Mark,
I had Tamron 28-75/2.8 which was a fine optic, if a bit harsh in OOF
rendering, but on Pentax cropped cameras the 28mm wasn't wide enough.
So I went and bought Sigma 24-60/2.8. I think it is more interesting
optically than Tamron. Sigma also has 24-70/2.8, which is bigger,
heavier and more expensive. I bought my Sigma for less than 300 dollars.
I suggest you have a look at Sigma 24-60/2.8. It is approximately the
same size/weight as DA* 16-50/2.8. Front element naturally does not
rotate. Unlike modern zoom lenses it has uni-barrel :-). That is, the
outer barrel has one tube, not two like the same DA* 16-50/2.8. I would
rate its build quality totally on par with Pentax sans, of course, the
weather sealing.
All in all - a very fine lens for very modest money.
On 9/9/2013 5:33 AM, Mark C wrote:
I've been shooting a bit of film latelyand have been using the FA 28-105
f4-5.6 zoom as my everyday lens. This past week I was really chaffing
under this lens - it was just too slow, the rotating front element was
at times a PITA, it is heavy (thanks to the power zoom motor etc), and
looking at the image results, it is rather soft around the edges when
shot wide open (which I do more often that I'd like because it is so
slow!) Granted, I was shooting IR film and using a #29 deep red filter
most of the time (-3 stops) but this made me wonder about alternatives....
Looking at Pentax Forums lens ratings, I was surprised to see that the
two zooms I have (the 28-105 and the FA 28-70 f4 AL) are near the top of
the pack for the "consumer" zooms and altually very close to the the FA*
28-70 f2.8... I would rate the lenses I have as very good in terms of
optical quality, but falling short of really first rate quality.
Can anyone suggest any top-quality 3rd party lenses in the 28 - 100
range that I should take a look at? I am hoping for somehitng that is
faster than what I have (either f4 constant or f.35-f4.5), 24/28 mm -
90/100 mm, non-rotating front element of very good optical quality (on
par with the lenses I have.)
I won't go on from there ...
Any suggestions?
Mark
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