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08-01-2018, 05:08 PM   #1
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Thoughts on the D FA 24-70mm f 2.8?

I shoot both sports photography for high schools and colleges, as well as senior portraits...would this lens be a good addition to my bag? I don't like the kit lens at all for quality.

Thank you for any help!

08-01-2018, 05:12 PM   #2
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I'm not sure this question fits under "news and rumors", but I'm sure a moderator will move it if necessary.

What camera are you using? For the K-1 I'm sure it would be a great lens and there are people who have plenty of experience with it to help you.

If you are using a crop body, there are likely other lenses that would suit better.
08-01-2018, 05:44 PM   #3
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It's extremely versatile for challenging shots, and very high quality. However, I wonder if the DFA50* would be a better addition -- what's your current lens selection for those settings, where do you find yourself lacking? Are you typically a zooms shooter?

For events I can move around I'll use the 24-70 all the time. But if you can take your time (senior portraits) a fast prime may be a better bet as well as provide you more latitude for low-light "overall" shots in indoor sports.
08-01-2018, 06:03 PM   #4
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What "kit lens" are you referring to? The DFA28-105, which is the closest thing the K-1 has to a kit lens, is a sensational package.

The DFA24-70 is an excellent event lens. I would probably go with the DFA*70-200 and a fast fifty for your needs though.

08-01-2018, 06:12 PM   #5
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I've shot sports extensively and my main lens is always one of the 70-200 variety. And the newest Pentax version of this lens is one of the best lenses currently available. That would be my number one choice for sports unless you're in a very confined space, like a basketball sideline. You could get away with a lens with a smaller maximum aperture like the 60-250 f4 but that would not be as good for night sports outside. I've only used a wider lens like the 24-70 with a second body for very close shots. But outside sports, I don't think anything will beat the D FA 70-200 and I've seen others on this forum recommend it for portraits as well, although it is somewhat large and heavy.
08-01-2018, 07:25 PM   #6
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Assuming you are using the K-1 or K-1ii the DFA 70-200 2.8 is wonderful. I have also enjoyed using the 24-70 2.8 but it is just very good. The 70-200 exceptional. The only down side is the weight but you get used to that. It is a a very solid well protected piece of glass.
08-01-2018, 09:35 PM   #7
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D FA 24-70F2.8 is a very good lens and would be fine for senior portraits. But as others have said, you should be looking at a 70-200, or similar for sports. The extra reach is very handy. If the Pentax D FA 70-200F2.8 is above your price limits. look at the Tamron 70-200F2.8 it is still a very capable lens.

08-01-2018, 10:29 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by loyalt Quote
I shoot both sports photography for high schools and colleges, as well as senior portraits...would this lens be a good addition to my bag? I don't like the kit lens at all for quality.

Thank you for any help!
On a K-1 it's my most used lens for sure. Stellar.


I am a die hard prime user, but this lens (and prior to that the 16-85 when I was still shooting crop) made me a believer in zooms.


I absolutely love the constant aperture. It's sharp and definitely gets the job done.


W/Regards to sports, my personal experience is unless you have up close access, 95% of the time the lighting will suck. This is not the fault of any camera, but is something that must be dealt with accordingly. Investing in a camera or lens to compensate for crappy lighting conditions can help, but it's a lot more involved than that. That said a K-1 with a 24-70 can handle bad light a lot better than most cameras can.
08-01-2018, 11:45 PM   #9
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IMO the 24-70 is an okay lens, but not a great one. The bokeh is not especially nice. Personally I like it most from 24mm to around 35mm.

As others have said, the DFA 70-200 is stunning... I expect the new 50mm is too.
08-02-2018, 02:42 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by Dericali Quote
IMO the 24-70 is an okay lens, but not a great one. The bokeh is not especially nice. Personally I like it most from 24mm to around 35mm.

As others have said, the DFA 70-200 is stunning... I expect the new 50mm is too.
If you know how to use this lens, the Bokeh is not bad at all:
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08-02-2018, 02:50 AM   #11
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The 24-70 is a very nice lens and probably is my most used lens. It isn't perfect. The corners are a bit soft wide open. I would say that the bokeh is average -- not bad, but nothing on the level of my primes either. At the same time, it covers focal lengths I use all of the time and gives really good results. There is a DFA 24-70 thread you can look at to see photos.

I don't know that it would be useful for sports, though. It feels too short, even on the long end. You might be better getting the DFA *70-200, that others mentioned, and using that as it is an excellent lens and would be easily usable for both sports and portraiture (you may need to lift some weights before you get it though).
08-02-2018, 11:24 AM   #12
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I agree with the general assessment that although the 24-70 is a very good general purpose lens you really need the 70-200 (or longer) for sports and often for portraits as well.
08-02-2018, 03:34 PM   #13
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I was extremely impressed with the 24-70 on my recent trip overseas; extremely versatile range, good performance wide open and very sharp when stopped down in good light. AF is accurate but not what I would call lightning fast. As others have said, 70mm is too short on FF for typical sports; you really want a 70-200 (I have the Tamron 70-200 which is an incredible bargain for the quality).
08-02-2018, 09:13 PM   #14
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I already have the D FA* 70-200 f2.8 and the 50mm f1.4 with the K-5 and K-3 bodies. I am looking for a wide angle short zoom (as the kit lens was not good at all for quality) that will work for the future, if/when I get a K-1. I was inquiring about the 24-70 f2.8 to see if it would be a good addition for shooting sports and portraits (been shooting sports for high schools and colleges since 2009), as well as handy for traveling. Thank you!

Last edited by loyalt; 08-02-2018 at 09:16 PM. Reason: additional info
08-02-2018, 09:26 PM   #15
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If you keep us guessing it's very hard to give good advice. If we'd known you already had the DFA*70-200 it would have saved a lot of traffic. You still haven't said which kit lens is "not good at all for quality"

As just about everyone has already said, the DFA24-70 an excellent lens. Go for it. If you want something fast, full frame friendly and *properly* wide on APS-C you're looking at the DFA15-30. Your Fat Fifty would then sit nicely in the gap between the two zooms.
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