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11-19-2019, 03:12 PM - 2 Likes   #16
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QuoteOriginally posted by luftfluss Quote
Canon's newest 400/2.8L is less than half the weight of the old Pentax A* 400/2.8. If Pentax were to go for a long, exotic lens, it might actually make more sense to offer a 400/2.8 than 400/4, so there's greater differentiation from the DFA 150-450 and DA 560/5.6.
Canon currently produces four 400mm lenses, of which the equal fastest (and lighter of the two f2.8 lenses) costs $12,000US. Given the smaller scale of Pentax, an equivalent for them would probably cost significantly more, even assuming they could find enough buyers to justify it.

Using the DA560/5.6 as a base design, Ricoh could possibly produce a 400/4 from it without too much development cost. The Canon 400/4 uses diffractive optics (presumably to keep the weight down) and costs $6,900, so a Pentax 400/4 could probably be competitive price-wise, given that the 560/5.6 is priced about the same.

11-19-2019, 03:23 PM - 2 Likes   #17
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QuoteOriginally posted by MikeyBugs95 Quote
Actually, I think if Ricoh wanted to really make a splash, they should try to make a 500mm f2.8. (...)
Something like SigZilla, you mean?

11-19-2019, 03:30 PM - 1 Like   #18
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QuoteOriginally posted by RobA_Oz Quote
Canon currently produces four 400mm lenses, of which the equal fastest (and lighter of the two f2.8 lenses) costs $12,000US. Given the smaller scale of Pentax, an equivalent for them would probably cost significantly more, even assuming they could find enough buyers to justify it.

Using the DA560/5.6 as a base design, Ricoh could possibly produce a 400/4 from it without too much development cost. The Canon 400/4 uses diffractive optics (presumably to keep the weight down) and costs $6,900, so a Pentax 400/4 could probably be competitive price-wise, given that the 560/5.6 is priced about the same.
The idea of a 400/4 based off the 560/5.6 is interesting. OTOH, a 400/4 plus a 1.4x TC puts us back at 560/5.6 again, and that is not terribly exciting. A 400/2.8 would be an incredible halo product for Pentax, particularly if the new APS-C has boffo AF performance, as has been speculated.

But while it's fun to toss ideas around, I think that long tele is not a market Pentax really needs to address. They have so much to do, and such limited resources.
11-19-2019, 03:33 PM - 4 Likes   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by Mistral75 Quote
Something like SigZilla, you mean?
Damn, that's like a Shih Tzu mating with a St. Bernard.

11-19-2019, 03:39 PM   #20
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I can’t see it in the foreseeable future...

And I’d frankly be annoyed if it came out before the 85mm f1.4 or the 70-200 f4...

None of that detracts from how cool it would be, though...

-Eric
11-19-2019, 03:57 PM   #21
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I visited my family doctor last week and was reading an article in Sports Illustrated about the 2019 NCAA basketball title game. In one photo there is a line of 8 still photographers standing check and jowl on the floor besides an official video camera operator. The guy operating the video camera is probably the only one who isn't freelancing (he isn't wearing the same mustard coloured dickie as the others), the other 8 are in a vicious competition to get the best shots to an agency first, in order to get paid. The spacing on a soccer pitch or North American football field might be a bit roomier, but I still don't see the practicality of an f2.8 400mm lens in any brand for big money sports. If your equipment isn't supplied by a major camera manufacturer, spend your own money on a camera with stellar AF and a high frame rate.
11-19-2019, 04:05 PM - 1 Like   #22
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If Pentax were ever to go after the sports/birders community, then first up would have to be the birders classic: 500mm f4, which get's you to 700mm f5.6 with a 1.4TC, and weighs about 3kg.
But lenses like that are totally out of the question, especially given the fact that Pentax needs 5+ years to get a fast 85mm prime out (assuming that lens will in fact come).
You have to go Sony style to lure the sports/wildlife shooters away from Canon and Nikon. I think the best of Ricoh style is more likely the GRIII crowd. In fact, in todays situation, a lens like the DA560 would never make it past the drawing board.

11-19-2019, 04:10 PM - 2 Likes   #23
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Moved to lens discussion forum, as this is neither news nor rumour
11-19-2019, 04:13 PM   #24
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At the rate things are, just cannot see any such thing happening (be it 400 f2.8 or 400 f4).

Given that currently, longest reach is the 150-450, perhaps better to go for a lens that can reach 550-600 (f6.3?)
(Something like a DFA 200-600?)

But difficult to imagine how might the sales be like.
(As in, how many pentax users be keen to buy).

While i understand Ricoh isnt into marketing (and brick n mortar presence very minimal to nil), perhaps Ricoh could boost "keeping relations" better with current users?

And gather feedback etc via reaching out to users via emails and etc?
(And get a sensing, even if only with 60% accuracy, lenses which users are looking at)

Anyway, the ones currently in pipeline are the DFA 85 f1.4, and supposedly a 70-200 f4.

So .... Guess the 150-450 will remain the longest reach DFA lens for quite some time still.
11-19-2019, 04:34 PM - 4 Likes   #25
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I remember when we all started to see the first inages of the DA560, and when I saw the pictures, it kind of looked collapsible in design, I was kind of hoping it was a 400/f4 when collasped and a 560/f5.6 when extended. That would have been something special. Maybe, they could make a FF version that did either that, so you have two lenses in one, or a 400/f4, with a built in 1.4x converter, similar to the Canon lenses.

OR.....Pentax could do something designed similarly to the Apo-Telyt-R Module System? Make the Big front element and differnt modules for different lenses lengths, Make a base model 300/f2.8, and have the option of going to a 400/f4 or 560/f5.6 by buying the extra modules,

11-19-2019, 04:57 PM   #26
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QuoteOriginally posted by loyalt Quote
Being a loyal Pentax professional photographer, I would like to put in a plug for a good 400mm f2.8 lens for sports action photography. I love the Pentax lenses that I have and would like to be able to add this to my arsenal. (at least begin saving for it. )
It's a lovely fantasy, but just that, I fear. Pentax isn't really aimed at that specialist market. A refresh of the DA*300/4 with newer, faster AF motor would make more sense, I think, keeping the cost within reach for the majority, whilst a high-res APS-C sensor body with good higher ISO performance would allow for both generous cropping and lower-light use in most hobbyist / serious amateur applications...

Last edited by BigMackCam; 11-19-2019 at 05:15 PM.
11-19-2019, 05:12 PM - 2 Likes   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by loyalt Quote
Being a loyal Pentax professional photographer, I would like to put in a plug for a good 400mm f2.8 lens for sports action photography. I love the Pentax lenses that I have and would like to be able to add this to my arsenal. (at least begin saving for it. )
Not a chance Sir. In the last century when Pentax sold gazillions of lenses they only ever made one 400mm f2.8.

A specialised lens like that will cost a fortune to make and find the market for it severely lacking. You say you want to add it to your arsenal....how much would you pay for it ?

If you want a 400 2.8 in K mount then search out a A series lens. If you are lucky you could pick one up for $3000
11-19-2019, 06:21 PM - 2 Likes   #28
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Tbh I'd much rather see a 400/5.6 for about $1500 than a 400/2.8 for $12000.
11-20-2019, 02:32 AM - 2 Likes   #29
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A DFA* 400/2.8 would be a dream lens and it will remain as such (most probably). Pentax would make that lens only if it had a large proffesional photographers base. That isn't going to happen soon (although soon is not a word for the Pentax world anyway) so it doesn't matter what some os uf may want...

It's one of these cases where someone will tell you there are already 3 other brands with such lenses. If it is important for you don't waste your time waiting! If you have the money to buy a 12000 lens then even if Pentax makes the unexpected move and develop-release such a lens to attract attention and serious photographers (I mean not hobbists) you won't have any trouble coming back and buy the Pentax lens too! And in the meantime you will have the joy of using a gem of a lens!
11-20-2019, 03:37 AM   #30
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QuoteOriginally posted by loyalt Quote
I would like to put in a plug for a good 400mm f2.8 lens for sports action photography.
I love the Pentax lenses that I have and would like to be able to add this to my arsenal.
There are wishes for a 400mm f4.0, which probably wouldn't be fulfilled in the next years.
DA* 400mm F4 coming! - PentaxForums.com
Pentax - Thoughts on making a DA*/DFA 400mm F4? - PentaxForums.com

So a 400/2.8 would be double the price of the DA560 and only generate 1/4 of buyers. Doesn't seem realistic to develop such formula for Pentax.

You could use a FA* 300 2.8 with the future FF TC.
Sigma 500mm 4.5 vs. FA* 300mm 2.8 with 1.5x TC - PentaxForums.com
FF TC - full frame teleconverter - PentaxForums.com
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