Build quality of Pentax Limited lenses?

ducdao · 05-10-2010, 01:56 AM

I'm being presented with a good opportunity to purchase two DA limited lenses at a good price.

I've heard a lot of good words on those lenses but how about the probability that they will fail after a given period? Does anyone have any numbers on life expectancy of those lenses given a normal usage?

Adam · 05-10-2010, 02:06 AM

I doubt they'd fail you during use- or at least before a full-frame comes out

They have a solid yet simple metal construction and aren't prone to as much wear and tear due to their small size.

scorpioh · 05-10-2010, 02:12 AM

In terms of longevity, they should outlast you under proper use. But in terms of built, FA limteds are definitely a notch better. The A50 f1.2 is yet even better than the FA limiteds though.

kytra · 05-10-2010, 05:24 AM - **1 Like**

Don't take them, they are bad lenses, send me the contact details of the seller, I like to collect junk.

ducdao · 05-10-2010, 05:53 AM

Looks like a GO! Thanks all!

ducdao · 05-11-2010, 07:48 AM

Got both DA 40 & 70 Limited today in mint condition for under $550.

Will take both out for a ride this week-end, can't wait!

axl · 05-11-2010, 08:06 AM

Originally posted by ducdao

Got both DA 40 & 70 Limited today in mint condition for under $550.

Will take both out for a ride this week-end, can't wait!

great price for two of them together IMO
As for their quality, I wouldn´t be worried. I was tossing my 40ltd around everywhere for 2 years before I sold it. It withstood any kind of punishment you can think of as "normal circumstances"... rain, snow, being carried/hit in non camrea (read not padded) bag... etc. The lens was stil fine when I was selling it and I got for it more than when I bought it new

anyway, congrats and enjoy

hangu · 05-11-2010, 08:46 AM

Originally posted by Adam

I doubt they'd fail you during use- or at least before a full-frame comes out

Are you implying that they will NEVER fail? Awesome.

axl · 05-11-2010, 12:14 PM

Originally posted by hangu

are you implying that they will never fail? Awesome.

lol

elho_cid · 05-11-2010, 12:18 PM

I can't imagine one of them failing. But that's the fact for all non-IS scew drive of manual lenses made of metal. Like the precious DA14.

PentaxPoke · 05-11-2010, 03:05 PM

Originally posted by ducdao

Got both DA 40 & 70 Limited today in mint condition for under $550.

Will take both out for a ride this week-end, can't wait!

Wow! Fantastic price for those lenses. I had the DA 70 Ltd and it was excellent. The build was first-rate, and optically a gem. It has a quality SD focus mechanism with quick shift. I'll bet those Ltds will last well beyond your interest in photography without missing a beat.

The DA Limiteds are fantastic lenses and should last "forever." It is the DA* lenses we would have an argument about...

ducdao · 05-11-2010, 08:01 PM

Originally posted by elho_cid

I can't imagine one of them failing. But that's the fact for all non-IS scew drive of manual lenses made of metal. Like the precious DA14.

I know the build quality of the manual lenses is excellent. But my initial concern about the DA limited was because unlike manual lenses, they are auto focus lenses hence they have electronic components and I think those are generally the weakest links.

ducdao · 05-11-2010, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by PentaxPoke

Wow! Fantastic price for those lenses. I had the DA 70 Ltd and it was excellent. The build was first-rate, and optically a gem. It has a quality SD focus mechanism with quick shift. I'll bet those Ltds will last well beyond your interest in photography without missing a beat.

The DA Limiteds are fantastic lenses and should last "forever." It is the DA* lenses we would have an argument about...

I just realized on on the back of both lenses, there is a small print saying "Assembled in Vietnam". Were there any DA limited lenses assembled in Japan?

Pentaxie · 05-11-2010, 08:32 PM

Originally posted by ducdao

Got both DA 40 & 70 Limited today in mint condition for under $550.

Will take both out for a ride this week-end, can't wait!

That is a good price for both limited edition lenses.
As for their quality, I wouldn´t be worried as the Limited lens built is normally better than the normal lens.
Most Pentax lenses in the last 3 years were made either in the Philipines or Vietnam.

Marc Sabatella · 05-12-2010, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by ducdao

I know the build quality of the manual lenses is excellent. But my initial concern about the DA limited was because unlike manual lenses, they are auto focus lenses hence they have electronic components and I think those are generally the weakest links.

This would be more of a concern for lenses that actually have motors in them. The DA Limited lenses, like most Pentax AF lenses (except those few with SDM) do not. Their electronics are basically no more sophisticated than those of "A" series manual focus lenses: they communicate aperture info to the body via a series of electrical contacts. OK, they also communicate focal length and MTF info, but still, it's not like we're talking about high-precision moving parts that are controlled electronically by the lens - they are still essentially mechanical devices.

05-10-2010, 01:56 AM	#1
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	Build quality of Pentax Limited lenses? I'm being presented with a good opportunity to purchase two DA limited lenses at a good price. I've heard a lot of good words on those lenses but how about the probability that they will fail after a given period? Does anyone have any numbers on life expectancy of those lenses given a normal usage?

05-10-2010, 02:06 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	I doubt they'd fail you during use- or at least before a full-frame comes out They have a solid yet simple metal construction and aren't prone to as much wear and tear due to their small size. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

05-11-2010, 03:05 PM	#11
PentaxPoke Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,411	Originally posted by ducdao Got both DA 40 & 70 Limited today in mint condition for under $550. Will take both out for a ride this week-end, can't wait! Wow! Fantastic price for those lenses. I had the DA 70 Ltd and it was excellent. The build was first-rate, and optically a gem. It has a quality SD focus mechanism with quick shift. I'll bet those Ltds will last well beyond your interest in photography without missing a beat. The DA Limiteds are fantastic lenses and should last "forever." It is the DA* lenses we would have an argument about... Last edited by PentaxPoke; 05-11-2010 at 03:19 PM.

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05-10-2010, 02:12 AM	#3
scorpioh Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 182	In terms of longevity, they should outlast you under proper use. But in terms of built, FA limteds are definitely a notch better. The A50 f1.2 is yet even better than the FA limiteds though.

05-10-2010, 05:24 AM - 1 Like	#4
kytra Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bucharest Posts: 482	Don't take them, they are bad lenses, send me the contact details of the seller, I like to collect junk.

05-10-2010, 05:53 AM	#5
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160 Original Poster	Looks like a GO! Thanks all!

05-11-2010, 07:48 AM	#6
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160 Original Poster	Got both DA 40 & 70 Limited today in mint condition for under $550. Will take both out for a ride this week-end, can't wait!

05-11-2010, 08:06 AM	#7
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by ducdao Got both DA 40 & 70 Limited today in mint condition for under $550. Will take both out for a ride this week-end, can't wait! great price for two of them together IMO As for their quality, I wouldn´t be worried. I was tossing my 40ltd around everywhere for 2 years before I sold it. It withstood any kind of punishment you can think of as "normal circumstances"... rain, snow, being carried/hit in non camrea (read not padded) bag... etc. The lens was stil fine when I was selling it and I got for it more than when I bought it new anyway, congrats and enjoy

05-11-2010, 08:46 AM	#8
hangu Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NYC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,071	Originally posted by Adam I doubt they'd fail you during use- or at least before a full-frame comes out Are you implying that they will NEVER fail? Awesome.

05-11-2010, 12:14 PM	#9
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by hangu are you implying that they will never fail? Awesome. lol

05-11-2010, 12:18 PM	#10
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	I can't imagine one of them failing. But that's the fact for all non-IS scew drive of manual lenses made of metal. Like the precious DA14.

05-11-2010, 08:01 PM	#12
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160 Original Poster	Originally posted by elho_cid I can't imagine one of them failing. But that's the fact for all non-IS scew drive of manual lenses made of metal. Like the precious DA14. I know the build quality of the manual lenses is excellent. But my initial concern about the DA limited was because unlike manual lenses, they are auto focus lenses hence they have electronic components and I think those are generally the weakest links.

05-11-2010, 08:04 PM	#13
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160 Original Poster	Originally posted by PentaxPoke Wow! Fantastic price for those lenses. I had the DA 70 Ltd and it was excellent. The build was first-rate, and optically a gem. It has a quality SD focus mechanism with quick shift. I'll bet those Ltds will last well beyond your interest in photography without missing a beat. The DA Limiteds are fantastic lenses and should last "forever." It is the DA* lenses we would have an argument about... I just realized on on the back of both lenses, there is a small print saying "Assembled in Vietnam". Were there any DA limited lenses assembled in Japan?

05-11-2010, 08:32 PM	#14
Pentaxie Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Photos: Gallery Posts: 429	Originally posted by ducdao Got both DA 40 & 70 Limited today in mint condition for under $550. Will take both out for a ride this week-end, can't wait! That is a good price for both limited edition lenses. As for their quality, I wouldn´t be worried as the Limited lens built is normally better than the normal lens. Most Pentax lenses in the last 3 years were made either in the Philipines or Vietnam.

05-12-2010, 01:54 PM	#15
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by ducdao I know the build quality of the manual lenses is excellent. But my initial concern about the DA limited was because unlike manual lenses, they are auto focus lenses hence they have electronic components and I think those are generally the weakest links. This would be more of a concern for lenses that actually have motors in them. The DA Limited lenses, like most Pentax AF lenses (except those few with SDM) do not. Their electronics are basically no more sophisticated than those of "A" series manual focus lenses: they communicate aperture info to the body via a series of electrical contacts. OK, they also communicate focal length and MTF info, but still, it's not like we're talking about high-precision moving parts that are controlled electronically by the lens - they are still essentially mechanical devices.