| Author: | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Posts: 6,871 | | Review Date: August 16, 2008 | Recommended
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | This review is only about full frame capabilities | | Cons: | | |
I have checked a number of DA lenses for their capability to be used on a full frame (24 x 36 mm) body.
On a scale of (-, o, +, ++, +++) this lens got this verdict for suitability with a full frame body from me:
+
Read the full review, incl. test shots of an ISO chart on film, here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/318663-post37.html
Please, contribute own sample shots on film for any DA lens in this thread. Thank You. | | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: September, 2006 Location: UK Posts: 53 | | Review Date: July 25, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build, size, sharp wide open, price | | Cons: | | |
I guess I just wanted to add my support to this lens, it really is a beauty.
Mounted on my K100D, I have a lovely compact package that does not compromise on quality.
If you've always looked at primes but thought "why get one lens that does one focal length when I could get a zoom lens that gives me so much more?" then I recommend you bite the bullit and try a prime. Look at it this way, you may not get as many shots with a prime as you would with a zoom, but the chances are the shots you DO come home with will really impress.
I thoroughly recommend this lens and can't wait to add the DA21 to my bag!
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 173 | | Review Date: June 8, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, contrasty, great bokeh, great build, fast AF, low CA/PF | | Cons: | Some vignetting wide open | |
This is probably one of my favorite lenses ever along with the FA31 Ltd. It is super sharp straight from f/2.4, has very nice smooth bokeh and extremely low CA's and fringing (especially compared to the FA77 Ltd). The AF is also very fast and the quick shift focus is always useful.
The thing is built like a tank and gives the user confidence when using it. The only negative aspect that I can think of is that vignetting is noticeable at wide-open and needs f/4 to be really gone. The perfect sweet spot for landscapes is at f/5.6 with superb sharpness, no vignetting and absolutely no CA's. For other aspects like macro's, portraits, abstracts and all other work the optical strenght at f/2.4 is very nice as I never ever hesitate to shoot it wide-open. A Pentax gem and the best of the DA Ltd pancakes for sure!
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2008 Location: Facebook - See ya there. Posts: 248
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 20, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $470.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Compact, top-notch build quality, sharp wide open, relatively fast, great rendering/bokeh | | Cons: | Relative lack of speed [as compared to the FA 77mm f1.8] | |
Excellent modern "short-telephoto" prime. It is as small as I would really want a lens to be on my K100D Super - it's size does allow for smooth manual focusing for those interested. I keep the lens hood on full time as the lens cap will not fit the lens without the hood - the hood is an interesting matching metal sliding hood.
[Edit: After owning it for two years - and using it on both the K20D and K-7 - I became a big fan of the small size. QS also came in quite handy as I learned to shoot portraits.]
The sharpness and contrast qualities of this lens are apparent even from f2.4 - and the lens really shines at f3.2 - f5.6. I've had no issues using this lens indoors in low light despite the fact it is 'only' a f2.4. The focus speed and accuracy are quite good - and get better in good light. Could serve wonderfully as a pro-quality portrait lens or a fun walkaround addition to a set of primes. I was not willing to spend another $200 to get the FA 77/1.8. The size, equivalent build quality, excellent sharpness at all aps, and quickshift focusing feature convinced me to get the DA 70/2.4.
[Edit: Two years later, I would make the exact same choice. The DA70's quick AF and small size are big advantages; as is the ability to shoot wide-open with near-optimal quality]
Here is a small gallery of some of my shots with this lens:
http://s214.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/AMMouse/Pentax%20K100D%20Super/Pent...A70%20Limited/
DA70 @ f3.2
DA70 Ltd. @ f3.2
DA70 Ltd. @ f4
DA70 Ltd. @ f5
 | | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2008 Location: Trinidad W.I. Posts: 612 | | Review Date: April 3, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $439.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, light weight, fast accurate AF, manual focus in AF mode, well made and feels great in hands, great value for money | | Cons: | no aperture ring, focus ring not damped, no low light bulb or glow in dark lens mount indicator | |
This is the first DA limited I have owned and it is one of the most impressive lenses I have ever owned. Very sharp wide open and even sharpness right across the frame, no low contrast wide open either which is nice to. Also as a limited lens it has that 3d Effect and glow with nice bokeh they are known for.
Using the lens is a joy, AF is fast ( but not quiet, wish it was sdm  ) and you can manually focus the lens any time which is nice. The lens is also very well made and feels just right in your hand.
OK so whats not perfect with the lens? Well since it's so small and light and decent F2.4 aperture that is sharp wide open it can be used in low light but there is no mount indicator on it ( like the white or green bulb on some older pentax lenses ) so you have to find your self under a street lamp or something to change lenses. Also while it's nice you can manually focus the lens without touching the AF mode switch it's not damped so you can over throw the focus ring easy but I guess it can't be perfect. No aperture ring but I can live with out it.
With it's 105mm FOV it makes a great portrait lens or for anything else you want to use 70mm for.
Also at around $430-500 it's a good value for money, this is a definite must have lens if your shooting Pentax.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 419
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 28, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Excellent corner-to-corner sharpness, smooth bokeh, light lens/fast focusing, great build quality | | Cons: | Not crazy about the retracting hood. | |
I was able to purchase this lens at a ridiculously low price compared to the retail price, so I couldn't resist adding it to my kit.
I was a little concerned I wouldn't like this lens as much as the 77 Limited, but I was surprised to find I actually think this lens is better than the old tried-and-true 77mm.
The DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited benefits from extreme corner-to-corner sharpness even when wide open that is obviously superior to both the FA 50mm f/1.4 and the FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited.
The lens elements are so much lighter on the 70 that it focuses a little faster. In fact, if you use this lens in continuous AF mode on the K10D or K20D it's almost as if your subject is always in focus even if they're moving.
Build quality is excellent and you immediately understand why this is a "Limited" lens and it even comes with a velvet-lined lens cap.
The only thing I don't absolutely love about this lens is the retractable lens hood. Pentax used to do this on several of their older primes but I just don't like it. Give me a regular rigid metal hood.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2006 Location: NJ USA Posts: 13,072 | | Review Date: February 29, 2008 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | color bokeh, 3d rendering, light weight, excellent portraits | | Cons: | pull out shade sometimes ends up crooked and I look dumb, can exhibit CA | |
I got this lens as a birthday present. Immediately, without any effort on my part  , I was producing awesome portraits and mid-to-near distance photos. Creamy yet extremely sharp across the field, at all apertures. Beautiful color bokeh, with a 3d effect. Rounded (3d) in focus rendering as well. The f/2.4 aperture is fast enough for me, and provides just the right DOF (ie. not too razor thin).
This lens takes to digital like a duck to water. It works also with film bodies, without vignetting, but to my eyes I have to work a bit to coax the same buttery feel on film as I automatically get on film. (The situation is reversed with the 43 Limited, for me.)
In specific circumstances (close in, metal camera subject) I've noted the 70 has more CA and purple fringing than the old Tamron Adaptall SP 90 macro. I suppose this is the one weak area with this lens.
It is a compact, lightweight, well made lens.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 4,461 | | Review Date: February 19, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $490.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, contrasty, good colour, fast focusing | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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At the time of writing the DA 70mm F 2.4 Limited is my only non-manual focus lens. I purchased it for use with my Pentax K10 in April of 2007. I have a dozen or so legacy Pentax K, M and A series lenses. Pentax’s commitment to backwards compatibility kept me in the Pentax club and they are to be commended for this policy. It made purchasing the K10 a no brainer. The choice of lenses to go with the camera was more difficult. I only used prime lenses in the film era and still prefer them. I find prime lenses are always lighter than zooms and usually faster and sharper at their designated focal length. Zooms have their place but that place just is not in my camera bag. This is simply a personal preference on my part. Consequently I was attracted to the DA 70 for my first AF optic. The DA 70 is a fine lens. It has no real flaws. It is fairly fast, has great colour, good bokeh, contrast and sharpness. It is wonderful portrait lens and this is the application I use it for most often. It is lightweight and its quality construction harkens back to the K and M series in this regard. In addition you get all the convenience of a modern digital lens - the best of both worlds. I had been out of the market for a number of years when I started looking for a digital camera. I was appalled at the cheap plastic cameras and lenses many makers are producing these days. The build quality of both the DA 70 and the K10 were familiar and reassuring. If the DA 70 has a flaw it would be the fact it makes me want to buy more of those Limited lenses and there is no room left in my bag. I guess its time for a new bag.
Klaus Schrioff of Photozone has done extensive testing of this lens:
http://www.photozone.de/pentax/127-pentax-smc-da-70mm-f24-limited-review--test-report
Klaus highly recommends the DA 70mm F 2.4 and so do I.
| | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2007 Location: London Posts: 22 | | Review Date: December 29, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Size, speed, colour, contrast, workmanship | | Cons: | Could be sharper, See also 100mm DFA macro | |
I bought this, a 40mm DA and a 100mm DFA Macro at around the same time, lucky me.
The 70mm is of course a high quality lens, which is sharp and contrasty and delivers lovely colour.
At f2.4 it's pretty fast too.
The size and workmanship just boggle the mind, so if you want a fast portrait tele which is unobtrusive, you probably can't beat this.
The thing is though... I've taken it out with the 100mm DFA macro and in practice as a portrait tele, the 100mm DFA macro just creams the 70mm limited in my opinion. I'll put the details in my 100mm DFA macro review...
I'm keeping the 70 because it's still very good and very handy for its size, but for people looking for a portrait tele I have to say "check out the 100mm DFA macro before you leap".
Note I'm giving 8/10 so it's still a good lens folks!!!!
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: September, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 80 | | Review Date: September 7, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $449.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, color rendition, focusing, weight | | Cons: | Bokeh is not fantastic, slightly slow compared to some other options in the focal range | |
Don't let the cons fool you -- I love this lens. I just didn't want to give it a totally one-sided review.
It's light, easy to carry around, and the 70mm focal length is great for a lot of different things. The picture quality is amazing -- I couldn't find a flaw with it. I don't think I could ask for anything more from a 70mm f/2.4 lens. But I would like f/1.8...or f/1.4...or f/1.0...  | | | | | Senior Member Registered: September, 2006 Posts: 181 | | Review Date: February 27, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $540.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Optical and Build Quality, Accurate Colors | | Cons: | none | | New or Used: New
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The DA 70mm is sharp wide open, beautiful bokeh, and color, great contrast and detail rendering. Build quality, small size, and quick shift focusing add tremendously to this lenses value. This lens really lives up to its "Limited" namesake.
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| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2006 Location: North Idaho Posts: 696
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 9, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | It's a Limited (and everything that goes with that) | | Cons: | does the size qualify it as a "pancake"? | |
I purchased this lens back in mid-September (along with a K10D) when they were first announced. Had to wait until mid-December before they became available on the market. The acquisition of this lens completes my DA Pancake Limited kit.
Like all DA Limiteds, it is very well constructed, has superior optics, and is relatively small and lightweight. This is not the place to discuss the relative merits of the SMC Pentax-DA f/1:2.4 70mm Limited and the SMC Pentax-FA f/1:1.8 77mm Limited. That is best left for other venues, however, I will make a comment about the physical size of the two lenses.
The DA70/2.4 is one of the three currently manufactured "pancake" lenses produced by Pentax. Without the lens hood, it is indeed, physically, a very small lens. However, with the screw-on, extendable lens hood, it is almost as large as the FA77/1.8 with its hood retracted into the stow position. Is the DA70/2.4 a "pancake" lens? Without the hood attached, absolutely yes! With the hood attached; maybe, maybe not.
The lens hood screws onto the 49mm filter threads and can be pulled out to increase it effectiveness, or pushed back in to minimize its size. The metal lens cap pushes on snugly. The lens cap will function with or without the lens hood attached.
Like all of the DA Limited lenses, it is a beautiful lens. I only need now to find a lens case that will hold all three pancake lenses so that I need not carry three separate lens cases in my bag.
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