[Digitalis]

I bet that Adam has nailed it. Anything else would be a big surprise, based on the constant F2.8 and known dimensions of the new lens, and on how the current DA12-24 and similar ultra-wideangle zooms behave.

Indeed a 11-18mm f/2.8 lens that covers full frame would be massive.

[angerdan]

There are a good amount of DA lenses that have a full-frame image circle even though they are designated as a 'designed for crop-sensor' lens.
What do you think the chances are that the soon to be released DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 will also throw a full-frame image circle?

Only three DA lenses are officially FF compatible. All of them are primes.
The DA* 60-250 need an modification.
THe DA 12-24mm works without vignetting from 18 to 24mm focal length.

[normhead]

My DA* 55 1.4 just needed a shorter 3rd party lens hood. What Pentax considers FF compatible can be somewhat misleading.

[pschlute]

The DA* 60-250 need an modification.

I have used the 60-250 on the K1 many times and with either slight cropping or a vignette correction in post the lens is for all practical purposes FF compatible without the baffle conversion.

[photoptimist]

I guess this is my point - it's curious to me why Pentax would offer a lens exclusively for APSC when the two formats share the same mount? - especially after they have a digital FF released. Why not make it FF and the APSC shooters can use it too?

It would be cheaper/lighter I guess, but I'd be a bit cheesed if I had a FF and an APSC-exclusive lens was released that utilizes the same mount..!

Well, then you'll also be cheesed with Canon, Nikon, Sony, Leica, Sigma, and Tamron. All the major makers have a line of APS-C lenses that go on APS-C bodies that use an FF-mount.

As others have noted, a lens restricted to an APS-C image circle can be smaller, lighter, and cheaper for a given level of lens performance.

[monochrome]

It would be cheaper/lighter I guess, but I'd be a bit cheesed if I had a FF and an APSC-exclusive lens was released that utilizes the same mount..!

The APSc format equivalent of the FF Holy Trinity ZOOM set, at the * level design and build standard. The 11~18 must be taken in that context, not as a single lens.

DA*11~18/2.8
DA*16~50/2.8
DA*50~135/2.8

I suppose the open question is, what are their plans for APSc, and do those plans* warrant release of a * UWA zoom lens?


* Will they redesign and re-release the 16~50 and 50~135 (Centenary Celebration)? Will they actually release an APSc camera worthy of * zooms? Etc.

[mikesbike]

Well, then you'll also be cheesed with Canon, Nikon, Sony, Leica, Sigma, and Tamron. All the major makers have a line of APS-C lenses that go on APS-C bodies that use an FF-mount.

As others have noted, a lens restricted to an APS-C image circle can be smaller, lighter, and cheaper for a given level of lens performance.

Exactly. The new DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 for APS-C users will be the counterpart of the FF DFA 15-30mm f/2.8 in the FF format. I am very happy with what I get from my DA 12-24mm f/4 but will be taking an interested look at least into the new DA* lens when it arrives. It will have the wider aperture, silent motor, and WR construction. I understand, however, that it is designed with the newer PLM type of AF, which will not work with my K-5 IIs but will work with my K-S2 and KP. So I will not be parting with my DA 12-24mm even should I get the newer lens. From my standpoint, this decision does not make sense- having faster AF, especially for a wide-angle lens. The AF of my DA 18-135mm is plenty fast and accurate!

[Fogel70]

PLM motor will work on any camera that support in lens AF motor. It is not the type of motor that matters.

The restriction is KAF4 mount, which added electronically controlled aperture.

DA* 11-18/2.8 is said to use KAF3 mount, so it should be compatible with all cameras since K10D no matter what type of motor used. Although I doubt that the focusing lens group will be light enough in this lens for the use of PLM motor.

[acoufap]

Exactly. The new DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 for APS-C users will be the counterpart of the FF DFA 15-30mm f/2.8 in the FF format. I am very happy with what I get from my DA 12-24mm f/4 but will be taking an interested look at least into the new DA* lens when it arrives. It will have the wider aperture, silent motor, and WR construction. I understand, however, that it is designed with the newer PLM type of AF, which will not work with my K-5 IIs but will work with my K-S2 and KP. So I will not be parting with my DA 12-24mm even should I get the newer lens. From my standpoint, this decision does not make sense- having faster AF, especially for a wide-angle lens. The AF of my DA 18-135mm is plenty fast and accurate!

PLM is a type of motor. Motor and AF works on a K-5. If a lens uses a KAF4 mount it‘s incompatible with older cameras like a K-5. KAF4 uses a electro-magnetic aperture control that causes this. Such a lens can be used open aperture. DA*11-18 uses a KAF3 mount. It will work on a K-5.

More infos about DA*11-18 you can find here.

[ZombieArmy]

All I know is I will want this lens but know I can't afford it. Depending on the price and performance I might sell off most of my lenses for it.

[Ishpuini]

FWIW, I personally handled a prototype of the DA*11-18/2.8 a few months ago at the Brussels 2018 Imaging Days. OTOH, the fact that, more recently at Photokina, there was no prototype anywhere to be seen nor any information to be had at that time on the lens, may mean that the engineers went back to the drawing board invalidating my observations. So take my contribution with the necessary grain of salt.

But here it is: I wanted to know whether my 77mm filters could be used on the 11-18 (having a >77mm filter thread) without vignetting. Unfortunately, I didn't bring step down rings or filters with me, so I tried to mimic by covering the edge of the lens somewhat equivalently to what I would expect a 77mm filter would, and I can confirm explicitly that the prototype I handled did indeed vignette slightly on all focal lengths, as observed through the viewfinder of my K-3II. I have no images to back this up, since I was asked not to take any and respected this.

Hence, I would have to concur with Adam in saying that there is no way the lens would cover FF. In fact, it would seem it only just covers APS-C. Unless of course the design will change dramatically between that particular prototype and the final production version.

hth, Wim

[mikesbike]

I know PLM is a type of motor. Motor and AF work on a K-5. Whether it is because of the motor, the mount design, whatever, so far a Pentax PLM lens will not AF with my K-5 IIs. The DA 55-300mm PLM will not. I am glad to learn the new DA* 11-18mm will use the KAF3 design and will work fine. It is listed as a DC motor like that of my DA 18-135mm lens. I will patiently await test reviews after the lens is released. I am far from hurting having my DA 12-24mm f/4. The new DA* lens, however, will be a stop better for low light use, and its WR design is a plus. The DA 12-24mm advantage is still in its greater FL range, though the new lens is stated to be a tad wider.

[zapp]

Zero.
You do not announce a compact DA wideangle lens which by chance also covers FF. 11mm is really wide on FF.
11mm cropped is wider than most recent Glas on FF that still allows 100mm filter systems! So use it on FF.