> I think it was introduced along with Super A/Program back in the > 80's. I believe I have a photocopy (somewhere) of this lens report > from either Modern Photography or Popular Photography. As I > remember, the test result was not very good, and A35-105/3.5 was > prefered.
I think that, despite the fact that the A 28-135/4 continues to get maligned here on the PDML (generally denigrated in comparison to the A 35-105/3.5, which seems to be owned by a larger number of list members, and which is also a very nice lens), it is undeserving of such criticism, in my opinion. I've had two different A 35-105/3.5's, and (counting my wife's) I currently have three A 28-135/4's (and I have specimen photos from both lens models in the Pentax Lens Gallery). I have to say that the bigger (i.e., wider zoom range) lens always seems to be accused here of being physically bigger, and indeed it is bigger, but that's to be expected. (Both lens models are bigger than the A 35-70/4, but "so what?".) The size of the lens does make it somewhat unbalanced on a "grip-less" ME Super, say., and a little unbalanced on a Super Program/A, but a lens covering 28mm to 135mm at a constant f/4 really can't be expected to be compact. And, when mounted to a Super Program/A with an ME II or a Motor Drive A, or to an LX with a Grip B, it's really quite comfortable. It is perhaps true that the A 35-105/3.5 may ultimately be slightly better optically than the A 28-135/4, which was undeniably designed to "do more". (Heck, any garden-variety 50mm lens will be optically superior to either of them - no surprises there, either.) However, the extra FL range of the bigger zoom (135mm vs 105mm, and 28mm vs 35mm) is substantial and oftentimes significant (depending on the particular photographic situation). As for its mechanics, both the A 28-135/4 and the A 35-105/3.5 are sturdy, well-built 2-touch zoom lenses. The A 28-135/4 is my favorite lens for such things as wedding receptions, birthday parties, etc., where the 28-135 coverage is appropriate (and where a 35-105 coverage sometimes isn't quite good enough). It also makes a good all-around "walking lens", too (as long as one isn't walking too far - <g>). A beautiful "walking around" combo is the Super Program/A (without winder) and an A 28-135/4, which fit perfectly inside a Pentax Z-2 soft case, "almost" as if the Z-2 was made to fit these (it ~was~ - <g>). I don't claim that the A 28-135/4 is a "perfect" lens (and my specimen photos in the Lens Gallery will show that it isn't, and my comments below some of the photos will accentuate some of the faults), and I certainly am not complaining about the quality of the A 35-105/3.5, but - for this photographer - the A 28-135/4 is ~preferred~. Ultimately, which lens would be better for any particular shooter is an individual thing. But, for me, well, I've owned both, but I sold the A 35-105/3.5's, kept the A 28-135/4's, and I'm quite happy. Fred - 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 .
