Home

Please support mflenses.com if you need any graphic related work order it from us, click on above banner to order!
SearchSearch MemberlistMemberlist RegisterRegister ProfileProfile Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages Log inLog in

allround zoom lens for holiday
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
View previous topic :: View next topic  


PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 5:16 pm    Post subject: allround zoom lens for holiday Reply with quote
I'm looking for an allround zoom lens that I can take out for hikes this summer. Doesn't necessarily have to be MF, as long as I can use it MF.

- Minimal focal length 28mm to 35mm
- Max focal length: 105mm to 135mm
- Not too slow
- Good performance wide open over entire focal range

Two lenses on my radar are:
- Minolta AF 28-135mm f/4-4.5
- Minolta AF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5

Experiences with these lenses are welcome, but I'm also interested in alternatives! Please let me know!


PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 6:30 pm    Post subject: Re: allround zoom lens for holiday Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
I'm looking for an allround zoom lens that I can take out for hikes this summer. Doesn't necessarily have to be MF, as long as I can use it MF.

- Minimal focal length 28mm to 35mm
- Max focal length: 105mm to 135mm
- Not too slow
- Good performance wide open over entire focal range

Two lenses on my radar are:
- Minolta AF 28-135mm f/4-4.5
- Minolta AF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5

Experiences with these lenses are welcome, but I'm also interested in alternatives! Please let me know!


I can't comment on those lenses but the one I always pack is the MD zoom 35-70mm 3.5 macro. What it lacks in range it makes up for in sharpness.
This is for trips when I want the ability to take serious (good) photos. Not just playing with some old lens.

Sometimes the MD Zoom 70-210 f4 also comes along to cover the long end. I don't have anything that is good enough within your limit.


PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 6:53 pm    Post subject: Re: allround zoom lens for holiday Reply with quote
blotafton wrote:

I can't comment on those lenses but the one I always pack is the MD zoom 35-70mm 3.5 macro. What it lacks in range it makes up for in sharpness.
This is for trips when I want the ability to take serious (good) photos. Not just playing with some old lens.

Sometimes the MD Zoom 70-210 f4 also comes along to cover the long end. I don't have anything that is good enough within your limit.


I have the MD 35-70 3.5 macro myself, but I’m looking for a larger range so I don’t have to change lenses at all.


PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 6:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote


PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 6:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
calvin83 wrote:


Good one! Expensive though.


PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 7:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
What about the Tamron SP 28-135mm f/4-4.5? Anybody?


PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 7:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Tamron did a SP 35-105mm f2.8, one of the later Adaptalls circa 1991, can be found in AF mounts too.

Should be cheap enough. Not sure why Zeiss is being recommended.

Scroll to bottom for 2022 shots: http://forum.mflenses.com/tamron-sp-35-105mm-f2-8-aspherical-ad2-model-65a-tryout-t64138,start,25.html


They also did an SP 28-105mm f2.8, which really was one of the last Adaptalls!

https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/tamron-adaptall-2-sp-af-28-105mm-f2-8-ld-if-aspherical-176a.html


PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 8:46 pm    Post subject: Re: allround zoom lens for holiday Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
I'm looking for an allround zoom lens that I can take out for hikes this summer. Doesn't necessarily have to be MF, as long as I can use it MF.

- Minimal focal length 28mm to 35mm
- Max focal length: 105mm to 135mm
- Not too slow
- Good performance wide open over entire focal range

Two lenses on my radar are:
- Minolta AF 28-135mm f/4-4.5
- Minolta AF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5

Experiences with these lenses are welcome, but I'm also interested in alternatives! Please let me know!


It depends a bit what kind of photography you like. If you carefully want to take high-res 24 MP FF landscape images, the MinAF 28-135mm might be right. It is stunningly good in the 35-100mm range, if stop it down to f5.6 or better f8. MFD is 1.5m, though!! And it is not as flare resistant as one would like it to be. Distortion is reasonably low. The lens is quite a bit better than the Konica / Tamron SP 28-135mm. The Konica, on the other hand, at f=28mm has a MFD of 0.5m (which raises to 1.5 at f=135mm as well). Both lenses are heavy and large. Manual focusing on the MinAF 28-135mm is pretty nice since the focusing ring is close to the bayonet.

The MinAF 28-105mm doesn't get as good as the 28-135mm (well, the latter was pretty expensive wehn new!). But if you are more into the "reportage" type of photography, it may be the better lens for you nevertheless. MFD is 0.5 m over the entire range from 28 to 105mm, and the lens is quite a bit smaler 7 lighter than the two 28-135mm lenses mentioned above.

There's also the MinAF 24-105mm, even smaller than the 28-105, but it has lots of vignetting and not so good corners at 24mm / f3.5. Manual focsing is too steep and has lots of play, so probabaly not what you want.

Canon? The nFD 3.5/35-105mm is prone to decaying bearings, but quite good and quite fast. Nice manual focusing, but MFD also 1.5m.
Their later nFD 3.5-4.5/35-105 is much smaller, has an spherical lens, ans is said to be quite good. I have one, but not tested extensively. Much smaller than the f3.5 version. Both lenses feel quite "plasticky".

Nikon? Their 3.5/35-105 is small, too small I woul say. Performance is a bit lower at the long end, but good at f=35mm.

The Pentax 3.5/35-105mm has a very good reputation and a quite good performance - but it isn't much better than the other 35-105mm lenses.

The Minolta 3.5-4.5/35-105mm comes in two versions - earlier [16L] with same formulas (but better peformance!!) as the Tokina 3.5-4.3/35-105, and the later [14L] with the same formula as the MinAF 35-105mm. Both are among the best vinateg 35-105mm lenses.

Tomorrow I'll make a few comparisons with the MinAF 28-135mm and the MinAF 28-105mm, but for time being you can look at these 100% crops from different 35-105 lenses.

S

PS I have a nFD 3.5/35-105 plus several MinAF 28-135mm here (all tested) ... PM me if interested (nFD for free, MinAF28-135 for CHF /EUR USD 60.-- plus postage).





PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 9:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
What about the Tamron SP 28-135mm f/4-4.5? Anybody?


It is a good lens but I think too heavy for hiking. It's 710 grams. If you want to take it on hikes the 27A or 40A would be a better choice (28-80 3.5-4.2 and 35-135 F3.5-4.5). More compact and lighter lenses. The real beauty of the SP range zooms is the 01B 35~80mmF/2.8-3.8 Even lighter than the other two. Limited in range but great performance.


PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 10:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
What about the Tamron SP 28-135mm f/4-4.5? Anybody?


I might include it tomorrow as well, together with the MinAF and the Konica / Tokina 28-135mm lenses. And the MinAF 28-105, of course.

S


PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 10:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
This is a focal range I used extensively back in my film days.

My favorite, which is a bit short for your requirements, was and remains the Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm f/2.8-3.5. Impressively sharp, although prone to minor vignetting at 28mm with wide open apertures. Vivitar replaced the 28-90 with a S1 28-105 f/2.8-3.8 (I think?). The 28-90 was made by Komine, whereas the 28-105 was made by Cosina and is generally regarded as not as good as the original. I have dismantled both lenses and, while their ranges are similar, they are two entirely different lenses in terms of construction. But quality of construction was the same, I found. Can't speak to the quality of the 28-105's optics, though. I have a copy of the 28-105, but it is damaged and I was unable to repair it, so I've never tested the 28-105.

I have a copy of the Tamron SP 28-135, and I find it to be a very useful lens because of its broad focal range. So this is a lens I would recommend. Tamron also produced the 40A 35-135 f/3.5-4.5 that, while not an SP lens, has excellent optical performance.

I also own a copy of the Canon nFD 35-105mm f/3.5. Mine's bearings are fine, btw. I've always liked this lens. it's sharp and has pleasing bokeh when shooting wide open. If you can find one in good structural condition, I'd recommend this one also.

And finally I own a copy of the Nikon 28-105 D AF lens. I like the "D" autofocus Nikons because they are built to be easy and comfortable to use as MF lenses. My 28-105 D is a nice lens. I haven't used it much since I recently procured it, but so far I like what I've seen.


PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
What about the Tamron SP 28-135mm f/4-4.5? Anybody?


that is a really small and nice to use, unfortunately mine was full of fungus
(I did get it almost free)


PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks Steve, I will pm you later.


PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 7:01 am    Post subject: Re: allround zoom lens for holiday Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
I'm looking for an allround zoom lens that I can take out for hikes this summer. Doesn't necessarily have to be MF, as long as I can use it MF.

- Minimal focal length 28mm to 35mm
- Max focal length: 105mm to 135mm
- Not too slow
- Good performance wide open over entire focal range

Two lenses on my radar are:
- Minolta AF 28-135mm f/4-4.5
- Minolta AF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5

Experiences with these lenses are welcome, but I'm also interested in alternatives! Please let me know!


For me a good compromise in terms of portability (small and light), picture quality and price is the Minolta (Sony) AF 24-105mm F/3.5-4.5 D when I take either my A850 or A7R II for hiking or excursions.
The lens isn't perfect but still delivers usable results.
Bought mine for apprx. € 100,- from a second hand dealer in Austria.

Some examples (clickable for best quality viewing) from my A7R II on LA-EA4r "Monster" adapter:







PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 7:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Well, all of these lenses may be OK somehow.

The (very rare and too expensive) Contax 35-135 surely is the best of the bunch so far named.

But if you want a really GOOD lens which delivers the "wow factor" (rendering, sharpness and smoothness of OOF backgrounds), then you have to look into the Contax 28-85mm f3.3-4.

I also have the commonly revered Contax 35-70 which of course is great, but I always have the 28-85 with me because the results are so satisfying and of course because it's more versatile.

Only thing is that it's strongest on the long end of the zoom range; at 35mm corners begin to deteriorate a bit, and at 28mm it's not usable for corner-critical landscape. But for that one has a wide angle lens in the backpack, anyway.


PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 8:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
The most probably simplest solution for A7R II users is the usage of the cheap Sony SEL2870 lens; i.e. 28-70mm/F3.5-5.6 in combination with the CIZ functionalilty easily extendable to 105mm without really visible loss of quality.
This lens is my first choice when size and weight is an issue and 28mm is good enough on the wide end.

Examples shot at 70mm wide open with 1.5 CIZ extended to 105mm:






Some normal examples; i.e. no electronic zoom used:





Particularly when it comes to zoom lenses I wouldn't really recommend any crappy and heavy oldtimer.
However, in the end it's a matter of taste.

A second option for holiday and hiking is a second outfit. I've bought a Panasonic Lumix GX80 with some original zoom lenses last year. Easily pocketable, particularly with tiny pancake lenses.


PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
tb_a wrote:
The most probably simplest solution for A7R II users is the usage of the cheap Sony SEL2870 lens; i.e. 28-70mm/F3.5-5.6 in combination with the CIZ functionalilty easily extendable to 105mm without really visible loss of quality.
This lens is my first choice when size and weight is an issue and 28mm is good enough on the wide end.

Examples shot at 70mm wide open with 1.5 CIZ extended to 105mm:






Some normal examples; i.e. no electronic zoom used:





Particularly when it comes to zoom lenses I wouldn't really recommend any crappy and heavy oldtimer.
However, in the end it's a matter of taste.


Yep- a decent recommendation as they seem to sell for around £100-120, the price of many of these vintage options.

I wonder if there's any native mirrorless Sigma/Tamron designs which could be cheaper, but I'm not familiar with modern glass- nor do I think they can get much cheaper than that(!)


PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
eggplant wrote:
I wonder if there's any native mirrorless Sigma/Tamron designs which could be cheaper, but I'm not familiar with modern glass- nor do I think they can get much cheaper than that(!)


No, not that I would be aware of.
Additionally it's not a bad Idea to use a Sony lens on a Sony camera and I doubt you get anything better for someting around Euro 150,- (used lens selling price).
There are some Tamron FE lenses that seem to be quite good from the optical point of view but quite mediocre when it comes to AF performance.
I don't know anything about Sigma as they used to be of quite low quality from the mechanical point of view hence I've blacklisted this brand, already long time ago.


PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 11:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
tb_a wrote:
eggplant wrote:
I wonder if there's any native mirrorless Sigma/Tamron designs which could be cheaper, but I'm not familiar with modern glass- nor do I think they can get much cheaper than that(!)


No, not that I would be aware of.
Additionally it's not a bad Idea to use a Sony lens on a Sony camera and I doubt you get anything better for someting around Euro 150,- (used lens selling price).
There are some Tamron FE lenses that seem to be quite good from the optical point of view but quite mediocre when it comes to AF performance.
I don't know anything about Sigma as they used to be of quite low quality from the mechanical point of view hence I've blacklisted this brand, already long time ago.

My Tamron FE 28-75 A036 works pretty well on A7RII although the 24-70 GM I tired focus faster and less focus hunt.

Sigma had made many good lenses in recent years just like Tamron, optically they can match first party lenses.


PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 11:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I bet the Sony 28-70mm + 1.5x tc is a good combination. Only problem is that I would still have to take off the lens, change the TC etc.


PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 11:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
I bet the Sony 28-70mm + 1.5x tc is a good combination. Only problem is that I would still have to take off the lens, change the TC etc.


Nope. That's an electronic TC called CIZ (Clear Image Zoom). You just have to push the lower side or the function dial and can select the magnification between 1 and 2. My example was the 1.5 magnification.
However, this only works in JPG mode. No RAW possible.

This time same lens 70mm @ F5.6 with CIZ 2x; i.e. 140mm:





PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 11:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
calvin83 wrote:
My Tamron FE 28-75 A036 works pretty well on A7RII although the 24-70 GM I tired focus faster and less focus hunt.

Sigma had made many good lenses in recent years just like Tamron, optically they can match first party lenses.


That Tamron "feature" of focus hunting is quite often reported in lens reviews. No hunting with my cheap Sony lens.
Also the size and weight (and of course the price) of your Tamron lens would be out of scope for me for a typical hiking lens.

Well, maybe Sigma is better now. They have been famous to get destroyed from the strong AF drive in A-mount cameras.

Anyway, the Sony FE 28-70 lens is definitely a no-brainer for Euro 150,-. I doubt that you are able to find any better alternative for this price.


PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 12:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
tb_a wrote:

Anyway, the Sony FE 28-70 lens is definitely a no-brainer for Euro 150,-. I doubt that you are able to find any better alternative for this price.

The Sony FE 28-70 is comparable to the Zeiss 24-70 in terms of sharpness. Laugh 1


PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 12:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
tb_a wrote:
caspert79 wrote:
I bet the Sony 28-70mm + 1.5x tc is a good combination. Only problem is that I would still have to take off the lens, change the TC etc.


Nope. That's an electronic TC called CIZ (Clear Image Zoom). You just have to push the lower side or the function dial and can select the magnification between 1 and 2. My example was the 1.5 magnification.
However, this only works in JPG mode. No RAW possible.

This time same lens 70mm @ F5.6 with CIZ 2x; i.e. 140mm:





CIZ is basically digital zoom then? I guess nothing is changing in terms of optics.


PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 12:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I’m reading now about CIZ and its effectiveness. I’m very surprised I never discovered this function. The Sony 28-70 seems to be a good option.
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2