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  • D FA* 70–200mm f/2.8

  • D FA 140–450mm f/3.5–5.6

  • Conclusion

  • Related Video

  • D FA* 70–200mm f/2.8
  • D FA 140–450mm f/3.5–5.6
  • Conclusion
  • Related Video

Even though the Pentax lens lineup included some excellent full-frame compatible lenses already, Ricoh decided that there needed to be some impressive zooms ready for when the new product category launches. And so, please welcome the brand-new HD Pentax-D FA* 70–200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW and HD Pentax-D FA 150–450mm f/4.5–5.6 ED DC AW. These massive new zooms fill a gap in Pentax's first-party lens lineup, pairing the company's typical rugged build and weather sealing with some impressive optics.

D FA* 70–200mm f/2.8

All-star

The Pentax Star series has been around since the film days, with the special mark indicating superior optical design. This new HD D FA* lens has all the features you'd want from a modern 3x zoom lens, and it also boasts Pentax's highest "All Weather" designation, with 13 seals to block moisture and dust from getting inside.

Like other 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses, it's a heavy and long piece of equipment with a rock-steady build. Focusing and zooming are both internal, so what you see is what you get. Like virtually all other Pentax lenses, it's not stabilized, since the company's DSLR bodies all feature in-body image stabilization.

The brand-new D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 is a mighty lens.
Credit: Reviewed.com / Brendan Nystedt

The brand-new D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 is a mighty lens.

{{amazon name="Pentax HD D FA 70-200mm f2.8ED DC AW Telephoto-Zoom Lens for Pentax KAF Cameras", asin="B00TDGONZU", align="right"}}

The D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ditches Pentax's older SDM autofocus technology in favor of the newer, simpler DC focusing motor. In some past DA* lenses, SDM was a notable weak point, with widely reported motor failures. In our time with the lens, we were pleasantly surprised at how quickly and accurately it focused, as well as how quiet it was in action.

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The optical design has been carefully engineered to get excellent performance at just about any focal length, even when you're shooting wide open. Inside are 18 elements in 14 groups, with two "super ED" elements, two regular ED elements, and four super-low dispersion elements. That's a whole lot of exotic glass.

For good measure, Pentax has added its latest lens coatings, with HD and Super Protect on the front element and Aero-Bright II nano-coating on the inside. Finally, the lens's diaphragm has 9 rounded blades to keep the bokeh looking nice and smooth.

While we did get to shoot a little on the busy trade show floor, it's not exactly the best place to check out raw performance—especially with a telephoto lens. Moreover, we were unable to save any of our test shots, so you'll have to wait until we get a copy into our labs for more detailed sharpness and distortion results.

D FA 140–450mm f/3.5–5.6

When we say it's a "long" zoom, we aren't kidding.

The new D FA 150–450mm is a zoom the likes of we haven't seen from Pentax in a long time. It's a gargantuan lens—so big that my arms started shaking after holding it for more than five minutes. While this longer zoom isn't part of the ★ family, it still seems like it has a lot going for it.

There's no two ways about it—the 150-450mm lens is humongous.
Credit: Reviewed.com / Brendan Nystedt

There's no two ways about it—the 150-450mm lens is humongous.

Inside are 18 elements in 14 groups. Pentax has packed in its suite of modern coatings, including HD, Super Protect, and Aero-Bright. It has three ED glass elements and one super-low dispersion glass element as part of its optical design. Twenty-one gaskets and seals help this lens achieve the AW rating from Pentax, so it can survive a sudden downpour or even a trip in a blizzard or sandstorm.

{{amazon name="Pentax HD D FA 150-450mm f4.5-5.6ED DC AW Super-Telephoto Lens for Pentax KAF Cameras", asin="B00TGVI4Y8", align="right"}}

Our favorite feature is the 150-450mm's unique custom focusing system. You can program a focus distance preset using a button on the underside of the lens. Once set, this preset lets you jump back to that distance using one of four buttons positioned at 90-degree intervals around the barrel. The buttons can also be used for other functions, including triggering and canceling the AF motor. In the former case, it works just like a half-press of the shutter button.

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Additionally, there's an on-lens focus mode selector and a focus limiter switch, just like the one found on the D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8. Because of the much longer zoom range, there's also a lock to prevent any potential zoom creep. That said, the zoom ring is exceptionally well dampened; we don't foresee people having many issues with creep or other instability.

We love the utility of this programmable preset feature.
Credit: Reviewed.com / Brendan Nystedt

We love the utility of this programmable preset feature.

One of the things that makes this lens even bigger than it seems is the fact that it's not an internal zoom; going from full wide to full telephoto lengthens the lens substantially. With a lens hood on and fully zoomed in, this thing is almost as long as my forearm (and I'm a pretty tall guy). Thankfully, the focusing action is internal.

Conclusion

Worthy additions to the Pentax roadmap

Twelve full-frame lenses? Now, THAT would be one heck of a launch.

Going into the CP+ show, we didn't have any major complaints about the Pentax family of lenses—it's one of the most complete on the market today for enthusiasts, especially given the brand's complete backwards compatibility with decades of K-mount lenses.

But now, with a full-frame camera on the way, more compatible glass is a must.

With these two new zooms on the roster, Ricoh will have at least nine full-frame lenses at launch time. That's pretty impressive, and with three additional D FA lenses on the roadmap for this year, there's a chance (slim, though it may be) that Ricoh will have a Pentax full-frame DSLR with as many as 12 modern lenses ready for launch. Now, that would be one heck of a start.

Credit: Ricoh Imaging

With these two new zoom lenses, the Pentax K-mount roadmap holds a lot of promise.

Even if these are the only two telephotos that are ready for the new camera, we shouldn't neglect to mention that the D FA zooms will also work great on current APS-C bodies like the K-3 and K-5 II. Given the impressive build quality, features, and purported optical quality, these two new offerings are promising indeed. We'll be lifting weights and biding our time until we can get samples of these two lenses in for testing and sample shooting.

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Meet the tester

Brendan Nystedt

Brendan Nystedt

Contributor

@bnystedt

Brendan is originally from California. Prior to writing for Reviewed.com, he graduated from UC Santa Cruz and did IT support and wrote for a technology blog in the mythical Silicon Valley. Brendan enjoys history, Marx Brothers films, Vietnamese food, cars, and laughing loudly.

See all of Brendan Nystedt's reviews

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