Pentax D FA 24-70 performance on K1

Denali_Mark · 04-27-2016, 09:47 PM

Given the stellar reviews this lens has received in the Pentax Lens review section, I am interested to learn what members think of its performance on the K1. I currently use a Tamron 28-75mm f2.8, which is a light, excellent walk around lens. My understanding is that the 24-70 is a rebadged Tamron. Review of the Tamron 24-70 is good - especially for the cost, but sites like imaging-resource note it is soft on the edges unless stopped down.

biz-engineer · 04-27-2016, 10:05 PM

It is a bit early to ask, because the K-1 hasn't shipped yet, except maybe to a few users. You have the 28-75, you have time, no hurry to spend money.

**jatrax** · 04-27-2016, 10:06 PM

I'll let you know next week, or the week after...................

So far I am very satisfied with it on the K-3II. Waiting on delivery of the K-1.

kenspo · 04-28-2016, 12:37 AM

It's a match made in heaven!

zeljko_pentax · 04-28-2016, 04:08 AM

I'm waiting for the delivery of both, K1 and DFA 24-70. As soon as I get it , I'll be back here with my first impression.
So far, from what I read, it is a match made in heaven. A bit heavy, though.

elho_cid · 05-18-2016, 06:52 AM

I originally expected to use the K-1 with Sigma 28-70/2.8 EX that I bought earlier and I had no intention to buy the DFA24-70. But then I got some extra money on the payroll, exacly the amount needed for the DFA zoom, so I bought it too.
I'm glad I did. While there is nothing too wrong with the Sigma performance, especially at around 50mm sweet spot, the DFA consistently outshines the old Sigma zoom. The difference is particulary visible at the exteme ends of the zoom.
Judging from my earlier experience with the Tamron 28-75 the DFA will beat it too, with a margin. Tamron has better contrast than the Sigma EX, but worse corner sharpness.
Go for the DFA24-70 if you can afford it and care for the top optics quality.

**Papa Lazarou** · 05-18-2016, 08:02 AM

Shot these on Monday with the K-1/24-70 combo. I'm liking it. YMMV of course.

tomO2013 · 05-25-2016, 12:14 AM

On the Nikkor mount - the Tamron 24-70 and 70-200 out perform both the older and newer Nikkor G 24-70 and 70-200. Literally these are the sharpest zooms available for Nikkon if you want the 'best' zoom according to DXO.

Pentax version uses their own coatings - which may explain the excellent flare results.
ePhotozine reports more consistent results across the frame at different focal lengths with their Pentax review. It's possible that these coatings, different lens mount distance and maybe even better QC (less variance tolerance for Pentax brand glass off the production line) could play a part. That last one was a long shot - but there looks to be different results with the Pentax version.
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/pentax-hd-pentax-d-fa-24-70mm-f-2-8-ed-sdm-wr-review-29349

Pros':
It's consistent across the frame results at all focal lengths is nothing short of spectacular. Whether Pentax quality control means that they take higher grade samples I'm not sure. The last zoom that I used that was consistent across the frame to this extent was the Olympus 12-40 2.8 Zuiko Pro for micro four thirds.
Sharpness is great, colour is great, build is great and overall the bokeh is very pleasing to my eyes. Flare resistance is excellent.

Con's:
There is some onion ring bokeh if you pixel peep to 200%.

04-27-2016, 09:47 PM	#1
Denali_Mark Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Anchorage, AK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 157	Pentax D FA 24-70 performance on K1 Given the stellar reviews this lens has received in the Pentax Lens review section, I am interested to learn what members think of its performance on the K1. I currently use a Tamron 28-75mm f2.8, which is a light, excellent walk around lens. My understanding is that the 24-70 is a rebadged Tamron. Review of the Tamron 24-70 is good - especially for the cost, but sites like imaging-resource note it is soft on the edges unless stopped down.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is it just my lens or... Pentax D FA 24-70 f/2.8	Unregistered User	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	28	06-02-2017 01:27 PM
How is FA* 28-70mm/f.8 vs HD PENTAX-D FA 24-70mmF2.8ED?	henryzhou	Pentax DSLR Discussion	4	05-15-2016 10:48 PM
D FA lens with full performance on new K1?	Uncle Pete	Pentax Full Frame	15	12-17-2015 05:25 AM
FA Limiteds vs. the new D-FA 24-70 zoom	6BQ5	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	31	09-27-2015 11:38 AM

04-27-2016, 10:05 PM	#2
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,248	It is a bit early to ask, because the K-1 hasn't shipped yet, except maybe to a few users. You have the 28-75, you have time, no hurry to spend money.

04-27-2016, 10:06 PM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I'll let you know next week, or the week after................... So far I am very satisfied with it on the K-3II. Waiting on delivery of the K-1.

04-28-2016, 12:37 AM	#4
kenspo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Oslo Posts: 2,207	It's a match made in heaven!

04-28-2016, 04:08 AM	#5
zeljko_pentax Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 28	I'm waiting for the delivery of both, K1 and DFA 24-70. As soon as I get it , I'll be back here with my first impression. So far, from what I read, it is a match made in heaven. A bit heavy, though.

05-18-2016, 06:52 AM	#6
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	I originally expected to use the K-1 with Sigma 28-70/2.8 EX that I bought earlier and I had no intention to buy the DFA24-70. But then I got some extra money on the payroll, exacly the amount needed for the DFA zoom, so I bought it too. I'm glad I did. While there is nothing too wrong with the Sigma performance, especially at around 50mm sweet spot, the DFA consistently outshines the old Sigma zoom. The difference is particulary visible at the exteme ends of the zoom. Judging from my earlier experience with the Tamron 28-75 the DFA will beat it too, with a margin. Tamron has better contrast than the Sigma EX, but worse corner sharpness. Go for the DFA24-70 if you can afford it and care for the top optics quality.

05-18-2016, 08:02 AM	#7
Papa Lazarou Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, UK Posts: 340	Shot these on Monday with the K-1/24-70 combo. I'm liking it. YMMV of course.

05-25-2016, 12:14 AM	#8
tomO2013 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 155	On the Nikkor mount - the Tamron 24-70 and 70-200 out perform both the older and newer Nikkor G 24-70 and 70-200. Literally these are the sharpest zooms available for Nikkon if you want the 'best' zoom according to DXO. Pentax version uses their own coatings - which may explain the excellent flare results. ePhotozine reports more consistent results across the frame at different focal lengths with their Pentax review. It's possible that these coatings, different lens mount distance and maybe even better QC (less variance tolerance for Pentax brand glass off the production line) could play a part. That last one was a long shot - but there looks to be different results with the Pentax version. https://www.ephotozine.com/article/pentax-hd-pentax-d-fa-24-70mm-f-2-8-ed-sdm-wr-review-29349 Pros': It's consistent across the frame results at all focal lengths is nothing short of spectacular. Whether Pentax quality control means that they take higher grade samples I'm not sure. The last zoom that I used that was consistent across the frame to this extent was the Olympus 12-40 2.8 Zuiko Pro for micro four thirds. Sharpness is great, colour is great, build is great and overall the bokeh is very pleasing to my eyes. Flare resistance is excellent. Con's: There is some onion ring bokeh if you pixel peep to 200%.