[Adam]

You'll find a comprehensive write-up on Pentax's latest full-frame lens on our homepage:

HD Pentax-D FA 24-70mm F2.8 ED SDM WR Announced - Pentax Announcements | PentaxForums.com

The new 24-70mm F2.8 is being launched at a price of $1299 and will start shipping in late October. Pre-order below:

• Pentax HD Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8ED SDM WR Lens 21310 B&H
• Pentax D FA 24-70mm - Adorama

Adam
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[macTak]

Here we go...

Edit: Comparison of MTF.

Pentax:



Canon:



Nikon:



Finally, it's interesting to note that it is an SDM lens, not a DC lens, and that the press release describes it as a "new-generation SDM".

[Mistral75]

You forgot the Tamron.

[unkipunki]

why is it SDM?

[Kunzite]

Because it has a ring-type "ultrasonic" motor. It's the Tamron's USD.

[northcoastgreg]

why is it SDM?

It's a Tamron motor, so don't worry. The only thing Pentax about this lens are the HD coatings, the mount, and the Pentax label.

$1,300 is a very good price for a lens that will give you ~98% what the Canon and Nikon 24-70s provide plus Pentax colors.

[Digitalis]

The only thing Pentax about this lens are the HD coatings, the mount, and the Pentax label.

I'm not sure about that, from looking at the marketing blurbs both for the 24-70mm f/2.8 lenses from DPR.

From Tamron:

" ...It includes three Low Dispersion (LD) glass elements, two Extra Refractive Index (XR) glass elements, three glass molded aspheric elements"

and From Pentax:

"By incorporating three Extra-low Dispersion (ED) optical elements and four aspherical optical elements, the lens assures sufficient light levels even at the edges of the image field"

There is an extra Aspherical in the Pentax lens, and no mention of the XR lens elements by another name. Which suggests that there have been some alterations made to the Tamron design. One aspherical lens can make a surprising difference when it comes to controlling focus shift caused by residual spherical aberration ( which is a known issue with the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8)

P.S:

The optical formula for the current Tamron 24-70 f/2.8:

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Last edited by Digitalis; 09-25-2015 at 04:35 AM.

[Kunzite]

Can we trust press releases to be accurate? If they are, that would be interesting...

From DPReview:
"To achieve this feat, Tamron has employed an exotic optical formula that makes extensive use of special elements. It includes three Low Dispersion (LD) glass elements, two Extra Refractive Index (XR) glass elements, three glass molded aspheric elements, and one hybrid aspherical element in its 17 element / 12 group design."
We have the 4 asphericals, what doesn't match is the LD+XR vs. ED.

What is wrong with Pentax? Can't they even make their own lenses for FF? What kind of company is this?

[Kunzite]

Yeah they can, but they tend to cost $2000+

[starjedi]

What is wrong with Pentax? Can't they even make their own lenses for FF? What kind of company is this?

I do not understand your point. First it is the same price as Tamron. Pentax does not overcharge it. Second, as long as the optics is great and the mount is Pentax, do we care which manufacture is giving the pricing is reasonable?

I do not understand your point. First it is the same price as Tamron. Pentax does not overcharge it. Second, as long as the optics is great and the mount is Pentax, do we care which manufacture is giving the first point?

Do you aware that Pentax is a small company compare to other camera brands tho? Also, why couldn't they make Star versions rather than normal lens?

[JinDesu]

You might want to go get the DFA * 70-200 then. Pentax design, * lens, everything you just asked for.

[Kunzite]

Do you aware that Pentax is a small company compare to other camera brands tho? Also, why couldn't they make Star versions rather than normal lens?

Are you saying you would have paid $2400 for a Pentax-designed D FA*?

[monochrome]

Do you aware that Pentax is a small company compare to other camera brands tho? Also, why couldn't they make Star versions rather than normal lens?

$2,300 versus $1,300.