[automorphism]

The 150-450 replaces any 400/5.6 lens. It is a focal length/speed combination that is replaced by zooms......

No way it does; the main difference being the weight. I have hiked with a variety of supertelephotos over the years and even if a refreshed 400 f/5.6 were 1.5kg (the Canon is 1.25kg) vs 2kg for the 150-450, that 500g makes such a huge difference in terms of how enjoyable long-distance hiking is. Not to mention how much easier it is to stabilize the lens with your hand for birds in flight and just general shooting. Plus it would probably be a bit sharper and allow for even further cropping.

[pentaxus]

A re-do of the 250-600 to WR and faster focusing would be nice, but probably 10K+.

[MossyRocks]

In the age of high ISO the speed of F:4 isn't really needed in such a lens, and most won't find that it is worth it.

I would agree with the not being needed in most cases statement but there are some problems that just can't be solved other than by a huge slab of glass. I say that as someone who frequently runs a huge slab of glass and would love at least another stop of aperture.

[RobA_Oz]

A re-do of the 250-600 to WR and faster focusing would be nice, but probably 10K+.

According to the Lens Reviews section, the average selling price of the original is $7k, so there would probably be a market for a new version at around that price. I couldn’t readily find the new price, but I wouldn’t mind betting that it was the equivalent of $10k+ you suggest.

[RICHARD L.]

I would like a "tilt-shift" 35 mm f/4 lens for the 645Z medium-format camera.

[RobA_Oz]

I would like a "tilt-shift" 35 mm f/4 lens for the 645Z medium-format camera.

Was there ever such a beast, that it could be refreshed?

[luftfluss]

No way it does; the main difference being the weight. I have hiked with a variety of supertelephotos over the years and even if a refreshed 400 f/5.6 were 1.5kg (the Canon is 1.25kg) vs 2kg for the 150-450, that 500g makes such a huge difference in terms of how enjoyable long-distance hiking is. Not to mention how much easier it is to stabilize the lens with your hand for birds in flight and just general shooting. Plus it would probably be a bit sharper and allow for even further cropping.

Imagine a HD PENTAX-D FA 400 F5.6 ED WR PLM...

[angerdan]

Ricoh should definitely consider doing a refresh of a lens like the FA*400 f/5.6. A 400 f/5.6 is relatively affordable compared to a 400 f/4, lighter, and easy to take anywhere.

I would prefer a 400mm f4.0 about 400/5.6. Like the great Minolta AF 400mm F4.5 HS APO G, which did cost 2,000€ during it's production.
Pentax - Thoughts on making a DA*/DFA 400mm F4? - PentaxForums.com
DA* 400mm F4 coming! - PentaxForums.com

An HD version of the SMC Pentax-FA* 250-600mm F5.6 ED [IF], with weather sealing and internal AF drive, and retaining the power zoom, but with remote control, so you can keep your eye on the viewfinder, and your hand off the zoom ring.

That would be an awesome lens! Like the price would be >5k.
Produktvergleich Nikon AF-S 200-500mm 5.6, Pentax HD DFA 150-450mm 4.5-5.6, Olympus M.Zuiko digital ED 150-400mm 4.5, Canon EF 200-400mm 4.0 L IS USM Extender 1.4x, Nikon AF-S 180-400mm

The 150-450 replaces any 400/5.6 lens. It is a focal length/speed combination that is replaced by zooms

Regarding IQ and AF yes. But not about price, size and weight.

A re-do of the 250-600 to WR and faster focusing would be nice, but probably 10K+.

As a D FA*, it would be >10k.
Produktvergleich Nikon AF-S 200-500mm 5.6, Pentax HD DFA 150-450mm 4.5-5.6, Olympus M.Zuiko digital ED 150-400mm 4.5, Canon EF 200-400mm 4.0 L IS USM Extender 1.4x, Nikon AF-S 180-400mm

[RICHARD L.]

I would like a "tilt-shift" 35 mm f/4 lens for the 645Z medium-format camera.Was there ever such a beast, that it could be refreshed?

I wrote Pentax in Japan 25 years ago to suggest they design such a "tilt-shift" lens for the Pentax 67 or 645 enabling the use of the Scheimpflug Principle, but to no avail. They answered me such a lens was not in their scope at the time. One can always dream ...

Regards

[RobA_Oz]

I wrote Pentax in Japan 25 years ago to suggest they design such a "tilt-shift" lens for the Pentax 67 or 645 enabling the use of the Scheimpflug Principle, but to no avail. They answered me such a lens was not in their scope at the time. One can always dream ...

Regards

I guess they may need a reminder after all that time, not to mention changes of ownership. All the more reason to incorporate sensor shift in the next iteration of the 645Z, although that won’t help with tilt, obviously.

[Cambo]

OK, I'm holding my breath...

And make it so good, it's both DA* AND Limited!

Cheers,
Cameron

[mikesbike]

I’d love to see a newer focusing motor in the DA* 50-135, 200, and 300.

Another vote for this- and they can throw in an updated DA* 60-250mm f/4 while at it.

Also another vote for an updated FA 28mm f/2.8 which I have had on my new K-1 II with excellent results, as it was on film. As already said, good on APS-C in the same way as the FA 43mm Ltd on FF, except not as fast. In fact, when on APS-C, I can use the FA 43mm screw-on 49mm-threaded lens hood.

[ZombieArmy]

OK, I'm holding my breath...

And make it so good, it's both DA* AND Limited!

Cheers,
Cameron

Why not the 1.8?

[mikesbike]

We all know you have the one old lens you'd love to see remade in the pentax lineup. For me I have two!

1. I'd love to see the M75-150 refreshed. A DFA 75-150/4 HD DC PLM Limited! This lens as is has some amazing rendering already, with some improved coatings and tweaking to the optics it'd be out of this world.

Some sample shots from this wonderful M lens: M75-150 f4 | Flickr

2. The original 8 element 50 1.4 tak. I'd love to see this lens with modern coatings and autofocus. While I know this would never happen I'm pretty sure I'd buy this over the DFA 50 1.4

Very nice imaging with that 75-150mm! I wonder how it would compare with the new DFA 70-200mm f/4 DC WR, or the DA* 60-250mm f/4?

[jddwoods]

We all know you have the one old lens you'd love to see remade in the pentax lineup. For me I have two!

1. I'd love to see the M75-150 refreshed. A DFA 75-150/4 HD DC PLM Limited! This lens as is has some amazing rendering already, with some improved coatings and tweaking to the optics it'd be out of this world.

Some sample shots from this wonderful M lens: M75-150 f4 | Flickr

2. The original 8 element 50 1.4 tak. I'd love to see this lens with modern coatings and autofocus. While I know this would never happen I'm pretty sure I'd buy this over the DFA 50 1.4

I would really like to see the now discontinued DA 12-24 refreshed with either PLM or DC autofocus. Would be nice if the lens was also WR. The DA* 11-18 is too big and too expensive for me and I am sure others who feel the same.