My new Pentax 70mm f/2.4 limited arrived today, and I thought I would share my initial experience with it, and show you some pictures.
Now this is my first Limited, and upon taking it out of the bag, it feels like the precision instrument that it is. It is all metal, including the screw-on hood and the lens cap. This is the first all-metal lens that I have owned since shooting film years ago.
It is remarkably smooth and quiet in operation, especially the quick-shift focus. I have felt the quick-shift on the DA* lenses as well as the new kit lens, and they feel nothing like this. On those lenses the quick shift feels like you are slightly "dragging" or fighting the AF, but on this lens, it is so smooth, you can't even tell the AF is operating when you override it. The AF is also quite fast and accurate.
The lens is also very light which is remarkable considering you have a relatively fast 70mm f/2.4 on the front of the camera, and you can't even tell it is there!
Now for some pictures. As soon as I got it, I went to campus to shoot some pics. (These are nothing artistic, but I think they show the sharpness performance of the lens.)
First, here are pictures of the lens on my k20d taken with my k10d, and kit lens. (I like the way the 70ltd looks
)
k20d with 70mm, screw-on telescoping hood, hood and lens cap:
Here is a pic of the library at f/2.4 (wide open)
A pic of the union f/5.6:
Notice that tiny little person, and that tiny little sign in the previous pic? Now notice at 100% crop, you can read the sign, and recognize the person:
A fractionation research distillation plant f/3.5:
100% crop. Crazy-high contrast in the pic, and no CA to be seen:
I don't think I have to tell you that I am really enjoying this lens. I could see myself over time, buying a pancake kit of 2 or 3 lenses. Now I see what all the "fuss" is about over Limited lenses.
Last edited by PentaxPoke; 02-11-2009 at 11:11 PM.