Question about limited lenses.

hahifuheho · 11-14-2008, 01:53 AM

Seriously, I have searched the internet looking for an explanation about what makes limited lenses "special" or "different" from other lenses in order to append the "limited" word on them, but I still cannot find anything. Could some one explain this, please?

Thank you.

fearview · 11-14-2008, 02:49 AM

ahh.. imade similar queation few months back..but cant find the thread..

Magnus W · 11-14-2008, 04:50 AM

According to Pentax UK:

Quote:

Since more expensive materials are used and a complex production process employed, PENTAX manufactures a restricted number of the “Limited Edition” lenses on a daily basis.

My red text.

-- MW

hahifuheho · 11-14-2008, 05:08 AM

So, is it all about the manufacturing process? I thought "limited" meant an operational characteristic which made different from other "non-limited" lenses.

Thank you!

Syb · 11-14-2008, 05:19 AM

The "limited" lenses give unlimited options... within the expectable range of the prime lens of course...

lbam · 11-14-2008, 05:24 AM

After buying one you'll spend limited time with your other lenses.

titrisol · 11-14-2008, 06:41 AM

Limited as in limited-edition
only a "few" (aka several thousands) made so we can charge you more

In theory they are better made, metal barrel and such

Blue · 11-14-2008, 10:06 AM

They are made of metal and nicely constructed and have very good optics. They are fairly user friendly to MF also. I don't know if you have ever held one or not, but that alone will provide some insight.

Its the closest thing to a modern Tak there is without getting into a Zeiss or Voigtlander.

Ben_Edict · 11-14-2008, 12:29 PM

Originally posted by titrisol

In theory they are better made, metal barrel and such

In practice they are better made as well...

Ben

**GaryM** · 11-14-2008, 12:54 PM

Originally posted by lbam

After buying one you'll spend limited time with your other lenses.

This is the truth. Since acquiring a few of them I don't want to shoot with anything else.

axl · 11-14-2008, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by lbam

After buying one you'll spend limited time with your other lenses.

I second to this one... My DA40 practicaly lives on my camera...

hinman · 11-14-2008, 03:17 PM

Originally posted by lbam

After buying one you'll spend limited time with your other lenses.

That is not true in my case as I am deep into LBA recession in buying way more than I can afford to have time. I have acquired three limited lens and they get used the least as I don't dare to create a single mark on them. And I have created a shrine around them day and night.

Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 limited

Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 limited

Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited
21 limited next to a pancake like Pentax A 50 f/1.7

hinman · 11-14-2008, 03:28 PM

But of course, when I take them out, all of them will delight your heart in doing your best to make the lens proud. So far, I fall short of the glory and the lenses kick me in the rear for the lousy jobs in test photos. They don't do the justice other than quick snapshots for testing.

FA 31mm f/1.8 limited

wide open in f/1.8 from 31mm limited

in f/1.8

DA 21mm limited

Thanks,
Hin

avian · 11-14-2008, 04:20 PM

Question....

If you look at pentax's page here - Camera Lens - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site - the first thing that grabs me is that the limited's seem tiny compared to all other prime's on the page.

Is it a requirement that a "limited" lens be physically small.. i.e. perhaps a stop or two slower than they could've possibly been produced at the same focal length etc?

I've also noticed they seem to have fewer elements/groups than other primes on their site.

All coincidence?

jslifoaw · 11-14-2008, 04:22 PM

Limited lenses are supposed to be compact for their specifications. All of them are indeed very tiny, maybe save the FA31 which is actually not that big anyway, for a fast wide.

11-14-2008, 01:53 AM	#1
hahifuheho Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Monterrey, Mexico Posts: 71	Question about limited lenses. Seriously, I have searched the internet looking for an explanation about what makes limited lenses "special" or "different" from other lenses in order to append the "limited" word on them, but I still cannot find anything. Could some one explain this, please? Thank you.

11-14-2008, 03:17 PM	#12
hinman Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,473	Originally posted by lbam After buying one you'll spend limited time with your other lenses. That is not true in my case as I am deep into LBA recession in buying way more than I can afford to have time. I have acquired three limited lens and they get used the least as I don't dare to create a single mark on them. And I have created a shrine around them day and night. Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 limited Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 limited Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited 21 limited next to a pancake like Pentax A 50 f/1.7 Last edited by hinman; 11-14-2008 at 05:15 PM.

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11-14-2008, 02:49 AM	#2
fearview Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jakarta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,067	ahh.. imade similar queation few months back..but cant find the thread..

11-14-2008, 04:50 AM	#3
Magnus W Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 46	According to Pentax UK: Quote: Since more expensive materials are used and a complex production process employed, PENTAX manufactures a restricted number of the “Limited Edition” lenses on a daily basis. My red text. -- MW

11-14-2008, 05:08 AM	#4
hahifuheho Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Monterrey, Mexico Posts: 71 Original Poster	So, is it all about the manufacturing process? I thought "limited" meant an operational characteristic which made different from other "non-limited" lenses. Thank you!

11-14-2008, 05:19 AM	#5
Syb Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Utrecht, Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,221	The "limited" lenses give unlimited options... within the expectable range of the prime lens of course...

11-14-2008, 05:24 AM	#6
lbam Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 442	After buying one you'll spend limited time with your other lenses.

11-14-2008, 06:41 AM	#7
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,851	Limited as in limited-edition only a "few" (aka several thousands) made so we can charge you more In theory they are better made, metal barrel and such

11-14-2008, 10:06 AM	#8
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	They are made of metal and nicely constructed and have very good optics. They are fairly user friendly to MF also. I don't know if you have ever held one or not, but that alone will provide some insight. Its the closest thing to a modern Tak there is without getting into a Zeiss or Voigtlander.

11-14-2008, 12:29 PM	#9
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by titrisol In theory they are better made, metal barrel and such In practice they are better made as well... Ben

11-14-2008, 12:54 PM	#10
GaryM Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montclair, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 426	Originally posted by lbam After buying one you'll spend limited time with your other lenses. This is the truth. Since acquiring a few of them I don't want to shoot with anything else.

11-14-2008, 02:52 PM	#11
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by lbam After buying one you'll spend limited time with your other lenses. I second to this one... My DA40 practicaly lives on my camera...

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11-14-2008, 03:28 PM	#13
hinman Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,473	But of course, when I take them out, all of them will delight your heart in doing your best to make the lens proud. So far, I fall short of the glory and the lenses kick me in the rear for the lousy jobs in test photos. They don't do the justice other than quick snapshots for testing. FA 31mm f/1.8 limited wide open in f/1.8 from 31mm limited in f/1.8 DA 21mm limited Thanks, Hin

11-14-2008, 04:20 PM	#14
avian Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 52	Question.... If you look at pentax's page here - Camera Lens - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site - the first thing that grabs me is that the limited's seem tiny compared to all other prime's on the page. Is it a requirement that a "limited" lens be physically small.. i.e. perhaps a stop or two slower than they could've possibly been produced at the same focal length etc? I've also noticed they seem to have fewer elements/groups than other primes on their site. All coincidence?

11-14-2008, 04:22 PM	#15
jslifoaw Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto/Victoria Posts: 460	Limited lenses are supposed to be compact for their specifications. All of them are indeed very tiny, maybe save the FA31 which is actually not that big anyway, for a fast wide.