Pentax HD Limiteds Now Shipping

New versions of Pentax's premium compact primes are finally available!

By PF Staff in Product Updates on Oct 24, 2013

We have just gotten word from B&H Photo that the new HD Pentax-DA Limited lenses are now in stock and ready to ship!  This means that we'll have the lenses in our hands as early tomorrow, so expect an in-depth review discussing their performance soon.

These new lenses are essentially face-lifted versions of the older "SMC Pentax" 15mm, 21mm, 35mm, 40mm, and 70mm primes.  Here's what's been changed in the new lenses:

• HD lens coating to minimize reflectance (reduces flare, ghosting, and aberrations)
• Rounded aperture blades
• Redesigned lettering and red ring
• Readily available in both Silver and Black, at the same price
• Slight price increase: $50-$100 per lens
• HD 40mm only: now features Super Protect coating on the front element

Click here to shop Pentax HD Limiteds at B&H or read on for an overview of the lenses.  Click on any thumbnail below to enlarge.

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 (SMC) | Order black version | 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 (SMC) | Order black version | 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 (SMC) | Order black version | 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 (SMC) | Order black version | 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 (SMC) | Order black version | Order silver version

As a reminder, if you order any HD Limited lens from B&H Photo using the links above, you'll be eligible for a free forum account upgrade!

Note that the outgoing SMC Limited lenses have been discontinued and will be on clearance until stock runs out and they are fully replaced by the HD versions.