New D FA 28-105mm on Pentax K-1

When I first bought my Pentax K-1 I got a Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 to use on it, but I found it a bit heavy and unwieldy for general use.... crop factor Pentaxes and lenses had spoilt me with lighter weight.

I was intrigued by the new Pentax D FA 28-105mm and noticed that WEX had one at a reduced price as it was a demonstrator... blow me if a few days later WEX had a general 10% off Pentax lenses so I checked and the lens was still available, new but around £100 off.

Ephotozine tests by John Riley tended to show that results from the tested 28-105 pretty much equalled those from the D FA 24-70mm at comparable focal lengths/apertures.

Ordered, delivered, and fixed to K-1.

Right away a much lighter and handier feeling package, first tests were better than the Pentax 18-135mm and Pentax 16-85 I had tested on my K-3 for across the frame sharpness and into corners.

I will report again after I have been using it for a longer period, but for now it has not been off the K-1!

This was my choice after considering the weight of the FA 24-70 for the K1, which had been my first option. It works well as a general purpose lens and the package is not too unwieldy to carry around on trips.

I chose the 28-105mm as well and the results are great.

Your tests were a good part of my decision,

I can't (or cant be bothered) to do scientific tests but shoot similar scenes in similar light with the lenses I want to compare, and for me this lens is a winner.

(Now...do I keep the Sigma 24-70 or sell it?)

The weight and price of a D-FA 24-70 ruled it out for me. Also when I need a large aperture I have a nice selection of primes to choose from. So for the daytrips and other general outdoor shooting, I too went for the 28-105mm. No regrets, it has proven to reliably deliver.

See 1 and 5 for proof of excellent colour, contrast and across the frame sharpness: https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/country-walk-in-limburg-56662

Has any body tried a circular polariser on this lens and does it vignet at 28mm?

Also any experiences with using the Lee 100mm system at 28mm?

Paul

Mine arrived today and I was staggered at the compact size and weight, My K1 does not come till next week so tried on my K3 and results look good.
My only niggle is that the lens doesn`t come with a pouch which seems to be becoming Pentax standard as the DA 6-65 had no pouch either...pretty poor for a lens costing so much.
I have also bought the Pentax DFA 15-30 hopefully it has a och of some kind...
Can`t afford to get DFA for the longer end so will stick with my FA 80-320 initially at least...

I use a Marumi circular polariser of the same diameter as the lens and haven't noticed any vignetting. Have a Cokin 100mm system but not tried it yet on this lens.