full frame zoom

I rather missed out on AF film cameras having stuck with my MX/LX/ME Super until I bought the K10D. In the process of buying something else I have ended up with a SF7. I thought I would try it out for a bit while I decide whether to add it to my collection or sell it on. I now realise that the only "full frame" AF lens I own is my 43mm Ltd

Bojidar's wonderful website lists a plethora of standard zooms in the F and FA series. I am looking for recommendations for which is of reasonable quality but not a silly price, (i.e., the FA* 28-70, even if one could find one...) Various people have spoken highly of the FA 24-90 but I have a feeling that might be a bit more than I want to pay just to try out a twelve quid camera!

Best wishes, Kris.

If you want something long then the FA80-320 is tough to beat. If you're after something wide(ish) and cheap then I've had a couple of F35-70's and FA35-80's pass through and I'd say they're as good as the DA18-55 - not world beaters but perfectly acceptable once stopped down a little and you can usually pick them up for around £20.

Kris,
I've even used the 12-24 on film
There's not a huge amount of vignetting at 12mm - but plenty, plenty of wide angle

I do have the FA24-90. Lovely lens indeed... may have to sell it on as it's not had much use since I bought the DA17-70. I'm torn because it works really well on the old *ist-D But it'd be a tad more than £20 (PM if you're interested though).

The F35-70 is quite a nice little lens. Macro ability fairly decent too.

Why not just use the manual lenses you have (or acquire some more)?
Matt

the 24-90 is something I've lusted after for a while, as the 28-70 isn't really wide enough on crop for my taste. Kris, if you're interested, LMK. Price wise we're talking less than fifty quid. Matt, I'd be very interested to hear about the 24-90... great indoor lens.

Bret

The F 35-70 with the macro sounds like the sort of thing I am after and is the right vintage for the SF7.

Matt: I will use the manual lenses as well (and probably try out some of the DA ones too for fun), I just like to have something of the right period to go with it in case I decide to keep it. Hence my search for an Auto-Takumar 55mm f/2 to go on the H2...

Thanks for the pointers, I was just getting a bit over-whelmed by the variety of F/FA/FA-J 28-80mm zooms. Pentax seem to have produced quite a few different models!

Best wishes, K.

The other thing in favour of the F35-70 is that it's very small and light and takes 49mm filters - just like your FA43.

... and most of my manual nifty 50s and some of my other manual glass. All my coloured filters for BW are 49mm so that'll work nicely.

Thanks All! K.

Then I think you have your answer - away to eBay with you...

This 35-70 is a it more than I expected... unusual though

link

Now that's one I haven't had pass through my hands before!

I wonder if that was some sort of display model for dealers?

There have been transparent cameras as well. And cameras cut in half.

I've seen transparent cameras before but I don't remember seeing a transparent lens. Makes me wonder if it's actually useable or whether there'd be stray light spoiling things?

I've seen that 35-70mm transparent before now. No reason for it not to work - it looks as though only the outer casing is transparent, the innards are all solid as per normal.

Most of the Pentax-F lenses are a good bet, check that the lettering next to the distance scale includes the letters "SMC" as not all had this coating, they did a couple of non-SMC zooms that were usually bundled with SF7s. I have one, and it's a pretty decent performer but struggles to bring much vibrancy to a scene. I may revise my opinion after trying it again come summer.

The other one that comes up cheaply (and is best avoided) is the F or FA 35-80mm. I bought one attached to an MZ50 for £10, which is about what they're worth! Not unusable but if you're after one good general use zoom then there are far better ones out there.

I've seen transparent K20D and K-m on photokina 2008 don't remember lenses though...

Here is the lens btw


And here is a 28-80

I tried three 28-80s on digital: FA f3.5-4.7, F f3.5-4.5 (non smc), and FA-J f3.5-5.6.

The FA-J was sharper at f5.6 than the others at f5.6, despite the wobbly build. It's incredily light as well. I'm not sure for smaller apertures; probably all about the same.