When I got into SLR photography , 1998, my first and only lens was the new Sigma 28-200 f/3.5-5.6. It was a big disappointment on many fronts, and before long I sold it and resolved to stay with primes.
But let's face it: There are times a zoom is darn handy. I've just ordered a Rikenon P 28-100/4 (67mm filter). Other than the Pentax 28-135/4, this is the only 28-80+ zoom I know of whose f/4 aperture remains constant. Popular Photography called it "a metal-barreled beauty." It's very scarce. I found one Mint- for $75 from a U.S. online dealer. Normally Ricoh gear is found in a site's Pentax K-mount section. This dealer had his Ricoh gear listed under Other! Adorama has one for $175. http://www.usedphoto.com has one for $50...but it has haze right in the center and cannot be returned. The only other specimen I know of for sale is one that's part of an XR-P kit now on U.S. EBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1343553402). I lost the bid on another one on U.S. Ebay that went last week for less than $70. I'll report first impressions when it arrives. I'm hoping it doesn't have too much barrel distortion or vignietting at 28mm. Ricoh also made a 28-105/3.5-4.5. It, too, is hard to find, but there are three or four out there, all in Europe. I don't know which lens came later. [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
