, and everyone agrees that I should get the D-FA 28-105. That is pretty impressive. And one vote for the SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm F3.5-4.5 AL [IF] (2001) as well, which, no matter what happens, I'm keeping since it took me a couple years of watching to find one, and I paid more for that lens than I did for any 2 or 3 of my other legacy lenses.

On the comment of selling some of my legacy lenses - you are right, there is a lot of overlap, I should consider rationalizing my collection. I've just kept them as they came along with camera bodies - except for the SMC Pentax-FA 28-90mm F3.5-5.6 (2001), in silver, which I got specifically to go with my silver ZX-5n. Actually with that lens I got a "free" body along with it, a ZX-L, which at the time I actually didn't want, but it has turned out to be a frequently used body.

OK, you all convinced me, I will certainly consider getting the 28-105 as a package with the K-1. Thanks very much for your comments!

I hesitate to ask this - if you could pick one more lens to get for the K-1, what would it be? One thing I had in mind (besides the 100mm macro for flower pictures) was a nice fast 50mm AF lens. I have a Pentax-A 50/1.4 which I can use in MF. Will my SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8 (2012) work well with the K-1? I use that lens on my full-frame film cameras sometimes, without any issues on coverage, and use it on the K-70 of course.

[stevebrot]

Is the HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Lens so much better than some of these legacy lenses I already have?

Quite possibly, though maybe not. If it were me and there was a good deal with the 28-105 bundled, it would be a no-brainer. (Edit:...meaning that I would be strongly prejudiced to buying the lens up front.)

I could spend that on the 100 WR macro or something like that.

One caution regarding the D FA 100/2.8 WR Macro, that being the lack of an aperture ring creates an incompatibility with extension rings and/or bellows.


Steve

[jatrax]

if you could pick one more lens to get for the K-1, what would it be?

DFA 15-30 f/2.8. It's big, expensive and hard to use filters with. And takes simply amazing images. It is probably on my K-1II 50% of the time. Which I would never have believed before buying it. It has opened up whole new areas of photography for me.

Will my SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8 (2012) work well with the K-1?

I've never used that lens but by all reports it works fine. Maybe a slight vignette, but no worse than other lenses. Since you already have it I would definitely try it on the K-1 before considering getting a different 50mm. There are a lot of really good, fast 50mm lenses out there. DFA*50 f/1.4 is the leader of the pack, but FA and F series 50's are also available quite reasonably.

[normhead]

I hesitate to ask this - if you could pick one more lens to get for the K-1, what would it be? One thing I had in mind (besides the 100mm macro for flower pictures) was a nice fast 50mm AF lens.

My solution for my K-1, my usual travel kit is my DFA 28-105, DA 55-300 PLM which does not work well at every focal length but is still worth it to keep the weight down, even if I have to use it in crop mode sometimes, the DFA 100 macro, which I use because it's the lightest macro out there, just a beautiful small WR lens, and if low light is expected a DA*55 1.4.

Peripheral on occasion lenses include a Sigma 24mm macro, a Rokinon 14mm 2.8 for astro photogrpahy, and three telephotos. DA*200, DA* 60-250, and Tamron 300 2.8, sometimes used with the Tamron MC-7 2x converter.

Rarely if ever used.

DA 35 2.4, FA 50 macro, Sigma 70 macro, FA 35-80, FA 50 1.7, FAJ 18-35 (rarely used but much appreciated when I need that focal length.)
I can't imagine why your DA 50 1.8 wouldn't work great. I was happy with my FA 50 1.7 until I dropped it and broke the AF, (still works in MF) but if you already have a 50 1.8 give it try.

That's what works for me, YMMV.

[JensE]

I hesitate to ask this - if you could pick one more lens to get for the K-1, what would it be? One thing I had in mind (besides the 100mm macro for flower pictures) was a nice fast 50mm AF lens. I have a Pentax-A 50/1.4 which I can use in MF. Will my SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8 (2012) work well with the K-1? I use that lens on my full-frame film cameras sometimes, without any issues on coverage, and use it on the K-70 of course.

The 50/1.8 works well with a bit of cropping at wide apertures, there is a thread about DA lenses on the K-1. I found my F50/1.7 in most respects equal to the DA50/1.8 - just not the aperture shape, which is rounder with the 50/1.8. But the F50/1.7 and FA50/1.7 do cover the sensor at all apertures. I prefer the 1.7 lenses over the FA50/1.4, because of better AF as a consequence of better contrast wide open.

[OldChE]

Thanks for suggestions on other lenses, all that makes sense.

It looks like the DFA 28-105 is typically $400 incremental more when bought with the body - is that a good deal?

I was thinking I'd spend the $150 incremental more to get the battery grip as well - any comments on that accessory?

[JensE]

On prices, you can check yourself with the Pentax Camera & Lens Deal Finder. For my style of shooting, I don't need the battery grip, the K-1 fits well into my hand, but it may depend on what you intend to use the camera for.

[normhead]

I forgot to mention, the DA* 55 1.4 is FF compatible but the lens hood isn't. A 3rd party lens hood would be required. I've never used a battery grip.

[Sandy Hancock]

I hardly ever use the battery grip on my K-1. Personally, I would save the money for another lens.

I would agree with Norm that the DA* 55/1.4 is probably the best relatively cheap fast fifty for the K-1. In my experience it is not *quite* perfectly FF compatible, but in practice it's as near as dammit. Interestingly, I don't find the hood makes any noticeable difference.