| Author: | | New Member Registered: April, 2010 Posts: 5
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 20, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $425.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | zoom range, decent IMQ, near silent AF | | Cons: | AF good Kr,K5 :( | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Kr
| |
Before I used it with K10, K7. Very difficult to focus on 50-70
But is it really Kr is no longer effective in 50-70 hunt phenomenon. Perhaps because of K7 AF not as good as I Kr and previous reviews are probably 5 points for K7 but perhaps it is 10 pointswith Kr.
ALL IN ONE a lens from landscape, portrait ......
( Sorry about my english )
ảnh nguyên gốc JPG - resize
Em cu của Khánh_Zui, trên Flickr
Anh Phương của Khánh_Zui, trên Flickr
17-70 của Khánh_Zui, trên Flickr
Ngọc Béo của Khánh_Zui, trên Flickr
Food của Khánh_Zui, trên Flickr
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2012 Location: Independence, MN Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 3, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $480.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | great range, quality feel, quiet, vibrant | | Cons: | no Weather proofing | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: k5
| |
If this had weather-sealing and a bit more "bling", it would be a DA*. I might say if it was a bit faster too, but Pentax's current short/mid zoom DA*16-50mm doesn't look that great until it is at F4 anyway. I really debated between the DA17-70 and the DA*16-50. I own several DA*'s in other ranges and I like the little "extra" they come with.
Ultimately, without the WR and the Gold Band and perhaps the 2.8 or 3.5 designation that would attract more attention, this lens is simply good, excellent even. And 20mm more reach is greatly appreciated, especially with portrait work. Pentax has 5 short zooms. Their Kit zooms are better than expected. And we are programmed to presume the DA*16-50mm is the one we should all be saving for. This DA17-70mm, especially at the $480 I paid, is the best choice. Not just for the money, it is the best choice period. It is so consistant, center to edge and in different light. The DA*16-50 needs to be compensated for, the DA17-70mm you just shoot.
The Sigma 17-70mm and Tamron 17-50mm each have some noteworthy strengths, but some negatives as well. Of all 7 choices I know of that you can hang on the front of a K5 and capture the midrange zoom, this is the best. If you don't have to have weather-sealing, buy it; enjoy it. Don't let anyone make you feel bad!
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: September, 2010 Location: Burley, Idaho Posts: 6
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 3, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $480.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | SHARP!!! Quiet with Good Range and Close Focus. | | Cons: | Focusing ring rotates | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
| |
 I've been reading other reviews of this lens and I can't believe we're talking about the same lens. I think it's the best normal range zoom. I've used almost all the others, Pentax, Nikon, and Canon none were better. I've taken portraits and flower pictures at 70mm f4 and they are tack sharp. I've had one problem with the focus but that was after I stood in a blowing rain storm taking a picture of a mountain lake. I sent it to pentax and it came back better than new. I use this lens for about 85% of my pictures. I've been a professional photographer for over 40 years and I'm telling you this lens can do it all. I know Pentax has a 16-50mm f2.8 that a lot of people like and it is sharp but 50mm are you kidding? I owned a Canon 17-50mm f2.8 and I almost gave it away, too short for weddings and not all that sharp. I know the SDM gets a bad rap but other Pentax lenses have the SDM focusing like all the Star lenses. I have not tried the new 18-135mm yet. I do need a weather proof lens that is sharp. If the 17-70mm lens was wearher proof it would be perfect. Once again I'm telling you this lens is Sharp!!!!!!! See Later Comments about focus problems again, I'm not so smilely now. When it works it's great but......... | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: April, 2009 Location: port townsend, wa Posts: 968
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 14, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $469.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Nice IQ, Nice zoom range | | Cons: | none | |
I was looking for a Pentax crop sensor equivalent of the full frame Canon 24-105 f4. Here it is. Like that popular lens, this has very nice image quality. Photos are sharp through the range, if the tiniest bit soft at 70mm. If contrast is slightly down at f4, that's easy to fix in post. For 99% of my uses it's more than simply good.
Some people knock it for being f4 and heavy. Well folks you bought an f4 lens, didn't you. Marking it down because it's not faster is pretty silly, isn't it? I'll guarantee you that it would be a lot more expensive and heavy at f2.8. My 50mm lens doesn't have much of a zoom range. Can I knock it for that? No, for what it is it's a 10, as this lens is for me. Rate the lens for what it is. I've also tried the Sigma 17-70 and it does go to f2.8 at the wide end. It just isn't as good a lens and 2.8 is simply too soft and flat to be appealing on it.
Anyway, now that that's out of my system, I can say that this is my new walk around lens. At all focal lengths it's sharper than my 18-250 and about the same weight. And the 18-250 is a step up from kit lenses at the same focal lengths. Contrast and color saturation are both better with the 17-70. Focusing is both faster and more accurate, as well as much quieter. Build quality is about the same as the 18-250, good but not superb. That's what I expect from Pentax with a non-* zoom lens. It's certainly feels more solid than the kit lenses I've used. I considered the 18-135. The weather sealing on that and the great zoom range are both appealing but after trying that out, it didn't have the same IQ, though its focusing was excellent.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2008 Location: California Posts: 20 | | Review Date: September 18, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $350.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | decent build, nice zoom range, constant f/4, sharp wide open, silent AF | | Cons: | a bit bulky and heavy | |
I bought this lens to replace the 16-45/4. It's a very nice upgrade. I feel its build quality is noticeable better than 16-45. No more AF noise. The focal range is much better than 16-45, even though I lose 1mm at wide angle. The image quality is very good throughout the focal range.
The only complain I have is about its size and weight. Hope it is a little bit smaller and lighter.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2016 Location: Tirana Posts: 780
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 30, 2018 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp, contrasty, colorful | | Cons: | AF over 50mm, focus ring range is too small | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 7
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: k-30
| |
I got this lens on a bargain, about 60 euros, from somebody that dindnt know(obviously) what it was worth. ever since i bought it, i have never put the kit 18-55 wr back on the camera, except for when its rainy, too bad this lens doesnt come with WR. I am fairly satisfied with the autofocus from 17-50mm and from 50-70mm it is a fingers crossed situation. what it catches the focus it does so precisely, but when it doesnt it just wont lock on it. you can try and get it yourself by using the focus ring but since the travel of the ring is only about 60 degrees you have to be precise to the 10th of the millimeter. Other than this this is the best rendering all purpose zoom i have had to date. Image quality feels professional. and the range is very useful. That 1 mm on the wide range is quite relevant differently from assumptions, and the 70mm is very good for portraits...when the focus does lock in, that is. Flare and CA on the optimal side.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: February, 2012 Location: Belluno, Italy Posts: 34 | | Review Date: January 22, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Focal range, autofocus, sharpness | | Cons: | some flare | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-5
| |
I have taken any kind of photo with this lens and it's always a great result! The AF is really fast, good and silent... Maybe a lucky piece 
https://flic.kr/p/QsKfL3
https://flic.kr/p/NJaUru
https://flic.kr/p/FrWm6q | | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2015 Posts: 5
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 18, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Image quality | | Cons: | AF above 50 mm | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax k-30
| |
In my eyes the primary competitor of this lens in the Pentax line-up is the 18-135. I had a 18-135 at the time I bought the 17-70 second hand. It was the reviews and user opinions which made me decide to give the 17-70 a try. Indeed the 17-70 turned out to be a much better performer IQ-wise. I really like the uniformly solid resolution of this lens. Pictures taken with the 18-135 often seem rude and unprofessional when compared to the 17-70. The price is the narrower focal range. Unfortunately, I can confirm the AF problems at the long end (above about 50 mm). If the camera finds focus, the image is not blurred, but often the AF is just walking up and down and finally gives it up. Altogether I find it a good choice if you want a standard zoom with professionally looking image quality.
Here is a selection of pictures I took with this lens.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: February, 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 6,176
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 5, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $365.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Loads of microcontrast, fairly sharp, decent color rendition | | Cons: | SDM and other AF related horrors | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 5
Handling: 8
Value: 7
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax K-5iis
| |
Optically, this is a very good standard zoom lens. For mid-aperture shooting, perhaps only the DA* 16-50 can beat it. The lens is fairly sharp and impressively contrasty. Color rendition is good, but not quite at the level of limited or star glass, or of the DA 12-24 and DA 10-17. It's color rendering is a tad on the warm side, closer to Pentax telephoto glass (like the DFA 100 macro and DA* 300) than Pentax wide angle glass.
It's very hard to make a zoom lens with a range as long as 17mm to 70mm consistently good, edge to edge, at all focal lengths. Pentax came close to achieving that standard in the DA 17-70. It's very good edge to edge throughout most of it's range. But it does give up some resolution at the long end. I haven't tested the lens extensively to discover exactly where resolution begins to tail off. It still seems pretty good at 50mm, and maybe at 60mm as well. But at 70mm it's not as good, particularly at longer distances, regardless of whether one stops down or not.
The main problem with the lens, and probably the reason why it's generally rating is, compared to other, optically inferior standard zoom lenses, is because of the SDM horrors associated with it, along with other AF issues that have plagued the lens. I've used two copies the lens. The first copy manifested extremely serious AF issues, resulting from the inability of the lens to report to the camera the correct focal length. Regardless of which focal length was actually used, the lens recorded the focal length as 43mm. This essentially incapacitated the AF at most focal lengths. The SDM worked worked in the sense that it was not the source of the problem; but the lens, confused because of the misreported focal length, floundered like a beached whale, moving with little purpose and even less efficacy. The replacement version, however, has worked without a flaw. It will be interesting to discover how long the SDM horror functions before its inevitably decline and death.
Some samples of the lens, sans recorded focal length:
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 824 | | Review Date: October 5, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $330.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Colors!, Sharp, Great range, Constant aperture | | Cons: | Harder to focus manually, Fails to lock focus infrequently | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K100d Super
| |
I bought the lens used from another forum member here and used it on a K100d Super until very recently when I bought a K-5. The lens SDM worked well on the camera, as advertised. Before this lens, I used the 18-55 II, which is quite good, but this one is well worth the extra cost. The sharpness is better across a broader range, but the most noticeable change is the rich, vibrant colors. The colors are richer with this lens than they were with a circ polarizer on the II. The f/4 aperture has been sufficient for most situations and I have appreciated that it is a constant aperture, something that I have not liked in my other lenses. So I have been very happy with my purchase and it has lived up to my expectations.
If there is a characteristic that is "different" than expected, it is the lens will sometimes fail to lock focus in some circumstances. I cannot pinpoint the scene or lighting conditions, or the lens settings when it does this, and it is not frequent, but it does occur. While this has not bothered me much at all, I wonder if this is the same phenomena that has infuriated other reviewers. Aside from this oddity, the lens is a really good unit.
I regret that I don't experience with other lenses except for the 18-55 II for comparing to this lens. I would love to compare this lens to all the other usual cast of characters when the "which standard zoom" question arises.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: November, 2012 Location: London Posts: 157 | | Review Date: November 14, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp, good macro, good handling, quick af, constant f4, good colors | | Cons: | none, could be about $50 cheaper imo. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K5iis
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Firstly, let me say that the autofocus on this lens is near silent, there is a tiny high pitched sound but that is how sdm works, duh. This lens is a workhorse, I can get good macros with good bokeh out of it, the zoom ring is nicely damped, sharpness is quite good even at f4 and at 17-60mm the sharpness is very good, it is so much better than my Tamron 17-50, it is a little soft at 70 but at f6.3 it is pretty ok. The SDM is quick and quiet and although the Sigma 17-70 is cheaper, this is sharper at every focal length and is smaller. It could be cheaper but it is still good value.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659 | | Review Date: April 17, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $507.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | F4,useful range, no creep, size/weight, quiet | | Cons: | Hood gets in the way of AF assist light | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K5
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The background i read on this lens is that it was built as an extension of the very popular DA 16-45. I do a fair amount of photography for a live performance theatre (plays), and i've always had to change out my Tamron 28-75 f2.8 when i had a need below the 28. Although this lens is not as fast as the Tamron, the F4 is suitable throughout its range, perhaps slight softness at the 70mm end. Except for dark scenes, this will give me great flexibility in shooting for most plays.
Lens creep is a real anoyance to me and its good to see that this lens zoom is so well damped that is has none.
The lens review site, photozone.de, complimented it highly:
 Quote: The Pentax DA SMC 17-70mm f/4 AL [IF] SDM is undoubtedly the most desirable standard zoom lens in the current Pentax lens lineup. The resolution characteristic is very good without any significant weakness. http://www.photozone.de/pentax/408-pentax_1770_4?start=2
The photozone.de review was dated Dec 2008 and was done on a K10. I've noticed that on the lenses retested by photozone.de on a 16 mp K5, there is often an increase in resolution by up to 19%.
I know that in some of the earlier reviews, some problems with the SDM were encountered. Latest polls on PF shows that there is a marked decrease in SDM problems across the board. The plus side of SDM is the lenses are very quiet when shooting at events. And this particular lens has the fastest focusing speed of any of my, now 3, sdm lenses.
I'm going to enjoy this lens a lot.!
| | | | | Banned Registered: May, 2011 Location: Pittsburgh,PA Posts: 321 | | Review Date: December 31, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $470.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Great Glass, Sharp, Extremely useful focal range, Excellent flare resistance | | Cons: | A bit slow. | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: New
| |
At the discount price I purchased, it's definitely worth it. Excellent walk around lens.
IMGP1190-new by dr_romix, on Flickr
IMGP1173-new by dr_romix, on Flickr
IMGP1184-new by dr_romix, on Flickr
DA 17-70 Direct jpeg no PP. Excellent low light focus with K-5. This is around mid night -10C.
Taken around mid-night. Temp -10 C, Pentax weather-sealed capability quite useful. by dr_romix, on Flickr
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: March, 2010 Location: Andalucía and the U.K. Posts: 63
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 16, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Useful zoom range, swift and silent AF, nice colours | | Cons: | Weak corners at 17 and at 70mm, price? | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 7
New or Used: Used
| |
I suppose your opinion of this lens depends on the copy you have. Mine has never had any focussing issues between 50 and 70mm and the SDM has performed flawlessly. For me it's always been a very useful and reliable performer.
In terms of IQ, autofocus and range it's a definite step up from the kit lens. However, the question is whether it's worth the extra cash. In the UK this lens is retailing for about £400, nearly £350 more than the 18-55. You get an extra 1mm and the wide end, an extra 15mm in length and the autofocus is swift and silent (at least in my example). The overall IQ is better, but it's still a zoom. So is it worth the extra? I think that depends on your specific needs, expectations and of course the size of your wallet.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,202
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 3, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $340.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | SDM silent focusing, excellent IQ, great color, good quilt quality | | Cons: | a little bit heavy and big for an F4 lens, focusing ring too loose | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
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I think this lens got some bad reviews because of some bad copies, especially the AF problem near the tele end on some copies. I've had 3 copies of this lens, sold the first one in favor of the DA*16-50. Then got one back for the range, but returned it right away due to focusing issue between 50 to 70mm. Just got another copy, no focusing problem through out the whole range.
Overall the IQ is very good. It's pretty sharp w/ great color. Bokeh is good for a zoom lens, the zoom ring is smooth and feels solid. The lens can focus very close, much closer than most other zoom lenses,. very fun to use if you like to shoot some closeups once in a while.
I've had the DA18-135 DC lens too, other than focusing speed and center sharpness, I didn't like that lens as much as the DA17-70. The pictures from 18-135 just feel not as vibrant, colors are not as punchy. Given the choice again, I'd still go for the DA1770 (assume it has no AF issues).
If you got a good copy (no SDM or AF issues), you'd be very happy w/ the lens.
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