Pentax K10D revisted .

[dee]

My fave snapshot lens on the Sony A290 is a 1997 standard 35/80 zoom creating a nominal 48-120 .
Another camera is just not on these days, so I am reviving my low usage Pentax K10D .
With my Leica Dig 3 jammed with a Minolta adapter , I wanted another DSLR.
Other than a Sony 35mm F 1.7 , mated to the sony A35, I am quite content with basic lenses , so have bought a pair of silver 35/80 and 80/200 Pentax lenses for the Pentax K10D creating another back up outfit .
There is a tiny crack in the barrel of the 35/80 just by the lens cap hence the e-bay price of £27.50 , but the 55/200 is needed for the Air Fair whereby the twin manual control wheels are excellent .
Does anyone have any info on these 1997? lenses ?
dee

 

[nparsons13]

Dee, if your lenses are silver they probably are in the Pentax-FA series. Correct? If they are FAs, the 35-80 should be a pretty good lens if it hasn't been damaged internally by whatever knock cracked the barrel. It's better than many of the Pentax mid-range zooms of the period, including the F 35-80. See Pentaxforums user comments at http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-FA-35-80mm-F4-5.6-Zoom-Lens.html. The FA 80-200 comes in two aperture variations: f/2.8 and f/4.7-5.6. Unfortunately, the FA 80-200 f/4.7-5.6 isn't rated nearly as highly as the 35-80, with significant complaints about lack of sharpness, poor bokeh, and aberrations: http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-FA-80-200mm-F4.7-5.6-Zoom-Lens.html. However, if you're using it for an air show you'll be using it stopped down, which should improve its performance. The f/2.8 version is a first-rate Pentax * lens and quite pricey.

 

[dee]

Many thanks-hopefully the 35-80 is fine as the seller said it was OK optically.
The 80-200 f 4.7/5.6 will be stopped down - I have a Pentax M 80-200 manual but it's tricky not to knock it off infinity , so an AF would be good .
I will receive the lens next week and will check the reference .
The silver Minolta 35-80 had a decent review unlike some of the earlier black barrel version -.
I used intensely in 1997 for slide and loved it.
If I can replicate that with the K10D with it's twin aperture/shutter speed wheels it would be great .
The shots at Pentax forums mirror the results I have with the Minolta 35-80 on the A290/A35 , so it should be good ... I could easily pick up another for around £10 if the crack turns out to have knocked it out of kilter - the £27.50 included a neat camera holdall , so not too worried !!
dee