Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR USA

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

I love this lens. I love the fact that it makes very little sound when zooming in or out.
Very nice.

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

As a Pentax K-5 owner, this lens represented the closest equivalent to the 24-105L F4 lens that I enjoyed on my friends' Canon 5D but on my Pentaxian budget.

That's the full-frame zoom range that I find useful for a walk-around lens. Also, I felt a constant F4 aperture, compared to F2.8, was a useful trade-off against lens weight without sacrificing too much light at the long end of the zoom range.

With that in mind, the 17-70mm DA over the K-5 sensor is very close in focal length to that other Canon set-up, but I fully expected it to be characteristically different in color, sharpness, and DOF. The 17-70 lens proved different, but I found it to be remarkable in its own right.

My copy is sharp from F4 through F8, where the DA* 16-50 was a bit soft until F4, so I rarely have to worry about mushy corners wide open. This lens is much heavier than the DA 18-55mm, but still lighter than the DA*. Its focus ring and zoom mechanics feel tighter and more torqued than the 16-50mm, too, which makes it easier to work with. The SDM is snappier than the old DA 16-45mm F4, although it requires more care with keeping all the internal contacts clean once in a while to avoid future failures. And, importantly, the contrast is relatively strong, with accurate color, and minimal diffusion with UV filters, too.

Lens distortion and CA are easily suppressed, thanks to Lightroom support for Pentax RAW and good in-camera JPG processing. But unlike other lenses (DA 16-45mm, DA 18-55mm, and the DA* 16-50) this one hasn't bothered me on its own yet.

The only wish I had was that it was weather proofed! But that's not a failing.

I purchased this lens from B&H after too much deliberation. I wish I'd bought it sooner and not worried so much about the alternatives, because it's a wonderful lens.

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

I have Sigma 17-70 zoom lens, but I wanted an equivalent lens with better optical quality. I ordered this zoom and indeed the optical quality is better in all focal lengths. However, I found that the focusing at 70 mm is hesitant and that is the reasone for giving it 3 stars.

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

Excellent sharpness. Good zoom range. Lightning quick AF. Outstanding work Pentax!

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

the DA 17-70mm is the lens for the most applications, portrait, landscape, nature, people, travel and many, many more...
very good sharpness and contrast, average AF-speed,
no weather sealing !!! very good value for your money

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

Has hardly been off my K7 since I bought it. The long end is especially nice. It could be a tad sharper at the long end, but only in comparison to my old 85mm f1.8. Very low distortion and performs really well in backlit situations. Seems to be very solid mechanically.

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

I bought this Pentax lens to travel light and to replace a Sigma lens 18-125.

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

I bought and used this for a vacation and the pictures were very sharp and the colors were very nice. I received some nice comments about my pictures. I am very happy with my purchase.

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

This is an excellent walk around general purpose lens for APS-C cameras. The zoom range is very useful,it focuses quickly and the images are very satisfactory.

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

I upgraded from a Sigma 17-70mm and the Pentax is sharper and has better colors. At f/4 it is already very sharp. The only weakness is that it could be a little sharper at 70mm. Otherwise, this is the best standard lens currently out there for Pentax.

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

Focussing is quick and mostly accurate. SDM works well, manual 'focus touch up' feature is good. The focal length range (26-107mm equiv) is really useful. It is sharp at F8 and 5.6, and nearly as good wide open at F4. Considering its range and speed, the weight and size of this lens is fairly easy to cope with. It also has reasonable macro capabilities. Finally, the lens appears to be robust and well made. A great all rounder

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

- I work indoors, so used it only indoors
- very sharp
- In low light must use high ISO still looked sharp with pentax K5

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

I bought this to replace my Sigma 18-200 as a general purpose zoom, but I'am disappointed in the optical performance in the 18-70 mm .The front block of lenses has a free wheeling more than in 4 mm and deviates easily a lens axis extensively.Not correct focusing, bad sharpness/

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

First, let me say that I do not particularly like zoom lenses. I am a sucker for primes and I have never found a zoom lens that really satisfies me, image quality-wise.

That being said, this lens provide a good, convenient focal length range, very quick/quiet autofocus on my K-5, and quite nice color rendition. As far as utility is concerned, is a great lens to own. Its macro performance (though it is not really advertised for this) is not so bad either: It does have a fairly impressive magnification ratio for a standard zoom - and closeups I have taken with it look very nice.

Sadly, there are some drawbacks to it also. Images at f/4 are not all that great-looking. Things improve at f/5.6 in most focal lengths, but it is still not strikingly sharp - and purple/blue fringe can often be found on highlight edges (and such that it is difficult to remove). At f/6.3, this lens improves greatly. At f/8, it looks quite nice, though certainly not as sharp as a good prime. I have not really experimented enough with smaller apertures to comment in detail about its performance at f/11, f/16, etc. but it seems to perform well enough, from what I have seen.

I am not really too disappointed, however, as I got more-or-less what I expected: A good walk-around lens with fast, quiet autofocus. When IQ is critical, I simply use my primes.

Would I recommend it? Well, that depends. If your expectations are realistic, then it is fine. It is a very practical lens (and MUCH nicer than the Sigma/Tamron "super-zooms") but it is certainly no all-in-one solution for great-looking photos. Buy this as a substitute/replacement for the kit lens; buy some decent primes for more critical applications.

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

I am a very amature photographer. I needed a versatile lens for close up and telephoto scenes. This lens takes sharp pictures, is easy to use, is not very heavy and travels well. The DA 17-70 mm does it all well. The price is a bit steep but the I'm happy I bought it.

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

Covers just about any range you could want. Fast and accurate focusing.

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

I bought this lens to complement rather than replace the 18-55 kit lens. The 17-70 lens is a very solid built lens that focuses ever so quietly, with excellent clarity and color.I would definitely purchase this lens again.

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

Great walk around lens, light,AF quick,smooth handling,.Wish litlle faster! Very good lens

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

Coming from the DA*16-50 which I found to be too big for a general walk-about lens I find the DA17-70 to be a nive lens. The filter size matched my DA*60-250 so the DA17-70 pairs up really good with the DA*60-250. Now just add a low light lens and a macro lens the kit will cover about anything.

Comments about Pentax SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:

great walk around lens. extremely sharp throughout the range except at 70mm you have to stop down a 1/2 a step at least, otherwise a great piece of glass. I had the sigma 17-70mm, IQ and contrast of the Pentax is much better. SDM is fast and quit. Highly recommended!