[ronniemac]

There are two current Pentax full frame 50mm F1.4 lenses available to us. The 220g version was launched in 1991, the 955g version was launched in 2018. In their own way both are lovely lenses which are capable or taking excellent or outstanding photographs depending on which one is attached to the camera. Guess that backs up the article's findings.

On the other hand, if travelling light is top priority, the 2012 DA 50mm F1.8 is a mere at 122g, and still a very good lens.

[WPRESTO]

On the other hand, if travelling light is top priority, the 2012 DA 50mm F1.8 is a mere at 122g, and still a very good lens.

Or the 40mm f2.8 @ 90g, so long as you don't need a wider aperture.

[tvdtvdtvd]

And this surprises who? I've been bellyaching for few years now about the ultra-fast, uber-corrected lens arms races that's been
happening among lens manufactures. Sure, it's fine as an option but how many people REALLY need a 20/1.4? Sadly these
behemoths have become the norm as reviews and raves are based in large part on numbers that look good on a chart.

It's nice, though ironic, to finally see press coverage acknowledging this 'issue'. I anticipate additional articles to come as more
and more journalists 'discover' this trend, (seriously, how was it not obvious even as it was occurring?), and perhaps even a few
pining for those glory days of smartly designed lenses which actually fit into your pocket and didn't require a wheeled bag to
transport.

Yes indeed we as Pentaxians can be content with our Limiteds, though it's important to note that no new Limited has been released
for some years. I do cling to the hope that compactness is still a bullet item somewhere in the design requirements for Pentax gear.

[Paul the Sunman]

Yes indeed we as Pentaxians can be content with our Limiteds, though it's important to note that no new Limited has been released
for some years. I do cling to the hope that compactness is still a bullet item somewhere in the design requirements for Pentax gear.

Limiteds Need Love!

[UncleVanya]

And this surprises who? I've been bellyaching for few years now about the ultra-fast, uber-corrected lens arms races that's been
happening among lens manufactures. Sure, it's fine as an option but how many people REALLY need a 20/1.4? Sadly these
behemoths have become the norm as reviews and raves are based in large part on numbers that look good on a chart.

It's nice, though ironic, to finally see press coverage acknowledging this 'issue'. I anticipate additional articles to come as more
and more journalists 'discover' this trend, (seriously, how was it not obvious even as it was occurring?), and perhaps even a few
pining for those glory days of smartly designed lenses which actually fit into your pocket and didn't require a wheeled bag to
transport.

Yes indeed we as Pentaxians can be content with our Limiteds, though it's important to note that no new Limited has been released
for some years. I do cling to the hope that compactness is still a bullet item somewhere in the design requirements for Pentax gear.

Me!

I was actually shocked that Canon, Pentax and Nikon have not really increased their lens sizes over this period. The real creep in size has been Sigma and Sony and m43. That was actually quite a shock. I realize the m43 telephoto options have gotten rather bloated but hadn'r really thought about it this fully.

The fact that Nikon, Pentax and Canon were essentially neutral was a shock.

[Paul the Sunman]

The fact that Nikon, Pentax and Canon were essentially neutral was a shock.

Is it credible? Look at the DFA 24-70, 15-30, 70-200, 150-450, 50. They are surely much heavier than their predecessors. Or were these not included?

[UncleVanya]

Is it credible? Look at the DFA 24-85, 15-30, 70-200, 150-450, 50. They are surely much heavier than their predecessors. Or were these not included?

Honestly I didn't look at the raw data yet. I was assuming that if they were included it was lost in the number of lenses that didn't change. I totally agree with your perception and wonder if we need to look into the data farther.

[Paul the Sunman]

I just looked at his database. They're all included, even the most recent DFA* 50 f/1.4.

[niels hansen]

There is much talking about improvements, but are the so called improvements always improvements? An ultrafast lens with heavy vignetting and focus shift -RCA - is a lens with strong restrictions in use. If I want vignetting I go to Photoshop, it is not always that focus shift is compensated by DOF, and the result is lacking focus control and that ain't no good
I have the Sigma 70mm 2,8 macro which IMO is better than the the other faster and more expensive Sigmas.
By the way it's not my problem- money moneymoney

[Rondec]

Is it credible? Look at the DFA 24-70, 15-30, 70-200, 150-450, 50. They are surely much heavier than their predecessors. Or were these not included?

The thing is that there weren't predecessors for the 150-450, 24-70, and 15-30 and the most recent 80-200 f2.8 Pentax manufactured was discontinued quite a while ago. Still, most of Pentax's lenses, not just the limiteds, fall into the category of decent sized -- zooms like the 18-135, 28-105, and 18-50 are all relatively small and light. Most of their primes are quite small, the notable exception being the DFA *50.

Honestly, I hope that Pentax continues to give us options -- smaller and lightweight lenses like the limiteds and non * lenses combined the * lenses that may be heavy and large, but are top of the line. It will be up to each Pentaxian to choose which is needed for a given situation.

[reh321]

Is it credible? Look at the DFA 24-70, 15-30, 70-200, 150-450, 50. They are surely much heavier than their predecessors. Or were these not included?

On the other hand, the PLM 55-300mm lens is 8g lighter than its predecessor. It is quiet and quick {can you tell I really like it?}

[LensBeginner]

Regarding ML, this can be explained because before there was essentially m43, Fuji APS-C and Sony APS-C, and no FF ML.
Now there's the Sony Alpha FF bunch.

[UncleVanya]

Regarding ML, this can be explained because before there was essentially m43, Fuji APS-C and Sony APS-C, and no FF ML.
Now there's the Sony Alpha FF bunch.

The article talked about m43 lenses bloating and Sony bloating as separate topics. There have been done massive m43 lenses introduced. Many rival the size of Pentax APSC lenses.

[Rondec]

The article talked about m43 lenses bloating and Sony bloating as separate topics. There have been done massive m43 lenses introduced. Many rival the size of Pentax APSC lenses.

I think the big thing is that the smaller the sensor, the more it puts pressure on the lenses to be sharp wide open. 20 megapixels on a micro four thirds sensor just really does require some well engineered lenses and that means bigger ones.

That said, there are plenty of smaller lenses that are probably stopped down a bit that will make for a nice package.

[Fogel70]

The last couple of years it seems like the trend is long heavy lenses are getting lighter, and short light lenses are getting heavier.

Latest Canon super teles have lost a lot of weight in the latest version.
600/4 IS from 3920g to 3050g.
400/2.8 IS from 3850g to 2820g

50/1.2 from 580g to 950g