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Pentax SMC-DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited - Review / Test Report |
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Lens Reviews -
Pentax
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Page 1 of 3
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published May 2007
Special thanks to Jonas B. for providing this lens!
Introduction
The test report of the Pentax SMC-DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited completes the "gang of three" -
the three pancake lenses in the current Pentax lens lineup (as of the time of this
review). Looking at its shape it is quite obvious why it is called a pancake
lens - it is as flat. Just like most current Pentax lenses it is a DA lenses with a
reduced image circle dedicated to the APS-C format. Its field-of-view is equivalent to
105mm on full format cameras so combined with its relatively fast max. aperture it
resides within the sweet spot of portrait photography.
The DA 70mm f/2.4 is a Limited lens - these lenses are build to higher quality
standards and the mechanical quality is indeed excellent thanks to a metal shell and
tight tolerances. The tiny focus operates smooth and slightly damped. As you can see below the lens
extends slightly when focusing towards close focus distances. The screw-in metal hood
(telescope-style) does almost double the size of the lens.
Typical for most Pentax lenses the DA 70mm f/2.4 has no internal AF motor and
relies on a slotted drive screw operated by the camera. Consequently AF
operations generate a moderate degree of noise. The AF speed is fast
on the K10D.
Thanks to a "Quick-Shift Focus System" manual focusing is instantly possible
once the AF has achieved focus - this works very well and noiseless.
| Specifications |
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| Equiv. focal length | 105 mm (full format equivalent) |
| Equiv. aperture | f/3.6 (full format equivalent, in terms of depth-of-field) |
| Optical construction | 6 elements in 5 groups |
| Number of aperture blades | 9 |
| min. focus distance | 0.7m (max. magnification ratio 1:8.3) |
| Dimensions | 63x26mm |
| Weight | 130g |
| Filter size | 49mm (non-rotating) |
| Hood | screw-in type (supplied) | |
| Other features | - |
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