Bought a Pentax-A 28-80 f3.5/4.5 for �18, early version not the later build. I know the lens has a lousy reputation but I've had the later one before and it suffered from zero damping in the focusing ring so I bought a 35-70 f4, same problem no damping but better build, then the 35-70 f3.5/4.5 again no damping build between the the two previous. So I bought the 35- 105.........great! built well, optically good but a bit on the heavy side still I kept it. I was looking for a replacement in PKA fit for my 35-70 f2.8/3.5 M at the time but I kept the M in any case because it was sooo good.
Now I have this early one (28-80 A) damped well, built well, it's like a different lens to the first 28-80 and I'm wondering what to expect optically. I really don't know what posessed me to buy it!!! :) Just wanted to share the experience. John
