Pentax 17-70mm F4: $299 at Adorama

Pentax 17-70mm F4: $299 at Adorama · 06:36 PM

This is an Adorama-only deal of $100 off the sale price of the Pentax 17-70mm. Pretty much a steal!

SMC Pentax-DA 17-70mm F4 SDM - $299

lgbalfa · 07-09-2015, 07:12 PM

adam - quality wise, is this about the same as the pentax 18-135?

jimr-pdx · 07-09-2015, 07:33 PM

Given its constant f/4 max aperture I'd consider it a half step higher generally, and I have owned both. Not WR though

**UncleVanya** · 07-09-2015, 08:08 PM

Note that you can bundle it with the 3 year drop/spill protection which would normally be 49.95 for free!

Adam · 07-10-2015, 03:28 AM

Originally posted by lgbalfa

adam - quality wise, is this about the same as the pentax 18-135?

At the end of the day I would say yes. You can squeeze out better image quality from the 17-70mm at some settings, but the lack of WR, a shorter zoom range, and slower AF (in the SDM lens) balances things out. Still, it's hard to go wrong for $299. The Sigma 17-70mm lens costs $100 more.

6BQ5 · 07-10-2015, 09:11 PM

I've always been concerned about the SDM failures and the lack of WR seals,.

Owning the DA 18-135 makes me more secure.

jimr-pdx · 07-10-2015, 09:53 PM

The 17-70 is an odd duck in many ways. It actually has an O-ring at the base, but it's thinner and not orange. No other seals so definitely not WR.. but what's up with that ring?

---------- Post added 07-10-15 at 20:54 ----------

Maybe the 16-85 and new kit lens will knock this one off the shelves?

**grahame** · 07-11-2015, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by jimr-pdx

Maybe the 16-85 and new kit lens will knock this one off the shelves?

Note this is the bundle price, you have to buy a camera body to get this price.

Originally posted by 6BQ5

I've always been concerned about the SDM failures and the lack of WR seals,.

SDM on this lens is more reliable than those on 16-50. I have 18-135 and 17-70 and found they are quite different lenses. If WR is not required, I bring 17-70 more than 18-135.

**UncleVanya** · 07-11-2015, 09:57 PM

Originally posted by grahame

Note this is the bundle price, you have to buy a camera body to get this price.

The $299? I don't think so. The bundle I saw was with the 3 year insurance - I was able to add to my cart without any camera body in the cart.
Forgive me if I misunderstood you - I'm not positive this is what you meant.

**grahame** · 07-12-2015, 05:20 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

The $299? I don't think so. The bundle I saw was with the 3 year insurance - I was able to add to my cart without any camera body in the cart.
Forgive me if I misunderstood you - I'm not positive this is what you meant.

I saw "kit discount", so I thought it had to be bundled with a camera as a kit. you must be right if you can put it in cart by itself.
Great price!

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07-10-2015, 03:28 AM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595 Original Poster	Originally posted by lgbalfa adam - quality wise, is this about the same as the pentax 18-135? At the end of the day I would say yes. You can squeeze out better image quality from the 17-70mm at some settings, but the lack of WR, a shorter zoom range, and slower AF (in the SDM lens) balances things out. Still, it's hard to go wrong for $299. The Sigma 17-70mm lens costs $100 more. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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07-09-2015, 07:12 PM	#2
lgbalfa Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: East Brunswick, NJ Posts: 132	adam - quality wise, is this about the same as the pentax 18-135?

07-09-2015, 07:33 PM	#3
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	Given its constant f/4 max aperture I'd consider it a half step higher generally, and I have owned both. Not WR though

07-09-2015, 08:08 PM	#4
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	Note that you can bundle it with the 3 year drop/spill protection which would normally be 49.95 for free!

07-10-2015, 09:11 PM	#6
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	I've always been concerned about the SDM failures and the lack of WR seals,. Owning the DA 18-135 makes me more secure.

07-10-2015, 09:53 PM	#7
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	The 17-70 is an odd duck in many ways. It actually has an O-ring at the base, but it's thinner and not orange. No other seals so definitely not WR.. but what's up with that ring? ---------- Post added 07-10-15 at 20:54 ---------- Maybe the 16-85 and new kit lens will knock this one off the shelves?

07-11-2015, 03:54 PM	#8
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	Originally posted by jimr-pdx Maybe the 16-85 and new kit lens will knock this one off the shelves? Note this is the bundle price, you have to buy a camera body to get this price. Originally posted by 6BQ5 I've always been concerned about the SDM failures and the lack of WR seals,. SDM on this lens is more reliable than those on 16-50. I have 18-135 and 17-70 and found they are quite different lenses. If WR is not required, I bring 17-70 more than 18-135.

07-11-2015, 09:57 PM	#9
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	Originally posted by grahame Note this is the bundle price, you have to buy a camera body to get this price. The $299? I don't think so. The bundle I saw was with the 3 year insurance - I was able to add to my cart without any camera body in the cart. Forgive me if I misunderstood you - I'm not positive this is what you meant.

07-12-2015, 05:20 AM	#10
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	Originally posted by UncleVanya The $299? I don't think so. The bundle I saw was with the 3 year insurance - I was able to add to my cart without any camera body in the cart. Forgive me if I misunderstood you - I'm not positive this is what you meant. I saw "kit discount", so I thought it had to be bundled with a camera as a kit. you must be right if you can put it in cart by itself. Great price!