Last Updated on 01/22/2020 by Mark Beckenbach
The Pentax D FA 70-210mm f4 ED SDM WR has been in the works for what seems like forever.
We have some big news for Pentaxians out there that will no doubt bring a huge grin to their faces. Ricoh has finally announced that the long-awaited D FA 70-210mm f4 ED SDM WR telephoto zoom lens will be coming to market next month. Join us after the break to see all the details about this new lens, including pricing and a confirmed release date.
The Pentax D FA 70-210mm f4 has been on the Pentax lens roadmap for quite some time, in fact, so long that many Pentax fans have questioned whether or not it would ever see the light of day. But, we can now confirm that, on February 15th, 2020 the lens will be available.
The D FA 70-210mm f4 SDM WR (which looks to be a rebranded Tamron 70-210 f4 Di VC USD) has been designed to work on Pentax’s Full Frame DSLRs (the K1 and the K1 II), but will also work on all of their APS-C cameras as well. With a constant f4 maximum aperture, photographers can rely on consistent brightness throughout the zoom range and will increased control over depth of field for selective focus effects.
When used with an APS-C-format camera, its focal range is extended to the equivalent of 107mm to 322mm. The new lens has a minimum focusing distance of 3.1 feet and has a maximum magnification of 0.32x, which will provide greater macro capabilities. It also features a Quick-Shift Focus System that enables an instant shift to manual-focus operation after locking a subject in focus during autofocus operation. The nine aperture blades will surely create some gorgeous bokeh. Weighing in at just 1.8lbs, the D FA 70-210 will be perfect for any photography job. Throw in Pentax’s legendary weather sealing, and you end up with a go-anywhere, do-anything telephoto zoom.
You’ll also find that a high-grade, multi-layer high-definition (HD) coating has been applied to the optical elements of the lens, which will enable the capture of high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness while minimizing flare and ghost images. A super-protective (SP) coating, highly repellent to water, grease, and dirt, has also been applied to the front element of the lens’ front surface, making it easy to wipe off stains or fingerprints.
The Pentax D FA 70-210 f4 SDM WR will have a retail price of $1,099.95 when it arrives in stores on February 15th. We just have to wait and see if other Pentax lenses, like the much anticipated D FA 85mm f1.8, will come to fruition this year too. For more information about the new lens, head on over to the official Ricoh website.
