(new) Pentax 24-70mm f/2.8 for full frame

[arthurking83]

The Pentax D FA 24-70mm f2.8ED SDM (http://ricohimaging.com/product/d-fa/7388/) lens has just been announced.

Normally I'd leave this news for Kym to post, but when I first saw the new item, it struck me as so familiar that I had to check up on it.

I'm convinced that this new lens is almost 99.9999% positively a rebranded Tamron 24-70/2.8 VC, without the vibration control mechanism(which obviously Pentax cameras don't need)

That's a good thing, in that the lens is very nice in so many respects(maybe just a touch large in terms of diameter, but easily lived with).
It loses a few grams in weight, which is probably due to the lack of a VC mechanism.
Which brings me to the point of why I posted this news item .. I'd always wondered why Tamron never listed this lens for the Pentax mount.
Tamron only ever listed the Nikon, Canon and Sony mounts for this lens.

Here's the Tamron 24-70VC lens site (http://www.tamron.co.jp/en/lineup/a007/specifications/index.html) for comparison

[Kym]

Tamron do (sometimes) do a Pentax mount. I have a Tamron 28-75/2.8 in a Pentax mount.
Yes, they have done Pentax branded lenses (sold by Pentax) for jacked up prices.

[Kym]

HD Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR: 17 elements in 12 groups
Tamron Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di USD: 17 elements in 12 groups

Pentax: 3 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements, 3 aspherical elements, 1 aspherical element made of single anomalous dispersion glass
Tamron: 3 LD (Low Dispersion) elements, 2 XR (Extra Refractive Index) elements, 3 glass molded aspherical elements, 1 hybrid aspherical element

Pentax: ultrasonic motor
Tamron: ultrasonic motor

Pentax: minimum focus = 0.38m
Tamron: minimum focus = 0.38m

Pentax: maximum magnification = 0.20x
Tamron: maximum magnification = 0.21x

Pentax: filter thread = 82mm
Tamron: filter thread = 82mm

Pentax: 9 aperture blades, rounded
Tamron: 9 aperture blades, rounded

Pentax: diameter = 88.5 mm
Tamron: diameter = 88.0 mm

Pentax: total length = 109.5mm
Tamron: total length = 117mm (Canon EF version)

Pentax: weight = 812 g with hood
Tamron: weight = 825 g with hood

[I @ M]

I read the thread and had a quick wonder if Pentax were working with Tokina again but a quick check of the new Tokina ruled that out.
It isn't made ( yet ) in a Pentax mount and is an absolute porker at 1010 grams. :eek:

Plus a few other differences ----- http://www.tokinalens.com/tokina/products/atxprofx/atx2470mmf28profx/