> These are the lenses. They seem extremely light weight: > SMCP-FA ZOOM 28-105MM F/3.2-4.5 AL [IF] 9.0 oz > SMCP-FA ZOOM 28-90MM F/3.5-5.6 6.9 oz > Has anyone had a chance to try them and care to share the experience?
I own the FA28-105/f3.2-4.5 for half a year now. However, I have only used it on three occasions. Primes just are better and faster, thus I usually use them. Boz, who borrowed the zoom from me, seems to like it as a travel lens on the MZ5N. This is what I can say about this zoom lens now: The lens is indeed small and leightweight, and it feels slightly better than the FA28-70/f4 (the only other auto focus normal zoom lens that I have experience with). Auto focus is very fast. Manual focus feels relatively good but is difficult due to the small angle of rotation of the focusing ring. The SMC coating is very effective, the lens seems to be quite resistant to flare. There is some distortion, but I do not remember at what focal lengths or in what direction. Contrasts seems to be good. Resolution may be OK for a zoom but is considerably less than that of a prime. At f8-11 resolution is satisfactory, however, to be able to use the lens at such values one needs sunlight, a flash, or a tripod. What disturbs me most is the light fall off (vignetting) in the corners, which one will notice especially if the lens is used wide open and with a blue sky. Again this may be normal for a consumer zoom. Bokeh seems to be pretty, at least I got some beautyful out focus highlights. I would recommend to use this lens for light travel in sunny regions or at parties. Arnold - 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 .
