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02-12-2019, 10:41 AM   #1
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IQ Comparison: FA* 28-70mm F2.8 AL and HD D FA 24-70

Has anyone compared the IQ of the older FA* 28-70mm with the new HD D FA 24-70mm lenses on the K-1--especially at lower apertures (2.8-3.5)? I'm struggling to sort out a good quality zoom in this focal range: especially great sharpness across the lens.

02-12-2019, 12:02 PM - 1 Like   #2
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I don't have the FA* 28-70mm but I have been using the new DFA 24-70mm for some time. Based on my experience and the reviews that I have seen for the old lens, the new one should be better. I would not say it's an amazing lens, but it gets the job done.

At lower apertures I would say it's no match for something like FA 77mm Limited, but it's decent enough for casual portraits or some other stuff. I did not check the edge-to-edge sharpness but it doesn't concern me because usually when I use those apertures I don't want the whole frame to be in focus. Images below were taken handheld:








When I stop down to f/8-f/13 for landscapes (usually I use f/11) edge-to-edge sharpness is very good (for my taste at least). First image below was handheld, for the rest I was using a tripod. I have tried to include images with tree branches so maybe it's easy for you to check the sharpness.








If other things like autofocus speed, WR, coating/flare resistance are important to you then maybe you should go for the newer lens. But as I said, I didn't use the old lens so take it with a grain of salt.
02-12-2019, 02:25 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by StevenLS Quote
Has anyone compared the IQ of the older FA* 28-70mm with the new HD D FA 24-70mm lenses on the K-1--especially at lower apertures (2.8-3.5)? I'm struggling to sort out a good quality zoom in this focal range: especially great sharpness across the lens.
Adam I think commented that the long end was much better on the 24-70.
02-12-2019, 06:45 PM   #4
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Thanks, Hattinatt, for the your time and thoughts. Beautiful and great instructional photos. You so well stated my concern when you say about larger apertures, "but it's [24-70] decent enough for casual portraits or some other stuff." I was wondering, and even hoping, that the FA* 28-70 had better resolution than the H D FA 24-70 at these apertures.

Adam and Hatinatt (above) acknowledge the technical benefits that the H D FA 24-70 has over the FA* 28-70. I haven't seen any concerns about IQ above 60mm on the H D FA 24-70. And Adam believes the contrast is better on the H D FA 24-70. But perhaps others will chime in on the relative IQ of the two lenses at wider apertures.

02-12-2019, 10:29 PM   #5
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I had a month shooting with the 28-70 recently with the Single in challenge, no complaints on using it on the K1 at all
Here is the album link
Single Dec 18 28-70 FA* SMC | Flickr
02-13-2019, 03:07 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by StevenLS Quote
You so well stated my concern when you say about larger apertures, "but it's [24-70] decent enough for casual portraits or some other stuff." I was wondering, and even hoping, that the FA* 28-70 had better resolution than the H D FA 24-70 at these apertures.
Let's put it like this, when I go outside with the goal of shooting portraits or street photography DFA 24-70mm is the last on my list. I would first grab some other lens that I have (FA 77mm, FA 43mm). This is mainly because of the bokeh of the DFA 24-70 which I'm not a big fan of, not only sharpness. And of course the FA 77 is f/1.8 so that may come handy. I bought the DFA 24-70 for landscapes and flexibility... If I go on a mountain trip in bad weather or some other environment where I don't want to change lens all the time, or sometimes I go on a citybreak and I take only the 24-70 with me. But in these situations it's good to know I can snap a portrait if needed.

if you haven't found it yet maybe this can help also: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/306371-hd-pentax-d-fa-24-70mm-f2-8-club.html
02-13-2019, 03:25 AM - 1 Like   #7
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I have no experience with the FA*28-70, but I have a couple of other highly regarded FA* primes (24 and 85). Neither are within a bull's roar of any of my DFA lenses with regard to:

Autofocus
Weather sealing
Chromatic aberration
Sharpness wide open
Handling

Are we really having this conversation?

By the way, the DFA24-70 also gives you an extra 4mm on the wide side. That's a lot.

02-13-2019, 03:42 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by Sandy Hancock Quote
Are we really having this conversation?
I thought that maybe price could be a constrain for the original poster. If it's not, well... I would go for the DFA lens without too much thought.
02-13-2019, 03:48 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by garywakeling Quote
I had a month shooting with the 28-70 recently with the Single in challenge, no complaints on using it on the K1 at all
Here is the album link
Single Dec 18 28-70 FA* SMC | Flickr
Took a quick look and it looks spectacular
02-14-2019, 08:03 AM   #10
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A special thanks to Haffifnatt and Garywakeling for their thoughts and photos. The photos were particularly helpful in highlighting the strengths and weakness of each lens. I reluctantly am going with the HD D FA 24-70. Cheers to all!
02-14-2019, 08:44 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by niceshot Quote
Took a quick look and it looks spectacular
Thanks for looking

StevenLS
A special thanks to Haffifnatt and Garywakeling for their thoughts and photos. The photos were particularly helpful in highlighting the strengths and weakness of each lens. I reluctantly am going with the HD D FA 24-70. Cheers to all!

No worries, enjoy your new lens, I have the 15-30 and 28-105 and 70-200 and 150-450 in the DA F , one day I will get the 24-70, just make sure to try the Single in challenge for a month with your new lens, it makes you really work out your lenses strengths
cheers Gary
02-17-2019, 05:16 AM   #12
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There is nothing to sort out, the D-FA is the current and only 2.8 zoom here and it is not only sharper... it us quite universal to use.
Search the forum for direct comparison of both.
02-17-2019, 01:12 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by zapp Quote
There is nothing to sort out, the D-FA is the current and only 2.8 zoom here and it is not only sharper... it us quite universal to use.
Search the forum for direct comparison of both.
? Both are f2.8, and the question asked is about the relative strengths of both.
03-07-2019, 12:28 PM - 1 Like   #14
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The FA 28-70 mm f/2.8 is an excellent lens on its own when mounted on a K1.

The FA 28-70 f/2.8 is a very good lens for landscape photography. Best apertures are between f/4 and f/11. Used it remains quite expensive and it is hard to find a copy in excellent condition on eBay.

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03-08-2019, 01:45 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by garywakeling Quote
Thanks for looking



StevenLS

A special thanks to Haffifnatt and Garywakeling for their thoughts and photos. The photos were particularly helpful in highlighting the strengths and weakness of each lens. I reluctantly am going with the HD D FA 24-70. Cheers to all!



No worries, enjoy your new lens, I have the 15-30 and 28-105 and 70-200 and 150-450 in the DA F , one day I will get the 24-70, just make sure to try the Single in challenge for a month with your new lens, it makes you really work out your lenses strengths

cheers Gary


Is the 28-105 better quality?



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