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**csa** · 10-02-2014, 07:15 AM

What is the difference between the DA/DAL lenses? This would apply to a K50.

Thanks in advance!

Carol

**boriscleto** · 10-02-2014, 07:21 AM

DA L lenses have a plastic mount, don't have quick shift, don't have a printed distance scale, and don't come with a hood.

Optically they are the same as the DA version.

**csa** · 10-02-2014, 07:22 AM

Thanks so much for your reply! That is certainly good to know.

**csa** · 10-02-2014, 10:18 AM

Should I be hesitant to buy the DA L lens, any problems with the plastic mount?

**boriscleto** · 10-02-2014, 10:22 AM

I have used DA L lenses since 2009 without any problems. There were far more reports of SDM failure over the years than mount failures on plastic mount lenses (that would include FA J lenses and the DA 35 & 50).

**csa** · 10-02-2014, 10:34 AM

Again, thanks for your quick reply; you've been a great help to this Pentax newcomer!

Tanzer · 10-02-2014, 10:40 AM

With metal lens mounts, you will find that the body flange will show wear over time. So I think the plastic mounts actually are an advantage in some respects.

Then again, some say we are expected to change our bodies every few years, and lenses are the longer-term investment.

So, maybe we should go back to plastic camera mounts, like on the MZ-30.

The question is, would anyone buy a modern DSLR with a plastic mount? As a feature, it helps protect your lenses!

Total threadjack!

stevebrot · 10-02-2014, 11:38 AM

Originally posted by csa

Should I be hesitant to buy the DA L lens, any problems with the plastic mount?

The DA L lenses are only sold new bundled with Pentax cameras and not sold separately. DA L lenses sold on the marketplace here as well as on eBay and elsewhere are always pre-owned or gray market. As a result, warranty may be invalid. I would also add that the hoods (highly recommended) are not particularly inexpensive.

As for the plastic mount...I prefer metal, but truth be told, any impact that would be severe enough to damage the lens mount will likely destroy the lens body as well. Long term (years, not months) wear from abrasion is possible, but in all likelihood you probably will have moved on to nicer glass by then.

Steve

**boriscleto** · 10-02-2014, 11:51 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I would also add that the hoods (highly recommended) are not particularly inexpensive.

Unless you buy the Chinese knockoffs from eBay. In which case you can buy all three hoods for less than Pentax charges for one.

stevebrot · 10-02-2014, 12:36 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Unless you buy the Chinese knockoffs from eBay. In which case you can buy all three hoods for less than Pentax charges for one.

Pentax hoods are $24, $24, and $50 USD to fit the three DA L lenses. I have not used the Chinese hoods from eBay. How is the fit?

Steve

**boriscleto** · 10-02-2014, 01:02 PM

I've been using the Chinese hood for the 18-55 & 55-300 since 2010. They fit just fine, the plastic might be a little thinner than the Pentax hood but it get the job done. I bought the hood for the 18-55 WR from a seller in Brooklyn for $15. Don't know if it is genuine or counterfeit. (I bought my WR used from KEH without hood or caps)

10-02-2014, 07:15 AM	#1
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Difference in DA and DAL lenses What is the difference between the DA/DAL lenses? This would apply to a K50. Thanks in advance! Carol

10-02-2014, 11:38 AM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by csa Should I be hesitant to buy the DA L lens, any problems with the plastic mount? The DA L lenses are only sold new bundled with Pentax cameras and not sold separately. DA L lenses sold on the marketplace here as well as on eBay and elsewhere are always pre-owned or gray market. As a result, warranty may be invalid. I would also add that the hoods (highly recommended) are not particularly inexpensive. As for the plastic mount...I prefer metal, but truth be told, any impact that would be severe enough to damage the lens mount will likely destroy the lens body as well. Long term (years, not months) wear from abrasion is possible, but in all likelihood you probably will have moved on to nicer glass by then. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 10-02-2014 at 11:45 AM.

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10-02-2014, 07:21 AM	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	DA L lenses have a plastic mount, don't have quick shift, don't have a printed distance scale, and don't come with a hood. Optically they are the same as the DA version.

10-02-2014, 07:22 AM	#3
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Thanks so much for your reply! That is certainly good to know.

10-02-2014, 10:18 AM	#4
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Should I be hesitant to buy the DA L lens, any problems with the plastic mount?

10-02-2014, 10:22 AM	#5
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	I have used DA L lenses since 2009 without any problems. There were far more reports of SDM failure over the years than mount failures on plastic mount lenses (that would include FA J lenses and the DA 35 & 50).

10-02-2014, 10:34 AM	#6
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Again, thanks for your quick reply; you've been a great help to this Pentax newcomer!

10-02-2014, 10:40 AM	#7
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	With metal lens mounts, you will find that the body flange will show wear over time. So I think the plastic mounts actually are an advantage in some respects. Then again, some say we are expected to change our bodies every few years, and lenses are the longer-term investment. So, maybe we should go back to plastic camera mounts, like on the MZ-30. The question is, would anyone buy a modern DSLR with a plastic mount? As a feature, it helps protect your lenses! Total threadjack!

10-02-2014, 11:51 AM	#9
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Originally posted by stevebrot I would also add that the hoods (highly recommended) are not particularly inexpensive. Unless you buy the Chinese knockoffs from eBay. In which case you can buy all three hoods for less than Pentax charges for one.

10-02-2014, 12:36 PM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by boriscleto Unless you buy the Chinese knockoffs from eBay. In which case you can buy all three hoods for less than Pentax charges for one. Pentax hoods are $24, $24, and $50 USD to fit the three DA L lenses. I have not used the Chinese hoods from eBay. How is the fit? Steve

10-02-2014, 01:02 PM	#11
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	I've been using the Chinese hood for the 18-55 & 55-300 since 2010. They fit just fine, the plastic might be a little thinner than the Pentax hood but it get the job done. I bought the hood for the 18-55 WR from a seller in Brooklyn for $15. Don't know if it is genuine or counterfeit. (I bought my WR used from KEH without hood or caps)

Difference in DA and DAL lenses

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