Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited Lens Review

HD PENTAX-DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited Handling and Features

As you might expect from lenses in the Pentax Limited range, build quality is excellent. Even so although this lens isn't heavy, weighing only 147g with the extendable hood attached, due to the use of aluminium in its construction. The lens is very compact for a fast aperture telephoto lens, being only 26mm long. The lens balances well with the Pentax K-5 IIs body used for testing, and it will feel just as good when used with compact Pentax K-mount camera bodies.

Focusing isn't performed internally, with the lens barrel extending by around one centimetre at the closest marked focusing distance. Thankfully, the filter ring does not rotate, which makes it perfect for use with polarising and graduated filters. The 49mm filter thread size is standard for Pentax, which should make it easy to find accessories and filters to fit.



The manual focusing ring rotates during auto-focus, so some care may need to be taken to avoid it catching your fingers as it moves back and forth. Manual focusing action is smooth and well damped, which makes it a pleasure to apply manual adjustments. A useful hyperfocal scale is marked on the lens barrel, which has marking between f/4 and f/22. The Pentax 'Quick Shift' focusing system has been implemented on this lens, which means manual adjustments can be applied once autofocus is complete.

Auto focus is screw-driven, although it still manages to lock onto subjects very quickly. The older screw-driven system does generate more noise than newer silent focusing lenses do. The minimum focus distance of 70cm is typical for a lens of this type and focal length.

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