Stripe Color

dakight · 10-30-2014, 04:59 AM

I've spent some time this morning looking, but I haven't found the answer. So here's the question: What is the significance of the colored stripe on a Pentax DA lens. I've been looking a fixed focal length primes on Ebay and I see some with red stripes and some with green; what does it mean?

I can't be the only person to wonder, and probably not the first to ask.

max_pyne · 10-30-2014, 05:10 AM

HD or SMC coating

steve1307 · 10-30-2014, 05:15 AM

Check them out on the lens review section here:

Pentax DA Prime Lenses - Reviews and Specifications - SLR and Interchangeable Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
Pentax DA Zoom Lenses - Reviews and Specifications - SLR and Interchangeable Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

The green band in the "SMC" coating on the lenses, these have now been mostly superceded.

The red band indicated the newer "HD" coating which is spec for all the new releases.

All of the "DA limited" prime lenses where refreshed last year with the new HD coating, and with curved apeture blades but optically similar to the earlier versions.

You may still find some new "old stock" of the green band SMC version.
I believe some of the lenses such as the 18-135 DC WR, 18-270, 35 and 50 mm + others are still being made with the SMC coating (green ring) for the time being at least.

The Gold band on the other hand is the DA* lenses with SDM (motor focussing) and a higher level of weather sealing.

dakight · 10-30-2014, 05:15 AM

OK, so looking back at the listings I deduce that a red stripe indicates HD and the green is for SMC. That makes sense; thanks.

Na Horuk · 10-30-2014, 05:22 AM

Its not just the stripe, it also says on the lens, whether it is SMC or HD. And the HD lenses have slightly different barrel materials (who knows which is better) and rounded aperture blades (generally a good thing, makes bokeh smoother at high apertures, but some don't like it because it prevents pointed starbursts on lightsources. This is especially important on the DA 15mm, which is famous for its landscape renderings with starbursts).
There is also a PentaxForums comparison between SMC and HD. The verdict was that the difference is rather small, most noticeable on DA 21mm and DA 40mm, I think. Nothing to write home about, though.

**csa** · 10-30-2014, 07:41 AM

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread! Very informative with the information posted!

Na Horuk · 10-30-2014, 08:00 AM

Here is the HD vs. SMC review I mentioned earlier, along with wonderful photos:
Review: HD vs. SMC Pentax Limited Primes - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

neil1 · 10-30-2014, 08:35 AM

I have a 10-17mm zoom lens that has a silver stripe, what does that stand for?

dakight · 10-30-2014, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Here is the HD vs. SMC review I mentioned earlier, along with wonderful photos:
Review: HD vs. SMC Pentax Limited Primes - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

I glanced through this and I'll come back to it in depth later, but thanks for posting it. It looks to be very informative. Gorgeous pictures!

**boriscleto** · 10-30-2014, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by neil1

I have a 10-17mm zoom lens that has a silver stripe, what does that stand for?

It should have a green stipe below the zoom ring. A silver stripe below the zoom ring was for DA L lenses.

Mushu · 01-03-2023, 07:53 AM

Necro..yeah yeah. But I just found this thread as the top result via google and think the thread either needs to be updated since I too am wondering about the stripe colors on Pentax lenses and perhaps there needs to be another post that describes the updates since nine years ago...

**pepperberry farm** · 01-03-2023, 07:55 AM

I don't know if there's been a change; green for SMC and red for HD lenses ..

Mushu · 01-03-2023, 08:01 AM

Gold?

**ehrwien** · 01-04-2023, 12:38 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Mushu

Gold?

* lenses, like the DA* 55, DFA* 70-200 etc.

See Comprehensive Pentax Lens Guide - Gear Guides | PentaxForums.com for more information about Pentax lenses

angerdan · 01-04-2023, 01:05 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by steve1307

The green band in the "SMC" coating on the lenses, these have now been mostly superceded.
The red band indicated the newer "HD" coating which is spec for all the new releases.
The Gold band on the other hand is the DA* lenses with SDM (motor focussing) and a higher level of weather sealing.

Yes, gold is for the ★ Lenses (F, DA and DFA).
Premium DA, D FA, F Series Lenses with AF/MF Switch, Autofocus | PentaxForums.com

10-30-2014, 04:59 AM	#1
dakight Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,216	Stripe Color I've spent some time this morning looking, but I haven't found the answer. So here's the question: What is the significance of the colored stripe on a Pentax DA lens. I've been looking a fixed focal length primes on Ebay and I see some with red stripes and some with green; what does it mean? I can't be the only person to wonder, and probably not the first to ask.

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10-30-2014, 05:10 AM	#2
max_pyne Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: zurich Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 409	HD or SMC coating

10-30-2014, 05:15 AM	#3
steve1307 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,130	Check them out on the lens review section here: Pentax DA Prime Lenses - Reviews and Specifications - SLR and Interchangeable Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Pentax DA Zoom Lenses - Reviews and Specifications - SLR and Interchangeable Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database The green band in the "SMC" coating on the lenses, these have now been mostly superceded. The red band indicated the newer "HD" coating which is spec for all the new releases. All of the "DA limited" prime lenses where refreshed last year with the new HD coating, and with curved apeture blades but optically similar to the earlier versions. You may still find some new "old stock" of the green band SMC version. I believe some of the lenses such as the 18-135 DC WR, 18-270, 35 and 50 mm + others are still being made with the SMC coating (green ring) for the time being at least. The Gold band on the other hand is the DA* lenses with SDM (motor focussing) and a higher level of weather sealing.

10-30-2014, 05:22 AM	#5
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Its not just the stripe, it also says on the lens, whether it is SMC or HD. And the HD lenses have slightly different barrel materials (who knows which is better) and rounded aperture blades (generally a good thing, makes bokeh smoother at high apertures, but some don't like it because it prevents pointed starbursts on lightsources. This is especially important on the DA 15mm, which is famous for its landscape renderings with starbursts). There is also a PentaxForums comparison between SMC and HD. The verdict was that the difference is rather small, most noticeable on DA 21mm and DA 40mm, I think. Nothing to write home about, though.

10-30-2014, 07:41 AM	#6
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Thanks to the OP for starting this thread! Very informative with the information posted!

10-30-2014, 08:00 AM	#7
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Here is the HD vs. SMC review I mentioned earlier, along with wonderful photos: Review: HD vs. SMC Pentax Limited Primes - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews

10-30-2014, 08:35 AM	#8
neil1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Humboldt, SK. Photos: Gallery Posts: 85	I have a 10-17mm zoom lens that has a silver stripe, what does that stand for?

10-30-2014, 11:16 AM	#9
dakight Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,216 Original Poster	Originally posted by Na Horuk Here is the HD vs. SMC review I mentioned earlier, along with wonderful photos: Review: HD vs. SMC Pentax Limited Primes - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews I glanced through this and I'll come back to it in depth later, but thanks for posting it. It looks to be very informative. Gorgeous pictures!

10-30-2014, 11:23 AM	#10
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by neil1 I have a 10-17mm zoom lens that has a silver stripe, what does that stand for? It should have a green stipe below the zoom ring. A silver stripe below the zoom ring was for DA L lenses.

01-03-2023, 07:53 AM	#11
Mushu New Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 22	Necro..yeah yeah. But I just found this thread as the top result via google and think the thread either needs to be updated since I too am wondering about the stripe colors on Pentax lenses and perhaps there needs to be another post that describes the updates since nine years ago...

01-03-2023, 07:55 AM	#12
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	I don't know if there's been a change; green for SMC and red for HD lenses ..

01-03-2023, 08:01 AM	#13
Mushu New Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 22	Gold?

01-04-2023, 12:38 PM - 1 Like	#14
ehrwien Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 2,782	Originally posted by Mushu Gold? * lenses, like the DA* 55, DFA* 70-200 etc. See Comprehensive Pentax Lens Guide - Gear Guides \| PentaxForums.com for more information about Pentax lenses

01-04-2023, 01:05 PM - 1 Like	#15
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,639	Originally posted by steve1307 The green band in the "SMC" coating on the lenses, these have now been mostly superceded. The red band indicated the newer "HD" coating which is spec for all the new releases. The Gold band on the other hand is the DA* lenses with SDM (motor focussing) and a higher level of weather sealing. Yes, gold is for the ★ Lenses (F, DA and DFA). Premium DA, D FA, F Series Lenses with AF/MF Switch, Autofocus \| PentaxForums.com