Pentax F 70-210

Flugelbinder · 12-13-2014, 02:26 PM

I'm looking for a 70-210. Considering the Pentax F, but started realizing that there are many more options, so I'm seeking for some advice... Should I go with the Pentax, or the third party (Tokina, Magnicon, Sigma, etc.) are as good?
Thank you in advance.

Kind regards.

Paul

**jatrax** · 12-13-2014, 03:05 PM

I have the F 70-210 and considering the price it goes for I would not even look at the others. Just my opinion.

normhead · 12-13-2014, 03:13 PM

We got our F-70-210 attached to an SF-1 for $35. It's great little lens. Stick with the plan and hope you get lucky. Ours was advertised at $60 but when we got there he only wanted $35.... I think he was just happy to see it go to a good home.

Flugelbinder · 12-13-2014, 03:54 PM

Thank you. Just what I neede to hear, although the (2) I found listed, are over 100 CAD...

normhead · 12-13-2014, 04:11 PM

Ya, what can you do? Usually I end up on the "I paid twice as much as anyone else did: but I think the old guy who owned mine liked my wife.

Some images for you....
Pentax_F-70-210 Slideshow by Norm_Head | Photobucket

One to get you started...

Flugelbinder · 12-13-2014, 04:31 PM

Some great shots. Taken with the K-5?

MadMathMind · 12-13-2014, 04:43 PM

It's a nice little lens! Real bargain for its quality. It's not the fastest lens, but it produces some nice results if you can stop it down a bit

More here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127442034@N03/sets/72157649539835401/

Flugelbinder · 12-13-2014, 05:27 PM

Originally posted by MadMathMind

...if you can stop it down a bit...

That is exactly what I wouldn't want - it's not that fast to begin with. In my Nikon days, I had the 'same' lens, but the constant f/4, and it was razor sharp even wide open... For what I understand, the same f/4 version for Pentax, is only found in manual focus models, right?

**nicoprod** · 12-13-2014, 07:45 PM

Use the F70-210 at 135mm wide open for portrait. You will be amazed.

Flugelbinder · 12-13-2014, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by nicoprod

Use the F70-210 at 135mm wide open for portrait. You will be amazed.

That's what I'm looking for...

MadMathMind · 12-13-2014, 09:14 PM

Originally posted by Flugelbinder

That is exactly what I wouldn't want - it's not that fast to begin with. In my Nikon days, I had the 'same' lens, but the constant f/4, and it was razor sharp even wide open... For what I understand, the same f/4 version for Pentax, is only found in manual focus models, right?

I find the contrast to be quite poor wide open on the F70-210. It's not stellar with a stop or so, but it can be added in post. I stay away from f/4; I did not like the results. For a portrait, it may work because you want a bit of softness anyway. f/5.6 on the long end is acceptable given the right conditions.

But if you're looking for a lightweight, autofocus Pentax zoom that is sharp all through in the 70-200 range...you won't find it. I looked. I settled on the F 70-210 because I met most of those requirements, but I only use it when the light is fairly decent. One perk is that it's resolution isn't too high, so high ISO photos come out less grainy than they do with sharper lenses. Go figure.

VladM · 12-14-2014, 12:26 AM

I have both the F series, and the A series f4.
In my experience the A series has slightly better IQ, but the F series is more convenient to use being a bit smaller, lighter, and auto focus.

**nicoprod** · 12-14-2014, 07:22 AM

Originally posted by Flugelbinder

That's what I'm looking for...

SMC-F 70-210. First picture with Pentax K-x at 90mm f4.5, second picture with Pentax K-5 at 135mm f4.5

Flugelbinder · 12-14-2014, 07:27 AM

Looks good. I'll have one please!

---------- Post added 12-14-14 at 08:22 AM ----------

One other thing...
With the Nikon, one would get a stop at the long end, when comparing the 70-210 with the 55-200, as well as much better optics. As far as f-stops, when comparing the Pentax with the DA (L or *) the advantage is gone... What about IQ?

**nicoprod** · 12-14-2014, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by Flugelbinder

Looks good. I'll have one please!

---------- Post added 12-14-14 at 08:22 AM ----------

As far as f-stops, when comparing the Pentax with the DA (L or *) the advantage is gone... What about IQ?

F70-210 vs. Who?

12-13-2014, 02:26 PM	#1
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466	Pentax F 70-210 I'm looking for a 70-210. Considering the Pentax F, but started realizing that there are many more options, so I'm seeking for some advice... Should I go with the Pentax, or the third party (Tokina, Magnicon, Sigma, etc.) are as good? Thank you in advance. Kind regards. Paul

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Pentax F 35-70 3.5-4.5 \| F 70-210 4-5.6 ED - Pair	monochrome	Sold Items	9	08-15-2014 06:36 AM
Pentax smc F zoom 70-210	Hoddy	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	9	05-28-2014 09:44 PM
Pentax 70-210 vs Vivitar S1 v2 70-210	gkreth	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	09-12-2013 05:53 AM
Help with Pentax-F 70-210 zoom	sandstone	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	03-07-2013 08:24 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax DA 18-55 kit lens, Pentax F 70-210, Sigma 70-300	waqas	Sold Items	7	12-09-2006 11:55 PM

12-13-2014, 03:05 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I have the F 70-210 and considering the price it goes for I would not even look at the others. Just my opinion.

12-13-2014, 03:13 PM	#3
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	We got our F-70-210 attached to an SF-1 for $35. It's great little lens. Stick with the plan and hope you get lucky. Ours was advertised at $60 but when we got there he only wanted $35.... I think he was just happy to see it go to a good home.

12-13-2014, 03:54 PM	#4
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466 Original Poster	Thank you. Just what I neede to hear, although the (2) I found listed, are over 100 CAD...

12-13-2014, 04:11 PM	#5
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Ya, what can you do? Usually I end up on the "I paid twice as much as anyone else did: but I think the old guy who owned mine liked my wife. Some images for you.... Pentax_F-70-210 Slideshow by Norm_Head \| Photobucket One to get you started...

12-13-2014, 04:31 PM	#6
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466 Original Poster	Some great shots. Taken with the K-5?

12-13-2014, 04:43 PM	#7
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	It's a nice little lens! Real bargain for its quality. It's not the fastest lens, but it produces some nice results if you can stop it down a bit More here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/127442034@N03/sets/72157649539835401/

12-13-2014, 05:27 PM	#8
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466 Original Poster	Originally posted by MadMathMind ...if you can stop it down a bit... That is exactly what I wouldn't want - it's not that fast to begin with. In my Nikon days, I had the 'same' lens, but the constant f/4, and it was razor sharp even wide open... For what I understand, the same f/4 version for Pentax, is only found in manual focus models, right?

12-13-2014, 07:45 PM	#9
nicoprod Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Berlin, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528	Use the F70-210 at 135mm wide open for portrait. You will be amazed.

12-13-2014, 07:54 PM	#10
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466 Original Poster	Originally posted by nicoprod Use the F70-210 at 135mm wide open for portrait. You will be amazed. That's what I'm looking for...

12-13-2014, 09:14 PM	#11
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	Originally posted by Flugelbinder That is exactly what I wouldn't want - it's not that fast to begin with. In my Nikon days, I had the 'same' lens, but the constant f/4, and it was razor sharp even wide open... For what I understand, the same f/4 version for Pentax, is only found in manual focus models, right? I find the contrast to be quite poor wide open on the F70-210. It's not stellar with a stop or so, but it can be added in post. I stay away from f/4; I did not like the results. For a portrait, it may work because you want a bit of softness anyway. f/5.6 on the long end is acceptable given the right conditions. But if you're looking for a lightweight, autofocus Pentax zoom that is sharp all through in the 70-200 range...you won't find it. I looked. I settled on the F 70-210 because I met most of those requirements, but I only use it when the light is fairly decent. One perk is that it's resolution isn't too high, so high ISO photos come out less grainy than they do with sharper lenses. Go figure.

12-14-2014, 12:26 AM	#12
VladM Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 307	I have both the F series, and the A series f4. In my experience the A series has slightly better IQ, but the F series is more convenient to use being a bit smaller, lighter, and auto focus.

12-14-2014, 07:27 AM	#14
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466 Original Poster	Looks good. I'll have one please! ---------- Post added 12-14-14 at 08:22 AM ---------- One other thing... With the Nikon, one would get a stop at the long end, when comparing the 70-210 with the 55-200, as well as much better optics. As far as f-stops, when comparing the Pentax with the DA (L or *) the advantage is gone... What about IQ?

12-14-2014, 01:20 PM	#15
nicoprod Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Berlin, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528	Originally posted by Flugelbinder Looks good. I'll have one please! ---------- Post added 12-14-14 at 08:22 AM ---------- As far as f-stops, when comparing the Pentax with the DA (L or *) the advantage is gone... What about IQ? F70-210 vs. Who?