Pentax Announces New DA* Lenses and Other Accessories

[BrendanPK]

Originally Posted by nlex

i think the futur is not FF and not APS-C but… APS-H !

it just make sense

I would have to say that APS-H is the perfect compromise between C and FF. Its also a great option for high MP w/ lower noise and not as $$ as FF to produce etc.

The DA* lenses were oridginaly anounced to have a APS-H coverage area. Also many of the DA lenses now cover more than APS-C frame (ex: the 16-45 covers FF down to like 18mm)

[celetron]

Last night I went to PHOTOVISION In Athens (Greece) where Pentax had samples from DA* 16-50/2.8 and DA* 50-135/2.8. The 50-135 was actually a working sample but not finished one. The AF on K10D was fast as hell....!?!?!?! Unfortunately, I could not take it away from the Pentax stand and so I have no pictures captured with that lens (all of them were quite blurry ones since my hands were shaking a lot and the place was quite dim there).
The 16-50/2.8 on the other hand was not a functional sample.
In general I would say that that both lenses are big but also light ones… Their build construction seems fine (better than DA ones but not as solid as Limiteds.)
I cannot say that this is a safe verdict about the build construction since the samples I saw are not the final ones and maybe I am not fair since when I say they are not like limiteds I mean that they are not made of metal… anyways here are the lenses:


16-50/2.8 - 50-135/2.8 - 50/1.4





and some photos with

10-17


10-17


100/2.8 macro


77/1.8 Lmd (the guy was still painting her...) damn lucky guy


77/1.8 Lmd

[JAZZer]

Originally Posted by celetron

Last night I went to PHOTOVISION In Athens (Greece) where Pentax had samples from DA* 16-50/2.8 and DA* 50-135/2.8. The 50-135 was actually a working sample but not finished one. The AF on K10D was fast as hell....!?!?!?! Unfortunately, I could not take it away from the Pentax stand and so I have no pictures captured with that lens (all of them were quite blurry ones since my hands were shaking a lot and the place was quite dim there).
The 16-50/2.8 on the other hand was not a functional sample.
In general I would say that that both lenses are big but also light ones… Their build construction seems fine (better than DA ones but not as solid as Limiteds.)
I cannot say that this is a safe verdict about the build construction since the samples I saw are not the final ones and maybe I am not fair since when I say they are not like limiteds I mean that they are not made of metal…

I saw on:

NED BUNNELL: Lens size: 16-50 vs 16-45

...that 16-50/2,8 have external zoom ....

... is the same case with 50-135/2,8 ????

[celetron]

Originally Posted by JAZZer

I saw on:

NED BUNNELL: Lens size: 16-50 vs 16-45

...that 16-50/2,8 have external zoom ....

... is the same case with 50-135/2,8 ????

If you mean that the front element is moving I must say i wanted to check that because it has already been mentioned before ...
Nope, not the samples I saw and used (well the 16-50/2.8 was not functional one but I could still try to zoom in or out). The frond element was stable at both lenses... You can see that at the first pic where the 50-135 is at 135 and I am telling you that sample was working and with VERY FAST AF... Nothing like any other lens i used so far with pentax....

[FotoPete]

too bad it ain't aw true 70-200 yet.

[dmdctusa]

QUOTE=mickdann:

Notice this line at the bottom:

* Optical system for this product was jointly developed and designed with Tokina Co, Ltd.[/quote]
--------------------------------------------

The above rang a bell with me. Recently I was on the THK (Tokina, Hoya, Kenko) webiste. THK is the U. S. disributor for their products.

One item featured, was the Tokin 50-135 f2.8; I would guess the Pentax lens just announced is an upgrade with the SDM feature and Pentax coatings.

This also leads me to belive that the recently annouced merger of Pentax and Hoya is the culmination of a longer relationship between the two. Particularly, as the the head of Pentax is to be heading up the new company according to the report I read.

Does anyone know if there is a direct connection between Hoya and Tokina?

Regards,

David Dorn

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by dmdctusa

Does anyone know if there is a direct connection between Hoya and Tokina?

First off, welcome!

From what I know, Tokina Hoya and Kenko were merged a while back. They operate as separate entities but under the same japanese parent company.

[BrendanPK]

I Just fondled the DA* lenses Sweet
Good news the 50-135 does not have external zoom. its all internal.
SDM is VERY quiet and fast.
will get to see more tomorrow

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by dmdctusa

Does anyone know if there is a direct connection between Hoya and Tokina?

Nope, nothing except Tokina is Hoya's client in glass.

One of the myth in various forums is the thinking that Hoya owns Tokina. This is not true; they may share the same distributor for certain region, but they are independent companies.

[pentaxbeat]

Originally Posted by FotoPete

why would they elminate the mirror box and pentamirror/prism combo? Not only would I imagine it to be more costly (more electronics and another sensor) but the battery drain will be noticeably faster.

why remove mirror box? look to rangefinders. The lens can be placed closer to the sensor and allows much more compact lenses, such as fast wide-angles with less distortion and what not. However, like in the leica m8, you then hve to bend the sensor, which is apparently costs 5000$.

[rdrum76]

Hello,

Could anyone geuss to how much the new DA 300mm F4 coming in September 2007 will cost?

thanks

[harv3589]

Hello guys, I am new to this site...great stuff I have been reading.

I just received my new K10D the other day to replace my *istSD2 and I really like it.

I have pre-ordered the new 50-135 that you have been talking about above. Any word when they will be on the shelf? I am really hoping to have it before my trip to Australia on June 25...is this wishful thinking?

Thanks guys,
Rob

[SCGushue]

Originally Posted by harv3589

Hello guys, I am new to this site...great stuff I have been reading.

I just received my new K10D the other day to replace my *istSD2 and I really like it.

I have pre-ordered the new 50-135 that you have been talking about above. Any word when they will be on the shelf? I am really hoping to have it before my trip to Australia on June 25...is this wishful thinking?

Thanks guys,
Rob

Rob,

Yep, totally wishful thinking. Sorry for being the bearer of bad tidings.

Stephen

[harv3589]

scg, do you know when they are going to be out then?

[frank]

Our local agent told us that the lens might be further delayed till the end of the year. Well, hope it's not the case. I have a wedding to shoot before the Christmas, the DA*16-50/2.8 would be a great bonus for me I think ...