The scuttlebutt hearsay on this lens is that they are prone to
element separation due to some quality control issues in assembly.
That said, if you got a good one, the other scuttlebutt I've heard is
that a good one is superb. For a one-stop light loss compared to the
f/2.8 model, I'd much rather have the light weight and compact size
of the f/4 model, presuming that a good one was actually what the
scuttelbutt hearsay claims. (I don't own one, but one of my local
Pentaxian user friends does and he loves it... obviously, he got a
good one. ;-)
That said, the FA28-105/3.2-4.5 AL IF seems to be just as good a
performer in the 28-70 focal length range (at least), is a little
faster when wide, nets a little more reach at full tele, and costs
only $210 new. It's also small and light. So if the one you bought
does turn out to be damaged somehow, there are other good,
inexpensive options.
Godfrey
On Aug 23, 2005, at 6:24 PM, John Taylor wrote:
Does anyone have experience, opinions and/or samples for the FA
28-70/f4 AL? I just picked up a used copy for $75 and will not have
a chance to test it out until I get back home from travel for work.
The lens appears to be in great shape, but the focus ring seems
pretty loose at least off the camera. Is this normal? I'll be using
this on my *istDS since I can't yet afford the F2.8 model.
Thanks,
Jay T
