DA zoom LTD and DA* mystery lenses

Blue · 04-17-2012, 03:14 PM - **1 Like**

Has anyone noticed on the new Lens Road Map the mention of a DA zoom LTD? It appears to be in the ball park of a DA 22-38mm LTD based on its position on the Map. It is projected to be announced in 2013 or later. Also on there is a DA* lens somewhere around DA* 15-85mm.

http://www.pentax.jp/english/products/lens/K_Mount_Lens.pdf

**Douglas_of_Sweden** · 04-17-2012, 03:26 PM

The 15-85 would be an interesting alternative to the 16-50.
22-38mm looks like a strange zoom range on APS-C? From not really 28mm (35mm film equivalent) to a bit more than normal, but not really portrait tele. On the other hand 22-38mm on full frame would make completely sense. I have the SMC Pentax-M 24-35mm f3.5, and it is a very useful lens.

parsons · 04-17-2012, 03:34 PM

Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden

The 15-85 would be an interesting alternative to the 16-50.
22-38mm looks like a strange zoom range on APS-C? From not really 28mm (35mm film equivalent) to a bit more than normal, but not really portrait tele. On the other hand 22-38mm on full frame would make completely sense. I have the SMC Pentax-M 24-35mm f3.5, and it is a very useful lens.

shock horror

another FF hint :O

jsherman999 · 04-17-2012, 03:35 PM

Originally posted by Blue

Has anyone noticed on the new Lens Road Map the mention of a DA zoom LTD? It appears to be in the ball park of a DA 22-38mm LTD based on its position on the Map. It is projected to be announced in 2013 or later. Also on there is a DA* lens somewhere around DA* 15-85mm.

http://www.pentax.jp/english/products/lens/K_Mount_Lens.pdf

The appearance of that 20-35 (or whatever) originally made me suspect a FF body is in the works, because that's the film/FF equiv of our 12-24 right now. That, and the new 50... Those are usually FF-friendly focal lengths. The DA designation either will not mean what many think it does going forward, or that's just going to be an extremely odd aps-c zoom.

mecrox · 04-17-2012, 03:40 PM

Originally posted by Blue

Has anyone noticed on the new Lens Road Map the mention of a DA zoom LTD? It appears to be in the ball park of a DA 22-38mm LTD based on its position on the Map. It is projected to be announced in 2013 or later. Also on there is a DA* lens somewhere around DA* 15-85mm.

http://www.pentax.jp/english/products/lens/K_Mount_Lens.pdf

Alternatively it would make sense if it was a misprint and what they mean is 12-35mm or so and a replacement for the DA 12-24mm (with, one hopes, weathersealing and a lens motor). But who knows ...

Blue · 04-17-2012, 04:03 PM

I have often wonder if the designers at Pentax had ever thought about a Limited zoom lens. It would need to be well built and compact to truly fit into the Ltd designation. I suspect the DA* is the successor to the DA* 16-50mm. Lets hope they have moved beyond the SDM issues.

Medium FormatPro · 04-17-2012, 06:05 PM

Which brings up an interesting question... Wondering how many of the existing Pentax line would work with a full frame digital? In the past that's one of the best things about Pentax cameras - that one can use a Pentax PK lens from the 70's on a brand new Pentax digital. Whereas Nikon and others...

farhagh · 04-17-2012, 06:14 PM

A DA* 15-85mm f/2.8-4 will be something to sit on camera 90% of the time!

Edit: I guess DA* means f/2.8 which is even better, as long as it's under 700 gr.

twitch · 04-17-2012, 06:19 PM

Originally posted by Medium FormatPro

Wondering how many of the existing Pentax line would work with a full frame digital?

There is a long thread on this (although on film, not digital obviously)

Blue · 04-17-2012, 06:23 PM

Originally posted by Medium FormatPro

Which brings up an interesting question... Wondering how many of the existing Pentax line would work with a full frame digital? In the past that's one of the best things about Pentax cameras - that one can use a Pentax PK lens from the 70's on a brand new Pentax digital. Whereas Nikon and others...

The FA Ltd and FA 50/1.4 lenses and the D FA 100/2.8 WR will for sure. It is likely the DA* 55/1.4 would. There are other possibilities as well this are known for sure. Legacy auto focus wise, the FA and F lenses would work as would all the manual focus k-lenses.

yorik · 04-17-2012, 06:28 PM

When I saw the ltd zoom in the roadmap, it occurred to me that pentax may be trying to address the missing 24mm, 28mm and da ltd version of
the fa 31 all in one fell swoop....

Blue · 04-17-2012, 06:31 PM

Originally posted by yorik

When I saw the ltd zoom in the roadmap, it occurred to me that pentax may be trying to address the missing 24mm, 28mm and da ltd version of
the fa 31 all in one fell swoop....

That is kind of what I thought since it seems to fit between the DA 21mm LTD and DA 35mm LTD macro.

DaveBlack · 04-17-2012, 06:43 PM

Originally posted by Blue

That is kind of what I thought since it seems to fit between the DA 21mm LTD and DA 35mm LTD macro.

This is also my guess. A compact slightly wide to normal zoom with excellent image quality. I do wonder what the max f-stop will be. Hopefully f2.8 or even faster.

The DA*15-85 is also an interesting lens. My guess is that it will not be a f2.8 lens but more likely a f4.0 lens. Still it covers a very good range. Hopefully it will have great image quality.

Dave

causey · 04-17-2012, 07:33 PM

Perhaps the FA 20-35mm glass in a DA coat?
I was thinking of buying the DA 21, but given the new prices I might as well wait for this DA ltd. zoom.

Ubuntu_user · 04-17-2012, 07:45 PM

A totally unuseful focal range for me on APSC, but if... FF? I know, that was my initial thought too... I guess we'll see.

04-17-2012, 03:14 PM - 1 Like	#1
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	*DA zoom LTD and DA mystery lenses** Has anyone noticed on the new Lens Road Map the mention of a DA zoom LTD? It appears to be in the ball park of a DA 22-38mm LTD based on its position on the Map. It is projected to be announced in 2013 or later. Also on there is a DA* lens somewhere around DA* 15-85mm. http://www.pentax.jp/english/products/lens/K_Mount_Lens.pdf

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04-17-2012, 03:26 PM	#2
Douglas_of_Sweden Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,374	The 15-85 would be an interesting alternative to the 16-50. 22-38mm looks like a strange zoom range on APS-C? From not really 28mm (35mm film equivalent) to a bit more than normal, but not really portrait tele. On the other hand 22-38mm on full frame would make completely sense. I have the SMC Pentax-M 24-35mm f3.5, and it is a very useful lens.

04-17-2012, 03:34 PM	#3
parsons Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: ENGLAND Posts: 389	Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden The 15-85 would be an interesting alternative to the 16-50. 22-38mm looks like a strange zoom range on APS-C? From not really 28mm (35mm film equivalent) to a bit more than normal, but not really portrait tele. On the other hand 22-38mm on full frame would make completely sense. I have the SMC Pentax-M 24-35mm f3.5, and it is a very useful lens. shock horror another FF hint :O

04-17-2012, 03:35 PM	#4
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by Blue Has anyone noticed on the new Lens Road Map the mention of a DA zoom LTD? It appears to be in the ball park of a DA 22-38mm LTD based on its position on the Map. It is projected to be announced in 2013 or later. Also on there is a DA* lens somewhere around DA* 15-85mm. http://www.pentax.jp/english/products/lens/K_Mount_Lens.pdf The appearance of that 20-35 (or whatever) originally made me suspect a FF body is in the works, because that's the film/FF equiv of our 12-24 right now. That, and the new 50... Those are usually FF-friendly focal lengths. The DA designation either will not mean what many think it does going forward, or that's just going to be an extremely odd aps-c zoom.

04-17-2012, 03:40 PM	#5
mecrox Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxford, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	Originally posted by Blue Has anyone noticed on the new Lens Road Map the mention of a DA zoom LTD? It appears to be in the ball park of a DA 22-38mm LTD based on its position on the Map. It is projected to be announced in 2013 or later. Also on there is a DA* lens somewhere around DA* 15-85mm. http://www.pentax.jp/english/products/lens/K_Mount_Lens.pdf Alternatively it would make sense if it was a misprint and what they mean is 12-35mm or so and a replacement for the DA 12-24mm (with, one hopes, weathersealing and a lens motor). But who knows ...

04-17-2012, 04:03 PM	#6
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377 Original Poster	I have often wonder if the designers at Pentax had ever thought about a Limited zoom lens. It would need to be well built and compact to truly fit into the Ltd designation. I suspect the DA* is the successor to the DA* 16-50mm. Lets hope they have moved beyond the SDM issues.

04-17-2012, 06:05 PM	#7
Medium FormatPro Banned Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Charleston & Pittsburgh Photos: Albums Posts: 1,668	Which brings up an interesting question... Wondering how many of the existing Pentax line would work with a full frame digital? In the past that's one of the best things about Pentax cameras - that one can use a Pentax PK lens from the 70's on a brand new Pentax digital. Whereas Nikon and others...

04-17-2012, 06:14 PM	#8
farhagh Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ohio Photos: Albums Posts: 339	A DA* 15-85mm f/2.8-4 will be something to sit on camera 90% of the time! Edit: I guess DA* means f/2.8 which is even better, as long as it's under 700 gr.

04-17-2012, 06:19 PM	#9
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by Medium FormatPro Wondering how many of the existing Pentax line would work with a full frame digital? There is a long thread on this (although on film, not digital obviously)

04-17-2012, 06:23 PM	#10
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377 Original Poster	Originally posted by Medium FormatPro Which brings up an interesting question... Wondering how many of the existing Pentax line would work with a full frame digital? In the past that's one of the best things about Pentax cameras - that one can use a Pentax PK lens from the 70's on a brand new Pentax digital. Whereas Nikon and others... The FA Ltd and FA 50/1.4 lenses and the D FA 100/2.8 WR will for sure. It is likely the DA* 55/1.4 would. There are other possibilities as well this are known for sure. Legacy auto focus wise, the FA and F lenses would work as would all the manual focus k-lenses.

04-17-2012, 06:28 PM	#11
yorik Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Scotts Valley, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 991	When I saw the ltd zoom in the roadmap, it occurred to me that pentax may be trying to address the missing 24mm, 28mm and da ltd version of the fa 31 all in one fell swoop....

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04-17-2012, 06:31 PM	#12
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377 Original Poster	Originally posted by yorik When I saw the ltd zoom in the roadmap, it occurred to me that pentax may be trying to address the missing 24mm, 28mm and da ltd version of the fa 31 all in one fell swoop.... That is kind of what I thought since it seems to fit between the DA 21mm LTD and DA 35mm LTD macro.

04-17-2012, 06:43 PM	#13
DaveBlack Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 441	Originally posted by Blue That is kind of what I thought since it seems to fit between the DA 21mm LTD and DA 35mm LTD macro. This is also my guess. A compact slightly wide to normal zoom with excellent image quality. I do wonder what the max f-stop will be. Hopefully f2.8 or even faster. The DA*15-85 is also an interesting lens. My guess is that it will not be a f2.8 lens but more likely a f4.0 lens. Still it covers a very good range. Hopefully it will have great image quality. Dave

04-17-2012, 07:33 PM	#14
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	Perhaps the FA 20-35mm glass in a DA coat? I was thinking of buying the DA 21, but given the new prices I might as well wait for this DA ltd. zoom.

04-17-2012, 07:45 PM	#15
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	A totally unuseful focal range for me on APSC, but if... FF? I know, that was my initial thought too... I guess we'll see.