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.
Best regards, John
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?)
K-1, Sigma 12-24mm DG EX, Sigma 24-70mm DG EX, K-3, White K-01 with 40mm XS and white 35mm f2.4, SMC Pentax FA 1.8 31mm AL Limited, 43mm f1.9 Limited, 77mm f1.8 Limited, Sigma 17-50 f2.8, SMC Pentax DA* 50-135 f2.8, MX + SMC M 50mm f1.4, SMC A 50mm f1.4, SMC A 50mm f1.2, Spotmatic F 55mm f1.8, ES with 55mm f1.8 and 28mm f3.5, Program Plus (Chrome) with SMC A 50mm f1.7, Pentax 6x7, Leica ii, plus misc. odds and sods)
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
Pentax K-1| Pentax K-01 | D-FA 28-105mm | FA 28mm F2.8 | FA 35mm F2.0 | FA 43mm F1.9 Ltd | FA 50mm F1.4 | FA 50mm F2.8 Macro | FA* 85mm F1.4 | FA 100mm F2.8 Macro | DA* 200mm F2.8 | Pentax AF 540FGZ
Also any experiences with using the Lee 100mm system at 28mm?
Paul
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...
Cheers,
Bruce
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
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.
grahamcoad
Member
Cornwall
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!
K-1, Sigma 12-24mm DG EX, Sigma 24-70mm DG EX, K-3, White K-01 with 40mm XS and white 35mm f2.4, SMC Pentax FA 1.8 31mm AL Limited, 43mm f1.9 Limited, 77mm f1.8 Limited, Sigma 17-50 f2.8, SMC Pentax DA* 50-135 f2.8, MX + SMC M 50mm f1.4, SMC A 50mm f1.4, SMC A 50mm f1.2, Spotmatic F 55mm f1.8, ES with 55mm f1.8 and 28mm f3.5, Program Plus (Chrome) with SMC A 50mm f1.7, Pentax 6x7, Leica ii, plus misc. odds and sods)