HD Pentax-D FA 24-70mm F2.8 Club

**Rondec** · 10-23-2015, 06:46 AM

Originally posted by Driline

How does it compare to the 16-85? Say using it as a quick travel lens? Are they similar in sharpness?

I have used the 18-135, but not the 16-85. I guess I would say that the 24-70 is decent at f2.8 and very sharp at f4. With these super zooms, you need a lot of light, particularly at the long end. Distortion is a lot less with the 24-70, as well, compared with the 18-135. I always felt with the 18-135 that you needed the lens corrections, in-camera or Lightroom profile, more than with higher end zoom.

longbow · 10-23-2015, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by mtux

More size comparison photos please

- as in ? different lens?

Originally posted by Driline

How does it compare to the 16-85? Say using it as a quick travel lens? Are they similar in sharpness?

The 16-85 is a great lens, about 10 oz lighter, smaller diameter & slightly shorter, but obviously slower. Sharper ?? need more time, but the 16-85 is very good wide open. I would've been fine with it and not got the 24-70, but the 16-85 is now my wife's main lens since she doesn't like to change lenses, so works out great for her....and it gave me reason to buy the 24-70

As a quick travel lens, I'd probably take the 20-40, just did a 5 day backpack trip with it, worked out wonderful - light & small size, great IQ. That said the 24-70 isn't really any heavier then the 50-135 and a lot shorter, so carrying it shouldn't be a problem.

Originally posted by pathdoc

I don't own/haven't handled any of these - where might it sit with regard to an 18-135 or 18-250? I'm guessing about the same length but of course significantly wider. I guess that's worth it if you really need the f/2.8. I suspect we will see a constant f/4 or f/3/5 to 5.6 down the road in order to give the consumer market a somewhat less hefty option.
Pics are nice, from both of you (how close were the bird and flower pics?). If the corners hold up on full-frame, this combination will do really, really well.

Gave my daughter my K-50/18-135, so if I remember the 18-135 is a little shorter than the 16-85. Main size difference is the width & weight, but the 24-70 is noticeably shorter when zoomed out compared to the 16-85. The pictures were taken at or close to min focus, the cockatoo pic has a slight blur because Goffin's cockatoos are always in motion, except after bath time or getting a head scratch.

Rondec, glad a more experienced/better photographer is showing what this lens can do, your pictures look great. Makes me look forward to being in the woods with this lens even more.

Also, even though I had hoped to be using my K-3II with this lens, it decided to not turn on Tuesday. It had glitched up Sunday briefly, but did come back on, so now it's at Precicion having the Recall done - it's one of those serial numbers, but the shutter count was over 4300 before it died. So all of the pics are with my K-3.

More pics are coming !!

longbow · 10-23-2015, 07:59 AM - **1 Like**

Have a beautiful sunrise this morning with Mt Hood visible. Other than adding .4 exposure and some cropping didn't do any other PP, it looked good as is.

mtux · 10-23-2015, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by longbow

- as in ? different lens?

More popular lenses(like 16-50) and most specially more angles.
Thanks.

longbow · 10-23-2015, 08:14 AM

Originally posted by mtux

More popular lenses(like 16-50) and most specially more angles.
Thanks.

Don't have a 16-50, but try a better comparison with the 16-85

vievetrick · 10-23-2015, 11:51 AM

just placed my order for this and a few others items like the K3ii and new flash - CAN'T WAIT!

longbow · 10-23-2015, 05:14 PM - **2 Likes**

A better 16-85 vs 24-70 size comparison

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

clawhammer · 10-23-2015, 06:03 PM

Originally posted by longbow

Have a beautiful sunrise this morning with Mt Hood visible. Other than adding .4 exposure and some cropping didn't do any other PP, it looked good as is.

Wow. Just... Wow. Nice image!

Driline · 10-23-2015, 06:08 PM

Originally posted by longbow

A better 16-85 vs 24-70 size comparison

I think a crash diet is in order

longbow · 10-23-2015, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by clawhammer

Wow. Just... Wow. Nice image!

Thanks, it was a beautiful morning

Originally posted by Driline

I think a crash diet is in order

Ya, it's a handful

**Rondec** · 10-24-2015, 03:20 AM - **1 Like**

A few more.

longbow · 10-24-2015, 12:38 PM

Really like the colors. It's still early, but I believe it will become my go to zoom.

rawr · 10-24-2015, 02:44 PM

I find it interesting that there is no public K-3, K-S2 etc firmware recognition of the D FA 24-70, but there are firmware updates that include the other new lenses - eg v1.20 K-3 firmware:

Quote:

Changes to V1.20
Optimized performance of
HD PENTAX-DA 18-50mmF4-5.6 DC WR RE,
HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mmF4.5-5.6ED DC AW and
HD PENTAX-D FA ★70-200mmF2.8ED DC AW.
Corresponded to AF button and preset button function for HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mmF4.5-5.6ED DC AW.:

While the EXIF ID seems to be there for the 24-70, do the other K-3 in-camera JPEG correction features (eg CA correction, vignetting correction etc) work for the 24-70?

**Rondec** · 10-24-2015, 03:06 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by rawr

I find it interesting that there is no public K-3, K-S2 etc firmware recognition of the D FA 24-70, but there are firmware updates that include the other new lenses - eg v1.20 K-3 firmware:

While the EXIF ID seems to be there for the 24-70, do the other K-3 in-camera JPEG correction features (eg CA correction, vignetting correction etc) work for the 24-70?

It looks to me like there is correction done with the jpeg. That's just eye-balling it on the rear screen -- photo in RAW without anything turned on and jpeg with the corrections turned on does seem to correct a little distortion on the wide end at least.

A couple of lens size comparison shots:

rawr · 10-24-2015, 03:17 PM

Originally posted by Rondec

A couple of lens size comparison shots:

That red ring seems so foreign and out of place.

10-23-2015, 07:12 PM	#40
longbow Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: NW Oregon Posts: 905	Originally posted by clawhammer Wow. Just... Wow. Nice image! Thanks, it was a beautiful morning Originally posted by Driline I think a crash diet is in order Ya, it's a handful Last edited by longbow; 10-23-2015 at 08:52 PM.

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10-23-2015, 06:46 AM	#31
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650 Original Poster	Originally posted by Driline How does it compare to the 16-85? Say using it as a quick travel lens? Are they similar in sharpness? I have used the 18-135, but not the 16-85. I guess I would say that the 24-70 is decent at f2.8 and very sharp at f4. With these super zooms, you need a lot of light, particularly at the long end. Distortion is a lot less with the 24-70, as well, compared with the 18-135. I always felt with the 18-135 that you needed the lens corrections, in-camera or Lightroom profile, more than with higher end zoom.

10-23-2015, 06:54 AM	#32
longbow Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: NW Oregon Posts: 905	Originally posted by mtux More size comparison photos please - as in ? different lens? Originally posted by Driline How does it compare to the 16-85? Say using it as a quick travel lens? Are they similar in sharpness? The 16-85 is a great lens, about 10 oz lighter, smaller diameter & slightly shorter, but obviously slower. Sharper ?? need more time, but the 16-85 is very good wide open. I would've been fine with it and not got the 24-70, but the 16-85 is now my wife's main lens since she doesn't like to change lenses, so works out great for her....and it gave me reason to buy the 24-70 As a quick travel lens, I'd probably take the 20-40, just did a 5 day backpack trip with it, worked out wonderful - light & small size, great IQ. That said the 24-70 isn't really any heavier then the 50-135 and a lot shorter, so carrying it shouldn't be a problem. Originally posted by pathdoc I don't own/haven't handled any of these - where might it sit with regard to an 18-135 or 18-250? I'm guessing about the same length but of course significantly wider. I guess that's worth it if you really need the f/2.8. I suspect we will see a constant f/4 or f/3/5 to 5.6 down the road in order to give the consumer market a somewhat less hefty option. Pics are nice, from both of you (how close were the bird and flower pics?). If the corners hold up on full-frame, this combination will do really, really well. Gave my daughter my K-50/18-135, so if I remember the 18-135 is a little shorter than the 16-85. Main size difference is the width & weight, but the 24-70 is noticeably shorter when zoomed out compared to the 16-85. The pictures were taken at or close to min focus, the cockatoo pic has a slight blur because Goffin's cockatoos are always in motion, except after bath time or getting a head scratch. Rondec, glad a more experienced/better photographer is showing what this lens can do, your pictures look great. Makes me look forward to being in the woods with this lens even more. Also, even though I had hoped to be using my K-3II with this lens, it decided to not turn on Tuesday. It had glitched up Sunday briefly, but did come back on, so now it's at Precicion having the Recall done - it's one of those serial numbers, but the shutter count was over 4300 before it died. So all of the pics are with my K-3. More pics are coming !!

10-23-2015, 08:02 AM	#34
mtux Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: the Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,444	Originally posted by longbow - as in ? different lens? More popular lenses(like 16-50) and most specially more angles. Thanks.

10-23-2015, 08:14 AM	#35
longbow Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: NW Oregon Posts: 905	Originally posted by mtux More popular lenses(like 16-50) and most specially more angles. Thanks. Don't have a 16-50, but try a better comparison with the 16-85

10-23-2015, 11:51 AM	#36
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183	just placed my order for this and a few others items like the K3ii and new flash - CAN'T WAIT!

10-23-2015, 06:03 PM	#38
clawhammer Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Logan, Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 971	Originally posted by longbow Have a beautiful sunrise this morning with Mt Hood visible. Other than adding .4 exposure and some cropping didn't do any other PP, it looked good as is. Wow. Just... Wow. Nice image!

10-23-2015, 06:08 PM	#39
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,695	Originally posted by longbow A better 16-85 vs 24-70 size comparison I think a crash diet is in order

10-24-2015, 03:20 AM - 1 Like	#41
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650 Original Poster	A few more.

10-24-2015, 02:44 PM	#43
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	I find it interesting that there is no public K-3, K-S2 etc firmware recognition of the D FA 24-70, but there are firmware updates that include the other new lenses - eg v1.20 K-3 firmware: Quote: Changes to V1.20 Optimized performance of HD PENTAX-DA 18-50mmF4-5.6 DC WR RE, HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mmF4.5-5.6ED DC AW and HD PENTAX-D FA ★70-200mmF2.8ED DC AW. Corresponded to AF button and preset button function for HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mmF4.5-5.6ED DC AW.: While the EXIF ID seems to be there for the 24-70, do the other K-3 in-camera JPEG correction features (eg CA correction, vignetting correction etc) work for the 24-70?

10-24-2015, 03:06 PM - 2 Likes	#44
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650 Original Poster	Originally posted by rawr I find it interesting that there is no public K-3, K-S2 etc firmware recognition of the D FA 24-70, but there are firmware updates that include the other new lenses - eg v1.20 K-3 firmware: While the EXIF ID seems to be there for the 24-70, do the other K-3 in-camera JPEG correction features (eg CA correction, vignetting correction etc) work for the 24-70? It looks to me like there is correction done with the jpeg. That's just eye-balling it on the rear screen -- photo in RAW without anything turned on and jpeg with the corrections turned on does seem to correct a little distortion on the wide end at least. A couple of lens size comparison shots:

10-24-2015, 03:17 PM	#45
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Rondec A couple of lens size comparison shots: That red ring seems so foreign and out of place.

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