Author: | | New Member Registered: December, 2023 Posts: 13 | Review Date: February 27, 2024 | Recommended | Price: $45.00
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | Light weight compared to the 176A, easy to use and just not too big for the range | Cons: | Not as fast as the 176A, and I haven't really used it enough to judge | | Bought about the same time as the SP Adaptall 176A 28-105 f2.8. I haven't had either lens very long, used both on the same 3 cameras.
Like my review of the 176A, I think my girlfriend isnot as amused with my lens addiction as she was at first, maybe a bit tired of being in front of my camera. She has used it on the Kx I gave her, but much prefers the 18-200 I gave her.
I do like the weight of this lens, I rather like the relatively short focus throw (I mean, it's not like the 55B 500mm mirror lens with 350* focus throw!). I find it just bright enough in my viewfinders for most of my needs. I've yet to use flash with either lens, but will change soon.
I may upgrade the 8 later as I use this lens more.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: July, 2020 Posts: 122 | Review Date: September 11, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 7 |
Pros: | Light, compact, IF | Cons: | slow, 28mm at wide end | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: Kr, K-S2, K200d
| | I'd sum this one up as ugly but very functional.
I cannot think of anything it particularly excels or fails at, except AF which seems very accurate, just as well because there is a very short throw on the focus ring which also feels horrible.
It's adequately sharp, pleasant colour, minor CA at "wider" apertures in bright conditions (that I find easily correctable).
For the price I think it's actually a very good buy.
For right or wrong it's a lens I've carefully used when I didn't have a WR around and conditions looked uncertain - decent range, short body that is easy to protect and wipe off. The zoom grip looks horrible but I find very practical.
I don't use it much now but don't intend to sell it.
Finally in all the RAW programs I tried it identifies itself as the equivalent Pentax FA.
| | | | Site Supporter Registered: May, 2015 Location: Hampshire Posts: 892 | Review Date: December 14, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Internal focus, good AF | Cons: | A bit slow | Camera Used: K-5
| | I have just received today, my copy of the 79D version, bought on Ebay as "new and not used" and it looks like new! Both caps were present but no hood or box.
I had previously owned the 179D model, sold after buying a Pentax-A 35-105mm F3.5. Apart from being AF, being lighter and having a 28mm wide end, it could not quite compete regarding colours, IQ and faster apertures, so it had to go.
This 79D seems to provide identical output to the 179D lens I had, so the IQ is not up to the Pentax-A 35-105mm and no improvement on the 179D. A shame as this is the sort of lens that could stay on the camera a lot if you generally shoot in the range of FL's provided. Purple fringing can sometimes show up but is not too obtrusive when it does. Probably best used, stopped down a bit, in nice sunny conditions or with flash.
I have given it a 9 and a recommendation, more of an 8 would be right but the fact that they can be found at low cost, seem to have good AF, average IQ and a useful range, it deserves an 8.5.... so rounded up. Worth having in your arsenal if you can only afford budget price lenses.
| | | | New Member Registered: March, 2014 Location: Lisboa - Portugal Posts: 20 1 user found this helpful | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2012 Posts: 678 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: August 31, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Nice handling, feels balanced on the camera. Sharp but not harsh | Cons: | Plastic construction | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Kx
| | I think I've got a new favorite lens here. This is the first Tamron lens I've ever owned and so far, I like it very much. As with all my Pentax-related gear, I picked this lens up on eBay for about $30 with shipping. The net purchase price was $23.88. It came with both caps and the tulip-shaped lens hood, and except for a few scratches on the end cap, it's in excellent condition. One of the first things I noticed about this lens upon unpacking it was its girth. The 62mm filter diameter tells almost the whole story. I say almost because the lens is surprisingly comfortable in my not-so-huge hand. The zoom and focus rings are very responsive and have just the right amount of tension on them—light enough to be operated with a feather touch but not so light as to be 'fiddly'. The autofocus is quick and accurate and the optics are nice and sharp. Despite its plastic construction, metal bayonet base notwithstanding, the build quality feels good; in fact, the lens feels very good on my K-x. That body and lens feel well balanced together and they seem to like each other The autofocus on my K-x seems to hunt less with this lens than with any of my others. I have yet to try the lens on my K-2000 or my K-100D, but I'd expect similar performance on them. I only have taken a few shots with this camera so far, but I have so far been more than satisfied with the results. Images are sharp but not harsh. Colors are natural looking—pleasantly saturated but not overly so, and there are no noticeable aberrations or optical artifacts. It also seems to handle low light situations better than my other lenses. Perhaps the larger diameter is helping there as well. Although not a macro, the lens isn't bad for close up work. I also like the extra bit of telephoto reach the lens has over my Sigma 28-80 Macro zoom. I think this is a superb lens for the money and it has now become the default lens for my Kx.
| | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: January, 2008 Location: Paris, TN Posts: 3,349 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: July 13, 2012 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | Economical long-normal zoom | Cons: | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 9
| | There is an ongoing discussion about the pedigrees of the Pentax FA 28-105/4-5.6 IF and the Tamron AF 28-105/4-5.6 IF (179D). I finally had the opportunity to compare the two side-by-side.
Short story: exact same optics and body design with differences in zoom grip pattern, style of lettering and, apparently, some difference in coatings. Subjective results are nearly identical. -- well within my tolerance for lens-to-lens variation.
Focusing: This Tamron had a very slight tendency to front focus in all situations compared to the Pentax. Range and feel of the focusing mechanism and AF speed are identical.
Rendering: The Pentax seemed to consistently expose about a 1/3 stop lighter with slightly more saturated colors with EXIF data recording identical numbers. The Tamron was slightly cooler. The Tamron was prone to slight purple fringing but not as prominent as the typical 70-300 zoom lens.
IMO, any differences in the rendering of the two lenses may very well be attributed to the presumed use of SMC or BBAR coating. Surface reflections off the objective lenses do have different characteristics. I could observe no difference in flare sensitivity but the light available wasn't conducive to flare.
Cosmetics: The Pentax looks somewhat more refined and its lettering is easier to read. It can also be found in the silver finish if desired and looks equally attractive on the black bodies. Build quality is essentially identical and common to the better poly-carbonate materials of the era.
Category: In terms of general satisfaction, both lenses fall between the DA 18-55's and the DA 16-45. Used with the same care as the kit lenses, they produce similar quality images. Paired as the long-normal choice of FL with the DA 16-45, either lens would produce comparable results for light-weight, outdoor trail use. They work acceptably well with the Tamron Pz-AF 1.4X TC for occasional shots into the 150mm range but the DA 50-200 or one of the economy 70-300 zooms would better serve the long shots with similar IQ.
I'd value either lens at about the same used price as the DA 18-55 AL ll. Perhaps a bit more for the silver FA. | | | | Site Supporter Registered: August, 2011 Location: New Joisey Posts: 1,370 | Review Date: February 20, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | Good sharpness, decent contrast, convenient range, compact, light | Cons: | Could go a little wider | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 9
| | Very good lens for the money. Not a bad walk around lens, but wish it went a bit wider.
Here's a sample @37mm f5.6 ISO500 on a K20D We are the 99% by Spodeworld, on Flickr
| | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2011 Location: kuhmpawapi Thailand Posts: 28 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: December 12, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | | Cons: | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 10
| | Bought this lens used for $10.00 dollars, I bought this lens on a whim figured it was propably junk glass.
I was very wrong! great knock around lens, a little slow but i like it a lot.
| | | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2008 Location: Fishtown, Philly PA Posts: 55 | Review Date: November 4, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | price, colors, size | Cons: | focus ring feel, speed, plastic-y | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 10
| | Picked this up on ebay for 60$ but it was sans hood and rear cap. had a rear cap lying around, but had to buy the hood off ebay for an additional 16$. You want the Tamron 1d3fh hood for the lens--which is the 179d. I took a few shots last night and really liked the color from the lens as well as the sharpness. feels great on the k20d with grip. the lens is compact, seems like a nice complement to the regular kit lens. Lately I have been feeding my LBA with the cheap older zooms--recently bought pentax F 35-70 3.5-4.5 and Pentax FA 100-300 4.7-- and so far all of them have been great. I don't see how you can go wrong when you can purchase these nice lenses for less than 100$.
| | | | Inactive Account Registered: October, 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 2,542 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: December 12, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Lightweight, Quick AF, Nice FL, IQ | Cons: | f4 a bit Slow | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
| | First, I think this is quite a good looking lens, looks nice and well balanced on camera... IQ is more than acceptable, sharp, good color and contrast. Very typical Tamron sharpness and color...
I've got the SMC-f 35-70 and 70-210 didn't like swapping out the lenses and found myself needing a little more wide on the 35 and using the shorter end of 210, so I picked this up and so far so good. Super all around lens and the price was right!!!
The only reason I don't use this lens more often, it's not a Pentax | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2009 Location: Winchester Posts: 2,523 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: September 29, 2010 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | Compact, good contrast, interesting fl range | Cons: | Not tack sharp, a bit slow | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: K20
| | I give this an 8 but is an 8.5 really considering the low cost. I bought this for a particular reason -taking photos of trains, this lens has an ideal range for this - slightly wide normal (on my K20d) to medium telephoto.
Nice build for the price, equivalent to 18-55mm kit lenses and about the same size at short zoom. Good contrasty images even wide open, no real fringing Fast focus. Not razor sharp but photos look better than pixel peeping says they should!
Just a tad slow, f5.6 at the long end is not stellar, but it beats the kit lens I guess
PhotoMe reads it as the Pentax FA 28-105 - as noted in the header to this review section.
A good solid lens, not seen one before I got this on e-bay fo£65, probably could have got cheaper if I waited a bit. Don't regret it
| | | | Site Supporter Registered: July, 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Posts: 3,948 | Review Date: August 1, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Good size and weight, very useful FL | Cons: | A bit stiff on the throw | | I was looking for a longer, less wide outdoor walkaround lens that was reasonably priced. With APS-C no one is making the 24-28 to 90-135 focal lengths, opting instead for the more compromised 18-200 or 250 ranges.
So I came across this one at a very reasonable price and thought: "Why not?"
It's a terrific lens. It is sharp and contrasty, as good as any zoom. Good bokeh (Tamron has a way with decent bokeh). Like any zoom it's a bit compromised at the 28 and 105 ends, but not noticeably. It's a hand above any super-zoom 18-250 range glass in terms of IQ, especially contrast.
It's the FL that's the appeal here. It's not the fastest glass, but with outdoor lighting it is just right. If you want indoor use, use a flash. But for outdoor, natural light composition, this is just an ideal lens.
The understatement of the lens is that it has a very good operational feel. The throw is stiff, but there's no hint of zoom creep whatsoever. The hood is excellent, The weight is terrific—no problems hauling this around all day. It's a very manageable lens that is solidly built and easy to use. Bonus: It's a Full Frame lens | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2010 Location: California Posts: 1,602 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: May 4, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Price, compact, great focal length, fast focus | Cons: | none at this $ | | I paid next to nothing for this lens and my rating took that into account but I would have paid twice as much as I did for this lens.
I think this is almost the perfect focal length for a general knockaround lens and that was the main selling point for me.
The image IQ/Sharpness is really good but not great.
Focus is fast and accurate.
Little to no CA when shooting birds on against a clear blue sky.
All in all this is a very good lens for the price. Paid $40 + (10 shipping).
| | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2009 Location: EU Posts: 32 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: February 26, 2010 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | useful range, sharpness, weight, covers FF, | Cons: | sometimes CA, not fast | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
| | Quite good lens, not especially common. I have bought this one by accident buying with some of my old analog cameras,
I was surprised when started to make digital photos. Images are really sharp, contrast. It is made of plastic but looks and works decently. Handy range 28-105 is enough as a walk around zoom. Sometimes in some circumstances CA is visible. Sharp in the center and a bit softer on the edges.
I use it with my digital camera and PZ-1p and other manual focus film cameras as well.
Aperture starts from 4, it could be better
Generally I use it very often.
| | | | New Member Registered: November, 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 22 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: January 9, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Good Range, Film Frame, Good Feel | Cons: | None Found, Polycarbonate Barrel | | This Pentax Mount Tamron was found used in a Houston Camera store that no longer sells Pentax due to Pentax USA distribution practice, vastly underpriced.
I am very used to a 28mm to 105mm Canon FD F1:3.5. The lens is assembled in China of Parts made in Japan. This Tamron fills the void in my heart left by the long time use of the Canon lens.
It has good feel and zero zoom drop. Other than weight it provides good images apparently every bit as good as the Canon FD 28mm to 105mm lens I used for 20 years with a Canon A1 (And I still have both.)
The Lens pairs excellently with a K20D all features work flawlessly. This copy did not come with the Tamron butterfly hood. (Tamron HAS parts! Correctly ID the hood part # and sold a hood for $22+$6 UPS Shipping) It appears to be of the Gold Tamron line AF-IF.
Good colour on images good sharpness no fringing corners sharp on APC sensor. Excellent walk around lens. Appears to deliver at least as good contrast and sharpness of Pentax/Tamron Zooms. While not having done Pixel peeping I would have no trouble recommending this lens. It is likely that this lens delivers at least the sharpness of the 18-250mm lens. For me the price was very right.
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