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05-31-2013, 05:10 PM   #1
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"limited" lenses

Hello all

I'm wondering what "limited" means in some Pentax lens designations, since they were mostly well reviewed.

Jim177

05-31-2013, 05:14 PM   #2
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I believe it is pretty much a marketing term for 2 series of lenses (DA Ltd and FA Ltd). Anyone can buy one anytime :-)
05-31-2013, 05:18 PM   #3
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It means that they are primes that are made of metal with tighter tolerances than standard lenses. There are two categories of Limited Lenses the FA and DA lines. The DAs are APS-C lenses without external aperture rings and the DAs are Full Frame lenses with external aperture rings.

DA 15, 21, 35-Macro, 40, 70
FA 31, 43, 77
05-31-2013, 05:31 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Docrwm Quote
The DAs are APS-C lenses without external aperture rings and the DAs are Full Frame lenses with external aperture rings.
But the DAs have quick shift and the FAs don't.

To further confuse things Pentax has occasionally released "Limited Edition" items which are just that, a small run of a product that has a special feature, often a different color but otherwise is the same as the regular production. For example the k-5 was released as a "Limited Edition" silver version.

But as for the lens designation it basically means top of the line for Pentax primes.

05-31-2013, 05:38 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by jatrax Quote
But the DAs have quick shift and the FAs don't.

To further confuse things Pentax has occasionally released "Limited Edition" items which are just that, a small run of a product that has a special feature, often a different color but otherwise is the same as the regular production. For example the k-5 was released as a "Limited Edition" silver version.

But as for the lens designation it basically means top of the line for Pentax primes.
Yes, I always forget about the QuickShift feature. When I'm shooting AF I don't manually focus and when I am manually focusing all lenses are quick shift
05-31-2013, 06:48 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by jim177 Quote
Hello all

I'm wondering what "limited" means in some Pentax lens designations, since they were mostly well reviewed.

Jim177
It basically means "premium", though limited DA lenses tend to prioritize small size over speed, and they always feature a nice metal build quality.

Adam
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05-31-2013, 09:11 PM - 1 Like   #7
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What limited really means is that you want one. Once you have them, you will understand. Just wonderful to own.

05-31-2013, 09:29 PM   #8
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It means you can't be limited to just one.

I know from experience. I just wanted a DA15.

Last edited by klh; 06-01-2013 at 07:38 AM.
06-01-2013, 01:45 AM   #9
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And I thought Ltd meant you were limited to only falling in love and being totally fanatical about these designated lenses.
06-01-2013, 02:03 AM   #10
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In practical terms "Limited" means "Premium series" for Pentax lenses.

Now, for the marketing-spiel, that I heard some from a local sales rep, many years back when the three FA lenses came out, and which probably is true only in that sales-rep's own mind........

According to him, "Limited" did not refer to total production volume, as they planned to continue manufacturing them - but rather to the fact that the lenses were hand-made ("to the tightest precisions") and tested individually, and so how many they could produce was "limited by the availability of the highest-quality materials and skilled craftsmen"....

As I said, that's probably the truth only within some Pentax rep's head - in practical terms, when I see "Pentax Limited" it means "premium lens, good quality, hasn't held a bad copy yet".
06-01-2013, 04:01 AM   #11
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The exact formulation in the Pentax lenses and accessories brochure:
"DA Limited: Fixed focal length lenses built to demanding standards with metal housings and distinguished by the quality of their elements and the care taken in construction."
This also applies to FA Limited (they are not in the brochure).
06-01-2013, 10:16 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by jim177 Quote
"limited" lenses
Just a naming convention for IMHO the Pentax top of the range product.
06-02-2013, 12:53 PM   #13
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Thanks for your answers

Thanks to all who replied to my question on what "limited" lenses means.

Jim177
06-02-2013, 01:06 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by klh Quote
It means you can't be limited to just one.

I know from experience. I just wanted a DA15.
Uh-oh. I don't have any Limiteds, but I want a DA15. I'm in trouble, aren't I?
06-02-2013, 01:11 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by scratchpaddy Quote
Uh-oh. I don't have any Limiteds, but I want a DA15. I'm in trouble, aren't I?
Yes, you are in trouble. The DA15 will cost you at least $2000 by the time you've bought enough Limiteds.
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