How Limited are the Limited Lenses?

soppy · 01-11-2011, 06:03 PM

I am curious if these lenses are actually limited edition (is it a smaller production run?) or if it is just the title. I am wondering because if they are only going to be in production for a certain time, I may be more inclined to buy these lenses first since the price will undoubtedly shoot up once production ends (and after they have been off the market for a while) if they truly are a limited run. Mostly just a trivial curiosity that came across my mind. Thanks for any help!

**Rondec** · 01-11-2011, 06:30 PM

It is just a name. Like some cars have ltd in their title. Pentax will make and sell as many of them as they can. At the same time, they are a designation for specific small primes with metal bodies, just like the DA * lens line has SDM and weather sealing.

soppy · 01-11-2011, 06:32 PM

Alright thats kinda what I figured, but I just wanted to make sure. Thanks so much!

psychdoc · 01-11-2011, 06:33 PM

It is 'limited' only by the size of your wallet

sjwaldron · 01-11-2011, 07:07 PM

Didn't it partly have something to do with assembly, say something like they use slower more exacting methods to assemble the lenses? I remember hearing that from a camera shop owner when we were talking about why Limiteds seem to go in and out of stock more often than most lenses.

soppy · 01-11-2011, 08:19 PM

I wouldn't be surprised, these things are solid lenses!

Pentaxor · 01-11-2011, 08:24 PM

LTD in size.

**Ash** · 01-11-2011, 10:40 PM

Yep, not too many f/1.8 lenses you see smaller than the FA ltds, nor any faster than f/2.8 smaller than the DA lts series.

They are fine pieces of engineering - optically, physically and mechanically.

Entropy · 01-13-2011, 11:48 AM

Originally posted by psychdoc

It is 'limited' only by the size of your wallet

+1

Same meaning of "Limited" as "Limited" Subarus - if everyone in the world was willing to pay that much, they would make a LOT more. But not many people want to pay for the leather/sunroof/etc.

TheTenaciousOne · 01-17-2011, 01:28 AM

think i read it on an old brochure, but theyre called limited lenses cause they can only make a `limited number` of them a day. Probably due to the tight tolerances in the production line

Reportage · 01-17-2011, 01:45 AM

always wondered...which is harder to produce. DA* lens or Limited?

wlachan · 01-17-2011, 02:39 AM

Originally posted by Reportage

always wondered...which is harder to produce. DA* lens or Limited?

Well... between Sometimes-Doesn't-Move and loose screws, it can be hard to choose.

sjwaldron · 01-18-2011, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by Reportage

always wondered...which is harder to produce. DA* lens or Limited?

I'd have to say DA* as they have more electronic components, still mostly all metal, and have weather seals. Especially the ones that have both screw-drive AF and SDM AF.

01-11-2011, 06:03 PM	#1
soppy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Gainesville Posts: 347	How Limited are the Limited Lenses? I am curious if these lenses are actually limited edition (is it a smaller production run?) or if it is just the title. I am wondering because if they are only going to be in production for a certain time, I may be more inclined to buy these lenses first since the price will undoubtedly shoot up once production ends (and after they have been off the market for a while) if they truly are a limited run. Mostly just a trivial curiosity that came across my mind. Thanks for any help!

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01-11-2011, 06:30 PM	#2
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	It is just a name. Like some cars have ltd in their title. Pentax will make and sell as many of them as they can. At the same time, they are a designation for specific small primes with metal bodies, just like the DA * lens line has SDM and weather sealing.

01-11-2011, 06:32 PM	#3
soppy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Gainesville Posts: 347 Original Poster	Alright thats kinda what I figured, but I just wanted to make sure. Thanks so much!

01-11-2011, 06:33 PM	#4
psychdoc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bham Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 949	It is 'limited' only by the size of your wallet

01-11-2011, 07:07 PM	#5
sjwaldron Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,235	Didn't it partly have something to do with assembly, say something like they use slower more exacting methods to assemble the lenses? I remember hearing that from a camera shop owner when we were talking about why Limiteds seem to go in and out of stock more often than most lenses.

01-11-2011, 08:19 PM	#6
soppy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Gainesville Posts: 347 Original Poster	I wouldn't be surprised, these things are solid lenses!

01-11-2011, 08:24 PM	#7
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	LTD in size.

01-11-2011, 10:40 PM	#8
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Yep, not too many f/1.8 lenses you see smaller than the FA ltds, nor any faster than f/2.8 smaller than the DA lts series. They are fine pieces of engineering - optically, physically and mechanically.

01-13-2011, 11:48 AM	#9
Entropy Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 976	Originally posted by psychdoc It is 'limited' only by the size of your wallet +1 Same meaning of "Limited" as "Limited" Subarus - if everyone in the world was willing to pay that much, they would make a LOT more. But not many people want to pay for the leather/sunroof/etc.

01-17-2011, 01:28 AM	#10
TheTenaciousOne Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Adelaide, SA, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 111	think i read it on an old brochure, but theyre called limited lenses cause they can only make a `limited number` of them a day. Probably due to the tight tolerances in the production line

01-17-2011, 01:45 AM	#11
Reportage Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 739	always wondered...which is harder to produce. DA* lens or Limited?

01-17-2011, 02:39 AM	#12
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Originally posted by Reportage always wondered...which is harder to produce. DA* lens or Limited? Well... between Sometimes-Doesn't-Move and loose screws, it can be hard to choose.

01-18-2011, 04:26 PM	#13
sjwaldron Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,235	Originally posted by Reportage always wondered...which is harder to produce. DA* lens or Limited? I'd have to say DA* as they have more electronic components, still mostly all metal, and have weather seals. Especially the ones that have both screw-drive AF and SDM AF.