Pentax Announces New DA* Lenses and Other Accessories

**Adam** · 02-21-2007, 07:04 PM

February 21, 2007

Pentax Releases and Announces New Lenses

Pentax have announced today the availability of the first two DA*-series lenses, the SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM and the SMC Pentax-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM. Both of these lenses feature Pentax’s new ultrasonic-motor AF assist system as well as a "quick-shift" manual focusing system along with complete weather sealing. Also new is the Pentax SP (Super Protect) lens coating, which will effectively repel water, dust, and grease from the front element. Overall, these DA* lenses are designed to deliver the finest in both optical and mechanical quality; the suggested retail price is $899 and $999, respectively.

Pentax simultaneously released details on other products, including the SMC Pentax DA* 200mm F2.8 ED [IF] SMD, SMC Pentax DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SMD, and SMC Pentax DA* 60-250mm ED [IF] SDM. The latter lens is scheduled for release in December, while the other two primes should be available by September. A 35mm F2.8 Limited macro lens and an AF-200FG flash were also announced, but specific details, including the release dates, remain unknown.

All the above DA-series lenses are designed for use only with Pentax DSLRs. The SDM function is currently only supported by the K10D. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that the 200 and 300mm primes will not be part of the D-FA series as the Pentax lens "roadmap" had previously stated.

Although many specifications remain unknown, the Pentax 645 medium format DSLR is likely to feature a 31.6-megapixel Kodak CCD sensor. The 55mm D-FA series lens to accompany it upon release will have an aperture speed of F2.8.

Please visit the following lens database entries for more information on the current DA* zooms:
-16-50mm
-50-135mm

wmmk · 02-21-2007, 10:36 PM

sorry to sound like a n00b, but what is SDM?

Gio645 · 02-21-2007, 10:36 PM

Thanks Adam. Great news!
I'm a bit disappointed though. I expected the 200 & 300 to be DFAs. Nonetheless the news are GREAT!

**Adam** · 02-21-2007, 10:39 PM

Same here for the 200 & 300mm, but I guess I should be happy with my A*'s and FA*'s.

I know that it's Pentax's abbreviation for the ultrasonic motor, but I'm not sure what it stands for exactly...

*Alvin* · 02-21-2007, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by wmmk

sorry to sound like a n00b, but what is SDM?

No worries.

SDM = Supersonic Direct-drive Motor

It's a motor in the lens that drives the focusing mechanism, much like the Supersonic-Wave Motor (SWM) in recent Nikon lenses, or UltraSonic Motor (USM) for Canon.

Older lenses would have the focus driven by a screw in the body. On the K mount, you will see the drive screw at around the 5:00 position.

What the SDM hopes to achieve is quicker focus times, and quieter focus mechanisms. As you may already know the body driven focus motors are noisier. Try a kit 18-55 (uses SWM) on a Nikon D50 or D70, then bolt on an older screw driven 75-300 on and you'll hear what I mean.

FotoPete · 02-21-2007, 10:58 PM

AH HAHA Y'ALL LBAers! I was just finished posting my review for the 18-55mm and what do I see on the link above?

SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF]
33 views - No reviews

Haha no review yet and already there's a crowd of people unfolding their lawnchairs and pitching up tents!

Thanks for those mouth watering pics of the new DA* lenses!

*Alvin* · 02-21-2007, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by FotoPete

AH HAHA Y'ALL LBAers! I was just finished posting my review for the 18-55mm and what do I see on the link above?

SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF]
33 views - No reviews

Haha no review yet and already there's a crowd of people unfolding their lawnchairs and pitching up tents!

Thanks for those mouth watering pics of the new DA* lenses!

GUILTY AS CHARGED (But I'm eyeing the 50-135)

sandpiper6 · 02-21-2007, 11:04 PM

Thanks for emailing out this info link!

I can't wait to afford and/or find those lenses (the 16-50, the 50-135 and the 60-250) - especially the SDM! Try photographing a sleeping couple during labor and delivery in a hospital room. The lens all of a sudden sounds like it is BANGING!

Faith

Cideway · 02-22-2007, 01:33 AM

Originally Posted by Gio645

Thanks Adam. Great news!
I'm a bit disappointed though. I expected the 200 & 300 to be DFAs.

DFA simply refers to the lens having an aperture ring, while DA refers to lenses that don't. A DA* 200 f2.8 would not have any tangible gains in size or weight by being a reduced circle lens as it still requires a large aperture opening aperture.

nlex · 02-22-2007, 02:05 AM

but about the smc Pentax-DA 35mm f2.8

Why f2.8 ? The FA one was a f2.0 !

mickdann · 02-22-2007, 02:37 AM

Thanks for the heads-up, here's the official Pentax Japan link:

PENTAX NEWS release 2007 : Two new smc PENTAX-DA* ( DA Star ) Zoom Lenses

Notice this line at the bottom:

* Optical system for this product was jointly developed and designed with Tokina Co, Ltd.

guillermovilas · 02-22-2007, 03:22 AM

The big question is ..... when ???

2stopdown · 02-22-2007, 03:54 AM

Or, the question could be........where? As in where are they being manufactured, Japan or Veitnam?

guilherme bauer · 02-22-2007, 05:53 AM

I was wondering if the AF will work on K100D and others(older) DSLR. Sure, without the SDM.

Somebody knows anything about this?

*Falcons* · 02-22-2007, 05:55 AM

I understand that the SDM wont work on anything but the K10D for the moment but is there an override to allow these lenses to be used on other models eg My humble *istDS.