What does "*" mean?

madisonphotogrl · 03-18-2008, 11:16 AM

I see with the DA lenses some have an "*". Are these lenses special? If so, how are the different?

**Canada_Rockies** · 03-18-2008, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by madisonphotogrl

I see with the DA lenses some have an "*". Are these lenses special? If so, how are the different?

These are Pentax's top line lenses. Canon uses "L" to indicate the same thing - top grade. One major difference between the DA* lenses and DA lenses is the weather proofing. They also have a large, constant f/stop over the entire zoom range. Image Quality is supposed to be superior. The price is large to match. I am happy with both my DA* lenses, but others are dissatisfied with theirs due to QC issues. I'm lucky - my viewfinder is level, my 16-50 works very well ...

PS, the "*" has been there for quite a while. There were even M* lenses built.

LeftBehind · 03-18-2008, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by madisonphotogrl

I see with the DA lenses some have an "*". Are these lenses special? If so, how are the different?

It means they are part of Pentax's highest quality line of lenses.

Gooshin · 03-18-2008, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by madisonphotogrl

I see with the DA lenses some have an "*". Are these lenses special? If so, how are the different?

the * is to be read as "STAR"

like others have said, it denotes the best, altho some are better than others even without the stars and what not.

rormeister · 03-18-2008, 12:22 PM

Poor dear child, I see the makings of a very profound LBA developing

Once you know what the "*" STAR denotes, you're well on your way.

Talisker · 03-18-2008, 12:55 PM

The DA Stars also feature in-lens motors to handle the focusing, rather than the screw-drive from the camera body, and are weather sealed to match the K10/20D.

I'm very happy with my 50-135mm!

Buddha Jones · 03-18-2008, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by Talisker

The DA Stars also feature in-lens motors to handle the focusing

That i little snippet is called SDM

selar · 03-18-2008, 04:33 PM

* (Star) is a wildcard that can mean anything. Of late, the star means that the lens can be of variable build quality, depending on whether your STARS are good or bad, you can receive a stellar lens or a dog.

egordon99 · 03-18-2008, 06:25 PM

* indicates the variable is actually a pointer. Any C buffs here

Buddha Jones · 03-18-2008, 07:48 PM

You guys are out of control...

creampuff · 03-18-2008, 09:54 PM

* simply means expect to pay more money.

TaoMaas · 03-19-2008, 04:42 AM

Originally posted by creampuff

* simply means expect to pay more money.

That's what I was gonna say. It's Pentax's shorthand for "expensive".

jshurak · 03-19-2008, 08:28 AM

so what's the difference between the * line and the limited line? If * is top of the line, why are there many complaints about the 16-50?

**NaClH2O** · 03-19-2008, 09:52 AM

Originally posted by jshurak

so what's the difference between the * line and the limited line? If * is top of the line, why are there many complaints about the 16-50?

Don't know the answer to the first one. I'd say the ltd's are slightly below the "*" in quality, but I'm not sure. The answer to the second question is: "the 16-50 suffers from 'quality control' issues" IE it is a crap shoot if you buy one.

NaCl(I personally won't go near one)H2O

jeffkrol · 03-19-2008, 10:19 AM

Originally posted by selar

* (Star) is a wildcard that can mean anything. Of late, the star means that the lens can be of variable build quality, depending on whether your STARS are good or bad, you can receive a stellar lens or a dog.

Guess that's the dog star. don't take me sirius............

Sirius - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

03-18-2008, 11:16 AM	#1
madisonphotogrl Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 270	*What does "" mean?** I see with the DA lenses some have an "*". Are these lenses special? If so, how are the different?

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03-18-2008, 11:23 AM	#2
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by madisonphotogrl I see with the DA lenses some have an "". Are these lenses special? If so, how are the different? These are Pentax's top line lenses. Canon uses "L" to indicate the same thing - top grade. One major difference between the DA lenses and DA lenses is the weather proofing. They also have a large, constant f/stop over the entire zoom range. Image Quality is supposed to be superior. The price is large to match. I am happy with both my DA* lenses, but others are dissatisfied with theirs due to QC issues. I'm lucky - my viewfinder is level, my 16-50 works very well ... PS, the "" has been there for quite a while. There were even M lenses built.

03-18-2008, 11:23 AM	#3
LeftBehind Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 13	Originally posted by madisonphotogrl I see with the DA lenses some have an "*". Are these lenses special? If so, how are the different? It means they are part of Pentax's highest quality line of lenses.

03-18-2008, 11:42 AM	#4
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	Originally posted by madisonphotogrl I see with the DA lenses some have an "". Are these lenses special? If so, how are the different? the is to be read as "STAR" like others have said, it denotes the best, altho some are better than others even without the stars and what not.

03-18-2008, 12:22 PM	#5
rormeister Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 626	Poor dear child, I see the makings of a very profound LBA developing Once you know what the "*" STAR denotes, you're well on your way.

03-18-2008, 12:55 PM	#6
Talisker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland Photos: Gallery Posts: 262	The DA Stars also feature in-lens motors to handle the focusing, rather than the screw-drive from the camera body, and are weather sealed to match the K10/20D. I'm very happy with my 50-135mm!

03-18-2008, 02:48 PM	#7
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	Originally posted by Talisker The DA Stars also feature in-lens motors to handle the focusing That i little snippet is called SDM

03-18-2008, 04:33 PM	#8
selar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,042	* (Star) is a wildcard that can mean anything. Of late, the star means that the lens can be of variable build quality, depending on whether your STARS are good or bad, you can receive a stellar lens or a dog.

03-18-2008, 06:25 PM	#9
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	* indicates the variable is actually a pointer. Any C buffs here

03-18-2008, 07:48 PM	#10
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	You guys are out of control...

03-18-2008, 09:54 PM	#11
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	* simply means expect to pay more money.

03-19-2008, 04:42 AM	#12
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Originally posted by creampuff * simply means expect to pay more money. That's what I was gonna say. It's Pentax's shorthand for "expensive".

03-19-2008, 08:28 AM	#13
jshurak Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: philadelphia Posts: 626	so what's the difference between the * line and the limited line? If * is top of the line, why are there many complaints about the 16-50?

03-19-2008, 09:52 AM	#14
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Originally posted by jshurak so what's the difference between the * line and the limited line? If * is top of the line, why are there many complaints about the 16-50? Don't know the answer to the first one. I'd say the ltd's are slightly below the "*" in quality, but I'm not sure. The answer to the second question is: "the 16-50 suffers from 'quality control' issues" IE it is a crap shoot if you buy one. NaCl(I personally won't go near one)H2O

03-19-2008, 10:19 AM	#15
jeffkrol Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wisconsin USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,434	Originally posted by selar * (Star) is a wildcard that can mean anything. Of late, the star means that the lens can be of variable build quality, depending on whether your STARS are good or bad, you can receive a stellar lens or a dog. Guess that's the dog star. don't take me sirius............ Sirius - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia