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LFLee · 08-30-2013, 07:34 AM

The previous roadmap:

the new roadmap:

See the "DA*18-85" now is a DA lens only? Is too bad as this will be a good all round DA* lens...

disclaimer: image linked from photorumor.com

Giklab · 08-30-2013, 08:00 AM

My guess is that it will be a 3.5-5.6 lens, and as such not 'fit' for the * badge.

**Rondec** · 08-30-2013, 08:09 AM

Originally posted by Giklab

My guess is that it will be a 3.5-5.6 lens, and as such not 'fit' for the * badge.

I think it will be faster than that. Would be the point of a 3.5 to 5.6 lens if they already have a 17-70 f4 and 18-135 f3.5-5.6? But maybe f2.8 to f4?

**boriscleto** · 08-30-2013, 08:28 AM

*Roadmap may vary in response to market situation.

Maybe they didn't think the market warranted another $1000+ zoom lens for APS-C. Maybe they will rebadge the Tamron 24-70 as a Pentax instead.

Last edited by boriscleto; 08-30-2013 at 08:36 AM.

Giklab · 08-30-2013, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

I think it will be faster than that. Would be the point of a 3.5 to 5.6 lens if they already have a 17-70 f4 and 18-135 f3.5-5.6? But maybe f2.8 to f4?

The 18-135 only goes to 18 and the 17-70 is gone.
Nikon currently has a 18-105 and an optically slightly better, but MUCH better built, 16-85. That said, our 18-135 is even better built than the 16-85, so...

(There's even an 18-140 coming, but that will probably replace the 18-105)

panoguy · 08-30-2013, 08:41 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Maybe they didn't think the market warranted another $1000+ zoom lens for APS-C. Maybe they will rebadge the Tamron 24-70 as a Pentax instead.

And give it a MAP of $1850...

Mareket · 08-30-2013, 08:46 AM

Maybe they're consolidating their best lenses into an HD line? The new Limited zoom isn't listed as HD either, so it may be released simply as an HD lens rather than a DA* lens?

**Rondec** · 08-30-2013, 09:02 AM

Originally posted by Giklab

The 18-135 only goes to 18 and the 17-70 is gone.
Nikon currently has a 18-105 and an optically slightly better, but MUCH better built, 16-85. That said, our 18-135 is even better built than the 16-85, so...

(There's even an 18-140 coming, but that will probably replace the 18-105)

Why do you say the 17-70 is gone?

Doundounba · 08-30-2013, 09:02 AM

I just wish they would release it, with or without a "*". At least the map still says "2013 or later" (and not 2014)...

Fogel70 · 08-30-2013, 09:02 AM

My guess is that DA* will be replace by DA AW (just like on HD DA 560/5.6 AW) and have same specification as DA*.
Using a "star" in a product name in not very smart from a marketing POV, and they already removed it on cameras long ago.

AW (all wather) acronym can also be used on other products than lenses (FI new flashes).

northcoastgreg · 08-30-2013, 09:47 AM

I suspect that Pentax simply was not able to make the lens up to DA* standards at the price point they were aiming at.

Originally posted by Giklab

My guess is that it will be a 3.5-5.6 lens, and as such not 'fit' for the * badge.

I wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be true. Not that it was originally intended as a 3.5 to 5.6 lens; but it could be that giving up on the constant f4 and turning it into a 3.5-5.6 was the only way to keep the costs on the lens down, which Pentax would have to do once they decided it wasn't going to be a DA* lens.

seventysixersfan · 08-30-2013, 10:01 AM

I'm struggling to figure out what would be the point of a 18-85 f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens? Unless it was cheaper and/or much better optically than the 18-135 WR. Or maybe they plan to retire the DA 17-70 and replace it with this model. I'd like to see something like Sony's 16-80 f/3.5-4.5

LFLee · 08-30-2013, 11:29 AM

It is a tough competition for PENTAX...

1. Sigma 18-35 f1.8 zoom will compete in price and speed with the limited zoom (certainly win in size);
2. Without the DA* designation, what is the purpose of the "DA 18-85" zoom intend to fill?

K57XR · 08-30-2013, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by Mareket

Maybe they're consolidating their best lenses into an HD line? The new Limited zoom isn't listed as HD either, so it may be released simply as an HD lens rather than a DA* lens?

I though of the same thing...
Perhaps gradually omitting the "SMC" and "*" designation?

Eulogy · 08-30-2013, 11:43 AM

I think you guys are reading into the 18-85 too much. My guess is they don't want to put an SDM into a lens like that, and are thus changing the badge so they need not. Could be an 18-85 2.8-4.5 WR DC lens for all we know. (My guess is the optical design already exists, they're just working out the kinks)

08-30-2013, 07:34 AM	#1
LFLee Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,292	*Anyone notice the DA lens dissapeared from the new lens roadmap?** The previous roadmap: the new roadmap: See the "DA18-85" now is a DA lens only? Is too bad as this will be a good all round DA lens... disclaimer: image linked from photorumor.com

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08-30-2013, 08:00 AM	#2
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	My guess is that it will be a 3.5-5.6 lens, and as such not 'fit' for the * badge.

08-30-2013, 08:09 AM	#3
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,666	Originally posted by Giklab My guess is that it will be a 3.5-5.6 lens, and as such not 'fit' for the * badge. I think it will be faster than that. Would be the point of a 3.5 to 5.6 lens if they already have a 17-70 f4 and 18-135 f3.5-5.6? But maybe f2.8 to f4?

08-30-2013, 08:28 AM	#4
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Roadmap may vary in response to market situation. Maybe they didn't think the market warranted another $1000+ zoom lens for APS-C. Maybe they will rebadge the Tamron 24-70 as a Pentax instead. Last edited by boriscleto; 08-30-2013 at 08:36 AM.*

08-30-2013, 08:40 AM	#5
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	Originally posted by Rondec I think it will be faster than that. Would be the point of a 3.5 to 5.6 lens if they already have a 17-70 f4 and 18-135 f3.5-5.6? But maybe f2.8 to f4? The 18-135 only goes to 18 and the 17-70 is gone. Nikon currently has a 18-105 and an optically slightly better, but MUCH better built, 16-85. That said, our 18-135 is even better built than the 16-85, so... (There's even an 18-140 coming, but that will probably replace the 18-105)

08-30-2013, 08:41 AM	#6
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by boriscleto Maybe they didn't think the market warranted another $1000+ zoom lens for APS-C. Maybe they will rebadge the Tamron 24-70 as a Pentax instead. And give it a MAP of $1850...

08-30-2013, 08:46 AM	#7
Mareket Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chester Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 719	Maybe they're consolidating their best lenses into an HD line? The new Limited zoom isn't listed as HD either, so it may be released simply as an HD lens rather than a DA* lens?

08-30-2013, 09:02 AM	#8
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,666	Originally posted by Giklab The 18-135 only goes to 18 and the 17-70 is gone. Nikon currently has a 18-105 and an optically slightly better, but MUCH better built, 16-85. That said, our 18-135 is even better built than the 16-85, so... (There's even an 18-140 coming, but that will probably replace the 18-105) Why do you say the 17-70 is gone?

08-30-2013, 09:02 AM	#9
Doundounba Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montréal QC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,351	I just wish they would release it, with or without a "*". At least the map still says "2013 or later" (and not 2014)...

08-30-2013, 09:02 AM	#10
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	My guess is that DA* will be replace by DA AW (just like on HD DA 560/5.6 AW) and have same specification as DA*. Using a "star" in a product name in not very smart from a marketing POV, and they already removed it on cameras long ago. AW (all wather) acronym can also be used on other products than lenses (FI new flashes).

08-30-2013, 09:47 AM	#11
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,176	I suspect that Pentax simply was not able to make the lens up to DA* standards at the price point they were aiming at. Originally posted by Giklab My guess is that it will be a 3.5-5.6 lens, and as such not 'fit' for the * badge. I wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be true. Not that it was originally intended as a 3.5 to 5.6 lens; but it could be that giving up on the constant f4 and turning it into a 3.5-5.6 was the only way to keep the costs on the lens down, which Pentax would have to do once they decided it wasn't going to be a DA* lens.

08-30-2013, 10:01 AM	#12
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	I'm struggling to figure out what would be the point of a 18-85 f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens? Unless it was cheaper and/or much better optically than the 18-135 WR. Or maybe they plan to retire the DA 17-70 and replace it with this model. I'd like to see something like Sony's 16-80 f/3.5-4.5

08-30-2013, 11:29 AM	#13
LFLee Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,292 Original Poster	It is a tough competition for PENTAX... 1. Sigma 18-35 f1.8 zoom will compete in price and speed with the limited zoom (certainly win in size); 2. Without the DA* designation, what is the purpose of the "DA 18-85" zoom intend to fill?

08-30-2013, 11:35 AM	#14
K57XR Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 830	Originally posted by Mareket Maybe they're consolidating their best lenses into an HD line? The new Limited zoom isn't listed as HD either, so it may be released simply as an HD lens rather than a DA* lens? I though of the same thing... Perhaps gradually omitting the "SMC" and "*" designation?

08-30-2013, 11:43 AM	#15
Eulogy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	I think you guys are reading into the 18-85 too much. My guess is they don't want to put an SDM into a lens like that, and are thus changing the badge so they need not. Could be an 18-85 2.8-4.5 WR DC lens for all we know. (My guess is the optical design already exists, they're just working out the kinks)

Anyone notice the DA* lens dissapeared from the new lens roadmap?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!