Originally posted by Winder So you are saying that the difference is worth it?
Most companies don't advertise the coating changes. When has Canon announced updated coatings?
"Carl Zeiss T* multi-layer coating. Behind it, however, there is no specific formula for building up the layers. Instead, it is a technology that is constantly adjusted to suit new glass materials and requirements, which varies from lens to lens" Zeiss just keeps improving coatings and never says a word about it.
I get the impression the Pentax is just using HD for marketing hype.
The tests in general show some improvement with HD coating compared to previous SMC coating. A little more contrast, a little less flare.
That's subtle. But it is really here. It may not be worse to upgrade (I wouldn't) or even to pay more for the better HD coating but still, it is here.
Pentax/Ricoh decided to release a new coating and name it HD. They also decided to release new version of their lenses with the new coating and also new rounded apperture blade and in some case even WR support (like for latest 55-300 version).
Of course there marketing behind it but they could have simply kept the old coating on existing lenses and keep the old apperture blades. Except maybe for DA15, this is a great improvement.
As for what other makers do, that not clear in the end. Car Zeiss say "we improve continously" but that marketing blabla. They could have new coating on all lenses every few years or may haven't changed it since 15 years... Or just use the latest coating on the new lenses and never upgrade it on already release models.
Canon that the same. They don't really speak of it, so you have to check.
Really, this isn't a bad move from Pentax.