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SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm F4-5.6 Review RSS Feed

SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm F4-5.6

Sharpness 
 8.5
Aberrations 
 7.9
Bokeh 
 8.6
Autofocus 
 7.7
Handling 
 7.7
Value 
 9.6
Reviews Views Date of last review
55 274,981 Thu November 24, 2022
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
96% of reviewers $84.65 8.35
SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm F4-5.6
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Description:
The Pentax-F 70-210mm is a compact but solidly built lens with a 49mm filter diameter. However, it has variable aperture, unlike its A-series predecessor. It has no dedicated macro setting but even then it reaches a respectable 0.25x magnification at the long end. This lens is an extraordinary good value.



SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm F4-5.6
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
Full-frame / 35mm film
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
Yes (A setting)
Diaphragm
Automatic, 9 blades
Optics
13 elements, 9 groups
Mount Variant
KAF
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F4-5.6
Min. Aperture
F32-45
Focusing
AF (screwdrive)
Quick-shift
No
Min. Focus
110 cm
Max. Magnification
0.25x
Filter Size
49 mm
Internal Focus
No
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 23.2-7.8 ° / 19.5-6.5 °
Full frame: 34.5-11.8 ° / 28.8-9.8 °
Hood
RH-RB 49mm
Case
S80-160
Lens Cap
Plastic clip-on
Coating
SMC
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Rotating Front Element
Diam x Length
71 x 99 mm (2.8 x 3.9 in.)
Weight
555 g (19.6 oz.)
Production Years
1987 to 1991
Engraved Name
smc PENTAX-F ZOOM 1: 4-5.6 70-210mm
Product Code
27357
Reviews
User reviews
Features:
Screwdrive AutofocusAperture RingAutomatic ApertureFull-Frame SupportDiscontinued
Price History:



Add Review of SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm F4-5.6
Author:
Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 1-15 of 55
New Member

Registered: July, 2022
Posts: 12

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: November 24, 2022 Recommended | Price: $55.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: sharp, consistent contrast and colour across all zoom and aperture ranges
Cons: a bit heavy, AF is very dramatic
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 7    Value: 10    Camera Used: Pentax z-1p   

Looking for a new walk-around zoom, I saw this lens for sale for cheap on kijiji. Doing a little research showed that this lens is a bit of a hidden gem for its price, reported as being consistently sharp over all ranges and even getting in spitting distance of some vintage primes, according to some MTF tests I dug up. I also liked the 9 blade design which is rare on a Pentax zoom. I took the plunge.

Having only shot a few rolls through it, I can already say its just as good as I'd hoped:

- At 70mm, it's sharper and faster (f4 vs f4.5) than the much-loved F35-70 with equal colour.
- At 135mm, its much sharper and faster (f4 vs f5.6) than the F35-135 with much richer colour. the 35-135 has a yellow cast that I hated and this corrects that while adding a certain punch to reds
- At it's macro setting of 210, it takes more pleasing pictures than either of my previous lenses at their respective long ends.

I don't go crazy over bokeh, but I will say that it looks every bit as confident as my FA43 Limited--maybe even more. The 9 blades really do smooth OOF elements a lot.

Simply put, its the most consistent performing zoom I own across all zoom and aperture ranges and I'm surprised it doesn't get more love on forums.

Now, the bad: it's a big ol boy. Or at least feels that way given it's dimensions. You definitely feel it when you're shooting it, but all that glass seems to be going to good use, so it's a small complaint. The AF feels overly aggressive too... like the camera is tearing the lens apart! But a minor gripe considering the optical performance.

TDLR: Get it. It's one of the best pantax tele zooms for the money.





   
Site Supporter

Registered: December, 2015
Posts: 5,404

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: May 15, 2022 Recommended | Price: $50.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Price/Value, Colours
Cons: Noise
Camera Used: K-1   

I find ratings like this very hard to choose a value. For example, Autofocus. How do I rate this? Compared to a PLM? Compared to another screwdrive? Compared to modern MILC? And isn't AF also partly the cameras responsibility as well as the lens design?

So I will just leave a series of images on my Blog that are lightly retouched jpgs to help you get a better idea. Really for me, lens performance these days becomes less and less important. I think a good photographer should be able to make any lens perform much better than expected. If we're scrutinizing a lenses traits then it's probably for very specific case usage and you'll already know from reputation if that lens will do what you need of it. For me this is a cheap affordable lens with acceptable IQ.

https://www.eddysummers.com.au/blog/becs-garden-with-the-pentax-f70-2104-56
   
New Member

Registered: August, 2017
Location: Ronneburg
Posts: 1

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: August 11, 2021 Recommended | Price: $60.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: sharp by all focal length, SMC Coating, natural colors
Cons: pretty ugly and clunky design, rotation front element
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 8    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-3   

Ugly body but as compensation excellent Optics.
Good old school screwdrive. A little loud and hunting the focusing in lower light situations.

But it isn't a speed lens and that fact doesn't bother me.

In normal daylight situations the AF works well at my K-3.
I think it depends of the camera.

Her are two pictures (not really beautiful objects ) but good enough to show the image quality.
Both with full resolution.



Out of cam no post processing. JPEG

K-3/210mm/1/400sec/f13/ISO200/Center Weighted


K-3/135mm/1250sec/f11/ISO250/Center Weighted

   
New Member

Registered: September, 2016
Posts: 2

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: January 10, 2021 Recommended | Price: $100.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: cheap, small, lightweight, image quality
Cons: very plastic, AF ring, zoom ring, front element rotates
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 5    Handling: 4    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-1   

I use it only in manual focus for landscapes with F8 and higher. The zoom ring is hard to turn at short end, AF ring is horrible - very small and clumsy. Also the front element rotates which makes using filters a nightmare. The lens is small and lightweight comparing to modern lenses and it was incredibly CHEAP :-) IQ on the other hand is impressive. The images are very sharp at F8-F16. I do not know much about bokeh and aberrations as I only use it for landscapes. Do not use AF, it is not reliable. The price/value ratio is very high. And it doesn't need much room in your backpack.
   
New Member

Registered: January, 2018
Location: Paris
Posts: 8

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: October 10, 2020 Recommended | Price: $65.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Amazingly good zoom on k1. Iq Colors Bokeh 9 blades
Cons: Some find ugly but not so it is Typical f séries, not for low light or action
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 10    Camera Used: K1   

Such small size for the zoom range . 49mm rotatif front element. First mount on the k1 ... quite loud af system but acceptable and really fast af !
First time use i was afraid...As I have a mint copy of a F star 300mm 4.5

But after somme pics.....damned !!!!
Except for low light and action (no pentax lens existing for action for me) Its really good with the k1 and the size is very Nice so you can bring it with you each Time . I love my fstar but i still find it big to bring it with me often.
Quite the same size and weight than my k135 f2,5.

F4 Po fully usable at 70mm, one or two stop after po Everywhere (F8 at 210 really sharp !!!) and its a real good Lens. Better than my da55-300 on k5. I always hated this da plastic zoom with such a poor and loud af system...this f70 is much better , faster and less loud and much better feeling handling

Nice Bokeh, contrast, Colors. Some few AC but easy correction

Very underestimated zoom and extraordinary bargain for the price. No wr, dont CARE...60€...
With a fa 20-35 , a fa50 2.8 macro and this zoom you have a good light allround kit with your beloved quite heavy k1 …. And sometimes i will add my fish zoom f 17-28 too ;\…

Try to find a good copy (old...) . If not sharp you found a lemon, no way so try again
   
New Member

Registered: February, 2020
Location: ATX/DFW
Posts: 12

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: May 18, 2020 Recommended | Price: $20.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Cost, good telephoto length on crop, fast AF, beautiful color rendition straight out of camera
Cons: Not the sharpest, loud and violent AF, rotating front element
Sharpness: 7    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 9    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-S2   

To preface, I don't have massive amounts of experience with quality modern Pentax glass, as I'm pretty attached to legacy lenses.
I got this lens from a fellow PF user for only the cost of shipping due to a bit of haze, so that could partially impact my sharpness rating. For $20, it's a deal I couldn't pass up, and I'm glad I took it. On crop, this pairs excellently with the SMC-F 35-70 for a good all round kit if you don't need wide angle. In typical Pentax fashion, the colors are wonderfully rendered- greens in particular are really beautiful. I'm not much of a pixel peeper, so the sharpness is just fine for me. Not the sharpest, but it's definitely usable. Some aberrations and fringing in high contrast areas that can easily be corrected in PP. Like the 35-70, the front element rotates, and the autofocus can be downright VIOLENT and of course loud, but it's pretty quick. Required a bit of calibration on my K-S2. Manual focus is eh, not much feedback and tiny focusing ring, but it's fine if you're using focus peaking in live view. I'll be taking it back out to motor racing events once we get past the current global situation, looking to see how it performs at an F1 weekend later this year Plasticky build with a polarizing look, but I'm personally a fan of it with the white and grey body of the K-S2. Some images below. Weird lines in bokeh in some of them because I was shooting through a wire cage, but the first image is an example of some of the really nice circular bokeh possible.


2022 update: she went with me to the F1 race this year, and did better than I expected VERY happy with this $20 wonder
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Pentaxian

Registered: April, 2009
Location: Madrid, Spain
Posts: 10,813

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: April 12, 2020 Not Recommended | Price: $60.00 | Rating: 2 

 
Pros: Not sure there are any
Cons: Heavy, very noisy AF, poor image quality, hit-&-miss AF, very ugly

I bought this lens in order to have a compact telephoto zoom that I could use on both film and digital, especially for travel. The first problem is that this lens is too heavy to travel with. The second is that image quality is poor, though I suspect that's largely because the autofocus is very hit-&-miss, with a considerable leaning towards "miss". That second problem would be enough to get rid of it even if every other aspect of the lens were perfect, but they're not. Aside from those two issues the lens has very noisy auto-focus, which from what I gather is quite common on F series lenses, and it has looks that only a mother could love.

I always post reviews of lenses with sample pictures but not this time - I don't have a single one that was good enough to merit uploading anywhere.
   
Loyal Site Supporter

Registered: October, 2018
Location: Quebec City, Quebec
Posts: 6,479

7 users found this helpful
Review Date: April 11, 2020 Recommended | Price: $60.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Very sharp, light, inexpensive 3X tele-zoom.
Cons: None
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: K3, K5, K20, K10, K1   


Handheld K10 + F 70-210 mm


Handheld K3 + F 70-210 mm.

My copy is pristine as I am very choosy and I take my time when I buy on eBay. The F series was plasticky and focusing might be somewhat loud. Personally, I'm very satisfied with its image producing performance. Most of the time, I shoot landscapes on a tripod and I use the optimal aperture range (f/8 to f/16). On an APSc sensor, it is equivalent to a 100-300 mm lens and is VERY SHARP, with good contrast and beautiful colors. It even performs like a champ on the K1, proof of its excellent optical quality. You can't go wrong with this awesome, ridiculously inexpensive lens. If you cannot put it to good use, find another pastime ...






Tripod-mounted K20 + F 70-210 mm (3 images above)


Cruise ship moored in Quebec City, Tripod-mounted K1 + F 70-210 mm


Pittsburgh, PA, K10 + F 70-210 mm

Road to infinity, K20 Pittsburgh, PA, K10.


Old Quebec, K5
   
New Member

Registered: January, 2019
Posts: 1

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: February 16, 2020 Recommended | Price: $40.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Cheap (mine is usd40), good contrast, acceptable sharp for a old zoom lens, good bokeh
Cons: The "ref ref" sound when auto focus, heavy
Sharpness: 6    Aberrations: 6    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 7    Handling: 7    Value: 9    Camera Used: K1   

Try to find 1 if u got the k1. It can be used as portrait lens thanks to 9 apediture blade.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: June, 2007
Location: Near Algonquin Park
Posts: 40,442

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: January 20, 2019 Recommended | Price: $30.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Compact, lightweight for it's range. acceptable performance
Cons: Noisey and clunky focus, aberrations

I was inspired to go out an snap a few more F 70-210 images using the K-1.

Not bad in the long end but not spectacular. As is typical of this type of lens, as the barrel goes longer the lens gets less sharp.
2018-F-70-210-210mm-woodpile by Norm Head, on Flickr

Nothing wrong with it at 70mm
2018-F-70-210-70mm-woodpile by Norm Head, on Flickr

2018-F-70-210-cabin by Norm Head, on Flickr

The out of focus areas aren't the smoothest, but it is ƒ8.
2018-F-70-210-chickadee-3 by Norm Head, on Flickr

2018-F-70-210-chickadee-2 by Norm Head, on Flickr

This one near the closest focusing distance... really, not bad at all.
2018-F-70-210-chickadee-1 by Norm Head, on Flickr

It is noisey and when it locks focus it will almost break your wrist with a loud "ka thunk", but if you're looking for a budget lens it's one of the best. I doubt you'll find a better FF telephoto for the price.
   
Forum Member

Registered: September, 2011
Location: sunpic.lt
Posts: 82

13 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 9, 2017 Recommended | Price: $100.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: price, size, weight, filter thread
Cons: Focus is a bit noisy, especially dramatic with AFC
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 10    Camera Used: K1   

I would save the words and let pictures speak for themselves. The only thing I could add is - this is very underestimated legacy lens, something similar to canon 70-200 F4 L.



















   
New Member

Registered: January, 2017
Posts: 1
Review Date: March 8, 2017 Recommended | Price: $30.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: FF compatible, decent image quality at low cost
Cons: Noisy AF (when it hunts)
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 10    Camera Used: Pentax K-5, Pentax K-1   

While saving money for a DFA* 70-200 F2.8 in the near future, I'm using this Pentax-F 70-210 lens on my K1 as a temporary low cost solution.
It serves as a kind of 'filling the gap lens' for my beloved FF prime lenses (FA 50 1.4 and FA* 200 2.8).

For a Pentax-F lens produced in the 35mm film era about 25-30 years ago, the image quality is very decent.
Considering the price ($30) I paid for it, I'm more than happy with it.

Here are examples taken a while back with my K5:

Taken at 135mm, F8.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/65545813@N07/32386742064/in/photostream/

Taken at 210mm, F10.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/65545813@N07/33181056981/in/photostream/

Taken at 210mm, F10. Bokeh is quite nice too.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/65545813@N07/33230976555/in/photostream/

For me, the main thing I don't like about this lens is its rotating front element (while focusing) which make the use of a CP filter impossible.

I bought this lens as part of 3 lenses listed below, paid €110 for the lot, worth every cent to me!

SMC Pentax-K 85mm F1.8
SMC Pentax-F 24-50mm F4
SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm F4-5.6

Therefore, the estimated price of $30 for the Pentax-F 70-210mm.
($40 for the Pentax-F 24-50mm and $50 for the Pentax-K 85mm)
   
Veteran Member

Registered: October, 2014
Location: Washington
Posts: 2,176

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: December 31, 2016 Recommended | Price: $55.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Range, Color, Sharpness
Cons: Slow aperture
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 9    Camera Used: K5 and K3   

When photographing a shooting event I used to carry a Tamron 80-200 f2.8. I bought this little gem and ended up selling my Tamron. In bright light it does everything I want it to. Here are some samples shot straight to .jpg.

IMGP2718 by teamrimfire, on Flickr
K3, f/8, 1/125 sec, ISO 100, -.3 step, 155mm

IMGP2748 by teamrimfire, on Flickr
K3, f/8, 1/400 sec, ISO 100, -.3 step, 110mm

IMGP2880 by teamrimfire, on Flickr
K3, f/16, 1/125 sec, ISO 100, -.3 step, 70mm

PMET3742 by teamrimfire, on Flickr
K5, f/5.6, 1/125 sec, ISO 200, 100mm
   
Junior Member

Registered: January, 2011
Posts: 39
Review Date: December 29, 2016 Recommended | Price: $25.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: fast auto focus
Cons: noisy, slow aperture

this lens is a hidden gem as its auto focus is way quicker than my da* 16-50 and 55 1.4. Image quality is not bad at all. A must own lens for small budget people like me.

   
New Member

Registered: May, 2016
Posts: 8
Review Date: June 26, 2016 Recommended | Price: $56.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Price and Focal Length
Cons: Max focus distance is way too short and the cheap feel
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 6    Handling: 4    Value: 10    Camera Used: K5   

This is a good entry telephoto lens with a couple shortcomings. I have found the ideal application for this lens is portrait type photography. This lens is simply not useable for sports, wildlife, or landscape pictures because it lacks infinite focus (at least my copy) with a maximum focusing distance of a paltry 20 ish meters. The other major shortcoming is the poor plastic construction of the focusing ring (which is tiny by the way). I also had the front element fall out of the lens, It was luckily on grass and screwed back in later that evening. I will give a couple of good examples of where this lens shines. All photos were shot RAW and contain no lens corrections in lightroom to provide acurate samples. Most have been taken one stop from wide open. Take in mind any compression due to these photos being a web upload.


This picture was taken at F5.6 at 100mm, The original file was very sharp, with the glasses and hair clearly defined.


This picture was taken at F5.6 at 70mm, another sharp picture with good details.


This picture was taken at F5.6 at 70mm, good depth of field with out of focus details rendered smoothly. Pretty Sharp as well.


This picture was taken at F8 at 210mm. This was where I found out this lens lacks infinite focus, I could only capture images when the players were only feet from the sideline.

Even if you take into account where this lens can not perform, It is still worth the buy. This lens is an incredible value at $56. I have seen it listed for more, sometimes even over $100, but I would steer clear or buy something more versatile and well built. I would totally recommend the purchase at around $50. This has been a great lens to add to the collection, a definite 7-8/10.
Add Review of SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm F4-5.6



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