I have had some experience with the Tamron SP 24-135 (f4-5.6?). About the same price as the Pentax 28-200 but sharper. I used one to shoot a wedding once and I thought it was very sharp. The only reason I didn't buy one is that I am addicted to wider apertures. It might be worth consideration.
Dave -----Original Message----- From: Keith Whaley [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 4:40 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Lens ruminations on a Monday... I have the following zooms: M-42: Vivitar 85-205mm f/3.8 Tele-Zoom Auto (Kiron) Literally like new. K-mount: SMC Pentax-FA 28-70mm f/4.0 AL ~ 99%+ (*) Vivitar 28-70mm f/3.5-4.8 MC Macro zoom ~ 99%+ SMC Pentax-A 35-70mm f/4.0 ~ about 95% (*?) SMC Pentax-A 35-80mm f/4.0-5.6 ~ 99%+ (*) Asahi Takumar-A 70-200mm f/4.0 zoom macro ~ about 98% (Identical to Pentax-A zoom, but later production) (*) = going to keep. Others are up for sale... (*?) = I'd keep this one, but it's pretty limited in focal length... Some were intentionally purchased, others were part of package deals. Having used some of them on photo trips, I find I like the 35-80 a lot, but it's slow and plastic-y and I'd prefer a more solid feel. 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. 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? Who has other thoughts? I'm fishing for information... Gotta be 28mm or less on the lower end, and over 100 on top. Prefer an f/3.5, but probably f/4.0 will be okay. Ideas please? Thanks, keith whaley
