Should PENTAX make a super-high-speed lens?

bwDraco · 06-02-2011, 11:28 AM

Should PENTAX make a prime lens of f/1.0 or faster? It doesn't have to cover full frame. Perhaps a lens like "smc PENTAX-DA* 50mm f/0.9 ED AL [IF] SDM"? What is your opinion? Such a lens may be very expensive, and most of the super-high-speed lenses I have seen are for mounts with short back focus distances, such as rangefinders and mirrorless cameras, so such a lens would be very difficult to design for an SLR lens mount. Additionally, the depth of field would be extremely shallow wide open. It's not impossible, however, and if such a lens is built, it could be the standout lens for the K mount.

On a side note, the fastest aperture lens the KA mount contacts appear to allow is about f/0.85; see this Bojidar Dimitrov article.

Last edited by bwDraco; 06-02-2011 at 11:36 AM.

Pentaxor · 06-02-2011, 11:39 AM

NO. f1.2 is more than enough. Pentax just needs to make it AF and everyone would be a happy camper. besides, the Pentax manual f1.2's are cheaper compared to what other systems and other brands are offering. Pentax lenses are usually sold from $250-$600 used on average, while others systems offer from $900 to way over a thousand.
an AF version of the old Pentax would probably cost at around $1,200-$1,500.

bwDraco · 06-02-2011, 11:40 AM

On a further note, Canon once made an f/1.0 lens for the EF mount, but it proved to be very soft at all aperture settings. I feel that with modern lens technologies, it would be possible to make a usable super-fast lens, though it would still be very difficult and expensive to do so.

vrrattko · 06-02-2011, 11:42 AM

probably impractical lens to do due to very shallow DOF

Eruditass · 06-02-2011, 11:45 AM - **3 Likes**

For the millionth time, shallow DOF is not impractical when you are focusing at further distances, especially since we're on a crop sensor. It can create a very nice effect, though often it is more practical money and sharpness wise to use the brenizer method aka 'bokeh panorama'

Here is some work from photographers that utilize this method:

Ryan Brenizer

Sean Molin

dreamfoto · 06-02-2011, 11:52 AM

Eruditass !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW

YOU ARE A F<><><><ING GENIUS!!!!!!

this is THE BEST photos I have EVER seen

you INSPIRE me - wanna be YOU!!!!

))))

)))

))) WELL DONE

THANK YOU FOR SHARING KEEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

ewig · 06-02-2011, 11:56 AM

yess..some kind noctilux 50 /0,9.. :top:

Clavius · 06-02-2011, 12:02 PM

I was once told that faster then 1.0 would be impossible. Because 1.0 would imply that no light is lost whilst passing through the lens. In other words: 0.9 would indicate that the lens adds 10% more light to the received light

Was I misinformed?

Acheron · 06-02-2011, 12:06 PM

Yes, since there are even f/0.7 lenses avaible.
Barry Lyndon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

bwDraco · 06-02-2011, 12:07 PM

Originally posted by Clavius

I was once told that faster then 1.0 would be impossible. Because 1.0 would imply that no light is lost whilst passing through the lens. In other words: 0.9 would indicate that the lens adds 10% more light to the received light

Was I misinformed?

Yes. The f-number is the ratio of the focal length to the size of the entrance pupil (the minimum diameter of the front lens element). A 50mm f/0.9 lens needs a front lens element of at least 55.56 mm diameter. The fastest lens ever made was a Carl Zeiss f/0.7 lens originally intended for NASA; these lenses were later modified for cine use.

Emacs · 06-02-2011, 12:07 PM

Originally posted by Clavius

I was once told that faster then 1.0 would be impossible. Because 1.0 would imply that no light is lost whilst passing through the lens. In other words: 0.9 would indicate that the lens adds 10% more light to the received light

Was I misinformed?

Yes, exactly. Google what is "light collector"

Clavius · 06-02-2011, 12:20 PM

Thanks! I learned again...

...But in that case, I'm voting 'yes'.

sweetpapa · 06-02-2011, 12:28 PM

@Eruditass
Love your shots. Those are beautiful photos demonstrating amazing use of DOF at larger distances.

I love shooting wide open for street photography. So the faster the better!

Eruditass · 06-02-2011, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by dreamfoto

Eruditass !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW

YOU ARE A F<><><><ING GENIUS!!!!!!

this is THE BEST photos I have EVER seen

you INSPIRE me - wanna be YOU!!!!

))))

)))

))) WELL DONE

THANK YOU FOR SHARING KEEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

Originally posted by sweetpapa

@Eruditass
Love your shots. Those are beautiful photos demonstrating amazing use of DOF at larger distances.

I love shooting wide open for street photography. So the faster the better!

These aren't mine, I've updated my post to reflect the authors (which can be seen on the watermark).

RonHendriks1966 · 06-02-2011, 01:33 PM

I think it is a wast of R&D resources.

View Poll Results: Should PENTAX make a f/1.0 or faster lens?
Yes	53	40.15%
No	79	59.85%
Voters: 132. You may not vote on this poll

06-02-2011, 11:28 AM	#1
bwDraco Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 1,071	Should PENTAX make a super-high-speed lens? Should PENTAX make a prime lens of f/1.0 or faster? It doesn't have to cover full frame. Perhaps a lens like "smc PENTAX-DA 50mm f/0.9 ED AL [IF] SDM"? What is your opinion? Such a lens may be very expensive, and most of the super-high-speed lenses I have seen are for mounts with short back focus distances, such as rangefinders and mirrorless cameras, so such a lens would be very difficult to design for an SLR lens mount. Additionally, the depth of field would be extremely shallow wide open. It's not impossible, however, and if such a lens is built, it could be the standout lens for the K mount. On a side note, the fastest aperture lens the KA mount contacts appear to allow is about f/0.85; see this Bojidar Dimitrov article. Last edited by bwDraco; 06-02-2011 at 11:36 AM.*

06-02-2011, 11:45 AM - 3 Likes	#5
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	For the millionth time, shallow DOF is not impractical when you are focusing at further distances, especially since we're on a crop sensor. It can create a very nice effect, though often it is more practical money and sharpness wise to use the brenizer method aka 'bokeh panorama' Here is some work from photographers that utilize this method: Ryan Brenizer Sean Molin Last edited by Eruditass; 06-02-2011 at 12:43 PM.

06-02-2011, 12:20 PM	#12
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Thanks! I learned again... ...But in that case, I'm voting 'yes'. Last edited by Clavius; 06-02-2011 at 12:48 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Example of AF, DR, high ISO and high shutter speed on K-5	benisona	Pentax DSLR Discussion	17	11-30-2010 02:25 PM
People High Speed	tootall	Post Your Photos!	5	03-04-2010 06:36 AM
High speed fps - Pentax K100D	IsaacSteiner	Pentax DSLR Discussion	5	05-12-2009 12:00 PM
Make work a 50mm lens with my k100d super ?	loopingz	Pentax DSLR Discussion	3	12-16-2008 12:17 PM
Sigma EF 530 Super and high-speed sync	mattdm	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	5	02-11-2008 05:52 PM

06-02-2011, 11:39 AM	#2
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	NO. f1.2 is more than enough. Pentax just needs to make it AF and everyone would be a happy camper. besides, the Pentax manual f1.2's are cheaper compared to what other systems and other brands are offering. Pentax lenses are usually sold from $250-$600 used on average, while others systems offer from $900 to way over a thousand. an AF version of the old Pentax would probably cost at around $1,200-$1,500.

06-02-2011, 11:40 AM	#3
bwDraco Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 1,071 Original Poster	On a further note, Canon once made an f/1.0 lens for the EF mount, but it proved to be very soft at all aperture settings. I feel that with modern lens technologies, it would be possible to make a usable super-fast lens, though it would still be very difficult and expensive to do so.

06-02-2011, 11:42 AM	#4
vrrattko Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 753	probably impractical lens to do due to very shallow DOF

06-02-2011, 11:52 AM	#6
dreamfoto Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: france Photos: Albums Posts: 163	Eruditass !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW YOU ARE A F<><><><ING GENIUS!!!!!! this is THE BEST photos I have EVER seen you INSPIRE me - wanna be YOU!!!! )))) ))) ))) WELL DONE THANK YOU FOR SHARING KEEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

06-02-2011, 11:56 AM	#7
ewig Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 312	yess..some kind noctilux 50 /0,9.. :top:

06-02-2011, 12:02 PM	#8
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	I was once told that faster then 1.0 would be impossible. Because 1.0 would imply that no light is lost whilst passing through the lens. In other words: 0.9 would indicate that the lens adds 10% more light to the received light Was I misinformed?

06-02-2011, 12:06 PM	#9
Acheron Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Croatia Photos: Gallery Posts: 100	Yes, since there are even f/0.7 lenses avaible. Barry Lyndon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

06-02-2011, 12:07 PM	#10
bwDraco Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 1,071 Original Poster	Originally posted by Clavius I was once told that faster then 1.0 would be impossible. Because 1.0 would imply that no light is lost whilst passing through the lens. In other words: 0.9 would indicate that the lens adds 10% more light to the received light Was I misinformed? Yes. The f-number is the ratio of the focal length to the size of the entrance pupil (the minimum diameter of the front lens element). A 50mm f/0.9 lens needs a front lens element of at least 55.56 mm diameter. The fastest lens ever made was a Carl Zeiss f/0.7 lens originally intended for NASA; these lenses were later modified for cine use.

06-02-2011, 12:07 PM	#11
Emacs Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Moscow Posts: 1,223	Originally posted by Clavius I was once told that faster then 1.0 would be impossible. Because 1.0 would imply that no light is lost whilst passing through the lens. In other words: 0.9 would indicate that the lens adds 10% more light to the received light Was I misinformed? Yes, exactly. Google what is "light collector"

06-02-2011, 12:28 PM	#13
sweetpapa Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 64	@Eruditass Love your shots. Those are beautiful photos demonstrating amazing use of DOF at larger distances. I love shooting wide open for street photography. So the faster the better!

06-02-2011, 12:31 PM	#14
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Originally posted by dreamfoto Eruditass !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW YOU ARE A F<><><><ING GENIUS!!!!!! this is THE BEST photos I have EVER seen you INSPIRE me - wanna be YOU!!!! )))) ))) ))) WELL DONE THANK YOU FOR SHARING KEEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!! Originally posted by sweetpapa @Eruditass Love your shots. Those are beautiful photos demonstrating amazing use of DOF at larger distances. I love shooting wide open for street photography. So the faster the better! These aren't mine, I've updated my post to reflect the authors (which can be seen on the watermark).

06-02-2011, 01:33 PM	#15
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	I think it is a wast of R&D resources.