DA* 55mm/1.4 Lens Hood Discontinued

MrPetkus · 06-21-2010, 08:11 AM

A former member mentions on his blog that the DA* 55 lens hood has been discontinued:

I verified this is true. He speculates that Pentax has a plan for FF thus requiring a redesign of the lens hood. Taken in the context of recent events (K7 price plummet) this argument seems less whimsical.

Last edited by Parallax; 06-21-2010 at 01:25 PM. Reason: Link to blog of "he who's name shall not be mentioned"

ogl · 06-21-2010, 08:14 AM

Originally posted by MrPetkus

A former member mentions on his blog that the DA* 55 lens hood has been discontinued:

I verified this is true. He speculates that Pentax has a plan for FF thus requiring a redesign of the lens hood. Taken in the context of recent events (K7 price plummet) this argument seems less whimsical..

It's funny to make such conclusions...

Have a look at all another hoods.
Lens Hoods

Angevinn · 06-21-2010, 08:32 AM

The DA* 55 is said to be FF compatible. I swear by lens hoods and always have one on my lenses. The lens hood for DA*55 was on the long side, it looks like it would infringe on a FullFrame image.

Compare to the FullFrame Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.4 G with Nikon Lens Hood:
(The Nikon G also has a 58mm front thread like the Pentax DA*)

And the Canon FullFrame EF 50mm 1.4:

The lens hood for the Pentax DA*55mm (Pentax PH-RBH) is longer than either the Nikon or Canon FullFrame lens hoods.

Cambo · 06-21-2010, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by MrPetkus

A former member mentions on his blog that the DA* 55 lens hood has been discontinued:

I verified this is true. He speculates that Pentax has a plan for FF thus requiring a redesign of the lens hood. Taken in the context of recent events (K7 price plummet) this argument seems less whimsical.

let's hope this one pans out...with better video, focussing, and high ISO of course...

And 250 flash sync! And a weatherproof flash to match! And I wonder who will be the first camera maker to bring out a video light?

Cheers,
Cameron

MrPetkus · 06-21-2010, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by ogl

It's funny to make such conclusions...

Have a look at all another hoods.
Lens Hoods

Nevertheless, I think the rationale is plausible enough to warrant consideration.

Blue · 06-21-2010, 09:07 AM

If the lenses are still shipping with the lens hood its hard to say. The may have simply redesigned it.

Edit: Nikon has had several hood options for their various fast 50mm and 55mm f1.4 and 1.2 lenses over the years in addition to the hoods for the f1.8 and f2 lenses.

pid · 06-21-2010, 11:38 PM

... maybe they only want to make it a little bit cheaper to produce: without velvet inside like the one from DA*200 or the one from DA*300
I always wondered why the DA*55 has this exclusive lens hood.

Asahiflex · 06-22-2010, 01:15 AM

Originally posted by pid

[lang=de]
I always wondered why the DA*55 has this exclusive lens hood.

Because the FA* 55/1.4 SDM was meant as a spiritual successor to the FA* 85/1.4. The FA* also had an enormous hood. It's big because it had to look like the FA*.

Here are my precious lenses

wlachan · 06-22-2010, 07:29 AM

Or the DA*55/1.4 doesn't sell so they decided to kill it. If Pentax was trying to make this lens FF compatible, it would be one of the most expensive Japanese standard prime in history.

**Aristophanes** · 06-22-2010, 07:43 AM

Originally posted by wlachan

Or the DA*55/1.4 doesn't sell so they decided to kill it. If Pentax was trying to make this lens FF compatible, it would be one of the most expensive Japanese standard prime in history.

No kidding. The pricing on this lens is in stupidville.

I think the current lens hood looks cool, though. Like a rocket.

Asahiflex · 06-22-2010, 07:48 AM

Originally posted by wlachan

Or the DA*55/1.4 doesn't sell so they decided to kill it. If Pentax was trying to make this lens FF compatible, it would be one of the most expensive Japanese standard prime in history.

Well, I don't know many sealed standard lenses

**Pål Jensen** · 06-22-2010, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by wlachan

Or the DA*55/1.4 doesn't sell so they decided to kill it. If Pentax was trying to make this lens FF compatible, it would be one of the most expensive Japanese standard prime in history.

It is also the newest and most likely the best. Standard lenses don't sell much anylonger; most use zoom in this range. It is now a highly specialized optic with limited sales volume and hence high price....
Very unlikely that the lens is discontinued.

kevinschoenmakers · 06-22-2010, 09:24 AM

Can I ask how you verified this?

axl · 06-22-2010, 11:02 AM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

It is also the newest and most likely the best. Standard lenses don't sell much anylonger; most use zoom in this range. It is now a highly specialized optic with limited sales volume and hence high price....
Very unlikely that the lens is discontinued.

I would debate on the BOLD part but perhaps taking into account AF + SDM + WR you may as well be right.
I never saw DA*55 as standard lens though! It is supposed to be FF capable and on FF it would be standard but on APSC it's portrait lens. The same as FA*85 used to be on the film and how much did those cost new?!?!
Hence the price IMO

**Aristophanes** · 06-22-2010, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by axl

I would debate on the BOLD part but perhaps taking into account AF + SDM + WR you may as well be right.
I never saw DA*55 as standard lens though! It is supposed to be FF capable and on FF it would be standard but on APSC it's portrait lens. The same as FA*85 used to be on the film and how much did those cost new?!?!
Hence the price IMO

'Cause we all need a portrait lens with WR!

06-21-2010, 08:11 AM	#1
MrPetkus Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 387	*DA 55mm/1.4 Lens Hood Discontinued** A former member mentions on his blog that the DA* 55 lens hood has been discontinued: I verified this is true. He speculates that Pentax has a plan for FF thus requiring a redesign of the lens hood. Taken in the context of recent events (K7 price plummet) this argument seems less whimsical. Last edited by Parallax; 06-21-2010 at 01:25 PM. Reason: Link to blog of "he who's name shall not be mentioned"

06-21-2010, 08:14 AM	#2
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by MrPetkus A former member mentions on his blog that the DA* 55 lens hood has been discontinued: I verified this is true. He speculates that Pentax has a plan for FF thus requiring a redesign of the lens hood. Taken in the context of recent events (K7 price plummet) this argument seems less whimsical.. It's funny to make such conclusions... Have a look at all another hoods. Lens Hoods Last edited by Parallax; 06-21-2010 at 08:26 AM.

06-21-2010, 08:52 AM	#4
Cambo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,016	Oh, good... Originally posted by MrPetkus A former member mentions on his blog that the DA* 55 lens hood has been discontinued: I verified this is true. He speculates that Pentax has a plan for FF thus requiring a redesign of the lens hood. Taken in the context of recent events (K7 price plummet) this argument seems less whimsical. let's hope this one pans out...with better video, focussing, and high ISO of course... And 250 flash sync! And a weatherproof flash to match! And I wonder who will be the first camera maker to bring out a video light? Cheers, Cameron

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06-21-2010, 08:32 AM	#3
Angevinn Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicago, Ill. Posts: 204	The DA* 55 is said to be FF compatible. I swear by lens hoods and always have one on my lenses. The lens hood for DA55 was on the long side, it looks like it would infringe on a FullFrame image. Compare to the FullFrame Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.4 G with Nikon Lens Hood: (The Nikon G also has a 58mm front thread like the Pentax DA) And the Canon FullFrame EF 50mm 1.4: The lens hood for the Pentax DA*55mm (Pentax PH-RBH) is longer than either the Nikon or Canon FullFrame lens hoods.

06-21-2010, 08:53 AM	#5
MrPetkus Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 387 Original Poster	Originally posted by ogl It's funny to make such conclusions... Have a look at all another hoods. Lens Hoods Nevertheless, I think the rationale is plausible enough to warrant consideration.

06-21-2010, 09:07 AM	#6
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	If the lenses are still shipping with the lens hood its hard to say. The may have simply redesigned it. Edit: Nikon has had several hood options for their various fast 50mm and 55mm f1.4 and 1.2 lenses over the years in addition to the hoods for the f1.8 and f2 lenses.

06-21-2010, 11:38 PM	#7
pid Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 567	... maybe they only want to make it a little bit cheaper to produce: without velvet inside like the one from DA200 or the one from DA300 I always wondered why the DA*55 has this exclusive lens hood.

06-22-2010, 01:15 AM	#8
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Originally posted by pid [lang=de] I always wondered why the DA55 has this exclusive lens hood. Because the FA 55/1.4 SDM was meant as a spiritual successor to the FA* 85/1.4. The FA* also had an enormous hood. It's big because it had to look like the FA*. Here are my precious lenses

06-22-2010, 07:29 AM	#9
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Or the DA*55/1.4 doesn't sell so they decided to kill it. If Pentax was trying to make this lens FF compatible, it would be one of the most expensive Japanese standard prime in history.

06-22-2010, 07:43 AM	#10
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	Originally posted by wlachan Or the DA*55/1.4 doesn't sell so they decided to kill it. If Pentax was trying to make this lens FF compatible, it would be one of the most expensive Japanese standard prime in history. No kidding. The pricing on this lens is in stupidville. I think the current lens hood looks cool, though. Like a rocket.

06-22-2010, 07:48 AM	#11
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Originally posted by wlachan Or the DA*55/1.4 doesn't sell so they decided to kill it. If Pentax was trying to make this lens FF compatible, it would be one of the most expensive Japanese standard prime in history. Well, I don't know many sealed standard lenses

06-22-2010, 07:58 AM	#12
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by wlachan Or the DA*55/1.4 doesn't sell so they decided to kill it. If Pentax was trying to make this lens FF compatible, it would be one of the most expensive Japanese standard prime in history. It is also the newest and most likely the best. Standard lenses don't sell much anylonger; most use zoom in this range. It is now a highly specialized optic with limited sales volume and hence high price.... Very unlikely that the lens is discontinued.

06-22-2010, 09:24 AM	#13
kevinschoenmakers Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shanghai Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,509	Can I ask how you verified this?

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06-22-2010, 11:02 AM	#14
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by Pål Jensen It is also the newest and most likely the best. Standard lenses don't sell much anylonger; most use zoom in this range. It is now a highly specialized optic with limited sales volume and hence high price.... Very unlikely that the lens is discontinued. I would debate on the BOLD part but perhaps taking into account AF + SDM + WR you may as well be right. I never saw DA55 as standard lens though! It is supposed to be FF capable and on FF it would be standard but on APSC it's portrait lens. The same as FA85 used to be on the film and how much did those cost new?!?! Hence the price IMO

06-22-2010, 11:10 AM	#15
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	Originally posted by axl I would debate on the BOLD part but perhaps taking into account AF + SDM + WR you may as well be right. I never saw DA55 as standard lens though! It is supposed to be FF capable and on FF it would be standard but on APSC it's portrait lens. The same as FA85 used to be on the film and how much did those cost new?!?! Hence the price IMO 'Cause we all need a portrait lens with WR!