Pentax Launches New HD Limited Lenses

5 redesigned primes featuring HD coating

By PF Staff in Pentax Announcements on Aug 27, 2013

Pentax have just announced a facelift of their entire DA-Limited lens lineup, as optically-improved and cosmetically-redesigned "HD" versions of the DA 15, 21, 35, 40, and 70mm Limited lenses will soon be replacing the current DA-Limited lenses.  All of the new "HD" lenses will be available in both black and silver, and their glass has been treated with Pentax's new HD coating, a nano crystal lens coating that does a better job of reducing ghosting and flare than traditional multi-coatings.  In the past, silver versions of DA limited lenses were only offered as special editions.

The aperture diaphragm in all the new lenses also getting an upgrade: their aperture blades will now employ a fully-rounded design.

For the full specifications of each of these lenses, please visit our lens database:

• HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
• HD Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited
• HD Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro
• HD Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited
• HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited

The five new lenses feature a simplified all-metal design complete with red rings to designate the presence of HD coating.  The fundamental appearance of the lens barrel remains unchanged, and the design continues to be minimalistic and focused on compactness above all else.

SMC Pentax-DA 40mm Limited (old) vs HD Pentax-DA 40mm Limited (new)

For those who are unfamiliar with the Pentax lens lineup, know that "Limited" does not mean limited-edition or limited-production.  This word simply designates a trademark lineup of high-end Pentax prime lenses that feature metal barrels and premium optical performance.  These lenses are designed to be very compact, so their maximum apertures are typically slower than what is offered by DA* or DA prime lenses.  DA-series lenses are designed for use on APS-C DSLRs only (however, tess have shown that the DA 40mm does cover the "full-frame" image circle, as it is based on an older film lens design).

Read on for a closer look at each of the new lenses, as well as for pre-order links.  Prices for these new lenses range from $549.95 to $749.95 in the US.  This represents a $50 price increase over the older lenses.  The new HD lenses will start shipping in September.

HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited ($699.95) The Pentax 15mm is one of the sharpest ultra-wide lenses in the current Pentax lens lineup.  This is also our favorite DA-Limited lens.  In-depth review | Pre-order black version | Pre-order silver version
HD Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited The Pentax 21mm is a wide-angle lens corresponding roughly to a 31mm lens on film.  In-depth review | Pre-order black version | Pre-order silver version
HD Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro ($749.95) The 35mm Macro lens features 1:1 life-size magnification and allows you to get extremely close to your subjects thanks to the relatively short focal length.  In terms of overall size, this is the largest DA Limited lens. In-depth review | Pre-order black version | Pre-order silver version
HD Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited ($549.95) This the original DA Pancake Lens, and thus an instant classic.  It's so thin that you can barely see it from behind the camera!  The new HD version of this lens now also has Super Protect coating (something that was already featured on the other Limiteds) to protect the front element from dust and scratches. In-depth review | Pre-order black version | Pre-order silver version
HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited ($749.95) The 70mm is a short telephoto lens that works well for portraits. In-depth review | Pre-order black version | Pre-order silver version

We will soon be reviewing the new "HD" Limited lenses in order to see how well the new coating suppresses the presence of flare and improves color.  Stay tuned!