Pentax Ricoh HD PENTAX DA 70mm F2.4 Limited first thoughts (nice upgrade)

A new Pentax Ricoh HD PENTAX DA 70mm F2.4 Limited short telephoto lens from Pentax/Ricoh. It is based mostly on the same lens construction, but they have made some improvements that could mean that the output of the lens is different.

Pentax Ricoh HD PENTAX DA 70mm F2.4 Limited

The lens includes a new HD coating that should makes the lens show less flare and ghost images. It is most likely a bit like some of the other photography companies add to their lenses, where a company like Nikon calls it Nano coating. Results from other added coatings from other companies shows that it has a noticeable effect on the output of the images.

The second new thing is better bokeh effect at low apertures and this is something that can be the deciding point for many photographers whether the go for one or the other type of lens. It should be better in the
Pentax Ricoh HD PENTAX DA 70mm F2.4 Limited.

The existing Pentax Ricoh smc PENTAX DA 70mm F2.4 Limited lens have an average rating of 80% and I think that Pentax Ricoh HD PENTAX DA 70mm F2.4 Limited will get the same or a little bit better average rating at Pentax Index.

As a bonus you also get a lens hood included in the lens package, which some love to use and others forget that they have it.

Here is a comparison of the two lenses based on specification:

	Pentax Ricoh smc PENTAX DA 70mm F2.4 Limited	Pentax Ricoh HD PENTAX DA 70mm F2.4 Limited
Focal Length	70mm	70mm
Equivalent to 35mm format	105mm	107mm
Maximum aperture	f/2.4	F2.4
Minimum aperture	f/22	F22
Angle of View	68 degrees	23°
Construction	6 elements / 5 groups	6 elements in 5 groups
Focusing Range	0.7m - infinity	0.7m (2.3ft)
Magnification	0.12X Max	0.12x
Filter size	49mm	49mm
Mount	PENTAX K-AF	KAF
Weight	130g	131 g (with hood 147 g)
Dimensions (Length x Diameter)	26mm x 63mm	63mm x 26mm (2.5 inch x 1.0 inch)
Kit Content	Front cap Rear cap Soft case	Lens hood: MH-RF49 Lens cap: Exclusive Cap Lens case: Exclusive Case
Special Features	"Quick Shift" focusing "Super Protect" coating	Quick-shift Focus System SP (Super Protect) Coating HD Coating Rounded aperture (F2.4 to F5.6)
Number of Diaphragm Blades		9

The price difference between the 2 lenses is $50, and with that little difference I would go for the new lens.

Follow the Pentax Ricoh HD PENTAX DA 70mm F2.4 Limited at Pentax Index.

Links:

• Product page
• Press release