[ginsbu]

This is what the Pentax lineup has been missing for years. I'm very excited about this, I love my 50mm 1.7 M, I use it all the time with both my ME Super and k-x but a affordable DA 50mm f1.x is just the ticket.

I'm worried that with the FA50/1.4 not listed, this is going to be a slower (but cheaper) replacement, leaving the DA* 55mm as the much more expensive f/1.4 option. With the wide availability of the FA50/1.4 used, a 50/1.7 (or so) will have to be much cheaper to be successful.

[jake14mw]

I think this updated roadmap is OUTSTANDING! Somebody tell me the area they are missing in their current line-up that isn't addressed? I too believe that the 50mm will be a 1.8 to get back to an inexpensive 50.

[ginsbu]

My guess for the Limited zoom would be a rework of the FA 20-35/4.

And the "DA Wide Zoom"?
Maybe a Pentax version of the Tokina 16-28/2.8.

A good guess for the Limited zoom, though f/2.8 or f/2.8–3.5 wouldn't have to be all that large if only covering APS-C.

I do wonder about the wide zoom since there's already the DA 12–24.

[audiobomber]

I wonder why they have another superzoom (18-200mm) when there is 18-135 WR that just came out.

Maybe to match the competition? Nikon and Canon have both medium length and long superzooms. There's room for an 18-200/250/270mm in K-mount. Probably the DA 18-135 will be more premium with metal construction, silent focus, WR, rounded aperture, etc. The long superzoom could pair with the non weather-resistant K-r replacement. That's my guess anyway.

[audiobomber]

A good guess for the Limited zoom, though f/2.8 or f/2.8–3.5 wouldn't have to be all that large if only covering APS-C.

I do wonder about the wide zoom since there's already the DA 12–24.

Lots of landscape shooters would like WR.

[northcoastgreg]

I'm kind of nervous about the 550(ish) lens. More than a couple of grand and my wife might just beat me with it if I came home with one!

It all depends on how fast the lens is. If it's f4 or f4.5, you're looking at a price north of $6,000. At 5.6 or slower, the price can be dropped closer to the $2,000 mark. A 550/6.3 priced near $2,000 with comparable resolution to the Nikon and Canon f4 600mm lenses could be a huge asset for the Pentax platform, as there is really nothing currently like that on the market. I could see far more people switching from Canikon over such a lens than would switch for a Pentax FF.

[Caat]

It all depends on how fast the lens is. If it's f4 or f4.5, you're looking at a price north of $6,000. At 5.6 or slower, the price can be dropped closer to the $2,000 mark. A 550/6.3 priced near $2,000 with comparable resolution to the Nikon and Canon f4 600mm lenses could be a huge asset for the Pentax platform, as there is really nothing currently like that on the market. I could see far more people switching from Canikon over such a lens than would switch for a Pentax FF.

To be honest I don't think the telephoto can get away with being less than f/5.6 (largely from a marketing perspective)

[ginsbu]

Lots of landscape shooters would like WR.

Indeed. If it's a replacement for the DA12–24, that would make sense.

I was more wondering what it might be if it wasn't intended to replace an existing lens.

[ginsbu]

To be honest I don't think the telephoto can get away with being less than f/5.6 (largely from a marketing perspective)

There's also the matter of TC compatibility with AF. I assume Pentax AF is good down to f/8, which would make f/5.6 the slowest AF capable lens with a 1.4x TC.

[ihasa]

Too many people are clamoring for a cheap 50, Bet on it being a 1.8 to satisfy that market and to ensure differentiation from the 55/1.4

Yep, the F 50/1.7 is still fetching good money on ebay, so a cheap rebadge of the same lens design would be a no brainer.

[RMabo]

i would like to see if it is both SDM and Screw Drive but it is still 1-2 years away

John Carson (product manager Pentax Imaging US) has said in an interview way back that there won't be more dual-drive lenses from Pentax, it will be either screw-driven OR in-lens motor. Not both. Ricoh may change this who knows, but I find it unlikely. Doesn't feel so needed with dual-drive since the bodies since some years back now all support in-lens motors. Only *ist D-serie and K-100 entry level don't.

[oddesy]

DA550 for those of us that have been complaining about the lack of a long tele Did you people already pre-order

I will place my order as soon as they are available!! It is so nice that pentax seems to finally be a strong contender for wildlife photography! and this could not have come at a better time (was about to jump ship to nikon! ). Now will happily stick with pentax-ricoh as they have provided a well thought out roadmap

[JinDesu]

It'd also be nice to have one Pentax lens to rule them all in it's focal length.. something that just beats everything else, Zeiss, Leica, Canon, in that one length.

/*****envy

dangit, it won't let me write that five letter word that rhymes with dennis.

[audiobomber]

Most people's wish list is covered, but still no indication of a 24-28mm prime. And now that the roadmap is out, I guess we can stop asking. It ain't coming.

[Andrew Faires]

It all depends on how fast the lens is. If it's f4 or f4.5, you're looking at a price north of $6,000. At 5.6 or slower, the price can be dropped closer to the $2,000 mark. A 550/6.3 priced near $2,000 with comparable resolution to the Nikon and Canon f4 600mm lenses could be a huge asset for the Pentax platform, as there is really nothing currently like that on the market. I could see far more people switching from Canikon over such a lens than would switch for a Pentax FF.

I think you're right on that one. Even if there aren't a lot of switchers, I could see a lot of people here making some great use of a lens like that.