Should I get the 28-105 kit lens for the K-1 Mark II?

5ks · 04-18-2021, 12:02 PM - **2 Likes**

I started my journey of full frame shooting (K-1) without DFA 28-105 or DFA 24-70. I had some film era FF primes instead, and I was very pleased to see them being sharp and useful. But they lack being crispy and contrastry in the way DA or DFA lenses are. So very soon I was to buy DFA28-105 (second hand), and I found it being a brilliant all-round zoom lens. Most of my FF pictures are shot with it and I'm sure it will go on this way. -- Had I bought K-1 new, I surely would have taken the advantage of the typical bundled "kit lens" level pricing of DFA 28-105.

**agkchang** · 04-18-2021, 06:15 PM - **2 Likes**

I have been very pleased with the 28-105mm lens even though I have the 24-70mm lens as well. I like both very much. This shot was taken with the 28-105mm lens.

---------- Post added 04-18-21 at 06:16 PM ----------

Originally posted by agkchang

I have been very pleased with the 28-105mm lens even though I have the 24-70mm lens as well. I like both very much. This shot was taken with the 28-105mm lens.

Sorry. Need to find a 28-105mm shot.

SirTomster · 04-20-2021, 06:55 PM - **2 Likes**

The 28-105 is a great travel lens. It took me a few days to get that into my head. I was in Glacier and would have the 15-30 on my camera and need a longer lens. Or I would have the 150-500 on and want a wide angle.

The 28-105 was perfect when just driving around the park.

Of course it took a few days to beat that into my head. I hope I do not forget it now.

**OzzRod** · 04-21-2021, 03:43 AM - **2 Likes**

I've also found the DFA 28-105 to be a great travel companion. The IQ has been a very pleasant surprise, especially considering the lens' price. In less well lit environments, the K1's excellent image stabilisation easily compensates for the lens' slowish aperture.

**OldChE** · 04-21-2021, 08:41 PM

Originally posted by OzzRod

I've also found the DFA 28-105 to be a great travel companion. The IQ has been a very pleasant surprise, especially considering the lens' price. In less well lit environments, the K1's excellent image stabilisation easily compensates for the lens' slowish aperture.

Thanks for the comment. That's a good point too, about the image stabilization. It is quite impressive how slow a shutter speed you can use.

**jerryleejr** · 04-21-2021, 09:16 PM

Think I might pick one up and try it after all the great reviews...

JJ

**Serkevan** · 04-22-2021, 04:07 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by jerryleejr

Think I might pick one up and try it after all the great reviews...

JJ

I'd do it without hesitation. I've found that I prefer using primes when possible, and one could make the point that the 28-105 has less character, or isn't just as sharp, and you'd be right.
But that hardly matters when "second best" is this good, honestly. If I have doubts about what I will find, this little zoom is the one that goes on the camera. It will get me a shot I like... It's such a competent tool; sharp enough, great colours, very good aberration and flare control, the rendering is also good enough if not on the level of the Limiteds (duh). Here are a couple examples (one at 105mm and closest focus, the other one at 28mm).

awscreo · 04-22-2021, 06:46 AM - **1 Like**

28-105 is a stellar kit lens, best I've ever used honestly. My one delivers sharp results, and is fairly lightweight. Can't ask for much more)

Andrea K · 04-29-2021, 01:06 AM - **1 Like**

If only it started from 24 and had a filter diameter of 67 ....

**Serkevan** · 04-29-2021, 02:40 AM

Originally posted by Andrea K

If only it started from 24 and had a filter diameter of 67 ....

It would definitely be better, but I somehow don't miss 24 as much as I thought... when 28 isn't wide enough, normally the 20mm is needed already

. I'm actually happy they didn't force 24, if the price would be optical compromises or a significantly heavier weight.

awscreo · 04-29-2021, 05:49 AM - **2 Likes**

28mm was enough for me for the most part. I do wish we had a decent f3.5-5.6 ultra wide zoom too. 15-30 is great but it's pretty heavy and bulky, especially with the 150mm filters attached.

**OldChE** · 04-29-2021, 06:55 AM

Originally posted by Andrea K

If only it started from 24 and had a filter diameter of 67 ....

I also have the SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm F3.5-4.5 AL [IF], which is exactly that. You could get one of those! In fact, that is the main reason why I started this thread. Here is that lens, on my MZ-S with its battery grip attached.

---------- Post added 04-29-21 at 09:02 AM ----------

Originally posted by awscreo

28mm was enough for me for the most part. I do wish we had a decent f3.5-5.6 ultra wide zoom too. 15-30 is great but it's pretty heavy and bulky, especially with the 150mm filters attached.

I recently got a Sigma 21-35mm F3.5-4.2 manual focus ultra-wide zoom for the K-1. I got it as a package from Shopgoodwill, along with a Pentax K10D and a K mount Pentax 80-200 MF zoom. All turn out to be in very good working condition.

Sigma 21-35mm F3.5-4.2 Announced February 1986 – Sigma UK

**Belnan** · 04-29-2021, 07:51 AM

I wonder how the DFA 28-105 compares to the tamron 28-75 2.8. I got a good deal on the tamron, you may be able to as well.

Andrea K · 04-29-2021, 08:04 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by OldChE

I also have the SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm F3.5-4.5 AL [IF], which is exactly that. You could get one of those! In fact, that is the main reason why I started this thread. Here is that lens, on my MZ-S with its battery grip attached.

I own the FA 24-90, it's my kit lens with the K-1. Many states that the DFA 28-105 is a stellar lens, it's modern, it's weather sealed but I can't go beyond the lack of 24mm (and the need of another CPL instead of only one) on my wakaround zoom.

stevebrot · 04-29-2021, 10:41 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Serkevan

when 28 isn't wide enough, normally the 20mm is needed already

True...so very true...

Steve

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K-1 II Kit Lens (DFA 28-105) not working?	krissylynn1049	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	12	09-02-2020 10:10 PM
I have the 15-30 2.8, 28-105 and 70-200 2.8, should I get the 24-70 2.8?	Craigbob	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	28	02-23-2019 03:45 AM
Should I get the 28-105, or, should I just get the 24-70?	VoiceOfReason	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	22	05-20-2016 10:20 AM

04-18-2021, 12:02 PM - 2 Likes	#46
5ks Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Southern Finland Posts: 681	I started my journey of full frame shooting (K-1) without DFA 28-105 or DFA 24-70. I had some film era FF primes instead, and I was very pleased to see them being sharp and useful. But they lack being crispy and contrastry in the way DA or DFA lenses are. So very soon I was to buy DFA28-105 (second hand), and I found it being a brilliant all-round zoom lens. Most of my FF pictures are shot with it and I'm sure it will go on this way. -- Had I bought K-1 new, I surely would have taken the advantage of the typical bundled "kit lens" level pricing of DFA 28-105.

04-20-2021, 06:55 PM - 2 Likes	#48
SirTomster Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 416	The 28-105 is a great travel lens. It took me a few days to get that into my head. I was in Glacier and would have the 15-30 on my camera and need a longer lens. Or I would have the 150-500 on and want a wide angle. The 28-105 was perfect when just driving around the park. Of course it took a few days to beat that into my head. I hope I do not forget it now.

04-21-2021, 03:43 AM - 2 Likes	#49
OzzRod Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Newcastle, N.S.W. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,322	I've also found the DFA 28-105 to be a great travel companion. The IQ has been a very pleasant surprise, especially considering the lens' price. In less well lit environments, the K1's excellent image stabilisation easily compensates for the lens' slowish aperture.

04-21-2021, 08:41 PM	#50
OldChE Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chicago area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 484 Original Poster	Originally posted by OzzRod I've also found the DFA 28-105 to be a great travel companion. The IQ has been a very pleasant surprise, especially considering the lens' price. In less well lit environments, the K1's excellent image stabilisation easily compensates for the lens' slowish aperture. Thanks for the comment. That's a good point too, about the image stabilization. It is quite impressive how slow a shutter speed you can use.

04-21-2021, 09:16 PM	#51
jerryleejr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: TN Posts: 774	Think I might pick one up and try it after all the great reviews... JJ

04-22-2021, 04:07 AM - 2 Likes	#52
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by jerryleejr Think I might pick one up and try it after all the great reviews... JJ I'd do it without hesitation. I've found that I prefer using primes when possible, and one could make the point that the 28-105 has less character, or isn't just as sharp, and you'd be right. But that hardly matters when "second best" is this good, honestly. If I have doubts about what I will find, this little zoom is the one that goes on the camera. It will get me a shot I like... It's such a competent tool; sharp enough, great colours, very good aberration and flare control, the rendering is also good enough if not on the level of the Limiteds (duh). Here are a couple examples (one at 105mm and closest focus, the other one at 28mm).

04-22-2021, 06:46 AM - 1 Like	#53
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722	28-105 is a stellar kit lens, best I've ever used honestly. My one delivers sharp results, and is fairly lightweight. Can't ask for much more)

04-29-2021, 01:06 AM - 1 Like	#54
Andrea K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 822	If only it started from 24 and had a filter diameter of 67 ....

04-29-2021, 02:40 AM	#55
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by Andrea K If only it started from 24 and had a filter diameter of 67 .... It would definitely be better, but I somehow don't miss 24 as much as I thought... when 28 isn't wide enough, normally the 20mm is needed already . I'm actually happy they didn't force 24, if the price would be optical compromises or a significantly heavier weight.

04-29-2021, 05:49 AM - 2 Likes	#56
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722	28mm was enough for me for the most part. I do wish we had a decent f3.5-5.6 ultra wide zoom too. 15-30 is great but it's pretty heavy and bulky, especially with the 150mm filters attached.

04-29-2021, 07:51 AM	#58
Belnan Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nova Scotia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,090	I wonder how the DFA 28-105 compares to the tamron 28-75 2.8. I got a good deal on the tamron, you may be able to as well.

04-29-2021, 08:04 AM - 1 Like	#59
Andrea K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 822	Originally posted by OldChE I also have the SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm F3.5-4.5 AL [IF], which is exactly that. You could get one of those! In fact, that is the main reason why I started this thread. Here is that lens, on my MZ-S with its battery grip attached. I own the FA 24-90, it's my kit lens with the K-1. Many states that the DFA 28-105 is a stellar lens, it's modern, it's weather sealed but I can't go beyond the lack of 24mm (and the need of another CPL instead of only one) on my wakaround zoom.

04-29-2021, 10:41 AM - 2 Likes	#60
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Serkevan when 28 isn't wide enough, normally the 20mm is needed already True...so very true... Steve

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search