DA*60-250 Out of stock?

**jatrax** · 06-22-2020, 09:49 AM

Anyone find it odd that Amazon has not one NEW DA*60-250 for sale? B&H shows it in stock but Adorama says "Special Order, subject to availability". I'm not really looking for one. I just thought it was odd.....

normhead · 06-22-2020, 10:07 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

Anyone find it odd that Amazon has not one NEW DA*60-250 for sale? B&H shows it in stock but Adorama says "Special Order, subject to availability". I'm not really looking for one. I just thought it was odd.....

Camera Canada has some in stock.... but maybe they are just clearing them out.
Camera Canada :: Pentax :: 60-250mm f4 ED (IF) SDM DA Lens

Who knows?
The best possible scenario would be they take out the baffle and re-release it as a full frame lens, and this is just a pause in production.

stevebrot · 06-22-2020, 10:18 AM

COVID-19?

Steve

normhead · 06-22-2020, 10:26 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

COVID-19?

Steve

Ya, that too.

**jatrax** · 06-22-2020, 10:35 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by normhead

The best possible scenario would be they take out the baffle and re-release it as a full frame lens,

^ +1 on that. I sold mine in anticipation of the promised 70-210 because of the slow focusing in the 60-250. But I'm not 100% sold on the new 70-210 and if they re-released the 60-250 with improvements to FF I would probably buy it instead. Changing the AF motor to something faster would be nice too, but probably too much to ask.

**steamloco76** · 06-22-2020, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

Anyone find it odd that Amazon has not one NEW DA*60-250 for sale? B&H shows it in stock but Adorama says "Special Order, subject to availability". I'm not really looking for one. I just thought it was odd.....

The Ricoh Pentax USA site has refurbished ones listed for sale.

bdery · 06-22-2020, 10:37 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by normhead

The best possible scenario would be they take out the baffle and re-release it as a full frame lens, and this is just a pause in production.

Not going to happen according to a Pentax rep I talked to. Japan headquarters engineers tested it and it didn't meet their standards for a STAR lens on FF. I tend to disagree, as I've shown in my review of the DFA 70-210 (when comparing to the 60-250) but that's the company's opinion.

**monochrome** · 06-22-2020, 10:37 AM

In stock New at the US Ricoh Store https://us.ricoh-imaging.com/product/smc-pentax-da★-60-250mm-f4-edif-sdm/

normhead · 06-22-2020, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by bdery

Not going to happen according to a Pentax rep I talked to. Japan headquarters engineers tested it and it didn't meet their standards for a STAR lens on FF. I tend to disagree, as I've shown in my review of the DFA 70-210 (when comparing to the 60-250) but that's the company's opinion.

Ya, I read that.
Sometimes what they say makes no sense.
I suspect having built the 70-210 with faster motor, that's the way of the future.

**ramseybuckeye** · 06-22-2020, 03:32 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

Anyone find it odd that Amazon has not one NEW DA*60-250 for sale? B&H shows it in stock but Adorama says "Special Order, subject to availability". I'm not really looking for one. I just thought it was odd.....

Adorama and B&H don't have the 150-450 either, but it says backordered on both sites, Amazon only list info, but then has it available from two third party sellers at jacked up prices.

For the 60-250, I searched it on Amazon and get three different listings, two have it available from 3rd party sellers that I would be skeptical about. The other, which may be the Amazon listing is odd:

Pentax SMC DA 60-250mm f/4 ED IF SDM Telephoto Zoom Lens w/ Case for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras
by Pentax
3.7 out of 5 stars 53 ratings | 6 answered questions
Pay $43.33/month for 18 months, interest-free with your Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Arrives: July 1 - 7
Brand Pentax
Lens Telephoto
Compatible Mountings Pentax KAF2
Lens Description 250 millimetres
Max Focal Length 25 centimeters
About this item
Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
Please see the above description.
Currently this item is on backorder. The ETA of availability is 3/13/2009.

Notice it says one is available, but no price stated, also the last line is priceless. Amazon's search has always been bad, now their listings are getting weird.

**luftfluss** · 06-22-2020, 03:58 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by bdery

Not going to happen according to a Pentax rep I talked to. Japan headquarters engineers tested it and it didn't meet their standards for a STAR lens on FF. I tend to disagree, as I've shown in my review of the DFA 70-210 (when comparing to the 60-250) but that's the company's opinion.

Originally posted by normhead

Ya, I read that.
Sometimes what they say makes no sense.
I suspect having built the 70-210 with faster motor, that's the way of the future.

Keep in mind that the DFA 70-210, while I guess not optically superior to the DA* 60-250, is not a "star" lens. RIcoh has set very high standards there, and also "star" lenses are not based on 3rd party designs. The "star" for this range is the DFA* 70-200/2.8. So IMO what Ricoh said makes sense, and implies they feel the 60-250 is curently a "consumer grade" zoom, which is what the new 70-210/4 is.

I think what it really came down to for Pentax is it was simply easier to rejigger the Tamron 70-210 than it would have been to take the 60-250 and revise it cosmetically, fit a new motor (would that require an adjustment to the optical design?) and, well, revise the optics anyway because they needed the lens to do much better than the 60-250's 1:7 maximum magnification ratio.

The fact that Pentax implemented a Focus Range Limiter on the 70-210/4 provides insight into their thinking.

**aslyfox** · 06-22-2020, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by luftfluss

Keep in mind that the DFA 70-210, while I guess not optically superior to the DA* 60-250, is not a "star" lens. RIcoh has set very high standards there, and also "star" lenses are not based on 3rd party designs. The "star" for this range is the DFA* 70-200/2.8. . . .

Pentax calls it's Star lenses " professional " class

Quote:

* A star symbol denotes a lens being part of Pentax's top of the line (sometimes called "professional") lenses. They are usually larger lenses with fast apertures, all-weather protection and superior optical performances.

Read more at: HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW Review - Specifications | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Paul the Sunman · 06-23-2020, 01:46 AM

I don't think there's any doubt that the DA*60-250 is star-worthy optically on APS-C. The issue is only whether it's up to that high standard on FF with the baffle removed. Opinions seem to differ.

**southlander** · 06-23-2020, 02:25 AM - **1 Like**

I use the DA*60-250 on my K-1 with the baffle removed. While quite good by F8 almost all the way to the extremities, wide open the edges left and right on landscape orientation do somewhat fall apart. I would agree with Ricoh that while a very good APS-C lens, its not up to * standard on full frame. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy the 60-250 on FF. I do, but need to compose in a way that recognises the wide open limitations.

**aslyfox** · 06-23-2020, 03:29 AM - **1 Like**

look at dates of production -

Quote:

Production Years
2007 to present (in production)

SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Quote:

Production Years
2016 to present (in production)

HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW Reviews - D FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

both star lenses but the * 70-200 was the improvement aperture and full frame

the 70-210 is the cheaper, lighter option should one wants it

06-22-2020, 09:49 AM	#1
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	*DA60-250 Out of stock?** Anyone find it odd that Amazon has not one NEW DA*60-250 for sale? B&H shows it in stock but Adorama says "Special Order, subject to availability". I'm not really looking for one. I just thought it was odd.....

06-22-2020, 03:32 PM	#10
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	Originally posted by jatrax Anyone find it odd that Amazon has not one NEW DA*60-250 for sale? B&H shows it in stock but Adorama says "Special Order, subject to availability". I'm not really looking for one. I just thought it was odd..... Adorama and B&H don't have the 150-450 either, but it says backordered on both sites, Amazon only list info, but then has it available from two third party sellers at jacked up prices. For the 60-250, I searched it on Amazon and get three different listings, two have it available from 3rd party sellers that I would be skeptical about. The other, which may be the Amazon listing is odd: Pentax SMC DA 60-250mm f/4 ED IF SDM Telephoto Zoom Lens w/ Case for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras by Pentax 3.7 out of 5 stars 53 ratings \| 6 answered questions Pay $43.33/month for 18 months, interest-free with your Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card Only 1 left in stock - order soon. Arrives: July 1 - 7 Brand Pentax Lens Telephoto Compatible Mountings Pentax KAF2 Lens Description 250 millimetres Max Focal Length 25 centimeters About this item Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Please see the above description. Currently this item is on backorder. The ETA of availability is 3/13/2009. Notice it says one is available, but no price stated, also the last line is priceless. Amazon's search has always been bad, now their listings are getting weird.

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06-22-2020, 10:07 AM	#2
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by jatrax Anyone find it odd that Amazon has not one NEW DA*60-250 for sale? B&H shows it in stock but Adorama says "Special Order, subject to availability". I'm not really looking for one. I just thought it was odd..... Camera Canada has some in stock.... but maybe they are just clearing them out. Camera Canada :: Pentax :: 60-250mm f4 ED (IF) SDM DA Lens Who knows? The best possible scenario would be they take out the baffle and re-release it as a full frame lens, and this is just a pause in production.

06-22-2020, 10:18 AM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	COVID-19? Steve

06-22-2020, 10:26 AM	#4
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by stevebrot COVID-19? Steve Ya, that too.

06-22-2020, 10:35 AM - 1 Like	#5
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991 Original Poster	Originally posted by normhead The best possible scenario would be they take out the baffle and re-release it as a full frame lens, ^ +1 on that. I sold mine in anticipation of the promised 70-210 because of the slow focusing in the 60-250. But I'm not 100% sold on the new 70-210 and if they re-released the 60-250 with improvements to FF I would probably buy it instead. Changing the AF motor to something faster would be nice too, but probably too much to ask.

06-22-2020, 10:35 AM	#6
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710	Originally posted by jatrax Anyone find it odd that Amazon has not one NEW DA*60-250 for sale? B&H shows it in stock but Adorama says "Special Order, subject to availability". I'm not really looking for one. I just thought it was odd..... The Ricoh Pentax USA site has refurbished ones listed for sale.

06-22-2020, 10:37 AM - 1 Like	#7
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,362	Originally posted by normhead The best possible scenario would be they take out the baffle and re-release it as a full frame lens, and this is just a pause in production. Not going to happen according to a Pentax rep I talked to. Japan headquarters engineers tested it and it didn't meet their standards for a STAR lens on FF. I tend to disagree, as I've shown in my review of the DFA 70-210 (when comparing to the 60-250) but that's the company's opinion.

06-22-2020, 10:37 AM	#8
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	In stock New at the US Ricoh Store https://us.ricoh-imaging.com/product/smc-pentax-da★-60-250mm-f4-edif-sdm/

06-22-2020, 11:44 AM	#9
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by bdery Not going to happen according to a Pentax rep I talked to. Japan headquarters engineers tested it and it didn't meet their standards for a STAR lens on FF. I tend to disagree, as I've shown in my review of the DFA 70-210 (when comparing to the 60-250) but that's the company's opinion. Ya, I read that. Sometimes what they say makes no sense. I suspect having built the 70-210 with faster motor, that's the way of the future.

06-22-2020, 03:58 PM - 1 Like	#11
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,627	Originally posted by bdery Not going to happen according to a Pentax rep I talked to. Japan headquarters engineers tested it and it didn't meet their standards for a STAR lens on FF. I tend to disagree, as I've shown in my review of the DFA 70-210 (when comparing to the 60-250) but that's the company's opinion. Originally posted by normhead Ya, I read that. Sometimes what they say makes no sense. I suspect having built the 70-210 with faster motor, that's the way of the future. Keep in mind that the DFA 70-210, while I guess not optically superior to the DA* 60-250, is not a "star" lens. RIcoh has set very high standards there, and also "star" lenses are not based on 3rd party designs. The "star" for this range is the DFA* 70-200/2.8. So IMO what Ricoh said makes sense, and implies they feel the 60-250 is curently a "consumer grade" zoom, which is what the new 70-210/4 is. I think what it really came down to for Pentax is it was simply easier to rejigger the Tamron 70-210 than it would have been to take the 60-250 and revise it cosmetically, fit a new motor (would that require an adjustment to the optical design?) and, well, revise the optics anyway because they needed the lens to do much better than the 60-250's 1:7 maximum magnification ratio. The fact that Pentax implemented a Focus Range Limiter on the 70-210/4 provides insight into their thinking.

06-22-2020, 04:47 PM	#12
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	Originally posted by luftfluss Keep in mind that the DFA 70-210, while I guess not optically superior to the DA* 60-250, is not a "star" lens. RIcoh has set very high standards there, and also "star" lenses are not based on 3rd party designs. The "star" for this range is the DFA* 70-200/2.8. . . . Pentax calls it's Star lenses " professional " class Quote: * A star symbol denotes a lens being part of Pentax's top of the line (sometimes called "professional") lenses. They are usually larger lenses with fast apertures, all-weather protection and superior optical performances. Read more at: HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW Review - Specifications \| PentaxForums.com Reviews

06-23-2020, 01:46 AM	#13
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,847	I don't think there's any doubt that the DA*60-250 is star-worthy optically on APS-C. The issue is only whether it's up to that high standard on FF with the baffle removed. Opinions seem to differ.

06-23-2020, 02:25 AM - 1 Like	#14
southlander Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Adelaide Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,364	I use the DA60-250 on my K-1 with the baffle removed. While quite good by F8 almost all the way to the extremities, wide open the edges left and right on landscape orientation do somewhat fall apart. I would agree with Ricoh that while a very good APS-C lens, its not up to standard on full frame. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy the 60-250 on FF. I do, but need to compose in a way that recognises the wide open limitations.

06-23-2020, 03:29 AM - 1 Like	#15
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	look at dates of production - Quote: Production Years 2007 to present (in production) SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Quote: Production Years 2016 to present (in production) HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW Reviews - D FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database both star lenses but the * 70-200 was the improvement aperture and full frame the 70-210 is the cheaper, lighter option should one wants it