Pentax HD D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW Review

HD PENTAX-D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW Performance

The overall pattern of performance mirrors very closely the pattern seen with the other three new full frame lenses, the 28-105mm, 24-70mm and 15-30mm. Very low central CA values, slightly higher at the edges but able to be corrected in-camera for JPEG capture or in software. The resolution figures are incredibly even across the frame, with some of the figures obtained being almost identical centre and edge. Flare is virtually absent.

Looking at the bokeh, the rounded diaphragm blades and the optical design combine to offer very relaxed and pleasant out of focus effects. In terms of the visual character of the lens, it is a very well refined and pleasing optic. This is something that is hard to measure or quantify, but we know it when we see it.

MTF@70mm
 

How to read our charts

The blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges. 

The scale on the left side is an indication of actual image resolution as LW/PH and is described in detail above. The taller the column, the better the lens performance. 

For this review, the lens was tested on a Pentax K-1 using Imatest. 

70mm gives us -2.23% barrel distortion, a reasonably well-controlled figure, but in any event, one that can be easily corrected if required. Sharpness is simply very good, centre and edge, bordering on excellent at f/4, and only drops away at the edges at f/22. Here it is still good.

CA@70mm
 

How to read our charts

Chromatic aberration is the lens' inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.

Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimise the problem, hence they usually cost more.

For this review, the lens was tested on a Pentax K-1 using Imatest.

 

 

Having tested this lens alongside the HD Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR lens we can also compare directly the two at 70mm. Apart from the 24-70mm being a lighter and more compact 70mm there is virtually no difference in performance between the two. The FA* lens is marginally ahead on bald figures, but visually there is no advantage one way or the other.

MTF @ 100mm	CA @ 100mm

At 100mm we have a modest -0.463% barrel distortion. In terms of sharpness, results are excellent at the centre at f/2.8 to f/4, peaking at f/4, and very good all the way down to f/22. The edges start off fair at f/2.8 are very good from f/4 to f/11 and good at f/22. Again, performance is actually very even across the frame, especially from f/5.6 to f/16.

MTF @ 135mm	CA @ 135mm

At 135mm we see +0.409% pincushion distortion, a very satisfactory figure. Sharpness at the centre is excellent from f/2.8 to f/5.6, peaking at f/4. From f/8 to f/22 performance remains very good. At the edges, we have very good sharpness from f/2.8 to f/16, and it remains good even at f/22.

MTF @ 200mm	CA @ 200mm

200mm shows +1.19% pincushion distortion, still very satisfactory and correctable in software anyway. Sharpness is simply very good at every aperture, centre and edge. At the risk of repeating the words, the evenness of the performance is extraordinary and to be commended.

Value For Money

There are quite a few 70-200mm lenses on the market to compare costs with. The HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW lens is priced initially at £1849, although inevitably after a while prices tend to settle.

If we look at comparable models from other marques, then the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L ISII USM costs £1499. The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor f/2.8 G ED VRII is priced at £1799. Sony offer the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM II at £2199. Canon, Nikon and Sony users can buy the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 SP Di VC USD at £929 or the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM at £729.

Compared to the other marque lenses, the Pentax does seem to be in the right area, although for many of us £1849 is still a substantial outlay. However, the quality is there to justify it. For more options have a look at to Top 10 Best Pentax Lenses.

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