Confused about Pentax 70-2?0 variations

scottax1 · 10-28-2007, 09:17 PM

I'm confused about Pentax 70-2?0 variations in the 'F' and 'FA' series with f4~5.6 maximum apertures.

The Lens Review Database here and Bojidar's site list an "F 70-210/4-5.6 ED" and "FA 70-200/4-5.6". So far, so good. These can easily be differentiated by the slightly different maximum f/l.

Then I read at Stan's site the following note from Gene Poon: "Do not confuse either with the Pentax-F 70-200, however. That one is a Canadian marketed lens which was sold in the USA as the Takumar-F 70-200. Note that it is not marked SMC. I can see the difference; though it is not a bad lens, the SMC are better. . . ."

Bojidar does not list such a lens. Is Gene's comment accurate? If so, how does one tell the difference(s)?

I was about to let a vendor know that they had mistakenly listed an "F 70-200" but if Gene's correct, they may have the Canadian variant.

TIA/Scottax1

Last edited by scottax1; 10-28-2007 at 09:20 PM. Reason: small addition

Ole · 10-28-2007, 09:27 PM

The lens is not smc coated. Non-smc coated lenses are listed here:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/category-Other-Pentax-Zoom-Lenses.html

and here:

Pentax Zoom Lenses without SMC Coating

scottax1 · 10-29-2007, 05:38 AM

Ole, thanks for the clarification and links. I obviously didn't look deep enough into either resource.

Cheers!/Scottax1

roy · 10-29-2007, 05:52 AM

just get the MF A70-210/4
you can't go wrong with this lens. it's marvelous and can be used against muggers as well.

10-28-2007, 09:17 PM	#1
scottax1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Motown, USA Posts: 190	Confused about Pentax 70-2?0 variations I'm confused about Pentax 70-2?0 variations in the 'F' and 'FA' series with f4~5.6 maximum apertures. The Lens Review Database here and Bojidar's site list an "F 70-210/4-5.6 ED" and "FA 70-200/4-5.6". So far, so good. These can easily be differentiated by the slightly different maximum f/l. Then I read at Stan's site the following note from Gene Poon: "Do not confuse either with the Pentax-F 70-200, however. That one is a Canadian marketed lens which was sold in the USA as the Takumar-F 70-200. Note that it is not marked SMC. I can see the difference; though it is not a bad lens, the SMC are better. . . ." Bojidar does not list such a lens. Is Gene's comment accurate? If so, how does one tell the difference(s)? I was about to let a vendor know that they had mistakenly listed an "F 70-200" but if Gene's correct, they may have the Canadian variant. TIA/Scottax1 Last edited by scottax1; 10-28-2007 at 09:20 PM. Reason: small addition

10-29-2007, 05:38 AM	#3
scottax1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Motown, USA Posts: 190 Original Poster	Ah-ha! Ole, thanks for the clarification and links. I obviously didn't look deep enough into either resource. Cheers!/Scottax1

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10-28-2007, 09:27 PM	#2
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,408	The lens is not smc coated. Non-smc coated lenses are listed here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/category-Other-Pentax-Zoom-Lenses.html and here: Pentax Zoom Lenses without SMC Coating

10-29-2007, 05:52 AM	#4
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	just get the MF A70-210/4 you can't go wrong with this lens. it's marvelous and can be used against muggers as well.