[Aristophanes]

That's the first thing that popped in my head.

Except that you can't have it both ways. FA means FF in Pentax lingo and that's not used.

[Anvh]

Except that you can't have it both ways. FA means FF in Pentax lingo and that's not used.

Indeed, the DA is meant for APS-C ant not for FF so the DA50 is not a secret standard lens for a FF camera.

the "standard" is a range, i believe 50mm is just at the edge of the standard range for APS-C although shot-tele would be a better name for it.

[Clavius]

Probably already posted a few times, just can't seem to find it in the vast quantity of forum traffic!

Is there already a price estimate for the DA 40 XS?

[Aristophanes]

Dude, APS-C DSLR time is already over. No FF ≡ Death.

Really?

The sales numbers show quite the opposite. APS-C sales are stellar, so much so that Fuji is insetting heavily in the format and both Canon and Nikon are putting their mirrorless options below APS-C in size to continue the excellent margins APS-C offers based on the consumer demand.

[Aristophanes]

I agree with those who are reading the tea leaves of the lens road map
and seeing full frame (even though they are using the DA placeholder
(how could they really do anything else without tipping their hand?).

Calling the 50 a "standard" lens is the most obvious tip off. I think
it would be easiest for them just to ramp production back up for the
FA50 1.4.

That "high magnfication" zoom lens looks like a the old FA 28-200mm
(or something new with a similar range).

The word "Limited" in the 2013 Zoom limited is an odd one. If you look
above that range at the lenses already available you already see 3 DA
zooms that cover that focal length range, along with an FA Prime
Limited and 2 or 3 other DA primes. I just don't see needing a limited
range zoom down there for an APS-C.

Similarly, the "DA Wide Zoom" is only slightly longer than the DA
12-24mm. That would only be needed if the sensor size was larger. It
would either be a 14-28mm rectilinear full frame zoom, or they are
bringing back that lens that only Pentax produced way back when, the
F17-28 fisheye. It seems more likely to me that it be a rectilinear
that would sell.

I believe more than ever that a full frame could be announced at CP+
for delivery later this year. Also to be announced there are probably
all three of the 2012 lenses on the road map. Keep in mind that any
new full frame lenses could also be used on APS-C cameras, the same
way that we use the older glass now.

I don't see FF at all. Quite the opposite, in fact.

It's all about zooms. There is no zoom starting at 24 or 28. That's FF.

The "high mag" lens starts at 17 or 18, not in the 20's.

And the most obvious FF candidate would be the DA* at the definitely is not FF starting in the teens as well. It looks more like the Nikon 18-105 or Canon 15-85.

All I see is a DA, APS-C lens roadmap where the FA (FF) designation is still around, but the "standard" (normal) fast 50mm is now a DA lens.

Also, look at the design and manufacturing output capacity demonstrated here. Pentax can put out maybe 3-4 lenses per year and still have manufacturing headroom to keep old models in re-supply. There's not manufacturing capacity from this chart to add a dedicated FF lens array. They'd pretty much have to double their zoom capacity.

[rparmar]

Somebody tell me the area they are missing in their current line-up that isn't addressed?

The most obvious things in the world.

Where is a 24mm f/2 to give the classic 35mm field of view?

Where is a 28mm f/2 to give the normal (43mm) field of view?

These are the lenses that Pentax, famous for its primes, needs most. Especially when releasing something like the K-01, which should come with a much wider prime than 40mm, to suit far more people's typical shooting needs.

I am very disappointed in this announcement, which seems to indicate a lack of insight into Pentax strengths (primes!). But some roadmap is better than none, no doubt.

[rparmar]

Dude, APS-C DSLR time is already over. No FF ≡ Death.

You might want to inform Fuji of your new discovery, since they just released a flagship camera in APS-C. You might also want to tell Pentax and check the sensor in the K-01. While you are at it, have a chat with Olympus and Panasonic, who both seem to be doing OK cranking out slightly smaller than APS-C cameras. Oh, and inform those three new companies who just joined the Micro Four Thirds Consortium. Send the memo round to Canon, Nikon and Sony too, all of whom seem deluded in their marketing of multiple camera models smaller than FF.

In what dream world are you living?

[Docrwm]

Probably already posted a few times, just can't seem to find it in the vast quantity of forum traffic!

Is there already a price estimate for the DA 40 XS?

Pentax USA says that it has an MSRP of $249

It's already listed for that price at B&H
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/842479-REG/Pentax_DA_40mm_f_2_8_XS.html/

[gazonk]

Pentax USA says that it has an MSRP of $249

It's already listed for that price at B&H
Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 XS Lens 22137 B&H Photo Video

Hmm, $90 less than they charge for the DA40 Ltd - I wonder how the build quality of the XS is?

[eddie1960]

Hmm, $90 less than they charge for the DA40 Ltd - I wonder how the build quality of the XS is?

their DA 40 LTD price is quite low at the moment as well. Pentax lists it at 499. Low price up here in Canada is 419 generally (399 rarely). Since 249 is the Pentax list price fro the 40 xs I would have to assume it will settle down to 199 or so once it's in the market for a few months

[Steelski]

standard 50mm,
550mm
and possibly 40mm xs
The 35mm 2.4 is FF
classic limited lenses are all DFA
DFA 50 and 100mm lenses
DA* 55, 200 and 300mm lenses also.
well, possibly all that will be missing from FF by the end of 2012 is wides and zooms.

[Sinister]

I hope that 120-400 is WR so I can sell my Sigma 70-300 and add it to my 18-135WR

[normhead]

ON the other hand, maybe as soon as the production lines are ready they may start telling us about it, just to make sure they don't lose any of the "FF right now or I go to Canikon." types. Personally, I have two FF lenses, a 50 and an old 35-80. It may as well be a different camera system. I'd have to buy all new glass.

[Ishpuini]

classic limited lenses are all DFA

I remember Ned B blogging that the FA limiteds wouldn't work on a FF DSLR. Probably because of the optical design not being sufficiently telecentric and as such causing too much vignetting on a FF sensor (as opposed to film). Could be he was blogging this as an excuse why there wasn't a FF DSLR in Pentax's line-up yet, but it seems probable nevertheless.

Even APS-C optimized DA lenses that do cover the full 135format image circle on film cameras could vignet more than imagined. After all, there's no telling the designers ever had a 135format DSLR in mind...

Wim

[ginsbu]

QFT...

I don't see FF at all. Quite the opposite, in fact.

It's all about zooms. There is no zoom starting at 24 or 28. That's FF.

The "high mag" lens starts at 17 or 18, not in the 20's.

And the most obvious FF candidate would be the DA* at the definitely is not FF starting in the teens as well. It looks more like the Nikon 18-105 or Canon 15-85.

All I see is a DA, APS-C lens roadmap where the FA (FF) designation is still around, but the "standard" (normal) fast 50mm is now a DA lens.

Also, look at the design and manufacturing output capacity demonstrated here. Pentax can put out maybe 3-4 lenses per year and still have manufacturing headroom to keep old models in re-supply. There's not manufacturing capacity from this chart to add a dedicated FF lens array. They'd pretty much have to double their zoom capacity.