[lytrytyr]

(now I must convince myself rebadging is not such a bad thing...)

Your neighbor above (or should that be "to the west"?) just made the argument.

[Edgar_in_Indy]

I would rather have a very good lens, that I can afford, than an out-of-this-world lens that I would never be able to justify. So for a lot of people, this lens will probably hit the mark. Seems like a smart move.

I'd still rather be able to buy a Tamron version though, for the extended warranty and a better chance of getting it on sale. And for being able to avoid the Pentax Service Department of Terror if there was ever a problem.

[IchabodCrane]

It's not different. The lens diagram is the same, all that's different is the marketing of the lens elements.

Agree. If you change the type of glass on those elements, you'd also have to change the optical design along with it and there's no evidence that's been done.

[robjmitchell]

Agree. If you change the type of glass on those elements, you'd also have to change the optical design along with it and there's no evidence that's been done.

The optical design is different, the pentax has no VR! While I suspect most of differences are just marketing speak, the second Aspherical element is highlighted as being special in the pentax version but not in the Tamron version. Weather it produces any optical improvement in already decent lens is another matter.

[reh321]

It's a good, affordable lens.
And don't forget, we asked Ricoh to "make" Tamron&co launch their lenses in K-mount. That's exactly what they did

(now I must convince myself rebadging is not such a bad thing...)

One area of personal disappointment for me is the number of Tamron / Sigma lenses that have in-lens motors for Canon (the only way to go there) but use screw-drive in the Pentax variant; I would have expected that it would be cheaper for all of them to use the same basic design. I am very very glad to see this variant show up (unfortunately, though, I have neither the bank balance nor the need to get one for my K-30).

[Edgar_in_Indy]

The optical design is different, the pentax has no VR!

Would it not be possible for them to just lock the VR element in place if they didn't want to change the formula?

[Mistral75]

Would it not be possible for them to just lock the VR element in place if they didn't want to change the formula?

Of course; it's what Tamron themselves do for their lenses in Sony Alpha mount.

[rawr]

From the Tamron JP site, an interesting interview with some of the Tamron engineers and managers behind the Tamron 24-70, with nice diagrams of the lens elements etc:

Interviewees: TAMRON
Shogo Sakuraba, General Manager of Optical Design & Engineering R & D Unit
Toshikuni Tateno, Manager of Integrated Core Technology R & D Unit Dept.#4
Koji Sato, Manager of Imaging Products Business Unit, Product Planning Dept.
Satoshi Todani, Manager of Imaging Products Business Unit, Design & Engineering Dept.#1

Interviewing Product Developers

The same guy visits the factories in Japan that make the 24-70 lens:
The A007 (24-70mm) is manufactured in Hirosaki and Namioka of Aomori Prefecture. The lens elements are made in Namioka and they are assembled in Hirosaki. Let me guide you through these two factories.

Visiting the Production Site

[Imp]

Ed's put up his impressions of the 24-70!

You Tube

You Tube

[rawr]

Ed's put up his impressions of the 24-70!

12 minutes of video that could easily be presented in just half a page of ASCII text.
Plus the presenter hasn't even handled a Tamron 24-70 - in any mount.

[Craig66]

Another lens to put on the wishlist...

[Imp]

12 minutes of video that could easily be presented in just half a page of ASCII text.
Plus the presenter hasn't even handled a Tamron 24-70 - in any mount.

It's Ed... what do you expect.

and, btw, some beautiful pics of the lens on the k-3 ii. idk where they got them from.
????????HD PENTAX-D FA 24-70mmF2.8ED SDM WR??????????????? - ??????????by????????

[Zygonyx]

It might well be Pentax has pushed up the "star" standard, to home-made and exceptionnal products in all respects ; and that only the metal barrelled + AW and IF lenses will qualify for "star" lenses in the future.

[filoxophy]

...and, btw, some beautiful pics of the lens on the k-3 ii. idk where they got them from.
????????HD PENTAX-D FA 24-70mmF2.8ED SDM WR??????????????? - ??????????by????????

Thanks for the link. That is a serious-looking lens! Of course I'm biased, but I definitely prefer it in Pentax livery over Tamron, though obviously the proportions are basically the same. Love that green Pentax ring!

82mm filters is pretty tough to swallow--I think the FA 31's 58mm filters are large!

---------- Post added 09-26-15 at 08:57 PM ----------

It might well be Pentax has pushed up the "star" standard, to home-made and exceptionnal products in all respects ; and that only the metal barrelled + AW and IF lenses will qualify for "star" lenses in the future.

Yes, that may be. I don't have a problem per se with this "Tamron rebadge", but was surprised to see Pentax go this route with the a 24-70/2.8. Would have expected a partnership with Tamron (or whomever) for a 24/28-105/120 variable aperture kit lens, with Pentax creating their own D FA* 24-70/2.8.

Where do they go now to create extra value in that slot? I.e., what will be the standard wide-normal-short tele D FA* lens?

[Imp]

Where do they go now to create extra value in that slot? I.e., what will be the standard wide-normal-short tele D FA* lens?

Or they don't, that's the maximum value, except it is rebranded therefore not da*