Pentax 70mm F 2.4 Limited...opinion

lesmore49 · 04-03-2012, 12:25 PM

Thinking of getting a 70mm F 2.4 Limited lens.

I have read that it is an extremely sharp lens and that the bokeh is fabulous.

I have also read that it is ruggedly built and when comparing to the Pentax 77mm...well it more than holds it's own.

I have checked the reviews both in this forum and Amazon...no real issues.

I would like to get reviews and opinion from forum members that have this lens.

Thank you in advance for any info.

Cameras I would use it on would be K10D, KM (K2000) and K-5.

alphanerd · 04-03-2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

I would like to get reviews and opinion from forum members that have this lens.

Have you consulted the reviews portion of this site?
SMC Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited Reviews - DA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

kenafein · 04-03-2012, 12:53 PM

I held off a long time buying it because of the small max aperture. I was really leaning towards the 77, but I am glad I bought the 70. It is sharp sharp at 2.4 and the bokeh is really smooth. It's my new favorite lens.

seventysixersfan · 04-03-2012, 01:01 PM

curse you, LBA!! I want one!

jezza323 · 04-03-2012, 01:24 PM

I borrowed one for a few shots once. It was very nice

I wouldn't mind one, along with a DA 15 to complete myself a little prime kit...

**crewl1** · 04-03-2012, 01:35 PM

I got to try one at our last PF meetup and I fell in love.
It is just as kenafein describes above.
Ibought one shortly thereafter.

icywindow · 04-03-2012, 02:07 PM

I've owned it twice. I'm going to buck the crowd and say that it is my least favorite of the DA Limiteds. It has beautiful rendering in focus and when stopped down it has something special going on, but the first time I owned it I was not ready for the level of clarity it provided. It pointed out to me all of my flaws as an amateur photographer. The second time I owned it, well, I just didn't really give it much of a chance. It was used, and the barrel was slightly wobbly (just enough to bother me).

The only thing I can say I didn't care for about it was that I just didn't care for the bokeh. It's not unpleasant or stuttery, I just didn't like it. And one of the things I am drawn to first in a photo (oddly) is the bokeh. It's a shame too, because it checks all of the other boxes of things that I look for in a lens.

In contrast, I love the DA40 for portraits and DA21 for everyday use.

**Rondec** · 04-03-2012, 02:31 PM

I think the DA 70 is a good lens, but I wouldn't say great. I think for me personally, it is a focal length that I don't particularly connect with . When I am shooting, I tend to reach for the DA *55 or for the DA *50-135, rather than the DA 70. I have seriously considered getting an FA 77, but mainly for the possibility of using it on a film camera...

I think the DA 70 strong points (versus the FA 77) are faster auto focus, smaller size, and a little stronger borders wide open. Obviously its weakness is it smaller maximum aperture and bokeh isn't quite as good (its not bad, its just not quite as nice). Both are good lenses if you like that focal length.

lesmore49 · 04-03-2012, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by alphanerd

Have you consulted the reviews portion of this site?
SMC Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited Reviews - DA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Yes I have. I indicated in my OP:

'I have checked the reviews both in this forum and Amazon...no real issues.'

Thank you though, those reviews have a lot of info.

mikeSF · 04-03-2012, 02:48 PM

you cannot go wrong with the DA70; it is contrasty, sharp, small, has quick shift, and the price is fair. I bought it and really enjoyed it... until the curiosity over the FA77 got the better of me and i absolutely fell in love with the 77. do not be tempted.
lol

creampuff · 04-03-2012, 05:28 PM

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.

psychdoc · 04-03-2012, 05:44 PM

DA 70 is a great lens for portraits and even for landscapes.

The only thing I dont like about it is that you cant get too close to anything to focus. It is quite disconcerting if you change lenses to get used to that min focusing distance.

Clones123 · 04-03-2012, 07:00 PM

Down here in the USA, the DA70 just went up 28% in price this week. I'm curious about the price situation in Canada.

lytrytyr · 04-03-2012, 07:25 PM

Originally posted by Clones123

Down here in the USA, the DA70 just went up 28% in price this week.

They were $545 from Amazon on April Fools' Day, and are now $598, a 10% increase.

slackercruster · 04-03-2012, 07:26 PM

Originally posted by psychdoc

DA 70 is a great lens for portraits and even for landscapes.

The only thing I dont like about it is that you cant get too close to anything to focus. It is quite disconcerting if you change lenses to get used to that min focusing distance.

I got one. Same opinion as the doc.

04-03-2012, 12:25 PM	#1
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,349	Pentax 70mm F 2.4 Limited...opinion Thinking of getting a 70mm F 2.4 Limited lens. I have read that it is an extremely sharp lens and that the bokeh is fabulous. I have also read that it is ruggedly built and when comparing to the Pentax 77mm...well it more than holds it's own. I have checked the reviews both in this forum and Amazon...no real issues. I would like to get reviews and opinion from forum members that have this lens. Thank you in advance for any info. Cameras I would use it on would be K10D, KM (K2000) and K-5.

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04-03-2012, 12:46 PM	#2
alphanerd Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 119	Quote: I would like to get reviews and opinion from forum members that have this lens. Have you consulted the reviews portion of this site? SMC Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited Reviews - DA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

04-03-2012, 12:53 PM	#3
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	I held off a long time buying it because of the small max aperture. I was really leaning towards the 77, but I am glad I bought the 70. It is sharp sharp at 2.4 and the bokeh is really smooth. It's my new favorite lens.

04-03-2012, 01:01 PM	#4
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	curse you, LBA!! I want one!

04-03-2012, 01:24 PM	#5
jezza323 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,421	I borrowed one for a few shots once. It was very nice I wouldn't mind one, along with a DA 15 to complete myself a little prime kit...

04-03-2012, 01:35 PM	#6
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	I got to try one at our last PF meetup and I fell in love. It is just as kenafein describes above. Ibought one shortly thereafter.

04-03-2012, 02:07 PM	#7
icywindow Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 303	I've owned it twice. I'm going to buck the crowd and say that it is my least favorite of the DA Limiteds. It has beautiful rendering in focus and when stopped down it has something special going on, but the first time I owned it I was not ready for the level of clarity it provided. It pointed out to me all of my flaws as an amateur photographer. The second time I owned it, well, I just didn't really give it much of a chance. It was used, and the barrel was slightly wobbly (just enough to bother me). The only thing I can say I didn't care for about it was that I just didn't care for the bokeh. It's not unpleasant or stuttery, I just didn't like it. And one of the things I am drawn to first in a photo (oddly) is the bokeh. It's a shame too, because it checks all of the other boxes of things that I look for in a lens. In contrast, I love the DA40 for portraits and DA21 for everyday use.

04-03-2012, 02:31 PM	#8
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,662	I think the DA 70 is a good lens, but I wouldn't say great. I think for me personally, it is a focal length that I don't particularly connect with . When I am shooting, I tend to reach for the DA 55 or for the DA 50-135, rather than the DA 70. I have seriously considered getting an FA 77, but mainly for the possibility of using it on a film camera... I think the DA 70 strong points (versus the FA 77) are faster auto focus, smaller size, and a little stronger borders wide open. Obviously its weakness is it smaller maximum aperture and bokeh isn't quite as good (its not bad, its just not quite as nice). Both are good lenses if you like that focal length.

04-03-2012, 02:43 PM	#9
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,349 Original Poster	Originally posted by alphanerd Have you consulted the reviews portion of this site? SMC Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited Reviews - DA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Yes I have. I indicated in my OP: 'I have checked the reviews both in this forum and Amazon...no real issues.' Thank you though, those reviews have a lot of info.

04-03-2012, 02:48 PM	#10
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622	you cannot go wrong with the DA70; it is contrasty, sharp, small, has quick shift, and the price is fair. I bought it and really enjoyed it... until the curiosity over the FA77 got the better of me and i absolutely fell in love with the 77. do not be tempted. lol

04-03-2012, 05:28 PM	#11
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	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.

04-03-2012, 05:44 PM	#12
psychdoc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bham Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 949	DA 70 is a great lens for portraits and even for landscapes. The only thing I dont like about it is that you cant get too close to anything to focus. It is quite disconcerting if you change lenses to get used to that min focusing distance.

04-03-2012, 07:00 PM	#13
Clones123 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 34	Down here in the USA, the DA70 just went up 28% in price this week. I'm curious about the price situation in Canada.

04-03-2012, 07:25 PM	#14
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by Clones123 Down here in the USA, the DA70 just went up 28% in price this week. They were $545 from Amazon on April Fools' Day, and are now $598, a 10% increase.

04-03-2012, 07:26 PM	#15
slackercruster Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NE, USA Posts: 1,302	Originally posted by psychdoc DA 70 is a great lens for portraits and even for landscapes. The only thing I dont like about it is that you cant get too close to anything to focus. It is quite disconcerting if you change lenses to get used to that min focusing distance. I got one. Same opinion as the doc.