Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote:
Comments on Stan's Pentax site are limited on this lens, I'd like to know more about it.
I'm enjoying the mixture of F series modest-aperture zooms and faster A series primes. :-)
I've owned the SMC Pentax-FA 28-105 f/3.2-4.5 AL(IF) for about a year now, and have been very pleased with its performance on my ZX-5n. It produces sharp, and reasonably contrasty images.
When I first purchased the ZX-5n, it came with a 28-70 f/4 AL; a lens with a pretty good reputation for its price and size. But I yearned for greater reach at the long end. So I bought a 28-105 f/4-5.6 PZ (the heavier power zoom lens). It turned out to be a total dog. I'm sure I just had a bad one. It was used when I bought it, and though it looked unharmed, there must really have been something wrong; it just never seemed sharp. So I sold it to someone who needed it for parts. And in its place I arrived at the 28-105 f/3.2-4.5.
Now for my comments on the SMC Pentax FA 28-105 f/3.2-4.5 AL(IF):
Size is small, lightweight, and convenient. Build is not fantastic, but I wouldn't call it flimsy either. It does have a metal mount flange. Other manufacturers have cut that corner in favor of cheaper prices. Light falloff in the corners is reasonably minimal. Sharpness is fine from end to end. I haven't done a scientific test in this regard, but I can say that it doesn't seem noticably softer to at the long end, at least to the discerning casual user.
I really like its range on my ZX-5n. I found that once I grew confident in the lens's capabilities I ended up carrying fewer lenses, trusting the majority of my pictures to this lens in general casual shooting. I love the fact that it's a half-stop faster than the heavier "PZ" version.
Then I got an *ist-DS. This lens has produced some very good results on my DS, but I can tell immediately when I compare its results to the results I get from my 50mm f/1.4. I don't know if I'm looking more closely, or if the crop factor is separating the men from the boys, so to speak. But it's not as good as my primes. Nevertheless, it's still a very useful and nice lens to use, even on the DS.
hope this helps...
Dave
