> For a walking around zoom, I'd like a little more range, and am > thinking of 28mm on the lower end, but beyond 100 at the top. > That's at least a 4:1 zoom ratio. Pentax makes a 28-105mm manual > zoom in the f/4.0-5.6 range.
My most-used walking around lens (despite the fact that it's heavy, because it's built like a tank) is the A 28-135/4. Quite sharp and fairly low distortion for a zoom. I do like the constant aperture. It has a more-or-less usable so-called "macro" function (pretty typical for a zoom, and "I wouldn't write home about it"). Great bokeh. The 28-135 range gives a lot more "breathing room" than a 28-105 or a 35-105 zoom, too, without sacrificing a lot of quality in order to get a very wide zoom range. (As an aside, I find that the A 28-135/4, plus the A 20/2.8 and the A* 300/4, to be a great kit to pack for traveling (as long as I don't actually have to lug 'em around too much - <g>).] > The only other one I know about is an FA 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6, AL > IF. I might like that one, but I think it's pretty expensive. > Don't know! Who has opinions on this particular lens? It's nice and light, making it quite portable, and (given the lightweight construction) it seems to be of a reasonably decent construction. Optically, it's not exactly spectacular, but nobody would expect it to be, right?. The range is a good one for walking about. It's an autofocus lens (if that were to become important to you). Fred
