Will Pentax make a "DA 28mm f2.8"?

DaveHolmes · 05-26-2011, 03:21 PM

Are Pentax likely to make a DA version of the 28mm 2.8?

I've been looking for an FA28 2.8 for a while and they don't seem to come up for sale much... This is most likely a testament to how good they are!

Could this be another possible budget prime option like the DA35mm 2.4?

I'd buy a DA28 2.8 with a plastic mount... No question...

I love my FA50 1.4 but do sometimes find it a little tight...
I keep ogling the DA40 2.8 but I have the M40 version and find that pretty tight too for what I want... although I love the size...

The Tamron (see sig) is really nice but such a honking-big piece of glass people can sometimes find it intimidating... It's not exactly subtle...

Are there any other wide angle (fairly fast) auto-focus prime options from other companies I should be considering?

Advance thanks
Dave

LowVoltage · 05-26-2011, 03:50 PM

I would prefer to see a 24mm instead of a 28mm. On cropped sensors a 28mm is just too close to being a "normal" lens like the 35mm 2.4 DA L. Between the two they would equate to about 42mm and 50mm, respectively, and either focal length has been used by manufacturers over the years as standard, walk-around primes.

For my money, I'd like to see something a little wider, like a 24mm, but that isn't so wide as, say, Pentax's DA 15mm ED AL. I realize putting a 24mm in the mix with a high-priced lens like the 15mm and budget glass like the 35mm DA L is odd, but I can't see Pentax making a budget version of the 15mm, either. Mostly, I just want to see things evenly distributed so drawing up a collection will make sense and not be too weighted around a general focal length.

Just my two pennies...

wlachan · 05-26-2011, 03:53 PM

A remake of the 24/2 with much better wide open sharpness across the frame & low CA would be yummy.

DaveHolmes · 05-26-2011, 03:56 PM

But is the budget priced DA L35 2.4 lens a one off, or will pentax make other cheaper primes?

Ubuntu_user · 05-26-2011, 04:02 PM

Originally posted by wlachan

A remake of the 24/2 with much better wide open sharpness across the frame & low CA would be yummy.

Mhm. I'd buy it.

**Just1MoreDave** · 05-26-2011, 04:52 PM

There's a 14, 15, 21

a 31, 35, 40, 43, 50, 55. So the gap is a little obvious. I think you could fill it with a couple of lenses, aimed at different buyers. A fast 24mm with premium features like WR should attract interest. It is far enough from 31mm to make people want both. It's got to be f2 at least for marketing purposes.

A slower 26mm with cost-cutting moves would be interesting for the masses. I'm saying 26 because it's Pentax, and it's a little farther from the DA 35/2.4 which is the other likely choice for this customer.

But since the giant gap has existed forever/since the FA28 was discontinued, maybe it doesn't bother anyone at Pentax.

Marc Sabatella · 05-26-2011, 05:23 PM - **1 Like**

I don't know that "the masses" would go for both a 35 and 28. 26 maybe, but 24 more likely still. 24 has the advantage of being close to the classic 35mm semi-wide angle on film. So a 24/2.8 seems the most likely DA-L choice to me - after a fast 50, which strikes me as a no-brainer.

On the other hand, for die-hard prime folks, I'd say that 26 sits well enough between the 21 and either 31 or 35 to appeal. For that market, though, I think the DA-L would be a turn off. I'm thinking a DA WR, or perhaps DA*. I'd prefer the former. Well, I'd *really* prefer a "limited", but would settle for a DA WR.

zuikoholic · 05-26-2011, 05:32 PM

"A slower 26mm with cost-cutting moves would be interesting for the masses."

this would pretty much be my all-purpose, go everywhere dream lens. especially if it were faster than f2.8. i'd pay FA limited prices for such.

have not played properly with my FA 31 yet - sure it will be great - but compactness + versatility > prestige etc for me every day of the week. i know other people can't relate but there's something *just right* about the 40mm focal length for me.

Ubuntu_user · 05-26-2011, 05:51 PM

How about a D FA 24mm f/1.8 WR [IF]???

twitch · 05-26-2011, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by Ubuntu_user

How about a D FA 24mm f/1.8 WR [IF]???

Yeah that one, I'd be happy with f2.0. I'd even be happy if it was a DA*24 f/2. I would have zero interest in a 28 f2.8, we have enough slow primes already!

**Ash** · 05-26-2011, 07:04 PM

I'm not sure a fast 28 will be on the cards for production for APS-C. It's more of a wide-angle FF focal length, so the DA 21 is just about as equivalent as you can get for APS-C.

A weather sealed 24mm sounds like an interesting prospect, but I'd personally prefer a second generation SDM be developed with faster, more reliable and more robust AF system for the current DA* lineup.

Blue · 05-26-2011, 08:11 PM

I wouldn't mind seeing the old F 28/2.8 (NOT the FA 28) packaged in a Limited tube. If the went DA style limited and dropped the aperture ring, perhaps they could squeeze a f2.4 out of it and Ghostless Coating to the rear element. An even better idea would be to DA* and leave the optics alone save for Ghostless Coating on the rear element and SP on the front.

farfisa · 05-26-2011, 08:45 PM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

I'm saying 26 because it's Pentax, and it's a little farther from the DA 35/2.4 which is the other likely choice for this customer.

I'd say a 27--they seem to favour the odd numbers when it's not a multiple of 10

axl · 05-26-2011, 10:40 PM

Another vote for 26.
Pentax said themselves they'd be releasing odd/unusuall focal length lenses.
Why 26?
- nobody has it
- it's exactly half way in the gap we have now (21-31)
- it would replicate the FOV of M40 on film

Make it f2 and it would be just about exact replica of M40/2.8's FOV/DOF combination for digital age. At 26mm f2 it wouldn't have to be any bigger than DA*55 (FA*24 is only smidge bigger). Make it DA* and you have excellent pair of quiet WR lenses...

My 2p

DaveHolmes · 05-27-2011, 01:38 AM

Originally posted by axl

Why 26?[...] it would replicate the FOV of M40 on film

That is exactly what I'm after... I love the shots I get from my ME with the M40-2.8... and The FA28 lens apears to be the closest AF lens in terms of 'field of view' I can find... I'm just struggling to find one...

05-26-2011, 03:21 PM	#1
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	Will Pentax make a "DA 28mm f2.8"? Are Pentax likely to make a DA version of the 28mm 2.8? I've been looking for an FA28 2.8 for a while and they don't seem to come up for sale much... This is most likely a testament to how good they are! Could this be another possible budget prime option like the DA35mm 2.4? I'd buy a DA28 2.8 with a plastic mount... No question... I love my FA50 1.4 but do sometimes find it a little tight... I keep ogling the DA40 2.8 but I have the M40 version and find that pretty tight too for what I want... although I love the size... The Tamron (see sig) is really nice but such a honking-big piece of glass people can sometimes find it intimidating... It's not exactly subtle... Are there any other wide angle (fairly fast) auto-focus prime options from other companies I should be considering? Advance thanks Dave

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05-26-2011, 03:50 PM	#2
LowVoltage Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mount Joy, PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 544	I would prefer to see a 24mm instead of a 28mm. On cropped sensors a 28mm is just too close to being a "normal" lens like the 35mm 2.4 DA L. Between the two they would equate to about 42mm and 50mm, respectively, and either focal length has been used by manufacturers over the years as standard, walk-around primes. For my money, I'd like to see something a little wider, like a 24mm, but that isn't so wide as, say, Pentax's DA 15mm ED AL. I realize putting a 24mm in the mix with a high-priced lens like the 15mm and budget glass like the 35mm DA L is odd, but I can't see Pentax making a budget version of the 15mm, either. Mostly, I just want to see things evenly distributed so drawing up a collection will make sense and not be too weighted around a general focal length. Just my two pennies...

05-26-2011, 03:53 PM	#3
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	A remake of the 24/2 with much better wide open sharpness across the frame & low CA would be yummy.

05-26-2011, 03:56 PM	#4
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501 Original Poster	But is the budget priced DA L35 2.4 lens a one off, or will pentax make other cheaper primes?

05-26-2011, 04:02 PM	#5
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	Originally posted by wlachan A remake of the 24/2 with much better wide open sharpness across the frame & low CA would be yummy. Mhm. I'd buy it.

05-26-2011, 04:52 PM	#6
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	There's a 14, 15, 21 a 31, 35, 40, 43, 50, 55. So the gap is a little obvious. I think you could fill it with a couple of lenses, aimed at different buyers. A fast 24mm with premium features like WR should attract interest. It is far enough from 31mm to make people want both. It's got to be f2 at least for marketing purposes. A slower 26mm with cost-cutting moves would be interesting for the masses. I'm saying 26 because it's Pentax, and it's a little farther from the DA 35/2.4 which is the other likely choice for this customer. But since the giant gap has existed forever/since the FA28 was discontinued, maybe it doesn't bother anyone at Pentax.

05-26-2011, 05:23 PM - 1 Like	#7
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	I don't know that "the masses" would go for both a 35 and 28. 26 maybe, but 24 more likely still. 24 has the advantage of being close to the classic 35mm semi-wide angle on film. So a 24/2.8 seems the most likely DA-L choice to me - after a fast 50, which strikes me as a no-brainer. On the other hand, for die-hard prime folks, I'd say that 26 sits well enough between the 21 and either 31 or 35 to appeal. For that market, though, I think the DA-L would be a turn off. I'm thinking a DA WR, or perhaps DA. I'd prefer the former. Well, I'd really* prefer a "limited", but would settle for a DA WR.

05-26-2011, 05:32 PM	#8
zuikoholic Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 145	"A slower 26mm with cost-cutting moves would be interesting for the masses." this would pretty much be my all-purpose, go everywhere dream lens. especially if it were faster than f2.8. i'd pay FA limited prices for such. have not played properly with my FA 31 yet - sure it will be great - but compactness + versatility > prestige etc for me every day of the week. i know other people can't relate but there's something just right about the 40mm focal length for me.

05-26-2011, 05:51 PM	#9
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	How about a D FA 24mm f/1.8 WR [IF]???

05-26-2011, 06:26 PM	#10
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by Ubuntu_user How about a D FA 24mm f/1.8 WR [IF]??? Yeah that one, I'd be happy with f2.0. I'd even be happy if it was a DA*24 f/2. I would have zero interest in a 28 f2.8, we have enough slow primes already!

05-26-2011, 07:04 PM	#11
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	I'm not sure a fast 28 will be on the cards for production for APS-C. It's more of a wide-angle FF focal length, so the DA 21 is just about as equivalent as you can get for APS-C. A weather sealed 24mm sounds like an interesting prospect, but I'd personally prefer a second generation SDM be developed with faster, more reliable and more robust AF system for the current DA* lineup.

05-26-2011, 08:11 PM	#12
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	I wouldn't mind seeing the old F 28/2.8 (NOT the FA 28) packaged in a Limited tube. If the went DA style limited and dropped the aperture ring, perhaps they could squeeze a f2.4 out of it and Ghostless Coating to the rear element. An even better idea would be to DA* and leave the optics alone save for Ghostless Coating on the rear element and SP on the front.

05-26-2011, 08:45 PM	#13
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave I'm saying 26 because it's Pentax, and it's a little farther from the DA 35/2.4 which is the other likely choice for this customer. I'd say a 27--they seem to favour the odd numbers when it's not a multiple of 10

05-26-2011, 10:40 PM	#14
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Another vote for 26. Pentax said themselves they'd be releasing odd/unusuall focal length lenses. Why 26? - nobody has it - it's exactly half way in the gap we have now (21-31) - it would replicate the FOV of M40 on film Make it f2 and it would be just about exact replica of M40/2.8's FOV/DOF combination for digital age. At 26mm f2 it wouldn't have to be any bigger than DA55 (FA24 is only smidge bigger). Make it DA* and you have excellent pair of quiet WR lenses... My 2p

05-27-2011, 01:38 AM	#15
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501 Original Poster	Originally posted by axl Why 26?[...] it would replicate the FOV of M40 on film That is exactly what I'm after... I love the shots I get from my ME with the M40-2.8... and The FA28 lens apears to be the closest AF lens in terms of 'field of view' I can find... I'm just struggling to find one...