[Rondec]

The 70-210 allegedly has a focal length of ~175mm at the long end when focused at MFD, which is "best in class" so far as I'm aware. Compare to the 60-250 which only manages 125mm, and that's focused from 15cm further away. On that basis, I don't expect you'll notice the slight shortening of focal length with your lovely new lens...



Sadly, I'm aware of no such chart

It is just interesting to me that at minimum focus distance, the DA *50-135 actually has the same focal length as the 60-250 -- now that's serious focus breathing!

As you say, few shots are going to be shot either at infinity or at minimum focus distance, meaning that the focal lengths will vary quite a bit for lenses with focus breathing. 250mm at infinity, 125mm at minimum, but in between, who knows? What we know for sure is that getting really close to your quarry will only do you so much good if the closer you get the shorter your focal length is.

[sculptor666]

i have one via adorama, so yeah they're available! also lighter and smaller that 60-250... so calling both of them chunky/heavy doen't make a whole lot of sense

[BigMackCam]

i have one via adorama, so yeah they're available! also lighter and smaller that 60-250... so calling both of them chunky/heavy doen't make a whole lot of sense

My description of "chunky / heavy" was meant to highlight the difference between the two fast, constant aperture zooms when compared to the DA55-300 screw drive and PLM.

Looking at the figures, the D FA70-210/4 is 18% lighter than the DA*60-250 (which is very significant) but still almost twice the weight of a DA55-300 (either screw drive or PLM). At 78.5 x 175mm, it's 2.5mm narrower but 7mm longer than the DA*60-250, and dwarfs the 55-300 options. This isn't a criticism of the new lens - far from it; it's a different class to the 55-300 lenses. But this is why I described both it and the DA*60-250 as "chunky / heavy"...

By the way, congratulations on your fine new lens I don't rule out buying one myself, though it would be some way down the road...

[normhead]

I guess if you're used to aDA 55-300 or 50-200 I guess both of them are chunky and heavy. If you're used to a -150-450 they are light and easily manageable. Such terms are always relative to something, and confusing if it isn't stated what that something is.

It is just interesting to me that at minimum focus distance, the DA *50-135 actually has the same focal length as the 60-250 -- now that's serious focus breathing!

A DFA 100 macro WR with the 1.4 probably out resolves it at a fraction of the weight and superior ease of use.

[sculptor666]

My description of "chunky / heavy" was meant to highlight the difference between the two fast, constant aperture zooms when compared to the DA55-300 screw drive and PLM.

Looking at the figures, the D FA70-210/4 is 18% lighter than the DA*60-250 (which is very significant) but still almost twice the weight of a DA55-300 (either screw drive or PLM). At 78.5 x 175mm, it's 2.5mm narrower but 7mm longer than the DA*60-250, and dwarfs the 55-300 options. This isn't a criticism of the new lens - far from it; it's a different class to the 55-300 lenses. But this is why I described both it and the DA*60-250 as "chunky / heavy"...

By the way, congratulations on your fine new lens I don't rule out buying one myself, though it would be some way down the road...

thanks! it's not payed for yet though! paypal's 0% for six months is dangerous!

don't forget to account for growth

[lsimpkins]

I'd be very interested in a comparison of the IQ of your new 70-210 to that of your 60-250, especially at the long end and focus distances of say 30' to infinity. I've been spoiled by the IQ my 60-250, but frustrated at times by its lack of AFC speed.

[sculptor666]

I'd be very interested in a comparison of the IQ of your new 70-210 to that of your 60-250, especially at the long end and focus distances of say 30' to infinity. I've been spoiled by the IQ my 60-250, but frustrated at times by its lack of AFC speed.

i'll definitely report on iq in a couple weeks!

[LennyBloke]

I've just added my "first impressions" review of the new HD D FA 70-210mm f4 in the reviews section:

HD Pentax-D FA 70-210mm F4 ED SDM WR Reviews - D FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

And a couple of snatched photos in a grey, rainy back garden a short while ago...

50%ish crop



Slight crop

[normhead]

I've just added my "first impressions" review of the new HD D FA 70-210mm f4 in the reviews section:

HD Pentax-D FA 70-210mm F4 ED SDM WR Reviews - D FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

And a couple of snatched photos in a grey, rainy back garden a short while ago...

50%ish crop



Slight crop

I think we can safely say it's capable of being a useful addition to one's lens line up.

[repaap]

I just packed up my camera bag for my business trip to Denmark. I packed DFA*70-200(just because I actually like to shoot with it) . With laptop I was on mark of max 8 KG with HDDA10-17(wanted DFA15-30, but it went over 700g) and HD DFA 28-105. I have to admit that I was thinking of this lens. Then I could have squeesed in FA 31 and perhaps some other things....perhaps 2021 when we go to Tokio, I’ll see if there is good prize for this lens...

[biz-engineer]

I've just added my "first impressions" review of the new HD D FA 70-210mm f4 in the reviews section

Dustin Abot said that it would be good if Tamron added a focus limiter, Ricoh did it on the Pentax version, which is a good thing

Some of Tamron 70-210 reviews say that the lens AF hunts when at 210mm with a close subject. Did you test the lens for that specific AF condition?

[Serkevan]

I just packed up my camera bag for my business trip to Denmark. I packed DFA*70-200(just because I actually like to shoot with it) . With laptop I was on mark of max 8 KG with HDDA10-17(wanted DFA15-30, but it went over 700g) and HD DFA 28-105. I have to admit that I was thinking of this lens. Then I could have squeesed in FA 31 and perhaps some other things....perhaps 2021 when we go to Tokio, I’ll see if there is good prize for this lens...

Pro tip: camera and heaviest lens on a belt/sling strap. No one has ever looked at it. We have even flown Ryanair without carry-on (so only a 3 kg small backpack each) a couple times, not a problem (but then again, the heaviest lens we have is a 700 g Canon 70-200/4)...

Being told to remove all your lenses and chargers from a hiking backpack for the security control is a pain in the back of the neck, though. Particularly if the M50/1.7 found its way to somewhere at the bottom between the socks I line to pad underneath

[repaap]

Pro tip: camera and heaviest lens on a belt/sling strap. No one has ever looked at it. We have even flown Ryanair without carry-on (so only a 3 kg small backpack each) a couple times, not a problem (but then again, the heaviest lens we have is a 700 g Canon 70-200/4)...

That sounds good! It is handy already to have big jacket with big pockets to house a lot of other things..

[Serkevan]

That sounds good! It is handy already to have big jacket with big pockets to house a lot of other things..

Yeah, I do the same, it's not the first time I put the M20 and M50 in coat pockets. I tend to fly Lufthansa out of a bunch of reasons and they have never checked the weight of my hiking pack or even trolley + laptop backpack, but I guess it's because no one thinks a half-empty, VERY old-looking 30 L pack is 12 kg

[repaap]

Yeah, I do the same, it's not the first time I put the M20 and M50 in coat pockets. I tend to fly Lufthansa out of a bunch of reasons and they have never checked the weight of my hiking pack or even trolley + laptop backpack, but I guess it's because no one thinks a half-empty, VERY old-looking 30 L pack is 12 kg

Could be. Or they just want to keep customers to them self and not ask silly things.