Is there any info about PENTAX-DA 1.4X REAR CONVERTER SDM?

ogl · 09-28-2009, 08:22 AM

Will it be real? Will it work with FA lenses?

The only thing I know - it will work with all SDM lenses.

MikePerham · 09-28-2009, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by ogl

Will it be real? Will it work with FA lenses?

The only thing I know - it will work with all SDM lenses.

Yeah ...but when? That is the question to which we seek the answer!

ogl · 09-28-2009, 08:29 AM

Pentax announces ultra-wide angle lens & Teleconverter: Digital Photography Review

DA15 is already out. They were announced together.

*RawheaD* · 09-28-2009, 09:04 AM

I just hope it's also going to be WR, now with the K-7, WR kit lenses and the DA* line.

*falconeye* · 09-28-2009, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by ogl

Will it be real? Will it work with FA lenses?

Well, this is the DA 1.4x rear TC:

(shown at Photokina 2008 in Cologne)

The inner glass element has almost the exact layout and same size as the one in my Tamron !.4x Pz-AF MC4.

So, I am very confident it is a FA TC.

GeneralBenson · 09-28-2009, 02:57 PM

Doesn't look sealed. That would be really dumb in my opinion. Like really really dumb. Why make bodies and lenses with awesome weather sealing, then release a TC with no seals? You can buy all the weather sealed bodies and lenses you want, and as soon as you through that thing on, it's all out the window. How hard would it be to seal, and what reason would they have not to?

09-28-2009, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by GeneralBenson

Doesn't look sealed. That would be really dumb in my opinion. Like really really dumb. Why make bodies and lenses with awesome weather sealing, then release a TC with no seals? You can buy all the weather sealed bodies and lenses you want, and as soon as you through that thing on, it's all out the window. How hard would it be to seal, and what reason would they have not to?

I think you're looking at the mounting lens end and not at the camera mount one and sealing at that end is provided by the gasket from the DA* or WR lens (or DA 17-70 for that matter).

Radu

*Ash* · 09-28-2009, 04:32 PM

I couldn't imagine a DA TC not compatible with DA lenses - SDM or not.
Would have to wait and see.
As for WR, it would be an awesome addition to the TC - not sure if it would be a deal-breaker if it wasn't WR though.

ogl · 09-28-2009, 11:30 PM

it's the shame that ALL OTHER BRANDS offer converters for the customers, but not Pentax.

*Ash* · 09-28-2009, 11:36 PM

But isn't that what Pentax is doing now, ogl?
It may take some time to perfect the product - after all, the Tamron, Kenko and Sigma TCs aren't doing very well on the SDM lenses - it's time for one that WILL do well with those awesome lenses...

ogl · 09-28-2009, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by Ash

But isn't that what Pentax is doing now, ogl?
It may take some time to perfect the product - after all, the Tamron, Kenko and Sigma TCs aren't doing very well on the SDM lenses - it's time for one that WILL do well with those awesome lenses...

Is it normal that such brand as Pentax can't offer converter?

*Ash* · 09-28-2009, 11:56 PM

I get your point, ogl, and to a degree I agree with you.
Pentax haven't offered anything in TC-land since film days.
But Pentax is apparently working on that now, so we'll just have to wait.

ogl · 09-29-2009, 12:10 AM

I hope I can buy it next year.

*Ash* · 09-29-2009, 12:15 AM

Perhaps you can talk to some people you know in Pentax to find out more about it...

Ishpuini · 09-29-2009, 01:41 AM

One thing this TC should do more than other TCs is recalculate the focal length. That way SR would continue to work as efficiently as possible. When I use my Tamron 1.4x now, the SR compensates without knowledge of the TC, hence undercompensating. Unfortunately when a lens passes a focal length to the camera, we cannot change this for SR (only for manual lenses), so there's no way to make SR work correctly with a TC.

A TC with weather sealing and focal length recalculation and full SDM compatibility would probably make me buy the DA*60-250/4.

Wim