What DA* PRIMES would you like PENTAX to make?

brecklundin · 12-07-2009, 02:05 PM

To me just release FA Ltds with WR no changes in construction or optics. I have come to understand these lenses are pretty much perfect in every way. And any comments about not needing fast WR glass....hellooooo, when conditions are wet, just how much sun do you see?

Faster glass is exactly when is needed in WR lenses and agree there could be more WR DA lenses.

But, I have to say since HoyaTax has gotten much closer to "L" glass prices, my bet is they would hike up FA WR lenses by 40% each at a minimum...so figure $1400 for a 31ltd WR, $1100-$1220 for a 43ltd WR and about the same for 77ltd. I fear we would be looking at almost $4k for the three lenses in WR versions...which to me sends me in another direction.

I mean face it the DA*55/1.4 is a wonderful lens, but it's not something that seems to blow any one's skirt up...and it has an MSRP of ~$1050 and street of about $650. The FA 50/1.4 is ~$350 new...and $250ish used...so HoyaTax is putting a $300 premium on being a DA* all for a lens with a 1-yr warranty and a focusing system that has questions, a line of lenses that seems to have QA/QC issues and optically does not offer more than the FA version. Thought the DA*55 does have that magic 9-bladed aperture.

So, on one hand I would LOVE to see WR versions of the FA Ltd's but on the other, I don't see myself buying them at around a grand a pop and especially if they remove the aperture ring to make the DA*'s.

So, I guess I have talked myself into...none really...I would just like to see FASTER DA* glass in order to actually use these lenses in poor weather conditions where the lighting is marginal on the best of times. And I am sure the birders would just adore a 400/500mm WR bit of glass at f5.6 or even, awwwkkk, f4??!!

Then again birders are usually old dudes with "lots" of cash in jars in their back yard and no mortgage payments. hehehehehe...

Last edited by brecklundin; 12-07-2009 at 02:49 PM.

Finn · 12-07-2009, 02:40 PM

35 f/2.

f/1.4 would be better, but I want something at a lower price point. Hence the f/2. And besides, they already have the design. Just give'r some weathersealing and be done with it.

And sure a fast ultra wide would be nice. I mean, Leica has one (21/1.4) and it only costs 6 G's...

doc.mark.dimo · 12-07-2009, 03:31 PM

I would love to see a DA* 30 f.14

**Just1MoreDave** · 12-07-2009, 03:37 PM

Originally posted by jsherman999

.

This. For example, Pentax should make the Nikon 35 1.8G ($199 new)

I vote along these lines. I would like to see something like a DA-L prime line, designed to cost $200-300 each.

24mm f2.8 like the Sigma Super Wide II
85-90mm f2.8 but not a macro so it's small like the FA77
135mm f2.8 like the FA, also small like the M135

And add in later:

30-35mm f2 like the old FA
50mm f1.7 like the M through FA

These last two might not make it. Someone at Hoya is bound to point out that they'll cannibalize sales from the DA35 macro and the FA50. The other three are gaps in the prime lineup that are useful sizes.

The idea is to infect all the K-x buyers with LBA. The price is critical, so these lenses won't be WR or SDM or metal or have someone designing them for three years to get exactly the right bokeh. They ought to be sharper than zooms.

I know the thread title is about DA*s, but just one of my lenses would sell 50 times as many copies as any DA*.

deadwolfbones · 12-07-2009, 04:41 PM

I agree that Pentax needs some cheapo primes along the lines of Nikon's 35/1.8 and Canon's 50/1.8.

mer · 12-07-2009, 06:52 PM

f/1.2 ... f/1.2 ... f/1.2 ...

yeatzee · 12-07-2009, 07:08 PM

give me a 150mm F/2.8 macro!!!

OR

simply release a 200mm F/4 revamp

If they are really feeling the macro vibe, give me a canon MP-E65 equivalent please! :ugh:
====================================

On another note, a DA 30 F/1.4 would be fantastic!

kyubi_fox · 12-07-2009, 08:44 PM

Samyang 35mm f/1.4

Judging from the DA*55/1.4, the Pentax DA*30/1.4 is probably gonna be huger! I hope Samyang can make something of a more reasonable size.

rustynail925 · 12-07-2009, 08:56 PM

Some who are new to photography me wont invest a lot of money on expensive primes but would rather invest in zooms. I wanted to take a step on af primes but cant because of the prices. The cheapest i can find was the DA40 @ 340 but would prefer a zoom like DA 16-45mm for greater value, wider and longer and the IQ is not a big difference. But if they come up with something like the 35mm f1.8 @ $200 i will gladly get one. Something like a DA-L build will be fine. 17mm f4 and 35mm f1.8

Furansu · 12-07-2009, 09:04 PM

In my perfect world, it would be :
DA* 10-16 mm
DA* 135-300 mm

Votesh · 12-07-2009, 10:03 PM

Originally posted by doc.mark.dimo

I would love to see a DA* 30 f.14

I second that.
I would also like a D(F)A* 150mm or 200mm 1:1 macro, and something like a DFA* 20mm/2.8. I'm looking for a nice, small, wide prime to use on my DSLRs and film SLRs and am disappointed with the selection. I'd love to have a weathersealed 18-20mm prime with a FF image circle.

Itai · 12-07-2009, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by Furansu

In my perfect world, it would be :
DA* 10-16 mm
DA* 135-300 mm

Nice! I think the 10-16mm at F2.8 (or F4) could be fantastic. I'd like Pentax to push the rectilinear just a little bit more to match (and slightly better) what's available in other sensor formats. So, it would have to start at 9mm to cover the wide-angle from the Zuiko 7-14mm F4 on Four-Thirds or the Nikkor 14-24mm F2.8 on full-frame. Those are the widest constant-aperture rectilinear zooms out there. The only thing wider is a Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 on full-frame but it is kind of darker. Pentax would have to produce an 8-16mm lens to match that. It would be sooooo awesome though! If it constant aperture, I'm putting 2K USD on that.

As for primes, they have to best what is available in zoom either in focal-length or aperture, that is why the 15mm F4 makes no sense to me (the 12-24 F4 covers the exact combination and performs better). Currently my favorite prime is the 31mm F1.8... would we have something wider though. Like a DA* 16mm F1.4 or DA* 12mm F2 or DA* 8mm F4.... Any of those would make me happy!

- Itai
Neoluminance | Fine Art Photography

axl · 12-08-2009, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by Itai

... snip ...
As for primes, they have to best what is available in zoom either in focal-length or aperture, that is why the 15mm F4 makes no sense to me (the 12-24 F4 covers the exact combination and performs better). Currently my favorite prime is the 31mm F1.8... would we have something wider though. Like a DA* 16mm F1.4 or DA* 12mm F2 or DA* 8mm F4.... Any of those would make me happy!

- Itai
Neoluminance | Fine Art Photography

a) put 15ltd and 12-24/4 next to each other and it may make a VERY good sense. Between those 2 I'd go for 15 any day!
b) 16/1.4 and 12/2?!? And you'd want to go for shoot or hike taking you CAT truck yes?

BR
Peter

Itai · 12-08-2009, 07:42 PM

Originally posted by axl

a) put 15ltd and 12-24/4 next to each other and it may make a VERY good sense. Between those 2 I'd go for 15 any day!
b) 16/1.4 and 12/2?!? And you'd want to go for shoot or hike taking you CAT truck yes?

BR
Peter

Actually, did you try the 15mm next to the 12-24mm F4? The 12-24 is sharper at 15mm and at F4-5.6 the 15mm Ltd vignettes terribly, more than 1 full stop.

As for the size, a 16mm F/1.4 could be smaller than a 55mm F/1.4 which to me seems like the perfect size on the K-7 and a bit small on the K20D.

The difficulty is to design these things because the amound of light refraction needed is high. I said 12mm F/2 because well that would be easier to design that 12mm F/1.4!

- Itai
Digital Camera Buying Guide, Photography Articles and Reviews | NeoCamera.com

deadwolfbones · 12-08-2009, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by Itai

Actually, did you try the 15mm next to the 12-24mm F4? The 12-24 is sharper at 15mm and at F4-5.6 the 15mm Ltd vignettes terribly, more than 1 full stop.

I think he was referring solely to the size/portability of the 15mm vs the 12-24mm.

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12-07-2009, 02:05 PM	#31
brecklundin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,674	To me just release FA Ltds with WR no changes in construction or optics. I have come to understand these lenses are pretty much perfect in every way. And any comments about not needing fast WR glass....hellooooo, when conditions are wet, just how much sun do you see? Faster glass is exactly when is needed in WR lenses and agree there could be more WR DA lenses. But, I have to say since HoyaTax has gotten much closer to "L" glass prices, my bet is they would hike up FA WR lenses by 40% each at a minimum...so figure $1400 for a 31ltd WR, $1100-$1220 for a 43ltd WR and about the same for 77ltd. I fear we would be looking at almost $4k for the three lenses in WR versions...which to me sends me in another direction. I mean face it the DA55/1.4 is a wonderful lens, but it's not something that seems to blow any one's skirt up...and it has an MSRP of ~$1050 and street of about $650. The FA 50/1.4 is ~$350 new...and $250ish used...so HoyaTax is putting a $300 premium on being a DA all for a lens with a 1-yr warranty and a focusing system that has questions, a line of lenses that seems to have QA/QC issues and optically does not offer more than the FA version. Thought the DA55 does have that magic 9-bladed aperture. So, on one hand I would LOVE to see WR versions of the FA Ltd's but on the other, I don't see myself buying them at around a grand a pop and especially if they remove the aperture ring to make the DA's. So, I guess I have talked myself into...none really...I would just like to see FASTER DA* glass in order to actually use these lenses in poor weather conditions where the lighting is marginal on the best of times. And I am sure the birders would just adore a 400/500mm WR bit of glass at f5.6 or even, awwwkkk, f4??!! Then again birders are usually old dudes with "lots" of cash in jars in their back yard and no mortgage payments. hehehehehe... Last edited by brecklundin; 12-07-2009 at 02:49 PM.

12-07-2009, 02:40 PM	#32
Finn Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,056	35 f/2. f/1.4 would be better, but I want something at a lower price point. Hence the f/2. And besides, they already have the design. Just give'r some weathersealing and be done with it. And sure a fast ultra wide would be nice. I mean, Leica has one (21/1.4) and it only costs 6 G's...

12-07-2009, 03:31 PM	#33
doc.mark.dimo Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 62	I would love to see a DA* 30 f.14

12-07-2009, 03:37 PM	#34
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by jsherman999 . This. For example, Pentax should make the Nikon 35 1.8G ($199 new) I vote along these lines. I would like to see something like a DA-L prime line, designed to cost $200-300 each. 24mm f2.8 like the Sigma Super Wide II 85-90mm f2.8 but not a macro so it's small like the FA77 135mm f2.8 like the FA, also small like the M135 And add in later: 30-35mm f2 like the old FA 50mm f1.7 like the M through FA These last two might not make it. Someone at Hoya is bound to point out that they'll cannibalize sales from the DA35 macro and the FA50. The other three are gaps in the prime lineup that are useful sizes. The idea is to infect all the K-x buyers with LBA. The price is critical, so these lenses won't be WR or SDM or metal or have someone designing them for three years to get exactly the right bokeh. They ought to be sharper than zooms. I know the thread title is about DAs, but just one of my lenses would sell 50 times as many copies as any DA.

12-07-2009, 04:41 PM	#35
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	I agree that Pentax needs some cheapo primes along the lines of Nikon's 35/1.8 and Canon's 50/1.8.

12-07-2009, 06:52 PM	#36
mer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greece Posts: 237	f/1.2 ... f/1.2 ... f/1.2 ...

12-07-2009, 07:08 PM	#37
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	give me a 150mm F/2.8 macro!!! OR simply release a 200mm F/4 revamp If they are really feeling the macro vibe, give me a canon MP-E65 equivalent please! :ugh: ==================================== On another note, a DA 30 F/1.4 would be fantastic!

12-07-2009, 08:44 PM	#38
kyubi_fox Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6	Samyang 35mm f/1.4 Judging from the DA55/1.4, the Pentax DA30/1.4 is probably gonna be huger! I hope Samyang can make something of a more reasonable size.

12-07-2009, 08:56 PM	#39
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551	Some who are new to photography me wont invest a lot of money on expensive primes but would rather invest in zooms. I wanted to take a step on af primes but cant because of the prices. The cheapest i can find was the DA40 @ 340 but would prefer a zoom like DA 16-45mm for greater value, wider and longer and the IQ is not a big difference. But if they come up with something like the 35mm f1.8 @ $200 i will gladly get one. Something like a DA-L build will be fine. 17mm f4 and 35mm f1.8

12-07-2009, 09:04 PM	#40
Furansu Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 69	In my perfect world, it would be : DA* 10-16 mm DA* 135-300 mm

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12-07-2009, 10:03 PM	#41
Votesh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	Originally posted by doc.mark.dimo I would love to see a DA* 30 f.14 I second that. I would also like a D(F)A* 150mm or 200mm 1:1 macro, and something like a DFA* 20mm/2.8. I'm looking for a nice, small, wide prime to use on my DSLRs and film SLRs and am disappointed with the selection. I'd love to have a weathersealed 18-20mm prime with a FF image circle.

12-07-2009, 10:09 PM	#42
Itai Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery Posts: 209	Originally posted by Furansu In my perfect world, it would be : DA* 10-16 mm DA* 135-300 mm Nice! I think the 10-16mm at F2.8 (or F4) could be fantastic. I'd like Pentax to push the rectilinear just a little bit more to match (and slightly better) what's available in other sensor formats. So, it would have to start at 9mm to cover the wide-angle from the Zuiko 7-14mm F4 on Four-Thirds or the Nikkor 14-24mm F2.8 on full-frame. Those are the widest constant-aperture rectilinear zooms out there. The only thing wider is a Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 on full-frame but it is kind of darker. Pentax would have to produce an 8-16mm lens to match that. It would be sooooo awesome though! If it constant aperture, I'm putting 2K USD on that. As for primes, they have to best what is available in zoom either in focal-length or aperture, that is why the 15mm F4 makes no sense to me (the 12-24 F4 covers the exact combination and performs better). Currently my favorite prime is the 31mm F1.8... would we have something wider though. Like a DA* 16mm F1.4 or DA* 12mm F2 or DA* 8mm F4.... Any of those would make me happy! - Itai Neoluminance \| Fine Art Photography

12-08-2009, 04:43 PM	#43
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by Itai ... snip ... As for primes, they have to best what is available in zoom either in focal-length or aperture, that is why the 15mm F4 makes no sense to me (the 12-24 F4 covers the exact combination and performs better). Currently my favorite prime is the 31mm F1.8... would we have something wider though. Like a *DA 16mm F1.4 or DA* 12mm F2** or DA* 8mm F4.... Any of those would make me happy! - Itai Neoluminance \| Fine Art Photography a) put 15ltd and 12-24/4 next to each other and it may make a VERY good sense. Between those 2 I'd go for 15 any day! b) 16/1.4 and 12/2?!? And you'd want to go for shoot or hike taking you CAT truck yes? BR Peter

12-08-2009, 07:42 PM	#44
Itai Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery Posts: 209	Originally posted by axl a) put 15ltd and 12-24/4 next to each other and it may make a VERY good sense. Between those 2 I'd go for 15 any day! b) 16/1.4 and 12/2?!? And you'd want to go for shoot or hike taking you CAT truck yes? BR Peter Actually, did you try the 15mm next to the 12-24mm F4? The 12-24 is sharper at 15mm and at F4-5.6 the 15mm Ltd vignettes terribly, more than 1 full stop. As for the size, a 16mm F/1.4 could be smaller than a 55mm F/1.4 which to me seems like the perfect size on the K-7 and a bit small on the K20D. The difficulty is to design these things because the amound of light refraction needed is high. I said 12mm F/2 because well that would be easier to design that 12mm F/1.4! - Itai Digital Camera Buying Guide, Photography Articles and Reviews \| NeoCamera.com

12-08-2009, 08:04 PM	#45
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Originally posted by Itai Actually, did you try the 15mm next to the 12-24mm F4? The 12-24 is sharper at 15mm and at F4-5.6 the 15mm Ltd vignettes terribly, more than 1 full stop. I think he was referring solely to the size/portability of the 15mm vs the 12-24mm.