[PentaxPoke]

I have been shooting Pentax for some time, but I have never owned a Limited lens. Not that I haven't wanted one, but my needs led me largely to zooms.

Well, I have been thinking about it for a long time, and reading many threads here about these wonderful lenses, that I decided to "blow" some store credit on one: The Pentax SMC-DA 70mm f/2.4

I won't have the lens for a couple of days. I am excited to try it out!

Here was my rationale: I chose the 70mm focal length because I already have the FA35 and FA50. Although they are not limiteds, they are excellent lenses, so I really didn't want to get the 40, or 43 right now. Having the 70 will also give me some reach when I am in a relatively fixed setting, without having to bring my 50-135. Now the question that may be controversial here: Why didn't i get the 77? Well, that is what I struggled with the most. That lens is obviously legendary, and one of the best Pentax lenses of all time. It basically came down to 4 reasons for me. In order of importance for me:

Quick shift on the 70
Across the FOV sharpness tests on the 70 (Per Photozone)
43% higher cost of the 77
Size and weight of the 70 (It would be nice to have an all Pentax Pancake kit some day where 3 lenses together are about the same size and weight as a single zoom, but one has to start somewhere)

Now don't make me feel bad about not getting the '77. I will always wonder "what if," but in my situation the 70 seemed the best buy, and I am really looking forward to my first limited...

[jsherman999]

The 70 is so good for enough significant reasons that I've considered getting it addition to the 77ltd, so no need to feel bad about bypassing the 77ltd - DA70 is not really a step down, just a small step sideways

[AndrewG NY]

Don't second-guess the choice, just enjoy it. They're both great. I also went with the DA70.

[sinus007]

PentaxPoke,
I'm with you: I had the same dilemma (70 vs 77) and the same reasons to get 70.
The DA 70 is a great lens. Sometimes I use it instead of 50-135.
Enjoy it and have fun,

[ll_coffee_lP]

Nothing wrong with the DA70. I went for the 77 myself, as I wanted the extra magic that it creates in pictures of people.

The DA70 is less susceptible to PF'ing, has quick shift, and is cheaper. You're gonna love it.

c[_]

[Pentaxtic]

Congrats. I want one too. At least a bit of your LBA is cured.

[Michaelina2]

The DA70 is less susceptible to PF'ing, has quick shift, and is cheaper. You're gonna love it.

Precisely why I went with a DA 70 (v 77), plus it makes easy work of producing dazzling images.

You made a great choice...

[8540tomg]

Congrats on the new lens. I'm sure you will enjoy it. I know I do!

Tom G

[Eaglerapids]

Before I got the DA 21Ltd I thought the build quality of the FA Ltd's overshadowed the DA Ltd's but I was wrong, the DA 21Ltd is a beautiful lens, with the quick shift, no less. I'm sure the DA 70Ltd is just as fine a lens. If you don't need the extra speed of the 77Ltd, I'm betting you will be very happy with the 70Ltd. You're in for a treat:-).

[kibipod]

Hey Pentaxpoke,

I ordered a new one today and I am yet to receive it. However, I already put that in my signature

I chose DA 70mm over FA 77mm for similar reasons. Now I have to figure out if I can use my extension tubes on this DA 70mm. I know I will take plenty of portraits with this. In addition I want to use it for occasional macros.

Congrats again.

Subho

[farfisa]

I recently got rid of my 70, but it really was a great lens, and a real feat of engineering. I'm still amazed how light it was! Beautiful colours too.

Truth be told, I didn't use it enough and I had to get rid of SOMETHING in order to even think about getting the new 55! (still thinking... LBA hurts).

[axl]

congrats on the choice.
DA70 is on my list too, but I don't think it's going to happen this year since I blew big part of my budget on FA31...
well, we'll see
BR

PS: can't wait to see some pics

[GaryML]

I chose DA 70mm over FA 77mm for similar reasons. Now I have to figure out if I can use my extension tubes on this DA 70mm.

You need tubes that have the electrical contacts; otherwise you can't control the aperture. The Pentax brand tubes won't work, but Kenko makes a tube set with the electrical connections and they work fine with DA lenses.

[G_Money]

Good point about the 50-135. When I bought mine, I rationalized the purchase by telling myself that I could recoup some of the costs by selling my DA70. But after getting the zoom I realized that the DA70 on the K20 is just so tidy. So on occasions where the size of the gear is an issue, I ended up getting a DA40 to accompany it. It's the convenience of not changing lenses vs. the convenience of a smaller package.

But like you, I've often yearned to just try a 77, if only to see what the differences are.

[jeffrey r]

I'm right there with you G Money. I love the form factor and performance of the DA 70 Ltd., and just received my DA 40 Ltd. from Prodigital on ebay. Man, the DA 40 is so small--what a piece of engineering. At its current pricing, it was too appealing for me to pass up.