DA14 - discontinued?

axl · 07-08-2011, 11:05 PM

Today I was browsing pages of SRS (my favourite and perhaps best UK Pentax stockist) and noticed one obvious omission.
The DA14 is not listed anymore. Goes anyone know whether it's still in production?

Also DA*50-135 has suspiciously low price....any rumors on that one?

thanks

Peter

Blue · 07-08-2011, 11:12 PM

In the U.S., BH, Adorama and Pentax Imaging still have it. I doubt anything official will come out until after Oct 1. The 50-135 is at $959

SPB · 07-09-2011, 12:17 AM

Too fast turnover of items if you ask me. Are all the other big name manufacturers the same?

axl · 07-09-2011, 01:12 AM

Don't check other manufactorers to be honest....

SPB · 07-09-2011, 01:26 AM

Me too to be frank. However it does niggle me that the "life" of a product seems to be getting less and less. I would rather more quality and control of that quality, a slightly higher price and have something that I would keep longer. Of course I see from the business side that may not be perfect, if turnover is the all-important thing. I mean photography like most hobbies ain't cheap.

markos · 07-09-2011, 02:01 AM

Not sure about the 50-135, you kinda got my hopes up there! Still more expensive than my house.

Adam · 07-09-2011, 02:06 AM

It's still in production AFAIK. It's the only fast ultrawide offering Pentax has right now!

Adam
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RonHendriks1966 · 07-09-2011, 03:59 AM

We can still order it overhere in The Netherlands. It is a great lens, I have a copy, but not many own this lens.

899 euro for 50-135mm, I do think that prices aren't going up at the moment. DA*300mm is 995 euro.

axl · 07-09-2011, 04:34 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

We can still order it overhere in The Netherlands. It is a great lens, I have a copy, but not many own this lens.

899 euro for 50-135mm, I do think that prices aren't going up at the moment. DA*300mm is 995 euro.

I believe for EU folks it would be cheaper to import the lens from UK now. SRS is showing it at £635!!! VERY tempting if you ask me...

Blue · 07-09-2011, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

We can still order it overhere in The Netherlands. It is a great lens, I have a copy, but not many own this lens.

899 euro for 50-135mm, I do think that prices aren't going up at the moment. DA*300mm is 995 euro.

I think one of the reasons more people don't own this lens is due to the "reputation" it has for mustache distortion. I have come really close to getting it a couple of times myself.

8540tomg · 07-11-2011, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by Blue

I think one of the reasons more people don't own this lens is due to the "reputation" it has for mustache distortion. I have come really close to getting it a couple of times myself.

That could be part of the reason Blue. I've almost pulled the trigger on this one a couple of times myself. I've been reluctant not because of distortion issues but the fact I seldom need a really wide angle lens. I had a chance to handle one in a local camera store a while back. I do like the 2.8 speed and close focusing abilities but it is a really hefty piece of glass. I suspect carrying this lens around one's neck all day would be a chore. That being said the results I've seen from the DA 14mm club look stunning. If I were seriously in the market for a lens of this focal length I think I would select this one over the DA 15/4 as I always like the extra speed.

Tom G

Blue · 07-11-2011, 01:39 PM

Originally posted by 8540tomg

That could be part of the reason Blue. I've almost pulled the trigger on this one a couple of times myself. I've been reluctant not because of distortion issues but the fact I seldom need a really wide angle lens. I had a chance to handle one in a local camera store a while back. I do like the 2.8 speed and close focusing abilities but it is a really hefty piece of glass. I suspect carrying this lens around one's neck all day would be a chore. That being said the results I've seen from the DA 14mm club look stunning. If I were seriously in the market for a lens of this focal length I think I would select this one over the DA 15/4 as I always like the extra speed.

Tom G

The biggest reason I haven't got it is because I'm not sure I would use it enough to justify the expense. I would like to see them tweak the formula just a bit to deal with the distortion and release it as WR rather than discontinuing it.

axl · 07-11-2011, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by Blue

.... I would like to see them tweak the formula just a bit to deal with the distortion and release it as WR rather than discontinuing it.

+1 to this. Slightly tweaked with regards to distortion and SDM WR would be nice...

But then, I wouldn't mind wider than that (11mm/2.8 DA*)

And first I'd want 24/25/26 f2 DA*

twitch · 07-11-2011, 03:10 PM

I thought the problem with the DA14 was field curvature in close & lack of sharpness at infinity focus?

wlachan · 07-11-2011, 11:40 PM

Originally posted by twitch

I thought the problem with the DA14 was field curvature in close & lack of sharpness at infinity focus?

The sharpness of this lens is actually decent at any distance when in focus. The problem is field curvature at normal shooting distance. When the centre hits infinity, the focus of both sides is much closer. When both sides hit infinity, the centre goes beyond. The work around is to let the centre goes beyond infinity and stop down to f11. This way, the whole frame is reasonably sharp, but never as sharp as "in focus". At least 2 of my 3 copies (didn't test the 1st one I had) behave this way so it's probably part of the design. At closeup distance, it doesn't suffer much.

I tested my 3rd and current copy against a wall at less a metre. As you can see from the full size picture below, all 4 tips are sharp, so is the centre. However, the highlighted porton is a little blurry. This is inline with the mustache distortion and the severe field curvature that I have experienced.

http://www.pbase.com/wlachan/image/136349622/original.jpg

07-08-2011, 11:05 PM	#1
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	DA14 - discontinued? Today I was browsing pages of SRS (my favourite and perhaps best UK Pentax stockist) and noticed one obvious omission. The DA14 is not listed anymore. Goes anyone know whether it's still in production? Also DA*50-135 has suspiciously low price....any rumors on that one? thanks Peter

07-11-2011, 11:40 PM	#15
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Originally posted by twitch I thought the problem with the DA14 was field curvature in close & lack of sharpness at infinity focus? The sharpness of this lens is actually decent at any distance when in focus. The problem is field curvature at normal shooting distance. When the centre hits infinity, the focus of both sides is much closer. When both sides hit infinity, the centre goes beyond. The work around is to let the centre goes beyond infinity and stop down to f11. This way, the whole frame is reasonably sharp, but never as sharp as "in focus". At least 2 of my 3 copies (didn't test the 1st one I had) behave this way so it's probably part of the design. At closeup distance, it doesn't suffer much. I tested my 3rd and current copy against a wall at less a metre. As you can see from the full size picture below, all 4 tips are sharp, so is the centre. However, the highlighted porton is a little blurry. This is inline with the mustache distortion and the severe field curvature that I have experienced. http://www.pbase.com/wlachan/image/136349622/original.jpg Last edited by wlachan; 07-11-2011 at 11:58 PM.

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07-08-2011, 11:12 PM	#2
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	In the U.S., BH, Adorama and Pentax Imaging still have it. I doubt anything official will come out until after Oct 1. The 50-135 is at $959

07-09-2011, 12:17 AM	#3
SPB Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Zug Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 132	Too fast turnover of items if you ask me. Are all the other big name manufacturers the same?

07-09-2011, 01:12 AM	#4
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183 Original Poster	Don't check other manufactorers to be honest....

07-09-2011, 01:26 AM	#5
SPB Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Zug Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 132	Me too to be frank. However it does niggle me that the "life" of a product seems to be getting less and less. I would rather more quality and control of that quality, a slightly higher price and have something that I would keep longer. Of course I see from the business side that may not be perfect, if turnover is the all-important thing. I mean photography like most hobbies ain't cheap.

07-09-2011, 02:01 AM	#6
markos Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 88	Not sure about the 50-135, you kinda got my hopes up there! Still more expensive than my house.

07-09-2011, 02:06 AM	#7
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	It's still in production AFAIK. It's the only fast ultrawide offering Pentax has right now! 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:

07-09-2011, 03:59 AM	#8
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	We can still order it overhere in The Netherlands. It is a great lens, I have a copy, but not many own this lens. 899 euro for 50-135mm, I do think that prices aren't going up at the moment. DA*300mm is 995 euro.

07-09-2011, 04:34 AM	#9
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183 Original Poster	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 We can still order it overhere in The Netherlands. It is a great lens, I have a copy, but not many own this lens. 899 euro for 50-135mm, I do think that prices aren't going up at the moment. DA*300mm is 995 euro. I believe for EU folks it would be cheaper to import the lens from UK now. SRS is showing it at £635!!! VERY tempting if you ask me...

07-09-2011, 08:59 AM	#10
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 We can still order it overhere in The Netherlands. It is a great lens, I have a copy, but not many own this lens. 899 euro for 50-135mm, I do think that prices aren't going up at the moment. DA*300mm is 995 euro. I think one of the reasons more people don't own this lens is due to the "reputation" it has for mustache distortion. I have come really close to getting it a couple of times myself.

07-11-2011, 09:09 AM	#11
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	Originally posted by Blue I think one of the reasons more people don't own this lens is due to the "reputation" it has for mustache distortion. I have come really close to getting it a couple of times myself. That could be part of the reason Blue. I've almost pulled the trigger on this one a couple of times myself. I've been reluctant not because of distortion issues but the fact I seldom need a really wide angle lens. I had a chance to handle one in a local camera store a while back. I do like the 2.8 speed and close focusing abilities but it is a really hefty piece of glass. I suspect carrying this lens around one's neck all day would be a chore. That being said the results I've seen from the DA 14mm club look stunning. If I were seriously in the market for a lens of this focal length I think I would select this one over the DA 15/4 as I always like the extra speed. Tom G

07-11-2011, 01:39 PM	#12
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by 8540tomg That could be part of the reason Blue. I've almost pulled the trigger on this one a couple of times myself. I've been reluctant not because of distortion issues but the fact I seldom need a really wide angle lens. I had a chance to handle one in a local camera store a while back. I do like the 2.8 speed and close focusing abilities but it is a really hefty piece of glass. I suspect carrying this lens around one's neck all day would be a chore. That being said the results I've seen from the DA 14mm club look stunning. If I were seriously in the market for a lens of this focal length I think I would select this one over the DA 15/4 as I always like the extra speed. Tom G The biggest reason I haven't got it is because I'm not sure I would use it enough to justify the expense. I would like to see them tweak the formula just a bit to deal with the distortion and release it as WR rather than discontinuing it.

07-11-2011, 02:02 PM	#13
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183 Original Poster	Originally posted by Blue .... I would like to see them tweak the formula just a bit to deal with the distortion and release it as WR rather than discontinuing it. +1 to this. Slightly tweaked with regards to distortion and SDM WR would be nice... But then, I wouldn't mind wider than that (11mm/2.8 DA) And first I'd want 24/25/26 f2 DA

07-11-2011, 03:10 PM	#14
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	I thought the problem with the DA14 was field curvature in close & lack of sharpness at infinity focus?