Originally posted by bwDraco If they're going down this route, the old FA 50mm f/1.4 ought to be refreshed as well. The D FA* 50mm is too expensive and too large/heavy for many, and a cheaper alternative would be a good idea. The optical performance of that lens is very good overall, though certainly not at the level the new 50 delivers. Doing the same they did here—updating the coatings and modernizing the exterior design, while keeping the lens mechanically and optically identical otherwise, down to the screwdrive AF, should be enough to get them to sell more of the classic 50 without cannibalizing sales of their new pro-grade prime lens.
Draco
I think this could happen when the warehouses run out of the FA50.
I agree with Monochrome, I think that's how this FA35 with new coatings has come about.
They ran out, it was agreed a new production run would go ahead, but with different coatings.
Very similar to the K-1. Looks like the K-1 is no longer made, they're all K-1 II (with coprocessor added in).