New Pentax Lens Roadmap!

Tbear · 01-29-2008, 06:35 PM

http://www.digital.pentax.co.jp/en/lens/roadmap.pdf

MikeH · 01-29-2008, 06:44 PM

A few interesting things here:

DA 15mm Limited - perhaps slower and more compact than the DA14?

DA* 30mm - fast 1.4 normal? maybe 1.7 or 1.8?

Rear Converter for SDM - teleconverter that allows for SDM focussing? 1.4 or 1.7x?

*m8o* · 01-29-2008, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by MikeH

DA 15mm Limited - perhaps slower and more compact than the DA14?

me hopes for f/1.8 - f/2.0 actually ... that would be insane, and an absolute 'must buy' that goes way beyond any idea of LBA. The ideal wide FOV 'astrophotography' lens I've been looking for (in addition to everything else it is).

tux08902 · 01-29-2008, 07:32 PM

This definitely does not help my LBA. Also, these new lenses mean the death of the FA Limiteds.

Lowell Goudge · 01-29-2008, 07:56 PM

still no date on 300 F4

tux08902 · 01-29-2008, 07:57 PM

I'm not really too worried about that as the DA* 60-250/4 has gotten a relative availability date.

creampuff · 01-29-2008, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by tux08902

This definitely does not help my LBA. Also, these new lenses mean the death of the FA Limiteds.

Why would the FA Limiteds suffer that fate? As I see it, the FA Limiteds are still being snapped up by enthusiasts. In fact some prefer the FA over the DA Limiteds.

*aegisphan* · 01-29-2008, 08:24 PM

Ya, a 15/1.8 would be the first of its kind. If it's really that fast, I would think it would go around 1200-1300 or more. The new Nikon 14-24/2.8 is already around that.

I think it's odd that they would release a DA* 30 instead of keep producing more FA 31. I guess that's the 31 in 2008 with digital enhancement.

Originally Posted by m8o

me hopes for f/1.8 - f/2.0 actually ... that would be insane, and an absolute 'must buy' that goes way beyond any idea of LBA. The ideal wide FOV 'astrophotography' lens I've been looking for (in addition to everything else it is).

creampuff · 01-29-2008, 08:40 PM

I would hesitate buying a very fast 15mm because it will likely have to contend with significant distortions and optical aberrations. Besides, f/2.8 for an ultra wide is plenty. Pentax had the 15mm in their old lens line-up and I hazard a guess it might be an update of that fine lens.

tux08902 · 01-29-2008, 08:50 PM

The FA Limiteds are very fast lenses, but with these equally fast, if not faster, DA* primes coming out, I doubt Pentax would want to keep producing them. It doesn't make much sense to have a fast DA* 30 and keep producing the FA 31/1.8 Limited. The FA 43/1.9 Limited is the only oddball here, but I think it'll see an untimely death as well with the DA* 55/1.4 coming soon. In addition, I predict that Pentax will ultimately release a DA* 85/1.4??? to keep the trend, so that takes care of the FA 77/1.8 Limited.

tux08902 · 01-29-2008, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by creampuff

I would hesitate buying a very fast 15mm because it will likely have to contend with significant distortions and optical aberrations. Besides, f/2.8 for an ultra wide is plenty. Pentax had the 15mm in their old lens line-up and I hazard a guess it might be an update of that fine lens.

A 15/3.5

You're talking about that, the A 15/3.5? That beauty was produced for 20 years. They are crazy expensive. I found one on flebay for $1500. Somebody bought it too!!!

^^^ Sorry for the double post.

philmorley · 01-29-2008, 08:54 PM

hi,

not a complaint, but I dont understand the logic of a 30mm, when there is the 31mm which pentax say is the finest lens made? (not to mention when there is fa35/2 and new 35mm macro) but the 35mm sdm is gone? similarly why have a 14mm and 15mm (neither of which are * lenses, if 15mm was remake of the A 15mm wouldn't be a * lens?) seems weird priorities to me.

there was talk of a da* 11-18 f2.8 ?? and da* 135-400 (I was hopeful for that one). I thought we might see a 24-105/135 or similar. Hopefully they will get manufacturing probs sorted (if haven't already) and see the huge release of lens that was once mentioned that would like to produce (not that I could afford half of them

Phil

**roentarre** · 01-29-2008, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by m8o

me hopes for f/1.8 - f/2.0 actually ... that would be insane, and an absolute 'must buy' that goes way beyond any idea of LBA. The ideal wide FOV 'astrophotography' lens I've been looking for (in addition to everything else it is).

Seriously, this road map is so exciting. Da 15mm limited!!! Following by Da* 30mm as well!

But f1.8 or 2 for Da 15 is just not possible since no other competitions really do this type of prime. If there is f2.0 for this focal length, I will be thrilled. Pentax primes are just very reliable lots to keep.

Da* 30mm has to be stunning otherwise it makes little difference to Fa 31 ltd, unless pentax wants to stop the production of Fa 31 ltd; Sounds like there lots of goodie coming out

ankit · 01-29-2008, 09:31 PM

Very interesting stuff. Did the DA*30 replace the DA 35 from the old roadmap? Good to see almost everything is SDM.

MikeH · 01-29-2008, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by aegisphan

Ya, a 15/1.8 would be the first of its kind. If it's really that fast, I would think it would go around 1200-1300 or more. The new Nikon 14-24/2.8 is already around that.

Why do you want a super-fast wide super-wide angle lens?

Comparing it to the Nikon 14-24/2.8 is like apples and concrete. The 14-24 is a full-frame zoom. It covers the range that the DA14 already covers.

The one reason that I can see Pentax releasing a 15mm lens (on top of a 14/2.8) is the size of the 14/2.8. It's a largish lens, and fast for a wide angle. Adding an extra stop of speed isn't useful for most folks. A 14 or 15mm lens is a landscape style lens - not a sports/portrait speedy lens. 2.8 is plenty for a wide angle. I would trade my DA14 for a DA15 limited if it was smaller, with a smaller aperture.

Also, the DA Limiteds are all small, not fast. the DA70/2.4 is the fastest of the group. No indication that the 15mm would be superfast...

Mike