HD lens coating -- bad name?

fredralphfred · 10-09-2017, 12:00 AM

Who else thinks Pentax should have called their new lens coating "sdmc" instead of "HD"?

Adam · 10-09-2017, 12:18 AM

Originally posted by fredralphfred

Who else thinks Pentax should have called their new lens coating "sdmc" instead of "HD"?

HD sounds way better IMO- plus it makes it clear that it's the new and improved coating. Everyone knows that acronym these days

LaHo · 10-09-2017, 12:22 AM

ED, LD, AL, IF, RF, APO, ASL, MC, SMC, DX, FX, EX, DA, DA L, FA, OS, HSM, SDM, DC, SP, VC, WR, AW ... lens makers have always been apt to use a lot of abbreviations on their lenses and add new ones. I think it was a mistake to drop SMC - they could just have added HD to SMC: "HD SMC Pentax ...". For me "smc" and "Pentax" have always belonged together.

SpecialK · 10-09-2017, 12:28 AM - **1 Like**

HD is short and explanatory. Yay.

D1N0 · 10-09-2017, 01:07 AM - **2 Likes**

They should have called it FRED coating. Everybody likes FRED. I can even think of a meaning. Freakin' Real Extreme Definition coating.

victormeldrew · 10-09-2017, 01:33 AM

Personally, if I were Pentax, I wouldn't call it anything. Once an improved coating was developed, I would drop the old inferior one and routinely apply the new one. It would just be 'the coating we use'.

OoKU · 10-09-2017, 02:07 AM

T* more cool.

LensBeginner · 10-09-2017, 03:20 AM

Originally posted by fredralphfred

Who else thinks Pentax should have called their new lens coating "sdmc" instead of "HD"?

"Standard Definition Multi Coating"?

**Digitalis** · 10-09-2017, 03:23 AM

Originally posted by OoKU

T* more cool.

But more annoying when you have to do research with search engines as "*" is seen as a wildcard.

Which is why I suppose the *ist camera name was widely held to be one of the bigger naming bloopers in camera history.

fredralphfred · 10-09-2017, 03:36 AM

Originally posted by Adam

HD sounds way better IMO- plus it makes it clear that it's the new and improved coating. Everyone knows that acronym these days

But much less amusing.

---------- Post added 10-09-17 at 05:36 AM ----------

Originally posted by LensBeginner

"Standard Definition Multi Coating"?

I still like "super-duper multi-coating" better.

D1N0 · 10-09-2017, 03:41 AM

silly definition mouldy coating

fredralphfred · 10-09-2017, 03:43 AM

Originally posted by D1N0

They should have called it FRED coating. Everybody likes FRED. I can even think of a meaning. Freakin' Real Extreme Definition coating.

I could actually go for that. Naming things after Fred amuses me, like this: Fred Paris. They actually take that seriously. I'm not sure if they realize how funny that sounds.

---------- Post added 10-09-17 at 05:44 AM ----------

Originally posted by D1N0

silly definition mouldy coating

Well, it does seem that some old lenses suffer from that. Especially if they've spent time near the equator.

---------- Post added 10-09-17 at 05:45 AM ----------

Originally posted by Digitalis

But more annoying when you have to do research with search engines as "*" is seen as a wildcard.

Which is why I suppose the *ist camera name was widely held to be one of the bigger naming bloopers in camera history.

I always thought that name was just plain strange. But when I think about naming premium lenses with *, it makes a certain sort of sense.

Na Horuk · 10-09-2017, 04:53 AM - **1 Like**

When HD was announced we did have some discussion about it. A lot of people didn't like it. SMC had tradition, was well known, and it was unique to Pentax. HD is just a gimmick you see on every camera, phone, monitor, television, anything. To me it felt like Pentax gave up something that was recognizable and valued for something that is a gimmick of modern times and can be found on way too many products, something that lost its meaning long ago when those "HD" television sets started coming out
But its been a while and we got used to it.. though, I agree, that a better term would make more sense. Even SMC2 sounds better than HD in my ears

Originally posted by fredralphfred

I always thought that name was just plain strange. But when I think about naming premium lenses with *, it makes a certain sort of sense.

I've seen the * symbol in a couple Asian products that get marketed in Europe. I think the Asians might not know that the * is not really a letter and we don't really use it, except for very special cases like in search engines. To them its a cool sign in our alphabet, so they like to toss it in there. Lost in translation

**Digitalis** · 10-09-2017, 04:57 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Even SMC2 sounds better than HD in my ears

I agree, SMC II would have meant they had considered the original coatings with a critical eye and improved on the faults that were there. HD just sounds like they just wanted to ride the hype train and add another double lettered acronym to the name...I mean what is next 4K coatings? sweet jesus, even Fuji has enough trouble cramming 14 layers on each lens surface. Is it a lens or a bonded asperic? with 4K coatings on it, nobody can tell!

Fogel70 · 10-09-2017, 05:36 AM

Don't forget that they also have Aero Bright and SP coatings.
So maybe it's time to add them all together in an SPABHD coating, or Super Protect Aero Bright High Density coating.

10-09-2017, 12:00 AM	#1
fredralphfred Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orting, WA Posts: 252	HD lens coating -- bad name? Who else thinks Pentax should have called their new lens coating "sdmc" instead of "HD"?

10-09-2017, 12:18 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by fredralphfred Who else thinks Pentax should have called their new lens coating "sdmc" instead of "HD"? HD sounds way better IMO- plus it makes it clear that it's the new and improved coating. Everyone knows that acronym these days 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:

10-09-2017, 03:36 AM	#10
fredralphfred Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orting, WA Posts: 252 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam HD sounds way better IMO- plus it makes it clear that it's the new and improved coating. Everyone knows that acronym these days But much less amusing. ---------- Post added 10-09-17 at 05:36 AM ---------- Originally posted by LensBeginner "Standard Definition Multi Coating"? I still like "super-duper multi-coating" better. Last edited by fredralphfred; 10-09-2017 at 03:39 AM. Reason: Forgot Mrs. Dash. And apparently I can't spell smileys.

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10-09-2017, 12:22 AM	#3
LaHo Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Greater Copenhagen Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 430	ED, LD, AL, IF, RF, APO, ASL, MC, SMC, DX, FX, EX, DA, DA L, FA, OS, HSM, SDM, DC, SP, VC, WR, AW ... lens makers have always been apt to use a lot of abbreviations on their lenses and add new ones. I think it was a mistake to drop SMC - they could just have added HD to SMC: "HD SMC Pentax ...". For me "smc" and "Pentax" have always belonged together.

10-09-2017, 12:28 AM - 1 Like	#4
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	HD is short and explanatory. Yay.

10-09-2017, 01:07 AM - 2 Likes	#5
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	They should have called it FRED coating. Everybody likes FRED. I can even think of a meaning. Freakin' Real Extreme Definition coating.

10-09-2017, 01:33 AM	#6
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	Personally, if I were Pentax, I wouldn't call it anything. Once an improved coating was developed, I would drop the old inferior one and routinely apply the new one. It would just be 'the coating we use'.

10-09-2017, 02:07 AM	#7
OoKU Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 740	T* more cool.

10-09-2017, 03:20 AM	#8
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by fredralphfred Who else thinks Pentax should have called their new lens coating "sdmc" instead of "HD"? "Standard Definition Multi Coating"?

10-09-2017, 03:23 AM	#9
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by OoKU T* more cool. But more annoying when you have to do research with search engines as "" is seen as a wildcard. Which is why I suppose the ist camera name was widely held to be one of the bigger naming bloopers in camera history.

10-09-2017, 03:41 AM	#11
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	silly definition mouldy coating

10-09-2017, 03:43 AM	#12
fredralphfred Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orting, WA Posts: 252 Original Poster	Originally posted by D1N0 They should have called it FRED coating. Everybody likes FRED. I can even think of a meaning. Freakin' Real Extreme Definition coating. I could actually go for that. Naming things after Fred amuses me, like this: Fred Paris. They actually take that seriously. I'm not sure if they realize how funny that sounds. ---------- Post added 10-09-17 at 05:44 AM ---------- Originally posted by D1N0 silly definition mouldy coating Well, it does seem that some old lenses suffer from that. Especially if they've spent time near the equator. ---------- Post added 10-09-17 at 05:45 AM ---------- Originally posted by Digitalis But more annoying when you have to do research with search engines as "" is seen as a wildcard. Which is why I suppose the ist camera name was widely held to be one of the bigger naming bloopers in camera history. I always thought that name was just plain strange. But when I think about naming premium lenses with *, it makes a certain sort of sense.

10-09-2017, 04:53 AM - 1 Like	#13
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	When HD was announced we did have some discussion about it. A lot of people didn't like it. SMC had tradition, was well known, and it was unique to Pentax. HD is just a gimmick you see on every camera, phone, monitor, television, anything. To me it felt like Pentax gave up something that was recognizable and valued for something that is a gimmick of modern times and can be found on way too many products, something that lost its meaning long ago when those "HD" television sets started coming out But its been a while and we got used to it.. though, I agree, that a better term would make more sense. Even SMC2 sounds better than HD in my ears Originally posted by fredralphfred I always thought that name was just plain strange. But when I think about naming premium lenses with , it makes a certain sort of sense. I've seen the symbol in a couple Asian products that get marketed in Europe. I think the Asians might not know that the * is not really a letter and we don't really use it, except for very special cases like in search engines. To them its a cool sign in our alphabet, so they like to toss it in there. Lost in translation

10-09-2017, 04:57 AM	#14
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Na Horuk Even SMC2 sounds better than HD in my ears I agree, SMC II would have meant they had considered the original coatings with a critical eye and improved on the faults that were there. HD just sounds like they just wanted to ride the hype train and add another double lettered acronym to the name...I mean what is next 4K coatings? sweet jesus, even Fuji has enough trouble cramming 14 layers on each lens surface. Is it a lens or a bonded asperic? with 4K coatings on it, nobody can tell!

10-09-2017, 05:36 AM	#15
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	Don't forget that they also have Aero Bright and SP coatings. So maybe it's time to add them all together in an SPABHD coating, or Super Protect Aero Bright High Density coating.