Pentax HD Pentax-D Fa 24-70mm f/2.8 Ed SDM WR Lens
Large aperture standard zoom lens designed for use with full frame Pentax K-mount digital SLR cameras, ideal for the Pentax K-1 full frame DSLR camera. 35mm equivalent focal length if used on an APS-C sensor sized DSLR of 37-107mm. Bright lens with a constant F2.8 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range. Pentax HD coating to optimise light transmission and minimise reflections. Weather resistant construction for good piece of mind when shooting in humid or dusty environments. Smooth, quick and quiet autofocus operation thanks to the built in SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor). Round shaped diaphragm to produce beautiful bokeh. ED lens elements for brilliant sharpness and saturated colours. 38cm close focus distance. 82mm filter thread. Comes complete with PH-RBD82 dedicated lens hood, O-LC82 front lens cap, rear lens cap and S120-150 soft lens case.
Large aperture standard zoom lens designed for use with full frame Pentax K-mount digital SLR cameras, ideal for the Pentax K-1 full frame DSLR camera. 35mm equivalent focal length if used on an APS-C sensor sized DSLR of 37-107mm. Bright lens with a constant F2.8 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range. Pentax HD coating to optimise light transmission and minimise reflections. Weather resistant construction for good piece of mind when shooting in humid or dusty environments. Smooth, quick and quiet autofocus operation thanks to the built in SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor). Round shaped diaphragm to produce beautiful bokeh. ED lens elements for brilliant sharpness and saturated colours. 38cm close focus distance. 82mm filter thread. Comes complete with PH-RBD82 dedicated lens hood, O-LC82 front lens cap, rear lens cap and S120-150 soft lens case.
Large aperture standard zoom lens designed for use with full frame Pentax K-mount digital SLR cameras, ideal for the Pentax K-1 full frame DSLR camera. 35mm equivalent focal length if used on an APS-C sensor sized DSLR of 37-107mm. Bright lens with a constant F2.8 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range. Pentax HD coating to optimise light transmission and minimise reflections. Weather resistant construction for good piece of mind when shooting in humid or dusty environments. Smooth, quick and quiet autofocus operation thanks to the built in SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor). Round shaped diaphragm to produce beautiful bokeh. ED lens elements for brilliant sharpness and saturated colours. 38cm close focus distance. 82mm filter thread. Comes complete with PH-RBD82 dedicated lens hood, O-LC82 front lens cap, rear lens cap and S120-150 soft lens case.
Large aperture standard zoom lens designed for use with full frame Pentax K-mount digital SLR cameras, ideal for the Pentax K-1 full frame DSLR camera. 35mm equivalent focal length if used on an APS-C sensor sized DSLR of 37-107mm. Bright lens with a constant F2.8 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range. Pentax HD coating to optimise light transmission and minimise reflections. Weather resistant construction for good piece of mind when shooting in humid or dusty environments. Smooth, quick and quiet autofocus operation thanks to the built in SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor). Round shaped diaphragm to produce beautiful bokeh. ED lens elements for brilliant sharpness and saturated colours. 38cm close focus distance. 82mm filter thread. Comes complete with PH-RBD82 dedicated lens hood, O-LC82 front lens cap, rear lens cap and S120-150 soft lens case.
in 23 offers
The lowest price for Pentax HD Pentax-D Fa 24-70mm f/2.8 Ed SDM WR Lens right now is $564.06 at Camera West, compared across 10 retailers.
The all-time low was $530.97 on 19 Mar 2026 — today's price is 6% above the lowest ever. That's a little above the best price we've seen.
Prices last updated 10 June 2026.
Last updated at 10/06/2026 12:38:20
PENTAX Standard Zoom Lens drip-Proof Structure HD PENTAX DA16-85mmF3.5-5.6ED DC WR K Mount APS-C Size 21387 [International Version]
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Pentax FA 24-70mm f2.8D SDM, mark front, Boxed 9451753
Pentax Hd Da 16-85mm F/3.5-5.6 Ed Dc Wr Zoom Lens For K-mount Camera
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Pentax Hd Da 16-85mm F/3.5-5.6 Ed Dc Wr Zoom Lens For K-mount Camera
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Pentax Hd Pentax-d Fa 24-70mm F2.8ed Sdm Wr
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Pentax Hd Pentax-d Fa 24-70mm F2.8ed Sdm Wr
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Pentax Hd Pentax-d Fa 24-70mm F2.8ed Sdm Wr
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Pentax Hd Pentax-da 16-85mm F3.5-5.6ed Dc Wr High-performance Zoom
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Pentax Hd D Fa 24-70mm F/2.8 Ed Sdm Wr [top Mint] 7624lj
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Near Mint Smc Hd Pentax-d Fa 24-70mm F/2.8 Ed Sdm Wr Zoom Lens From
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originally posted on adorama.com
I've now shot over 500 pictures with the D FA 24-70 and I think it is a very good lens. I'm using it on the Pentax K-1 and this combination is very good. I demand that my lenses are very sharp because I like to make enlargements of my best shots and this lens is probably my sharpest lens. The color rendition is very good. So far the lens has been almost perfect when it comes to auto-focus. There is virtually no chromatic aberrations as far as I can tell, which is a significant advantage over my other lenses. The lens is definitely substantial with significant size and weight. I use a shoulder strap more now that I used to, although I don't notice much of a difference when my equipment is in my backpack. I'm very glad that the lens has weather protection as I'm used ... MoreI've now shot over 500 pictures with the D FA 24-70 and I think it is a very good lens. I'm using it on the Pentax K-1 and this combination is very good. I demand that my lenses are very sharp because I like to make enlargements of my best shots and this lens is probably my sharpest lens. The color rendition is very good. So far the lens has been almost perfect when it comes to auto-focus. There is virtually no chromatic aberrations as far as I can tell, which is a significant advantage over my other lenses. The lens is definitely substantial with significant size and weight. I use a shoulder strap more now that I used to, although I don't notice much of a difference when my equipment is in my backpack. I'm very glad that the lens has weather protection as I'm used to shooting with lenses that do not and it causes some worry in wet conditions. I can no longer use any of my filters because this lens takes 82 mm filters so I'll have to get some new filters. Other than the size and weight, this lens is pretty ideal for me. And given it's performance I think it would be difficult to make a comparable lens that is much smaller or lighter.
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
The DFA 24-70 is, by all accounts, a Tamron lens that has been adjusted per Pentax specifications. What exactly that means and whether the coatings used are Pentax's own, is a little unclear to me, but this lens was designed with a full frame camera in mind. Unfortunately, that camera does not exist at this point and so testing was done on a K5 II and K3.First of all, with regard to build, the lens is a very large lens with an 82mm filter size. It handles fairly well with the grip installed, but is a little unwieldy without. The internal barrel zooms out smoothly, but the motion is tight enough that I have not experienced any zoom creep. There is a zoom lock, but I have not felt it necessary to use that. Of note is that the zoom and focus rings are swapped around ... MoreThe DFA 24-70 is, by all accounts, a Tamron lens that has been adjusted per Pentax specifications. What exactly that means and whether the coatings used are Pentax's own, is a little unclear to me, but this lens was designed with a full frame camera in mind. Unfortunately, that camera does not exist at this point and so testing was done on a K5 II and K3.First of all, with regard to build, the lens is a very large lens with an 82mm filter size. It handles fairly well with the grip installed, but is a little unwieldy without. The internal barrel zooms out smoothly, but the motion is tight enough that I have not experienced any zoom creep. There is a zoom lock, but I have not felt it necessary to use that. Of note is that the zoom and focus rings are swapped around from all of the Pentax zooms I have used, with the zoom ring being more distant from the camera body and the focus ring closer. One last thing is that there is no removal window in the lens hood with which you can spin a polarizer filter. The lens has good sharpness at f2.8 and excellent sharpness from f4 and onward. I have not found any areas within the zoom range that are particularly weaker or stronger. Contrast is good and colors seem comparable to the DA * lenses -- a little cooler than with the FA limiteds. The real test of this lens will be when there is a full frame camera available. As of right now, I see basically no vignetting throughout the range either.Auto focus is a strong point of this lens. While the lens motor is listed as SDM, this is Tamron's motor and it is quite a bit faster than Pentax's SDM lenses. Auto focus is silent and tracking is quite a bit better with this lens, as compared to either the DA *16-50 or DA *50-135 lenses. Manual focus is OK, but not great. The focus ring is small and isn't particularly damped down but, I have used it some with Live View and it is definitely usable.Flare is something that is definitely an issue with this lens. When shooting straight into the sun, the lens does flare and this is worsened considerably when zoomed in. I don't feel like it is much different than the DA *16-50 and is probably to be expected when using a lens with this much glass in it.Chromatic aberrations are really well controlled with this lens and I have seen basically no purple fringing with it, which is a pleasant surprise since all of my previous Pentax lenses have fringed a lot.Overall, it is a very nice lens that I would recommend if someone really wants this zoom range or if they are looking at a full frame camera in the future. If you are planning to stay with APS-C, the DA *16-50 is quite a bit smaller and has similar sharpness/performance to this lens, albeit with somewhat slower auto focus.
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
Its a re-badged Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 for Pentax mount. It gains: a. Weather sealing instead of moisture resistance. b. Proprietary Pentax HD coatings. It loses: a. Image stabilization (Not needed as Pentax has IBIS) b. Price advantage. c. 1 year limited warranty compared to 6- year warranty on Nikon/Canon/Sony mounts. Positives: 1. Sharp enough for Pentax K-1. 2. Weather sealed, so no need to worry when going on a hike. 3. Decently fast focusing. 4. Very useful all general purpose range of 24-70. Negatives: 1. Heavy, makes for a heavy kit with Pentax K-1. 2. Flimsy lens hood compared to Sigma ART. 3. Zoom rings focus rings not as sooth as Sigma ART. 4. Cheap quality lens cover. Sigma ART ships with high quality lens cover. Scope of improvement: 1. Pentax can learn ... MoreIts a re-badged Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 for Pentax mount. It gains: a. Weather sealing instead of moisture resistance. b. Proprietary Pentax HD coatings. It loses: a. Image stabilization (Not needed as Pentax has IBIS) b. Price advantage. c. 1 year limited warranty compared to 6- year warranty on Nikon/Canon/Sony mounts. Positives: 1. Sharp enough for Pentax K-1. 2. Weather sealed, so no need to worry when going on a hike. 3. Decently fast focusing. 4. Very useful all general purpose range of 24-70. Negatives: 1. Heavy, makes for a heavy kit with Pentax K-1. 2. Flimsy lens hood compared to Sigma ART. 3. Zoom rings focus rings not as sooth as Sigma ART. 4. Cheap quality lens cover. Sigma ART ships with high quality lens cover. Scope of improvement: 1. Pentax can learn from Sigma ART and ship good quality hood and lens cover. 2. Zoom and Focus ring smoothness can definitely be improved. 3. Could be priced lower. It doesn't have Image stabilization and 6 years warranty but still ends up being more expensive than native Tamron for other mounts.
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PENTAX Standard Zoom Lens drip-Proof Structure HD PENTAX DA16-85mmF3.5-5.6ED DC WR K Mount APS-C Size 21387 [International Version]
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Pentax FA 24-70mm f2.8D SDM, mark front, Boxed 9451753
Pentax Hd Da 16-85mm F/3.5-5.6 Ed Dc Wr Zoom Lens For K-mount Camera
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Pentax Hd Da 16-85mm F/3.5-5.6 Ed Dc Wr Zoom Lens For K-mount Camera
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Pentax Hd Pentax-d Fa 24-70mm F2.8ed Sdm Wr
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
I've now shot over 500 pictures with the D FA 24-70 and I think it is a very good lens. I'm using it on the Pentax K-1 and this combination is very good. I demand that my lenses are very sharp because I like to make enlargements of my best shots and this lens is probably my sharpest lens. The color rendition is very good. So far the lens has been almost perfect when it comes to auto-focus. There is virtually no chromatic aberrations as far as I can tell, which is a significant advantage over my other lenses. The lens is definitely substantial with significant size and weight. I use a shoulder strap more now that I used to, although I don't notice much of a difference when my equipment is in my backpack. I'm very glad that the lens has weather protection as I'm used ... MoreI've now shot over 500 pictures with the D FA 24-70 and I think it is a very good lens. I'm using it on the Pentax K-1 and this combination is very good. I demand that my lenses are very sharp because I like to make enlargements of my best shots and this lens is probably my sharpest lens. The color rendition is very good. So far the lens has been almost perfect when it comes to auto-focus. There is virtually no chromatic aberrations as far as I can tell, which is a significant advantage over my other lenses. The lens is definitely substantial with significant size and weight. I use a shoulder strap more now that I used to, although I don't notice much of a difference when my equipment is in my backpack. I'm very glad that the lens has weather protection as I'm used to shooting with lenses that do not and it causes some worry in wet conditions. I can no longer use any of my filters because this lens takes 82 mm filters so I'll have to get some new filters. Other than the size and weight, this lens is pretty ideal for me. And given it's performance I think it would be difficult to make a comparable lens that is much smaller or lighter.
The DFA 24-70 is, by all accounts, a Tamron lens that has been adjusted per Pentax specifications. What exactly that means and whether the coatings used are Pentax's own, is a little unclear to me, but this lens was designed with a full frame camera in mind. Unfortunately, that camera does not exist at this point and so testing was done on a K5 II and K3.First of all, with regard to build, the lens is a very large lens with an 82mm filter size. It handles fairly well with the grip installed, but is a little unwieldy without. The internal barrel zooms out smoothly, but the motion is tight enough that I have not experienced any zoom creep. There is a zoom lock, but I have not felt it necessary to use that. Of note is that the zoom and focus rings are swapped around ... MoreThe DFA 24-70 is, by all accounts, a Tamron lens that has been adjusted per Pentax specifications. What exactly that means and whether the coatings used are Pentax's own, is a little unclear to me, but this lens was designed with a full frame camera in mind. Unfortunately, that camera does not exist at this point and so testing was done on a K5 II and K3.First of all, with regard to build, the lens is a very large lens with an 82mm filter size. It handles fairly well with the grip installed, but is a little unwieldy without. The internal barrel zooms out smoothly, but the motion is tight enough that I have not experienced any zoom creep. There is a zoom lock, but I have not felt it necessary to use that. Of note is that the zoom and focus rings are swapped around from all of the Pentax zooms I have used, with the zoom ring being more distant from the camera body and the focus ring closer. One last thing is that there is no removal window in the lens hood with which you can spin a polarizer filter. The lens has good sharpness at f2.8 and excellent sharpness from f4 and onward. I have not found any areas within the zoom range that are particularly weaker or stronger. Contrast is good and colors seem comparable to the DA * lenses -- a little cooler than with the FA limiteds. The real test of this lens will be when there is a full frame camera available. As of right now, I see basically no vignetting throughout the range either.Auto focus is a strong point of this lens. While the lens motor is listed as SDM, this is Tamron's motor and it is quite a bit faster than Pentax's SDM lenses. Auto focus is silent and tracking is quite a bit better with this lens, as compared to either the DA *16-50 or DA *50-135 lenses. Manual focus is OK, but not great. The focus ring is small and isn't particularly damped down but, I have used it some with Live View and it is definitely usable.Flare is something that is definitely an issue with this lens. When shooting straight into the sun, the lens does flare and this is worsened considerably when zoomed in. I don't feel like it is much different than the DA *16-50 and is probably to be expected when using a lens with this much glass in it.Chromatic aberrations are really well controlled with this lens and I have seen basically no purple fringing with it, which is a pleasant surprise since all of my previous Pentax lenses have fringed a lot.Overall, it is a very nice lens that I would recommend if someone really wants this zoom range or if they are looking at a full frame camera in the future. If you are planning to stay with APS-C, the DA *16-50 is quite a bit smaller and has similar sharpness/performance to this lens, albeit with somewhat slower auto focus.
Its a re-badged Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 for Pentax mount. It gains: a. Weather sealing instead of moisture resistance. b. Proprietary Pentax HD coatings. It loses: a. Image stabilization (Not needed as Pentax has IBIS) b. Price advantage. c. 1 year limited warranty compared to 6- year warranty on Nikon/Canon/Sony mounts. Positives: 1. Sharp enough for Pentax K-1. 2. Weather sealed, so no need to worry when going on a hike. 3. Decently fast focusing. 4. Very useful all general purpose range of 24-70. Negatives: 1. Heavy, makes for a heavy kit with Pentax K-1. 2. Flimsy lens hood compared to Sigma ART. 3. Zoom rings focus rings not as sooth as Sigma ART. 4. Cheap quality lens cover. Sigma ART ships with high quality lens cover. Scope of improvement: 1. Pentax can learn ... MoreIts a re-badged Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 for Pentax mount. It gains: a. Weather sealing instead of moisture resistance. b. Proprietary Pentax HD coatings. It loses: a. Image stabilization (Not needed as Pentax has IBIS) b. Price advantage. c. 1 year limited warranty compared to 6- year warranty on Nikon/Canon/Sony mounts. Positives: 1. Sharp enough for Pentax K-1. 2. Weather sealed, so no need to worry when going on a hike. 3. Decently fast focusing. 4. Very useful all general purpose range of 24-70. Negatives: 1. Heavy, makes for a heavy kit with Pentax K-1. 2. Flimsy lens hood compared to Sigma ART. 3. Zoom rings focus rings not as sooth as Sigma ART. 4. Cheap quality lens cover. Sigma ART ships with high quality lens cover. Scope of improvement: 1. Pentax can learn from Sigma ART and ship good quality hood and lens cover. 2. Zoom and Focus ring smoothness can definitely be improved. 3. Could be priced lower. It doesn't have Image stabilization and 6 years warranty but still ends up being more expensive than native Tamron for other mounts.
Love this lens. It's extremely sharp (especially center frame), utterly silent and quick to focus, can create lovely bokeh, and handles comfortably. Before I bought it, I thought image quality might be a noticeable compromise from my go-to 31 limited as a walkaround lens, and it's most definitely not--the images that come out of this lens are really great, particularly if stopped down a touch (though not necessary). The 31 still has its place, particularly indoors and in lower light, but if I need an all-purpose lens then this has now become my standard. It does vignette a bit at the widest angles, but that's quickly compensated in Lightroom. It's also large but not terribly heavy (it's a mosquito compared to the D-FA* 70-200), and seems to fit and balance well when ... MoreLove this lens. It's extremely sharp (especially center frame), utterly silent and quick to focus, can create lovely bokeh, and handles comfortably. Before I bought it, I thought image quality might be a noticeable compromise from my go-to 31 limited as a walkaround lens, and it's most definitely not--the images that come out of this lens are really great, particularly if stopped down a touch (though not necessary). The 31 still has its place, particularly indoors and in lower light, but if I need an all-purpose lens then this has now become my standard. It does vignette a bit at the widest angles, but that's quickly compensated in Lightroom. It's also large but not terribly heavy (it's a mosquito compared to the D-FA* 70-200), and seems to fit and balance well when on the K-1. If you're thinking of getting this one, you will not be disappointed at all. Highly recommend.
I purchased the Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 lens to replace the 16-50mm Digital lens I had been using with my Pentax K-20 camera. The 16-50mm not being suitable to take advantage of the Full Frame sensor in my recently purchased Pentax K-1 camera, I had been searching for the right lens to carry, when I only wanted to carry 1 lens. I think I found that perfect lens. The FA 24-70mm f/2.8. I will expand on my review after I have had this lens a year or so, but so far I love it. It's wide enough for most of what I encounter when I just carry one lens. It's much better than the 16-50mm for more close up shots. I read in someone elses review that some vignetting was apparent at full wide angle. I have not noted any vignetting at any F-stop or MM. It might be other users ... MoreI purchased the Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 lens to replace the 16-50mm Digital lens I had been using with my Pentax K-20 camera. The 16-50mm not being suitable to take advantage of the Full Frame sensor in my recently purchased Pentax K-1 camera, I had been searching for the right lens to carry, when I only wanted to carry 1 lens. I think I found that perfect lens. The FA 24-70mm f/2.8. I will expand on my review after I have had this lens a year or so, but so far I love it. It's wide enough for most of what I encounter when I just carry one lens. It's much better than the 16-50mm for more close up shots. I read in someone elses review that some vignetting was apparent at full wide angle. I have not noted any vignetting at any F-stop or MM. It might be other users had a filter attached that got in the way. I have a thin UV filter attached and still have no vignetting at all. Focus appears sharp throughout the zoom range. Captured images are sharp and brilliant. Very little geometric distortion at 24mm. Not the case with my 15-30mm Full Frame lens I also have, where I have found the 15mm distortions a bit excessive. I would definitely buy this lens again. It is likely to become my favorite lens. I'll let you know in a year.
I initially the Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Lens, rather than the 24-70 f/2.8 because of the price, it's wider zoom range, and positive reviews. Also the 28-105 has the quiet and quick direct drive autofocus motor, not the SDM motor. In the past I've not had good experiences with the SDM on my *16-50mm f/2.4 and *55mm f/1.4 lenses. I got really pleasing shots with the 28-105, but decided to bite the bullet and exchange the lens for the faster, bigger, and more expensive 24-70 f2.8. I had absolute no problems making the exchange (kudos to B&H, again). The D FA 24-70 is the perfect match for my K1. Yes, it's a larger and heavier lens but it balances just as well on the K1 as the 28-105, the low light performance is outstanding and the SDM ... MoreI initially the Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Lens, rather than the 24-70 f/2.8 because of the price, it's wider zoom range, and positive reviews. Also the 28-105 has the quiet and quick direct drive autofocus motor, not the SDM motor. In the past I've not had good experiences with the SDM on my *16-50mm f/2.4 and *55mm f/1.4 lenses. I got really pleasing shots with the 28-105, but decided to bite the bullet and exchange the lens for the faster, bigger, and more expensive 24-70 f2.8. I had absolute no problems making the exchange (kudos to B&H, again). The D FA 24-70 is the perfect match for my K1. Yes, it's a larger and heavier lens but it balances just as well on the K1 as the 28-105, the low light performance is outstanding and the SDM autofocus motor is not the same SDM of a few years ago; this one works flawlessly so far. No hunting or squeaking, just quiet, quick and accurate focus. I've only had it for a few weeks but I anticipate a long and happy marriage with this lens.
This lens replaced a Tamron 28-75 F2.8 that was dropped and would not focus. B&H fast delivery saved me, receiving the lens two days before the wedding.. Shot a whole wedding with the new Pentax 28-70 F2.8 on my Pentax K-1 with virtually no practice shooting with it. Used it at F4.0 to F8 with flash plus F16 outside. This lens has a lot of glass compared to the Tamron 2.8, Definitely heavier than average for the lens range, but I am used to using heavy lenses. The zoom action is very smooth and very damped - no creep noticed between shots. Fast focus on the K-1, didn't miss any shots due to focus lag. I am looking forward to low light photography at the 2.8 of this lens. Have not had the chance to experiment with the focus shift issue question. So, at this point ... MoreThis lens replaced a Tamron 28-75 F2.8 that was dropped and would not focus. B&H fast delivery saved me, receiving the lens two days before the wedding.. Shot a whole wedding with the new Pentax 28-70 F2.8 on my Pentax K-1 with virtually no practice shooting with it. Used it at F4.0 to F8 with flash plus F16 outside. This lens has a lot of glass compared to the Tamron 2.8, Definitely heavier than average for the lens range, but I am used to using heavy lenses. The zoom action is very smooth and very damped - no creep noticed between shots. Fast focus on the K-1, didn't miss any shots due to focus lag. I am looking forward to low light photography at the 2.8 of this lens. Have not had the chance to experiment with the focus shift issue question. So, at this point (one week and 450 wedding pictures) have only good things to say about this lens. It is also dust and damp proof which matches my K-1 which the Tamron did not have.
After a very short time spent with this lens, I am very excited to have added this to my lens collection, and I believe it will be one of my favs and go-to lenses for the foreseeable future. Originally, I purchased it to replace an older Pentax model (of about the same size), specifically for a photo safari to South Africa and Botswana, but due to Covid, have postponed that trip to 2022. Still , that will give me lots of time and opportunities to get used to it . . . it is heavy, but very solid, and I've trusted and used Pentax equipment since my days in Viet Nam ('69-'70). Excellent product, excellent service!RN
My brother bought and recommended this lens to me. He said it was one of the best lenses he had ever used for pictures of his children.It is well balanced with the Pentax K1-MII. It is a little heavy but not so much that a tripod if needed. The constant F stop makes getting the exposure easy. There is a lens lock switch that is handy once you get use to it, although the lens doesn't seem to extend on it's own when pointed down.I like the lens a lot, I have used it on family group shots, portraits, children, and yesterday on fireworks!The photo's turned out great, it was easy to use, I am very happy with the purchase. The only thing that might be a negative was the price, it is a little expensive. About $1,100.
This is an update to my initial impressions. I had some issues with some purple fringing but found out this was due to my using two filters at once on this lens. Took one off and all issues disappeared. This is the first lens you should attach to your K1. It is the most versatile for general use. I have other FF lenses but this is the one I keep on the camera by default. Tamron just announced a similar lens for Canon and Nikon. I suspect this is just a modified version of this lens. Pentax pricing is competitive.
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