[beholder3]

The revised review of the DFA 70-200 is out. On FF now.

The resolution figures are incredibly even across the frame, with some of the figures obtained being almost identical centre and edge. Flare is virtually absent. Looking at the bokeh, the rounded diaphragm blades and the optical design combine to offer very relaxed and pleasant out of focus effects. In terms of the visual character of the lens, it is a very well refined and pleasing optic. This is something that is hard to measure or quantify, but we know it when we see it.

At the risk of repeating the words, the evenness of the performance is extraordinary and to be commended.

Pentax have offered some excellent zoom lenses to accompany the introduction of the full frame K-1. The 70-200mm is up amongst the best, a very fine lens with good “character” and bokeh and a high level of sharpness that applies very evenly across the frame. This is ideal to take advantage of the full area of the 35mm-format K-1.

HD PENTAX-D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW Pros

• High and very even sharpness
• Smooth bokeh
• Fast silent AF
• Weather resistance
• Well controlled CA
• Excellent flare resistance

HD PENTAX-D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW Cons

• Quite heavy
• Expensive

https://www.ephotozine.com/article/pentax-hd-pentax-d-fa--70-200mm-f-2-8-ed-dc-aw-review-29351

Either they are being paid by large class leading corporation Pentax to write like this or the lens is really, really good and better than Nikon and Canon optically (that's at least what the resolution chart seem to suggest).

Call it a winner.

[Cynog Ap Brychan]

I've always thought that ePhotozine understand what Pentax is about. They don't seem to suffer from the bias towards Nikon and canon that some sites do.

[tomO2013]

I've shot Canon 70-200 L II, it's excellent. The DFA is better to my eyes. Quite literally performs like a bag full of primes.

[kp0c]

I've always thought that ePhotozine understand what Pentax is about. They don't seem to suffer from the bias towards Nikon and canon that some sites do.

Trust me, I'm as much as a Pentax fan boy as one can be, but your comment really sounds like : "ePhotozine always review positively Pentax, so they don't suffer any bias while everyone else does, they just get it better than everyone else" :P .

I do understand and agree though that most reviewers, being mostly Canon/Nikon users cannot fully grasp the Pentax brand, as it is to be expected, because a camera is also an experience and an ecosystem, and it's hard to judge that in just a few days. For instances, on paper, Pentax does have far less new lenses on the shelf, but in reality, my reality that is, I never thought I could own as many lenses as I do now, and this is simply because of the legacy offerings and retro compatibility of the Pentax mount. There is no way on earth I would own so many lenses had I been shooting Canon or Nikon. For me, the lack of older-still-quite-good legacy prime lenses would be a huge con if I were to consider Canon or Nikon.

Anyway, I'm happy Pentax gets all the good press it does lately - not because it gives the brand-thus me in public more respect, but because I want Pentax to continue to develop great products and make them available at fair prices.

---------- Post added 05-18-16 at 04:03 PM ----------

I've shot Canon 70-200 L II, it's excellent. The DFA is better to my eyes. Quite literally performs like a bag full of primes.

And bricks.

[Cynog Ap Brychan]

"ePhotozine always review positively Pentax, so they don't suffer any bias while everyone else does, they just get it better than everyone else" :P .

I think you're reading far too much into what I said. Maybe it sounded like that to you, but I was just making the point that some review sites (mentioning no names) rarely review Pentax, whereas they fall over themselves to test out the latest Nikon or Sony or Canon offerings.

[julianbenjamin]

"Finally, the lens weighs 1040g on its own, 1835g with hood and 2030g with hood and tripod handle"
Is that correct? The hood weighs 800g?

[FantasticMrFox]

"Finally, the lens weighs 1040g on its own, 1835g with hood and 2030g with hood and tripod handle"
Is that correct? The hood weighs 800g?

No way José. Must be a typo or something.

[discoinfiltrator]

"Finally, the lens weighs 1040g on its own, 1835g with hood and 2030g with hood and tripod handle"
Is that correct? The hood weighs 800g?

... what ... is that ... thing ... made of ... ?

[Sandy Hancock]

The tripod foot is quite heavy, but the hood is very light (like the DA* hoods).

[mholford]

"Finally, the lens weighs 1040g on its own, 1835g with hood and 2030g with hood and tripod handle"
Is that correct? The hood weighs 800g?

later in the specifications they note that the weight is 1755g

[thibs]

Ouch. Impressed.

[beholder3]

Seems like all new DFAs can simply be called "fantastic" without exception.

[aurele]

this 70-200 seems so fantastic ! I wish very very very hard they do a 70-200 f4 a little lighter

[FantasticMrFox]

Seems like all new DFAs can simply be called "fantastic" without exception.

Yes. That goes out to those people who have kept criticising Pentax for not being able to push out close to flawless optical designs