Nice getting to know you: Pentax-A Zoom 1:3.5-4.5 28-80mm

Cost: $24 (average market price $29.33)

Let's state from the beginning that there is a coated SMC version of this lens that should achieve better image quality. As this is an early zoom lens, I was not expecting to much, and my first photos seemed to confirm that sentiment. But, as I was using the lens during two shoots, it was starting to grow on me.

It's a smooth two-touch zoom lens that was pleasant to use. Easy to focus, easy to zoom. Worked well with the peak focus feature of the Sony a6000. The lens looked well used, but everything was still working as it was coming out of the factory. A testament to the quality build of these old Pentax lenses.

This lens is capable of reasonable sharpness across the whole image, especially when use at the outer edges of the range, and stopped down a few steps. Color is good, although some editing was required to make the colors pop. Even without SMC coating, the lens had little aberration, unless when used taking pictures in the direction of the sun.

So, nothing special, but for the low cost, it's not a bad lens. A good walk-around lens, with some occasional light macro work. A welcome addition to my Pentax collection that is still growing on me.
Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 28-80mm
Maximum Aperture: F3.5
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: PK
Optics: 8 elements in 8 groups
Blades: 8
Focussing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 100cm
Filter Size: 58mm
Weight: 434g
Length: 80-94mm
Production: 1989 to1994
Serial Number: 6870366
Made in: Taiwan
More information on Pentax

Samples:

Pictures taken with Lens Turbo II Adapter

1/1250 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/1250 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/3200 sec - ISO100 - Handheld - Cropped

1/1250 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/200 sec - ISO800 - Handheld

1/800 sec - ISO400 - Handheld

1/200 sec - ISO400 - Handheld

1/200 sec - ISO400 - Handheld

1/60 sec - ISO400 - Handheld

Sources:

Wikipedia: Pentax

Pentaxforums

Boijdar Dimitrov's Pentax K-mount Page

Slippin'n sliding: Sigma Zoom AF-B 1:4-5.6 60-200mm

Cost: $19.99 (average market price $12)

This seems to be an obscure Sigma lens as there is almost no information to find, and it was only in production for one year, so likely not to many samples were made, but it also exists in a manual focus version. On my Sony a600, used with a non electronic Minolta AF-NEX adapter, I have to focus manually. So my review does not include any statement on how well it can auto-focus.

When handling the lens, I started to understand why it was only in production for a year. It kind of sucked... The lens mount is very loosely attached to the lens, although that might be a problem specific to this copy, it sure made for a very wobbly lens. A bigger problem is the zoom creep. This lens is a simple push/pull design, and on the heavy side. When pointing downwards, the outer barrel slowly slides to the maximum tele-end of the lens. It makes this lens unusable for macro, or any situation where you have to point down. The manual focus ring is very slim (the cartled front side of the lens), giving little grip, and the focussing itself has little resistance, making accurate focus difficult to do.

Image quality is nothing special. Regular sharpness, reasonable color, no extensive color fringing. But I did like the smooth bokeh. One other major problem... not sure if it was the adapter, or the lens, but I was not able to get infinity focus. It was just a little out of reach.

So, definitely not a keeper. But for someone who does have a compatible camera with autofocus, it might actually work as a low-market option to reach 200mm. But for me, the slippin'n sliding outer barrel was a deal breaker.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 60-200mm
Maximum Aperture: F4
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: AF
Optics: 12 elements in 9 groups
Blades: 6
Focussing: Manual & Auto Focus
Minimum Focus: 150cm
Filter Size: 52mm Weight: 497g
Length: 84-123mm
Production: 1986-1987
Serial Number: 1001737
Made in: Japan

More information on: Sigma Corporation

Samples:

1/160 sec - ISO1600 - Handheld

1/160 sec - ISO1600 - Handheld

1/320 sec - ISO1600 - Handheld

1/80 sec - ISO1000 - Handheld

1/320 sec - ISO1600 - Handheld

1/320 sec - ISO1600 - Handheld

1/160 sec - ISO1600 - Handheld

1/320 sec - ISO1600 - Handheld

1/320 sec - ISO1600 - Handheld

1/320 sec - ISO1600 - Handheld

1/160 sec - ISO1600 - Handheld

1/800 sec - ISO1600 - Handheld

Sources:History of Sigma Lenses