20-40mm Limited is WR and DC! (officially announced)

Adam · 11-06-2013, 03:57 PM

The new 20-40mm Limited Zoom has just been officially announced. Here are the specs:
HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

The price tag is $999 and it will be available in December. Not listed at B&H yet, but I'm sure they'll take care of that by tomorrow.

Adam
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stormtech · 11-06-2013, 04:27 PM

Wow - what a lens! I especially like the fact that it uses the DC motor.

Shows as avaible for pre-order on the Pentax Web Store site:

PentaxWebstore.com:HD PENTAX DA 20-40mm F2.8 - 4 Limited DC WR (Black) HD PENTAX DA 20-40mm F2.8 - 4 Limited DC WR (Black)

Also available in silver:

PentaxWebstore.com:HD PENTAX DA 20-40mm F2.8 - 4 Limited DC WR (Silver) HD PENTAX DA 20-40mm F2.8 - 4 Limited DC WR (Silver)

GaryH · 11-06-2013, 06:03 PM

I think I want one........

Kozlok · 11-06-2013, 06:48 PM

In a world with the Sigma 18-35, does this lens make any sense at all at $1000?

stormtech · 11-06-2013, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by Kozlok

In a world with the Sigma 18-35, does this lens make any sense at all at $1000?

There is already a thread comparing the two lenses:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/241792-sigm...ted-dc-wr.html

lytrytyr · 11-06-2013, 09:11 PM

Originally posted by Adam

The new 20-40mm Limited Zoom has just been officially announced. Here are the specs:
HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

A couple of comments about the spec page.
The AF/SDM logo is misleading, since it's "DC".
Also, it would be good to mention the ED and super-low dispersion elements
(and maybe include the "ED" acronym that is in the official title,
. . . F2.8-4 ED Limited . . .).

sinjin · 11-07-2013, 10:02 AM

From The Online Photographer

Quote:

Years ago, Pentax created a very unusual zoom lens prototype. Called the "Flexi" (said so right on the lens), it was an SMC Pentax-M lens of rather limited spec: 32–39mm.

Thirty-five millimeter lenses were at that time (1978) being increasingly used as normal lenses, but people had varying tastes—some wished it were just a tetch wider, some just a tetch narrower. So the idea was that you could get a Flexi (which, at 63x45mm and 230g, was barely bigger than a normal prime—the famous SMC Pentax-M 50mm ƒ/1.4 was 63x37mm and 235g) and tweak it yourself, to taste.

It was never put into production.

...Until now?!?

enoxatnep · 11-09-2013, 12:33 PM

Well to me, this lens is like a replacement for the FA 20-35 mm f/4 but with the added benefits of the extra 5 mm at the long end, f/2.8 at the wider end, weather sealing, silent focus, and that tank-like quality Limited build. And, as you found sinjin, flexibility for people shooting in the normal range that would otherwise need a collection of several primes to cover the same range. All in all, I think a great niche addition to the Pentax lineup for those who shoot in this range most often.

For people like me, however, the DA* 16-50 fits the bill better; I like the wider end for landscapes and the longer end for semi-portrait situations.

11-06-2013, 03:57 PM	#1
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	20-40mm Limited is WR and DC! (officially announced) The new 20-40mm Limited Zoom has just been officially announced. Here are the specs: HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database The price tag is $999 and it will be available in December. Not listed at B&H yet, but I'm sure they'll take care of that by tomorrow. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

11-07-2013, 10:02 AM	#7
sinjin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 242	It's the Pentax Flexi 'adjustable normal' From The Online Photographer Quote: Years ago, Pentax created a very unusual zoom lens prototype. Called the "Flexi" (said so right on the lens), it was an SMC Pentax-M lens of rather limited spec: 32–39mm. Thirty-five millimeter lenses were at that time (1978) being increasingly used as normal lenses, but people had varying tastes—some wished it were just a tetch wider, some just a tetch narrower. So the idea was that you could get a Flexi (which, at 63x45mm and 230g, was barely bigger than a normal prime—the famous SMC Pentax-M 50mm ƒ/1.4 was 63x37mm and 235g) and tweak it yourself, to taste. It was never put into production. ...Until now?!?

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11-06-2013, 04:27 PM	#2
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Wow - what a lens! I especially like the fact that it uses the DC motor. Shows as avaible for pre-order on the Pentax Web Store site: PentaxWebstore.com:HD PENTAX DA 20-40mm F2.8 - 4 Limited DC WR (Black) HD PENTAX DA 20-40mm F2.8 - 4 Limited DC WR (Black) Also available in silver: PentaxWebstore.com:HD PENTAX DA 20-40mm F2.8 - 4 Limited DC WR (Silver) HD PENTAX DA 20-40mm F2.8 - 4 Limited DC WR (Silver)

11-06-2013, 06:03 PM	#3
GaryH Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Photos: Gallery Posts: 764	I think I want one........

11-06-2013, 06:48 PM	#4
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	In a world with the Sigma 18-35, does this lens make any sense at all at $1000?

11-06-2013, 07:09 PM	#5
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Originally posted by Kozlok In a world with the Sigma 18-35, does this lens make any sense at all at $1000? There is already a thread comparing the two lenses: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/241792-sigm...ted-dc-wr.html

11-06-2013, 09:11 PM	#6
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by Adam The new 20-40mm Limited Zoom has just been officially announced. Here are the specs: HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database A couple of comments about the spec page. The AF/SDM logo is misleading, since it's "DC". Also, it would be good to mention the ED and super-low dispersion elements (and maybe include the "ED" acronym that is in the official title, . . . F2.8-4 ED Limited . . .).

11-09-2013, 12:33 PM	#8
enoxatnep Closed Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The edge of nowhere, Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 467	Well to me, this lens is like a replacement for the FA 20-35 mm f/4 but with the added benefits of the extra 5 mm at the long end, f/2.8 at the wider end, weather sealing, silent focus, and that tank-like quality Limited build. And, as you found sinjin, flexibility for people shooting in the normal range that would otherwise need a collection of several primes to cover the same range. All in all, I think a great niche addition to the Pentax lineup for those who shoot in this range most often. For people like me, however, the DA* 16-50 fits the bill better; I like the wider end for landscapes and the longer end for semi-portrait situations.