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HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited Review RSS Feed

HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited

Sharpness 
 9.5
Aberrations 
 9.3
Bokeh 
 9.2
Autofocus 
 9.1
Handling 
 9.5
Value 
 9.2
Reviews Views Date of last review
17 93,343 Tue May 30, 2023
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers $447.61 9.41
HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited

HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited
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HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited
supersize
HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited
supersize
HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited
supersize
HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited
supersize
HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited
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Description:
The SMC Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited is high-quality a compact telephoto "pancake" lens that is designed only for Pentax DSLRs. The lens is pictured above with the hood on.

This lens features Pentax's latest "HD" nano coating and is available in both black and silver for $749.95.

HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
APS-C
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
No
Diaphragm
Automatic, 9 blades
Optics
6 elements, 5 groups
Mount Variant
KAF
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F2.4
Min. Aperture
F22
Focusing
AF (screwdrive)
Quick-shift
Yes
Min. Focus
70 cm
Max. Magnification
0.12x
Filter Size
49 mm
Internal Focus
No
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 23 ° / 19 °
Hood
MH-RD 49 mm
Case
Pouch DA70
Lens Cap
Dedicated metal push-on
Coating
HD,SP
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Diam x Length
63 x 26 mm (2.5 x 1 in.)
Weight
130 g (4.6 oz.)
Production Years
2013 to present (in production)
Pricing
$496 USD current price
Engraved Name
HD PENTAX-DA 1:2.4 70mm Limited
Product Code
21430 (black), 21440 (silver)
Reviews
User reviews
In-depth review
Unofficial Full-Frame Compatibility Tests by Pentax Forums
★★☆ Full coverage at some F-stop and focal length combinations
Show details
Variants

Black and silver


Features:
Screwdrive AutofocusQuick ShiftAutomatic ApertureAPS-C Digital Only
Purchase: Buy the HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited
In-Depth Review: Read our HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited in-depth review!
Sample Photos: View Sample Photos
Price History:



Add Review of HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited Buy the HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited
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Loyal Site Supporter

Registered: October, 2018
Location: Quebec City, Quebec
Posts: 6,493

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: May 30, 2023 Recommended | Price: $360.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Very sharp @ f/6.3. Small and light. Beautiful metal build.
Cons: Disappointing sharpness at wide apertures ...
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 8    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K3 III   

I was hoping for a very sharp lens starting from wide-open. My first results proved to be somewhat disappointing at medium distances as the lens came into its own only starting @ f/6.3. I have used it very little yet and I will post new impressions after I shoot more landscape images. Up to now, it doesn't seem to be much better than my HD DA 55-300 mm f/4-5.8 WR zoom @ 70 mm FL for far-away subjects.

The first picture below was taken at Minimum Focusing Distance (70 cm) and f/6.3 against an early morning sun and looks very sharp and contrasty (never forget that it is SHARP LIGHT that makes the picture sharp, not so much the lens itself). The second image was taken at middle distances and seems a little disappointing, even @ f/5.6. The wide-open image (@ f/2.4) of the Maple tree looked terrible and was deemed unacceptable, according to my preference for even, edge-to-edge sharpness.



Image below taken against the light : Excellent contrast and resistance to flaring and veiling.


Another try at the Maple tree, this time tripod-mounted, set at critical focus with LV and @ f/8 :


A couple more images at middle apertures :



So, it seems f/2.4 is unusable on distant subjects, where f/8 is needed to get very good results.

Sublimely sharp at closer range starting @ f/6.3, being probably optimized for portraiture.

.
Another round of pictures of the Sainte Anne River taken in bright light on tripod :
.
.
.
.

Not so bad, after all. You must not forget this is a TELEPHOTO and DoF plays a role in the ultimate sensation of overall sharpness.
.
OPTIMUM APERTURE FOR LANDSCAPE USE : f/8
   
New Member

Registered: April, 2020
Posts: 2

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: December 31, 2021 Recommended | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Colours, contrast, sharpness, metal build limited quality, small size, 49mm filter size
Cons: nothing
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K1   

I donīt have the HD version, but that canīt change the fact: The travel pocket version of an 77mm or 85mm. Itīs working very well on full frame K1 and the wonderful thing is, nobody is expecting a tele lens, it seems so harmless and innocent.

I wanted to sell it after I bought the K1, but before I did, I tried it out on it and found this little sweet beast perfect for both, FF / crop and I fell in love with this small twitter lenses from PENTAX.

Superb bokeh with lights in the background, you donīt need to look for old M42 like Helios for producing light bubbles any more.

Fotos straight out of the cam, taken without lens hood, donīt know how to show them here sharper, K1 in FF modus, no skin modus, f2,4

   
Moderator
Loyal Site Supporter

Registered: February, 2015
Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland
Posts: 1,778

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: July 2, 2021 Recommended | Price: $300.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: size and rendering
Cons:
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: KP   

This is the lens I use for portraits--though usually of plants--most. Lovely colour rendering. Creamy bokeh.



Whoops...I have the SMC version (green band).
   
Veteran Member

Registered: June, 2010
Posts: 753
Review Date: May 2, 2021 Recommended | Price: $400.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: rendering, small but durable body, manual focusing
Cons: hood
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K5IIs, K3II   

Beautifully crafted and designed lens (i prefer minimalistic redesign of HD over the Smc version) that brings into taking photography another type of experience - something tactile, oldschool about it, enjoyment to take photos with it. Even though it is AF lens I often find myself using its manual focusing ring which is pretty good for an AF lens. 70mm is a very nice focal lenght for me, useful for streets, landscapes and portraits. And with Marumi Achromatic close-up lens it is pretty good for detail photos as well.
Optically it is quite sharp from 2.4, yet not brutally sharp - it maintains some pleasant smoothness wide open. Stop down one,two clicks and the lens boosts the clarity quite a bit. That gives you some creative control over the resulting rendering. It resolves nice amount of detail at every F stop, so actually you dont have to worry about F stop and detail is going to be there.
Aberations are very minor, there are some bokeh aberations but hardly noticeable, distortion is not an issue. Sometimes when sunlight directly hits the front lens flare occurs, however using a lenshood takes care of it effectively.
Only downside for me is, that this lens is so compact that it cannot have the in-built hood like FA77. On the other hand the super compact size amazes me and is very discreet for street photography. I had FA77 before but for my needs this one is simply a better lens. A keeper and lens that is quite unique for APS system.
   
New Member

Registered: March, 2014
Posts: 2
Review Date: September 17, 2020 Recommended | Price: $500.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Size, contrast, rendering
Cons: Some chromatic aberrations till f5.6.
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 9    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K3II   

My favourite Pentax Lens.

   
Senior Member

Registered: June, 2018
Posts: 131

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: January 5, 2020 Recommended | Price: $630.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Light, sharp, lovely object
Cons: none considering
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 8    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K50, K3ii   

So small and light I can easily pop it into a pocket on the off-chance I'll need it. Very useful bit of reach, good for portraits, minimum focus distance is a bit short for flowers etc. OOF areas are very attractive and the colours are spot on. Not quite sharp at f2.4, very good from f2.8.


   
Senior Member

Registered: September, 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 156

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: December 30, 2019 Recommended | Price: $249.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Very small, very sharp, very quick
Cons: not less than 2.4
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-01   

I have to admit, I was wrong about this lens, as it is a joy to use. So background, I bought this lens to be in my laptop bag - something I carry around without lugging my K-3. I have my K-01, the 40mm HD limited, the 20-40 HD, this lens, and an old FA 100-300 I picked up and fixed years ago. My K-3 kit has an FA* 85, and I got a deal on a 77mm Limited, so my primes in this range are the best of the best. So I expected to be let down by the 70mm DA HD, but here is the thing - it is awesome. For like one quarter the price of my 85mm, it shines, and is such a light lens that it makes video shooting so easy. I actually have not warmed to my 77 Limited, but this 70mm is the one I use the most.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: February, 2017
Posts: 1,993
Review Date: July 7, 2019 Recommended | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Good sharpness colour rendition build quality size
Cons: hood
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 7    Handling: 8    Value: 8    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: k3   

I have only had my copy a week, but used it enough to know it is a keeper. This to me is a truly extraordinary lens. Not for its IQ, which is overall excellent and matches my other HD Ltds (15,35 and my personal favourite the 40mm). I do minimal post processing with the HD DA :Ltd lenses they are that good and this 70mm is no exception.
What is exceptional about this lens is its size. It is tiny for short to medium telephoto - smaller than many 35 or 50mm lenses. Which brings me neatly to the only con I can find with the lens - the hood. Because the lens is so small your hand inevitably ends up partly around the hood, which is partially telescopic, the whole arrangement of lens and hood then feels off in some way. Now one could forego using a hood completely, but the front element is relatively large compared to the lens and could easily be marked or damaged. So I feel a hood is a necessity for this lens if only to protect it form harm. The solution is a cheap after market hood and the issue disappears.
Some test shots.....
   
Veteran Member

Registered: July, 2009
Location: Mount Joy, PA
Posts: 544

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: August 28, 2018 Recommended | Price: $495.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Sharpness across the frame, Size/weight, build quality
Cons: Unusual hood and cap, some CA wide-open
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 9    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K-3 II, K200D   

This lens is a true gem. Very small, very light, looks and feels very well built. Being a pancake lens it is very unobtrusive. A smart choice if you don't want to stick out in a crowd.

Optically it is top-notch. The center is sharp wide-open at f2.4 with the borders and corners not too far behind. If you're pixel-peeping you will see it requires about 1-1.5 stops to get the corners truly crisp. However, since many will be using this as a portrait lens its more than adequately sharp at the widest aperture.

Vignetting is present and you will notice a difference upon stopping down one EV. The good news is that vignetting has a very smooth transition and is easily correctable in post-processing.

The typical chromatic aberrations found on large-aperture lenses can be found, but only when looking very, very closely in the corners. Purple fringing does happen in high-contrast transitions. However, just like the vignetting characteristic, what little fringing and CA that does occur can be fixed quite easily when processing RAW files.

Auto-focusing is quick, but there is the unfortunate downside of the audible screw-drive mechanism. Personally, I don't see this as a real problem. The noise is most obvious when you're focusing from one extreme to the other. If you're merely adjusting focus to the subtle movements of your subject then the noise is a mild chatter. Manual focus gives just the right amount of resistance - something sorely lacking in many other lenses.

Like most users, I have to comment on the hood and cap for this lens. I won't be ultra critical because the pair work exactly as they should. The hood is small and doesn't impede the stealthiness of the overall lens design. It would be nice if the hood attached bayonet-style rather than occupying the filter threads, but it's not a deal breaker. Perhaps the best thing that can be done to improve the hood is give the telescoping end some inner threads that would accommodate a standard pinch cap that can more securely fasten to the lens. The felt lining on the push cap is ok, and I've never worried about the cap falling off in transit. But accidents do happen and a pinch cap would be less likely to get bumped off and lost.

The HD-Pentax DA 70mm 2.4 is a fantastic little lens. I imagine this little wonder is not unlike appreciating a well made watch - mechanically and functionally, it's just all-around great!
   
New Member

Registered: December, 2015
Posts: 1
Review Date: July 9, 2018 Recommended | Price: $200.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros:
Cons:
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-3   

If this lens is not the best then I cannot imagine how much better the FA77 is. I got this second hand from someone who quit photography, and it found an exclusive spot on my camera bag. Having a few other lenses I can use in portraiture, nothing comes close to the look and feel this tiny lens produces. I may one day get an FA77 if I get an opportunity, but until then, my HD DA 70 is king.
   
New Member

Registered: January, 2013
Location: England
Posts: 9

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: October 20, 2016 Recommended | Price: $379.38 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Size, weight, build quality, weatherproofing
Cons: Lens cap is not very positive, but...
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K3, K5 IIs, *ist (35mm)   

Given my large collection of Pentax glass, I delayed the purchase of this lens a long while, until I was sure it would do what I wanted it to. I wanted to carry it alongside my venerable F 28mm and F 50mm to use on my three cameras of choice, the K3, K5 IIs and *ist (loaded with Ilford film).
It is a joy to use, allowing me to have three bodies in the bag, each one set up and ready to go with a different combination, for landscape/street scenes, detail work and light/shadow photos, for which the 70mm is a nice compromise on length and angle.
I sometimes switch the lenses around, as the K3 excels in focusing quickly, the K5 IIs in producing a well-exposed shot, and the *ist in being so small, quiet and unobtrusive that I can shoot almost anything without being spotted.
When I have the 70mm on the K5 or K3, it is fast, sharp and gives me enough length to pick a face out of a crowd, isolate a detail in a shot or frame 'in camera' instead of having to crop and frame later (which I rarely do as I believe in doing it right first time); when the 70mm is on the *ist it is tiny, fast, as sharp as the naked eye and wide enough to capture a scene without having to move back, but with no detectable distortion even in the corners. It helps that it is silver, as is my *ist, and looks (to the uninitiated) like a toy (or bridge) camera. It is only the motor wind that gives the game away, but by then I have the shot on film.
Some have said that it is "digital" only; I have run 7-8 rolls through the *ist, with the 70mm on the camera for 75-80% of shots, and cannot see any reason why this would be suggested. It has no vignetting at all, at least not with machine prints (where a little of the edge of the image is lost anyway). More recently I have started getting digital scans of my films, and they show no vignetting either.
I paid less than 400 USD (equivalent) for the lens, new, and believe it is the best lens I have ever purchased. It now accompanies me when I am taking (what my wife calls) my 'serious photography' kit out, which is the three cameras mentioned, a DA* 300mm, DA* 60-250mm and the DA Limited 70mm. Again, each camera/lens combination is set up ready to go for a different type of shot (candid street portraits, detail work and landscape) so there is no need to changes lenses outdoors, but the Limited holds its' own in such company, producing shots that I am proud to say I took, even when they are unexciting street scenes and townscapes.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: November, 2014
Location: Newfoundland
Posts: 501

7 users found this helpful
Review Date: October 10, 2016 Recommended | Price: $493.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharpness, Bokeh, Size, Weight AF Speed, Integrated Hood, Flare Resistance, Colour Rendering
Cons: It's not the FA 77 Ltd!
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K-5II   


A former army officer - I like to travel light & functional like a Spartan. My light travel kit consists of the K-5II, Joby DSLR wrist strap, HD DA's 21/40/70 carried in a small Domke F-5XB bag. Everything you need to get the job done exceptionally well.

I have been shooting with the HD DA 70 for almost two years. Of the 3 pancakes I own; the 21 is the most used (street & landscape), the 40 is the most versatile and the 70 is the most loved. No other lens I have ever owned produces such amazing portraits or contains as much pixie dust as the HD DA 70. I coach under 18 Football. On the K-5II the HD DA 70 with it's super quick AF and wide aperture is ideal for shooting from the sidelines.

If I could only own two lenses they would be the HD DA 21 and HD DA 70. The 70 is a dynamite piece of glass.
   
Junior Member

Registered: January, 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 32

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 21, 2016 Recommended | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Sharp, size and weight, build quality, smart hoof
Cons: Vignetting
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 9    New or Used: New    Camera Used: Pentax K30   

Very nice lens.
My only 'problem' is that I own the FA 77mm f1.8, and except for the weight, it is better.
The 70mm 2.4 has strong vignetting at full aperture.
It is sharp at 2.4 and improves at smaller apertures, but less sharp than the FA 77mm f/1.8 at all apertures.
The hood is very smart: screw-in semi-permanent, semi-telescopic.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: May, 2016
Posts: 3,722

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: May 21, 2016 Recommended | Price: $450.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Small, light, great iq
Cons:
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 9    Value: 9    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K-3 II   

Do not underestimate how much it matters that this lens weighs 120 grams, it is just a joy to walk around. The only slight downside is that in order to use a filter you need to unscrew the lens hood. I don't mind the focus ring moving at all because I support the camera with my left hand, not the lens, it is a little too small for that. A funny side effect of being so compact is that people, especially on the street, are less weary when they see this lens.
As most people say, image quality is indeed great - objectively and subjectively - and unless you obsessively pixel peep nothing offends except some occasional purple fringes. While this is not the brightest lens out there, portraits look great!
   
New Member

Registered: June, 2015
Location: Iasi
Posts: 14

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: July 1, 2015 Recommended | Price: $668.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Sharpness, Built quality, Robustness, Weight
Cons: Focus speed, Lack of weather sealing
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 5    Handling: 7    Value: 8    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K3-II   

OK, so there might be a couple of things to get me biased here, but I'm just bluntly stating my non-professional opinion on this lens-camera combo.

I just got this HD 70/2.4 Limited today, and mounted it on my 1 week old K3-II, which btw, has been doing a great job paired up with a Sigma 18-35/1.8 so far.

I've been reading back and forth about this 70/2.4 HD, meaning there's not enough in depth reviews about it (apart from the one here) and presumably not enough interest in this lens.

Still, everything and everybody points to it.

I'd have to say here, I've always considered getting brand new gear when it comes to my photo hobby, a habit that has proven useful in most cases, although I now feel like I might have struck a better deal getting an used, cheaper 77/1.8 FA.

So here's my observations after one day of using this lens with a K3-II and 6 years of digital SLRs (Nikon D7000, Canon 5D II and Canon 7D II):

This is really a jewel in the lens market today. The only lens I might compare it with is the Nikkor 50/1.2 Ai-S, which in fact has better optical performance IF you can harness the manual focusing.

First things first.

Built quality.

Pro: - Very good. All metal built gives a pro touch to this lens, even if the weight states otherwise.

Cons: - The retractable hood is a nuisance, it moves back and forth as you remove or put on the cap. The lens cap itself feel very chinese-built, and I have a feeling it will soon start falling off the lens hood, because that's the only place where it can be attached since it is not a pinch-in cap. The hood does not have a guiding groove or anything like it, it just goes in and out at different angles as you pull out or put on the lens cap. Not very detail aware...
- The movement of the focusing / rotating element is almost completely unobstructed and very exposed to dust, shocks, rain, or anything else you might think could fall from the sky WHILE the ring rotates and can bring dirt under the "protective" layer of aluminum.
I'm actually not entirely sure Pentax has thrown some sort or protection in there, but it just looks like any drop of mud, dirt, rain, bird *&^% or something similar, can interfere with the mechanism.

Focusing

Pro: - It's actually quite accurate WHEN it locks in.
- Manual focusing is a breeze and very accurate for such a tiny focusing ring. Bravo!

Cons: - AF is the loudest in ALL DLSRs I've ever had.
- On AF-C it hunts like crazy. This is by no means a sports lens, and given Pentax's specs, I wonder if they do have a true sports lens.
- There is a camera function to take a shot whenever the subject comes into (a predesignated) focus (point). Nikon does it well, Canon nails it every time. With this lens and camera, forget about it.
- AF-S gets slightly better results, but still far from reality in terms of speed.

I have not tested flare and CA yet, because they are in-camera features + easily corrected in post.
Bokeh is very good to excellent. Considering that APSC doesn't mean just focal lenght x 1.5, but also means aperture x 1.5, bokeh is impressive.

This is a studio lens or a static subject / portraiture lens. Anything that moves is a no go, regardless of speed, light or camera settings.

The Sigma 18-35/1.8 is faster at focusing, it doesn't hunt and is silent as a mouse compared to this 70/2.4, but it also weights as a brick.

All in all, if you're not in a rush to focus in something, this lens is very good, but not perfect as most scores might imply.

You'll need some time to get used to removing and attaching the cap without feeling like you're doing something wrong, but it is what it is...

Bare with it and the results will be very good

I haven't had the 77 FA but I have the feeling that one is a keeper.

Pick you favorite.
Add Review of HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited Buy the HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited



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