[slip]

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and is 379 canadian dollars a good price?
likely be mounted on the K100D or K10D

Pentax FA 28-105mm f/3.2-4.5 AL IF Silver


Filter Size
58mm

F-Stop Range
3.2-22 (4.5-32 at 105mm)

Minimum Focus Distance
1.65' (0.5 m)

Magnification
1:5.5

Zoom/Focus Control
Two-touch

Angle Of View
75 to 23.5 Degrees

Groups/Elements
11/12

Length
2.6" (66mm)

Max. Diameter
2.6" (66mm)

Weight
0.56 lb (255 g)

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Last edited by slip; 11-01-2006 at 03:37 PM.

[joele]

I like the range it is a great walk around lens for me... Very light weight, decent optical quality (not amazing but better than the kit)...

One thing though I found the focus at the long end hunts around a bit and doesn't always lock on when I ued it on the DS.. No problem on the K100d, but I don't know which model you have?

SO I wouldn't expect a huge improvement in optical quality, but if you prefer the reach of this lens over the wide end of the kit (for a walkaround) then IMO its a usefull purchase..

I bought mine from Adorama and it was I thought $199, though now it appears to be $209...

27997 Pentax SMCP-FA 28-105mm f/3.2-4.5 AL Standard Auto Focus Zoom Lens with Hood

[kjao]

I agree with joele here. I don't think it is a "step-up", more like a longer reach. Please note I am not saying it is a bad lens, far from it. It is a very good lens, image quality is probably better than kit lens but not so much that I would call it an upgrade that's all.

If you are looking at this range, have a look at Tamron 28-75/2.8.

cheers
Kenny

[Ole]

If you want a Pentax 28-105 the optically best one is the oldest one, the one with power zoom, f/4-5.6. It's relatively big and heavy, weighs in at 445 grams. The power zoom function will work on the K10D, but not the K100D or *ist D series. The lens can be zoomed manually so that's not a problem.

[slip]

I agree with joele here. I don't think it is a "step-up", more like a longer reach. Please note I am not saying it is a bad lens, far from it. It is a very good lens, image quality is probably better than kit lens but not so much that I would call it an upgrade that's all.

If you are looking at this range, have a look at Tamron 28-75/2.8.

cheers
Kenny

I heard that the "3rd party" lenses like Tamron are not as fast as focusing as the Pentax lenses.

Is this true?

If they are the same, then 28-75 with 2.8 sounds like a lens for me as I love lower light photography, especially the "golden hour" before sun set.

thanks

[joele]

If you want a Pentax 28-105 the optically best one is the oldest one, the one with power zoom, f/4-5.6. It's relatively big and heavy, weighs in at 445 grams. The power zoom function will work on the K10D, but not the K100D or *ist D series. The lens can be zoomed manually so that's not a problem.

Sorry I would have to respectfully disagree.. I owned both the 3.2-4.5 and the powerzoom model and the 3.2-4.5 was overall much better quality (esp at the long end)..

More in depth:
- The 3.2 was slightly behind at 28mm when both were at 4, though there wasn't much difference really..
- At 105mm wide open so 5.6 on the powerzoom versus 4.5 on the newer model the newer model was leagues ahead, the powerzoom was virtually unusable at 105mm and anywhere near wide open as it had a very SOFT dreamy look to it...

[Teja]

For my walk-about lens, I got the Sigma 24-135mm f/2.8-4.5 Aspherical IF Lens from Cameta.
It is well-built, nice and sharp, and I like the range very much.
Only downside is the size and weight - 19 oz (0.5 kg).

Is going for US $150 at Amazon.com and on eBay, in case you'd be interested.

Cheers.

[roscot]

The 28-105 f3.2 - f4.5 is just about married to one of my bodies. It is a consumer level zook, but I am constantly amazed at the quality of the results I get with it.

I rate this a very high value lense for quality vs price.

Alan

[clm]

More like a step sideways. I think of the DA 16-45/f4 as an upgrade to the kit lens(but I don't have it yet). Then there's the eventually to be released DA* 16-50mm/f2.8...

Chris

[JeanneB]

For my walk-about lens, I got the Sigma 24-135mm f/2.8-4.5 Aspherical IF Lens from Cameta.
It is well-built, nice and sharp, and I like the range very much.
Only downside is the size and weight - 19 oz (0.5 kg).

Is going for US $150 at Amazon.com and on eBay, in case you'd be interested.

Cheers.

I don't get what's going on with the pricing of the 24-135. It's now listed on Amazon for $360, it's on bhphotovideo for about the same, it's on sigma4less for $200 and on ebay for $150?? Why the huge price differences? I've never purchased a lens from ebay, is Cameta Camera reliable?

I can't make up my mind between the Sigma 18-125, the 24-135 or the Tamron 28-75, price being a bit of a factor I'm leaning more towards one of the Sigmas. I'm looking for a lens that's a pretty good low light performer but that's also a decent walkaround lens (I currently have the 18-55 and 50-200 for my K100). I'm leaving for vacation in just over 3 weeks so I need to make up my mind.

[jabilson007]

I don't get what's going on with the pricing of the 24-135. It's now listed on Amazon for $360, it's on bhphotovideo for about the same, it's on sigma4less for $200 and on ebay for $150?? Why the huge price differences? I've never purchased a lens from ebay, is Cameta Camera reliable?

I can't make up my mind between the Sigma 18-125, the 24-135 or the Tamron 28-75, price being a bit of a factor I'm leaning more towards one of the Sigmas. I'm looking for a lens that's a pretty good low light performer but that's also a decent walkaround lens (I currently have the 18-55 and 50-200 for my K100). I'm leaving for vacation in just over 3 weeks so I need to make up my mind.

see my warning:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/704-sigma-24-1....html#post4443

could be why so inexpensive.