I picked this zoom up in the all-black version
<http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/zooms/short/FA28-105f4-5.6-ii_black.jpg>
(much nicer looking than the silver, I think) from KEH. As it has the
reputation of being the "worst" of the three Pentax 28-105 variants
(and a Tamron rebadged lens), I didn't know what to expect, but it
performs quite well. I have had all three 28-105 types at one time
and I still have this lens and the power zoom. This IF lens is sharp,
contrasty, and significantly lighter and more compact than the
powerzoom version, even though it takes 62mm filters. It comes with
the bayonet hood and the barrel doesn't rotate when focusing, so
polarizers are easier to use (although the hood doesn't have the
little removable door at the bottom, like the new 28-105, which makes
using a polarizer even easier). And though it shares the telescoping
barrel design of the new 28-105, making it seem long and a bit
delicate when zoomed out to 105mm, it feels a bit sturdier than the
newest 28-105 version (though the powerzoom still feels the sturdiest
of all three).
It should sell, used, for about $125 USD in excellent-plus condition
from a retailer, closer to $100 on eBay, perhaps.
Joe
Just came across another FS zoom - a 28-105, this time. Not 100%
sure which variant it is, but I think it's most likely to be this
one:
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/zooms/short/FA28-105f4-5.6-ii.html
As usual, I would like to ask for opinions on the performance,
reasonable price level etc.
Hmmm... Seems like I've been posting a lot to this list lately. Must
be a slow week at work...
- Toralf
--
Joe Wilensky
Editor, Cornell Chronicle
Cornell News Office
312 College Ave.
Ithaca, NY 14850
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
(607) 255-3630 phone/voice mail
(607) 255-5373 fax
http://www.news.cornell.edu/Chronicle/Chronicle.html
