full frame zoom

One of the nicest FF zooms was the FA 28-105 f3.2-4.5, it was more contrasty than the 24-90 and had less vignetting, but wasn't quite as sharp. I had one as my standard zoom with my MZ-S and it later became my standard walkabout zoom together with the DA 16-45 (for the wide end) on my istD. I finally sold it fairly recently, my DA 17-70 has effectively replaced them both. It is still available from one or two stores that have some left over, not too expensive either.

Here are some shots taken with it on my istD.

28mm - link to full size




34mm - link to full size




50mm - link to full size




70mm - link to full size




105mm - link to full size

I bought one of these shortly before I bought my K-m:

http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/lenses/zooms/short/FA28-80f3.5-5.6-i.html

It isn't a bad performer, although I later bought one of these:

http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/lenses/zooms/short/FA28-90f3.5-5.6.html

Which is slightly better, as well as being a bit longer. The silver finish is slightly annoying but it weighs next to nothing and produces decent results.

I'm considering either a 28-200mm or 28-105mm, depending on what I see at the right price. I realise the 28-200mm isn't the finest but it looks very flexible and a good second lens for those "that's interesting but I don't have the right lens with me" moments.

I had a FA 28-90mm f3.5-5.6 which came with my MZ-6. Although a "plastic fantastic" lens of the first order, it was surprisingly decent optically, as was the camera, but the FA 28-105mm f3.2-4.5 was very much better.

This review may be of some interest link

I do have the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro. I know its not a Pentax, but it is a stunner! Not light by any means, but very sharp and useable on film (hence the DG logo) Sigma have also brought out a MK2 model without the Macro, but with SDM, however it is more than twice the price.
If you can find the original, get hold of one, as it is rare for a Sigma - in other words a Cracker! (the other cracking Sigmas are the 105 macro and 10-20mm DC EX superwide in case you were wondering. )

I have both the 28-80 and 70-210 F zooms, built like battleships in a colour to match. Good performers but heavy and the autofocus is unbelievably noisy but I've never been very keen on the bokeh particularly in B+W.

Kris, try your 18-55 from the K10!

It vignettes below 24mm but is usable on my P30s.

If the body sees it it could give you something to try.

See this link

I would back the FA 28-105 3.2-4.5 also - great lens & v. light & compact. The other minor plastic legend is the 28-70 F4, as long as you don't get one where the rear cemented elements are starting to seperate (a common fault). Very few if any of the consumer 28-80s or 35-70s were anything to write home about. Another interesting lens is the F 35-135. Not specatular optically but an intersting & useful range. Then there is the slighty unusual F 24-50 if you like wider angles.

Am I weird in thinking that I'd actually quite like one of those transparent 35-70mm zooms? It'd certainly be different!

From watching ebay auctions for SFXs I think you probably want a Pentax-F 35-70mm for historical accuracy - many of them seem to include one of those and it appears to be a well thought of lens.

Does anyone know of a site listing which lenses were offered as a "kit lens" with which bodies?

I have one of these as well, got it with a second-hand SF7 about ten years ago that I think I still have somewhere. Here are two pics taken with it attached to my K100D Super in November.