HD Pentax-D FA 70-210mm f/4 ED SDM WR

ne! · 02-13-2020, 10:05 AM

Originally posted by pres589

A few months ago I was asked by a friend to take some portrait pictures of her, outdoors, with her camea. Canon 5D and her only lens was a 24-105 f4 (I think the mk2 version but I don't know and it doesn't matter). All shots taken were with the lens at 105mm and f4. She was very happy with the shots as was I on review afterwards. I could definately see this 70-210 f4 being a great protrait lens. I'm seeking something similar for my film kit.

You could do a lot worse than the Pentax SMC-A 70-210 f4, I picked one up a couple weeks ago for my Super A and it set me back a whole 12 bucks on that auction website.

**pres589** · 02-13-2020, 10:19 AM

I'm thinking M 75-150. Some photo website reviewed one not that long ago as a sort of throwback and it basically blew their socks off. 70-210 seems pretty decent as well but it's larger and I think is a bit more prone to fringing and CA.

Mistral75 · 02-13-2020, 11:47 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pres589

I'm thinking M 75-150. Some photo website reviewed one not that long ago as a sort of throwback and it basically blew their socks off. 70-210 seems pretty decent as well but it's larger and I think is a bit more prone to fringing and CA.

SMC Pentax-M 75-150mm f/4 Zoom Vintage Lens Review | ePHOTOzine

normhead · 02-13-2020, 11:52 AM

Originally posted by pres589

I'm thinking M 75-150. Some photo website reviewed one not that long ago as a sort of throwback and it basically blew their socks off. 70-210 seems pretty decent as well but it's larger and I think is a bit more prone to fringing and CA.

My F 70-210 is my worst lens for purple fringing, even though it's more corrected than previous designs (additional elements and groups). I like it as a fall back lens to throw in the bag when i want something just in case, but it's not cut out for A team work.

**pres589** · 02-13-2020, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by normhead

My F 70-210 is my worst lens for purple fringing, even though it's more corrected than previous designs (additional elements and groups). I like it as a fall back lens to throw in the bag when i want something just in case, but it's not cut out for A team work.

This is an area where Pentax for many years just didn't seem to do that well; unless you bought a Star lens, their 70-2xx zooms didn't seem to perform that well. Outside of the big money glass the first really good tele-zoom seems to be the DA 55-300. The 75-150 seems to be a fluke and another case of the M-series glass being much better than it is generally given credit for.

normhead · 02-13-2020, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by pres589

This is an area where Pentax for many years just didn't seem to do that well; unless you bought a Star lens, their 70-2xx zooms didn't seem to perform that well. Outside of the big money glass the first really good tele-zoom seems to be the DA 55-300. The 75-150 seems to be a fluke and another case of the M-series glass being much better than it is generally given credit for.

My first zoom was a Viv1tar M 75-150, I'm not sure anyone made good zooms in that range at that time. I know my first one was pretty terrible, even before mold ate it.

noelpolar · 02-13-2020, 03:45 PM - **4 Likes**

I have to find myself a new river...... never any nude's on the Murray (that you would want to point your camera at any how).

**TwoUptons** · 02-13-2020, 04:45 PM

Originally posted by normhead

My F 70-210 is my worst lens for purple fringing, even though it's more corrected than previous designs (additional elements and groups). I like it as a fall back lens to throw in the bag when i want something just in case, but it's not cut out for A team work.

You need a Tamron 70-300, then...

I use my F 70-210 when I don't want purple fringing... the Tamron is wickedly bad that way wide open...

I had a M 80-200 f4.5, and until a couple of elements decided to unglue themselves, it was decent, but the F 70-210 is better...

But I won't be sad to set it aside once I save up the pennies for the new one...

-Eric

LennyBloke · 02-14-2020, 05:26 AM - **8 Likes**

Over here in the UK my 70-210 has just arrived - first impressions are very positive

Very slight soft glow at maximum aperture with backlighting, but beautiful bokeh

**ben-pentax** · 02-14-2020, 09:40 AM

Amazon (france) has just notified me that mine is on it's way.

What else is missing ? A modern FA 20 2.8.

**FozzFoster** · 02-14-2020, 01:04 PM

Cool - the 70-210mm is available for pre-order at McBain Camera in Edmonton, Alberta!
$1399 CAD

HD Pentax-D FA 70-210mm f/4 ED SDM WR Lens | McBain Camera Canada

**RGlasel** · 02-14-2020, 01:48 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ne!

You could do a lot worse than the Pentax SMC-A 70-210 f4

Originally posted by normhead

My F 70-210 is my worst lens for purple fringing

There is a difference between the A and F. This is untouched and a worse case scenario, even the little bit of purple fringing in this photo is absent from other photos I took with this lens.

The DA 55-300 is sharper and even the screw drive AF is faster (most of the time) than the A's wrist-drive AF, so I don't use the 70-210 any more, but purple fringing isn't one of its faults.

Sandy Hancock · 02-14-2020, 01:50 PM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by noelpolar

I have to find myself a new river...... never any nude's on the Murray (that you would want to point your camera at any how).

I think the idea is to bring your own

**RobA_Oz** · 02-14-2020, 02:15 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by noelpolar

I have to find myself a new river...... never any nude's on the Murray (that you would want to point your camera at any how).

It’s a pretty long river. Can you be completely sure?

Wheatfield · 02-14-2020, 02:52 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by FozzFoster

Cool - the 70-210mm is available for pre-order at McBain Camera in Edmonton, Alberta!
$1399 CAD

HD Pentax-D FA 70-210mm f/4 ED SDM WR Lens | McBain Camera Canada

Well, I feel special now.
Enjoy it. I haven't done much with mine yet, but it does seem very good.

---------- Post added Feb 14th, 2020 at 04:04 PM ----------

Originally posted by ben-pentax

What else is missing ? A modern FA 20 2.8.

In primes, something wider than 20mm, 16 mm would be nice, 15mm even better, then a 20, 24, 35, 85, 105 and 135. For me they could skip 200, though I do like my FA* 200/4 macro, but make a 250 or so, and something close to 400.
Ten more lenses would be nice.
I would also appreciate a bellows that can work with the new lenses. It should be easy enough, it's fly by wire control now.

02-14-2020, 05:26 AM - 8 Likes	#1119
LennyBloke Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Worcestershire, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 677	Arrived Over here in the UK my 70-210 has just arrived - first impressions are very positive Very slight soft glow at maximum aperture with backlighting, but beautiful bokeh

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02-13-2020, 10:05 AM	#1111
ne! Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 57	Originally posted by pres589 A few months ago I was asked by a friend to take some portrait pictures of her, outdoors, with her camea. Canon 5D and her only lens was a 24-105 f4 (I think the mk2 version but I don't know and it doesn't matter). All shots taken were with the lens at 105mm and f4. She was very happy with the shots as was I on review afterwards. I could definately see this 70-210 f4 being a great protrait lens. I'm seeking something similar for my film kit. You could do a lot worse than the Pentax SMC-A 70-210 f4, I picked one up a couple weeks ago for my Super A and it set me back a whole 12 bucks on that auction website.

02-13-2020, 10:19 AM	#1112
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	I'm thinking M 75-150. Some photo website reviewed one not that long ago as a sort of throwback and it basically blew their socks off. 70-210 seems pretty decent as well but it's larger and I think is a bit more prone to fringing and CA.

02-13-2020, 11:47 AM - 1 Like	#1113
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527 Original Poster	Originally posted by pres589 I'm thinking M 75-150. Some photo website reviewed one not that long ago as a sort of throwback and it basically blew their socks off. 70-210 seems pretty decent as well but it's larger and I think is a bit more prone to fringing and CA. SMC Pentax-M 75-150mm f/4 Zoom Vintage Lens Review \| ePHOTOzine

02-13-2020, 11:52 AM	#1114
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by pres589 I'm thinking M 75-150. Some photo website reviewed one not that long ago as a sort of throwback and it basically blew their socks off. 70-210 seems pretty decent as well but it's larger and I think is a bit more prone to fringing and CA. My F 70-210 is my worst lens for purple fringing, even though it's more corrected than previous designs (additional elements and groups). I like it as a fall back lens to throw in the bag when i want something just in case, but it's not cut out for A team work.

02-13-2020, 12:34 PM	#1115
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	Originally posted by normhead My F 70-210 is my worst lens for purple fringing, even though it's more corrected than previous designs (additional elements and groups). I like it as a fall back lens to throw in the bag when i want something just in case, but it's not cut out for A team work. This is an area where Pentax for many years just didn't seem to do that well; unless you bought a Star lens, their 70-2xx zooms didn't seem to perform that well. Outside of the big money glass the first really good tele-zoom seems to be the DA 55-300. The 75-150 seems to be a fluke and another case of the M-series glass being much better than it is generally given credit for.

02-13-2020, 12:41 PM	#1116
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by pres589 This is an area where Pentax for many years just didn't seem to do that well; unless you bought a Star lens, their 70-2xx zooms didn't seem to perform that well. Outside of the big money glass the first really good tele-zoom seems to be the DA 55-300. The 75-150 seems to be a fluke and another case of the M-series glass being much better than it is generally given credit for. My first zoom was a Viv1tar M 75-150, I'm not sure anyone made good zooms in that range at that time. I know my first one was pretty terrible, even before mold ate it.

02-13-2020, 03:45 PM - 4 Likes	#1117
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	I have to find myself a new river...... never any nude's on the Murray (that you would want to point your camera at any how).

02-13-2020, 04:45 PM	#1118
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,225	Originally posted by normhead My F 70-210 is my worst lens for purple fringing, even though it's more corrected than previous designs (additional elements and groups). I like it as a fall back lens to throw in the bag when i want something just in case, but it's not cut out for A team work. You need a Tamron 70-300, then... I use my F 70-210 when I don't want purple fringing... the Tamron is wickedly bad that way wide open... I had a M 80-200 f4.5, and until a couple of elements decided to unglue themselves, it was decent, but the F 70-210 is better... But I won't be sad to set it aside once I save up the pennies for the new one... -Eric

02-14-2020, 09:40 AM	#1120
ben-pentax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 133	Amazon (france) has just notified me that mine is on it's way. What else is missing ? A modern FA 20 2.8.

02-14-2020, 01:04 PM	#1121
FozzFoster Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 6,808	Cool - the 70-210mm is available for pre-order at McBain Camera in Edmonton, Alberta! $1399 CAD HD Pentax-D FA 70-210mm f/4 ED SDM WR Lens \| McBain Camera Canada

02-14-2020, 01:48 PM - 1 Like	#1122
RGlasel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saskatoon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,229	Originally posted by ne! You could do a lot worse than the Pentax SMC-A 70-210 f4 Originally posted by normhead My F 70-210 is my worst lens for purple fringing There is a difference between the A and F. This is untouched and a worse case scenario, even the little bit of purple fringing in this photo is absent from other photos I took with this lens. The DA 55-300 is sharper and even the screw drive AF is faster (most of the time) than the A's wrist-drive AF, so I don't use the 70-210 any more, but purple fringing isn't one of its faults.

02-14-2020, 01:50 PM - 5 Likes	#1123
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	Originally posted by noelpolar I have to find myself a new river...... never any nude's on the Murray (that you would want to point your camera at any how). I think the idea is to bring your own

02-14-2020, 02:15 PM - 2 Likes	#1124
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,209	Originally posted by noelpolar I have to find myself a new river...... never any nude's on the Murray (that you would want to point your camera at any how). It’s a pretty long river. Can you be completely sure?

02-14-2020, 02:52 PM - 1 Like	#1125
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987	Originally posted by FozzFoster Cool - the 70-210mm is available for pre-order at McBain Camera in Edmonton, Alberta! $1399 CAD HD Pentax-D FA 70-210mm f/4 ED SDM WR Lens \| McBain Camera Canada Well, I feel special now. Enjoy it. I haven't done much with mine yet, but it does seem very good. ---------- Post added Feb 14th, 2020 at 04:04 PM ---------- Originally posted by ben-pentax What else is missing ? A modern FA 20 2.8. In primes, something wider than 20mm, 16 mm would be nice, 15mm even better, then a 20, 24, 35, 85, 105 and 135. For me they could skip 200, though I do like my FA* 200/4 macro, but make a 250 or so, and something close to 400. Ten more lenses would be nice. I would also appreciate a bellows that can work with the new lenses. It should be easy enough, it's fly by wire control now.