24-70 on APSC

wed7 · 04-26-2017, 07:08 PM

Hi,

Do you think the FF behemoth DFA 24-70 WR is ok for apsc?

I used to have the ff: during my activeweekend warrior/semi pro days
17-50 Tamron
50-150 Sigma
K-5 ii's
all were sold when I we had our baby and shifted to primes and go back to amateur

Now that I have the 15-21-35M-70-100M, I was thinking og getting again a fast zoom but do not want to get a 2 fast zoom set up. (Although eventually, I may purchase a KP) I was thinking of the DFA 24-70 as my tri lens solution (15-24-70 100) for the meantime and at the same time a wide-normal-short tele WR lens kit paired with my K-30 and 100M WR.

I know the lens is heavy and bulky at (~700g and 82mm barrel), but I really want that range in apsc. My fave DA limited combo is 21 and 70.

What are your thoughts? Thanks.

Adam · 04-26-2017, 07:13 PM - **1 Like**

A lot of people are fine with the focal length, but obviously it's not that wide at 24mm. We posted a brief review on APS-C:

Pentax-D FA 24-70mm First Impressions Review - Hands-On Tests | PentaxForums.com

wed7 · 04-26-2017, 07:30 PM

Adam, thanks for the quick reply, I know the 24 is a bit tight, my 21 is a bit wide for my taste but since that is what Pentax offers (no current fast 24 and WR) and it grew on me, I used it 80% of the time and the 70 and other lenses goes to the remainder. Specially during family outing where small size is advantageous and being a father always chasing a 2 year old boy. :P

But for paid gigs, the comfort of a fast zoom, albeit dual camera bodies (x2 primes, or 1 zoom, 1 prime) is very welcome.

I could opt for the 16-85WR and 18-135WR but they are not paid gig/event worthy because they are either slow or IQ is subpar to those of the DA limiteds. But for product shots both are passable. The HD 20-40WR looks nice (by being small and light) but not really fast and flexible in terms of focal range for events use.

Thank you.

**jatrax** · 04-26-2017, 09:18 PM - **1 Like**

Personally I would go with the 16-85 if you are sticking with APS-C. I found the IQ to be competitive at anything except wide open. It is slower of course.

The DFA 24-70 is excellent, but it is a beast. A lot to carry around. Too much to carry unless you really need f/2.8. I rarely do, so for me it has become mostly a studio lens. I carry the FA 20-35 and DFA 28-105 in the field. If you do not mind the weight and already have very wide covered with the 15mm and 21mm then sure the 24-70 will work just fine.

**BigMackCam** · 04-26-2017, 10:46 PM - **1 Like**

If you're OK with the weight and bulk, go for it. I use a Sony Zeiss 24-70 f/2.8 on Sony full-frame gear, and it's a great lens (probably the best lens I own and use) - but it can be tiresome to have that weight of combo hanging around my neck for a large part of the day.

If you want something much lighter and the focal length range works for you, consider the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. You'll see some mixed reviews, but I firmly believe that most of the negative reviews are from those who haven't taken time to carefully set up AF fine adjustment, or else need a wider field of view. I have two of these - one that I use on my APS-C Pentax bodies, the other on my Sony cameras. The AF fine tune is set up pretty much perfectly on both, and I'm very happy with IQ even wide open and at short range (where shallow DOF is unforgiving). Stopped down to f/4 or beyond, it's excellent. The out-of-focus rendering is also very good indeed. On APS-C, the field of view is equivalent to 42-112mm, which some would find limiting but I find excellent for general use - especially if I carry something like the DA21 with me for the wide end. No WR and, of course, it's screw-drive - but it's also inexpensive if you look around for deals.

MBT74 · 04-27-2017, 12:50 AM - **1 Like**

I've been using the 24 - 70 on my K3 for a while now and love it. I've used it for concert photography, shot a wedding reception with it, a portrait photoshoot and taken it on holidays where it stayed on the camera for all but a couple of shots. I have the 15 and 21 limiteds for wider and a Sigma 50-150 or Pentax 55-300 for the longer end. It's a great lens. Heavy, but great.

04-26-2017, 07:08 PM	#1
wed7 Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 1,421	24-70 on APSC Hi, Do you think the FF behemoth DFA 24-70 WR is ok for apsc? I used to have the ff: during my activeweekend warrior/semi pro days 17-50 Tamron 50-150 Sigma K-5 ii's all were sold when I we had our baby and shifted to primes and go back to amateur Now that I have the 15-21-35M-70-100M, I was thinking og getting again a fast zoom but do not want to get a 2 fast zoom set up. (Although eventually, I may purchase a KP) I was thinking of the DFA 24-70 as my tri lens solution (15-24-70 100) for the meantime and at the same time a wide-normal-short tele WR lens kit paired with my K-30 and 100M WR. I know the lens is heavy and bulky at (~700g and 82mm barrel), but I really want that range in apsc. My fave DA limited combo is 21 and 70. What are your thoughts? Thanks.

04-26-2017, 07:13 PM - 1 Like	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	A lot of people are fine with the focal length, but obviously it's not that wide at 24mm. We posted a brief review on APS-C: Pentax-D FA 24-70mm First Impressions Review - Hands-On Tests \| PentaxForums.com Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentax 24-70 verus Tamron 24-70?	yozza	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	11	01-04-2017 11:45 AM
For Sale - Sold: Sigma 100-300, 12-24, 24-70, 1.4x, Tamron 70-200, smc 100mm macro WR	Darcy	Sold Items	11	09-07-2016 06:34 PM
Lens tests on K-1 : 15-30, 24-70, 70-200, 31, 43, 77, 100 Macro, 28-70 and 80-200	Mistral75	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	14	06-28-2016 11:46 AM

04-26-2017, 07:30 PM	#3
wed7 Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 1,421 Original Poster	Adam, thanks for the quick reply, I know the 24 is a bit tight, my 21 is a bit wide for my taste but since that is what Pentax offers (no current fast 24 and WR) and it grew on me, I used it 80% of the time and the 70 and other lenses goes to the remainder. Specially during family outing where small size is advantageous and being a father always chasing a 2 year old boy. :P But for paid gigs, the comfort of a fast zoom, albeit dual camera bodies (x2 primes, or 1 zoom, 1 prime) is very welcome. I could opt for the 16-85WR and 18-135WR but they are not paid gig/event worthy because they are either slow or IQ is subpar to those of the DA limiteds. But for product shots both are passable. The HD 20-40WR looks nice (by being small and light) but not really fast and flexible in terms of focal range for events use. Thank you.

04-26-2017, 09:18 PM - 1 Like	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Personally I would go with the 16-85 if you are sticking with APS-C. I found the IQ to be competitive at anything except wide open. It is slower of course. The DFA 24-70 is excellent, but it is a beast. A lot to carry around. Too much to carry unless you really need f/2.8. I rarely do, so for me it has become mostly a studio lens. I carry the FA 20-35 and DFA 28-105 in the field. If you do not mind the weight and already have very wide covered with the 15mm and 21mm then sure the 24-70 will work just fine.

04-26-2017, 10:46 PM - 1 Like	#5
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,687	If you're OK with the weight and bulk, go for it. I use a Sony Zeiss 24-70 f/2.8 on Sony full-frame gear, and it's a great lens (probably the best lens I own and use) - but it can be tiresome to have that weight of combo hanging around my neck for a large part of the day. If you want something much lighter and the focal length range works for you, consider the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. You'll see some mixed reviews, but I firmly believe that most of the negative reviews are from those who haven't taken time to carefully set up AF fine adjustment, or else need a wider field of view. I have two of these - one that I use on my APS-C Pentax bodies, the other on my Sony cameras. The AF fine tune is set up pretty much perfectly on both, and I'm very happy with IQ even wide open and at short range (where shallow DOF is unforgiving). Stopped down to f/4 or beyond, it's excellent. The out-of-focus rendering is also very good indeed. On APS-C, the field of view is equivalent to 42-112mm, which some would find limiting but I find excellent for general use - especially if I carry something like the DA21 with me for the wide end. No WR and, of course, it's screw-drive - but it's also inexpensive if you look around for deals.

04-27-2017, 12:50 AM - 1 Like	#6
MBT74 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 135	I've been using the 24 - 70 on my K3 for a while now and love it. I've used it for concert photography, shot a wedding reception with it, a portrait photoshoot and taken it on holidays where it stayed on the camera for all but a couple of shots. I have the 15 and 21 limiteds for wider and a Sigma 50-150 or Pentax 55-300 for the longer end. It's a great lens. Heavy, but great.