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04-03-2012, 07:31 PM   #16
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The minimum focus distance (in cm) is the focal length (in mm).
The same is more or less true of most short teles, e.g. the FA*85, M100/2.8, etc.


Last edited by lytrytyr; 04-05-2012 at 06:04 AM.
04-04-2012, 01:14 AM   #17
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DA70 is a very compact design, so that comes with some compromises, but for what it is it's a really great lens. It is very sharp, to my eyes it seems sharper than FA77, although the charts usually say the opposite. FA77 has an edge in focused object separation, due to 7mm longer and f1.8. In all other aspects DA70 is more than a match for FA77 (IMHO).
04-04-2012, 03:46 AM   #18
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If you want a lens that will focus close, there is always the Sigma 70mm macro. Although it is about three times the size of the DA 70.
04-04-2012, 04:36 AM   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by creampuff Quote
I have the DA*55, DA70 and FA77. The DA70 is cheap and good but just doesn't throw the background out of focus enough and the minimum focusing distance could have been closer. Wide open, it is sharp but there is also noticeable light falloff. If you have the budget, go with the FA77, it is a lot better imo.
Don't know if I would call the DA 70 cheap as I doubt you will find a new one for under $500.00. Both the FA 77 and DA70 are excellet lenses. The FA77 has the better bokeh but doesn't focus as fast and apparently has issues with PF in some circumstances. If you plan to shoot mainly portraits and really want the buttery bokeh than the FA77 is your lens. It will be up to you to decide if this feature is worth the extra $200 or more it will cost you for a new lens.

Klaus Schrioff of Photozone wrote the following regarding these two lenses:

"The Pentax SMC DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited is an great lens with no really significant technical weakness. The resolution characteristic is generally excellent regardless of the (tested) aperture setting and the resolution distribution is much more harmonic compared to the SMC FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited although it sacrifices a tiny bit of peak performance. There's a bit of vignetting at f/2.4 but it's not extreme and negligible when stopping down a little. Neither distortions nor CAs are field-relevant. You may be able to spot some traces of purple fringing. An interesting aspect of a large aperture tele lens is quality of the bokeh (the out-of-focus blur). Similar to its alcoholic counterpart it is a matter of taste to some degree - I'd say it is very good but not excellent. Here and there some of the out-of-focus halos seem to be a bit hard edged. The degree of background/foreground blur is also a bit limited by the comparatively small max. aperture (for a moderate tele lens). Typical for all Pentax Limited lenses the build quality is excellent and it is a joy to use such a high quality lens in the field. The price (around 500€/US$) is quite fair in relation to what you get here. Now is it a "better" lens than the FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited ? I'd be hard pressed to provided a real guidance here. Technically the DA 70mm is a bit better (more even resolution, less purple fringing) whereas the FA 77mm has a slight edge regarding the bokeh due to its larger max. aperture. Fortunately the choice is yours and not mine ... :-) "

Based on this review I bought the DA70 and I've been quite happy with it.

Tom G

04-04-2012, 04:59 AM   #20
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IMO the main problem with DA 70mm, is that when you get it, after some time, it starts itching somewhere, that maybe FA77 might have been better choice. In my case it is somehow irrational feeling .
A.
04-04-2012, 04:25 PM   #21
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As Rondec says, the Sigma might be worth considering. Has anyone used both the Sigma and Pentax 70's and if so, how do they compare?

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04-05-2012, 02:40 AM   #22
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When I was choosing I just thought the sigma far too big. Too intimidaing probably for portraits.
In terms of the 77's focusing speed- it isn't as fast as my 40 (which is lightning) but it leaves the 50-200 for dust. The focus speed is perfectly acceptable and is probably only slightly slower than the 70 because of the longer ring travel and the narrower dof.
What's more its a beauty to manual focus. Not that I would do it in any practical application, it's really nice to play with though.

04-05-2012, 03:11 AM - 1 Like   #23
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In theory the fa77 is better, in practice the da70 is..... Unless you use it on FF
04-05-2012, 09:24 AM   #24
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I have both lenses, and they are both great, the 70mm is a steal and also a beautiful lens in image quality and to look at! I wouldn't hesitate to pick one up new or used. You won't be sorry.
04-05-2012, 04:38 PM   #25
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QuoteOriginally posted by twitch Quote
In theory the fa77 is better, in practice the da70 is..... Unless you use it on FF
an interesting comment.
when i owned both, i concluded:

DA70 - better for stopped down shots, (ie landscapes)
FA77 - better for portraits & bokeh shots

they are different enough that a lucky soul could own both and use them in totally different applications.
04-05-2012, 04:40 PM   #26
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something i've found useful with the FA77 over the DA70 is I can use my extension tubes(manual type) and turn the FA77 into a very nice macro lens and be able to use the aperture ring to stop it down.

04-05-2012, 08:42 PM   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by mikeSF Quote
something i've found useful with the FA77 over the DA70 is I can use my extension tubes(manual type) and turn the FA77 into a very nice macro lens and be able to use the aperture ring to stop it down.
This comment brings up the question:

Are A-type extension tubes still available in K-mount
(the genuine item, not converted converters, bellows, or whatever)?

The Kenko ones seem to have gone out of production.
They were the ones mentioned in the December 2011 thread
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5-forum/169584-im-looking-extension-tubes-k5.html

Also the following Polish website reports "chwilowy brak=temporarily unavailable"
http://www.sklep.fotoabc.com/index.php?akcja=pokazprodukt&ID=669

Last edited by lytrytyr; 04-05-2012 at 08:50 PM.
05-08-2012, 10:03 AM   #28
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QuoteOriginally posted by Rondec Quote
If you want a lens that will focus close, there is always the Sigma 70mm macro. Although it is about three times the size of the DA 70.
I have a Pentax 50mm F 2.8 for close focusing/macro shots. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Les
05-08-2012, 10:06 AM   #29
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I would like to thank all those that provided input on the DA 70mm F 2.4 Limited.

I've bought one it's a silver edition.

What a beautifully made...almost jewel like piece of equipment. Love the bokeh and the clarity of the pictures. I have so far only used it on my K-5....will be trying it out on my old K10D and my small bodies Km.

I would think it will complement the Km very well...both small...could be a good combo.
05-08-2012, 11:06 AM   #30
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I own DA70mm. It was really hard to go for a new DA70 or to go for used 77mm (in my country there is quite a big price difference between these two). I chose new DA70 instead of 77, I saved some money (around 120 dollars), I got a brand new lens and so on. I never tried a 77mm lens but I wish. And DA70.. It's great lens,it's small, well built, quite ok at AF (there are some ssues with close focusing). It's very sharp at f/5.6, sharper than anything I have and had. The worst thing is it's bokeh. It's not nervous, neither it's smooth. I mean... It lack character. I wish it would pronounce more circles, more roundness or anything more or would produce very smooth bokeh. Now... It is somewhere between without being noticeable. Otherwise, perfect combo with K-5 save for some CA
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