Stupid question - what is meant by a "Limited lens"

Oggy · 12-12-2009, 04:16 PM

What do Pentax mean when they refer to a lens as "Limited"?

Last edited by Peter Zack; 12-16-2009 at 10:47 AM.

LeDave · 12-12-2009, 04:37 PM

Could be a matter of things, Limited as in limited in versatility due to it not being a zoom. Limited as in limited edition, etc.

raymeedc · 12-12-2009, 04:52 PM

Originally posted by Oggy

What do Pentax mean when they refer to a lens as "Limited"?

It means they're trying to squeeze as much money beyond what the lens is worth out of you as they possibly can by convincing you that the lens you are purchasing is somehow limited to a finite number of examples they will be producing.

Pentaxor · 12-12-2009, 04:55 PM

seriously, at first I thought Limited because they are too few or rare of them up for sale.

now I realized that it was more of a distinction. like the "L" Canon lenses, not necessarily mean loser.

pcarfan · 12-12-2009, 04:59 PM

Originally posted by Oggy

What do Pentax mean when they refer to a lens as "Limited"?

It's all about performance. Limited lenses are superior to any other lenses in the same focal lengths in build and IQ. This is similar to canon 'L' series lenses, but then it could be just the inclusion of a lens hood, as I think only their limited lenses comes with a lens hood

. Sigma 'EX' lenses point to better build quality only.

stevebrot · 12-12-2009, 05:55 PM

Didn't we just finish up a thread on this topic

The most satisfying answer I have read is that "limited" refers to limited production capacity. These lenses are made at a much lower rate using manual hand-made process then say the robot-forged kit lens. They might also be considered to be "limited" in the sense that the number of potential buyers is limited due to high price

Steve

Marc Sabatella · 12-13-2009, 01:14 PM

Yes, browse the forum for a thread on this very topic from just a few days back.

While one can debate the exactl meaning of the term, the upshot is, the Limited series are meant to be among Pentax's best lenses. Yes, there is also a "*" that also denotes high quality.

GerryL · 12-14-2009, 05:35 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Didn't we just finish up a thread on this topic

They might also be considered to be "limited" in the sense that the number of potential buyers is limited due to high price

Steve

I think this is actually on the nose!

Oggy · 12-15-2009, 03:25 PM

D'Oh!

http://https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/82929-l...-*-lenses.html

How did I miss that. Thanks for the replies. I had got it in my head that the DA*s were the top of the range and Limited refered to short supply.

golfcoachnoel · 12-16-2009, 06:24 AM

Hang on guys! I thought that the DA* means its the series of lenses that are specifically made for digital bodies and the * after it denotes the weather and dust resistant properties of the lens. Hmm....did I miss it ?

Coach

Ben_Edict · 12-16-2009, 06:29 AM

Originally posted by golfcoachnoel

Hang on guys! I thought that the DA* means its the series of lenses that are specifically made for digital bodies and the * after it denotes the weather and dust resistant properties of the lens. Hmm....did I miss it ?

Coach

Yes, you missed something here. The "*" (STAR) always denoted high-end glass, going back to the first STAR lens, the M* 300/4. That included use of ED glass and ofcourse the accordingly higher price tag. The DA is indeed aimed at digital use, but you will find that at least the longer focal lengthes can be used with 35mm, too.
Weather Resistance is WR and only a few lenses sport that, including some DA's - which is, where it really gets complicated...

Ben

B Grace · 12-16-2009, 06:39 AM

It'd be easier if they would use $ signs, for instance, the DA14-72/2.0$$$$ vs. the DA50/3.5$. You can't really get a good feel for the quality of a lens until you've used it a bit so maybe denoting the cost would be an okay idea.

Well, that would present the need for lenses with the little Euro symbol plus several others, I guess.

Pentaxor · 12-16-2009, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by B Grace

It'd be easier if they would use $ signs, for instance, the DA14-72/2.0$$$$ vs. the DA50/3.5$. You can't really get a good feel for the quality of a lens until you've used it a bit so maybe denoting the cost would be an okay idea.

Well, that would present the need for lenses with the little Euro symbol plus several others, I guess.

or DA*-repair.

Peter Zack · 12-16-2009, 10:47 AM

Change the thread title to be searchable.

Marc Sabatella · 12-16-2009, 11:42 PM

It does happen to be true that the DA* lenses are weather sealed, but that's not really the main purpose of the * label - it's mostly about optical quality.

12-12-2009, 04:16 PM	#1
Oggy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: West Sussex UK Posts: 235	Stupid question - what is meant by a "Limited lens" What do Pentax mean when they refer to a lens as "Limited"? Last edited by Peter Zack; 12-16-2009 at 10:47 AM.

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12-12-2009, 04:37 PM	#2
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	Could be a matter of things, Limited as in limited in versatility due to it not being a zoom. Limited as in limited edition, etc.

12-12-2009, 04:52 PM	#3
raymeedc Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 951	Originally posted by Oggy What do Pentax mean when they refer to a lens as "Limited"? It means they're trying to squeeze as much money beyond what the lens is worth out of you as they possibly can by convincing you that the lens you are purchasing is somehow limited to a finite number of examples they will be producing.

12-12-2009, 04:55 PM	#4
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	seriously, at first I thought Limited because they are too few or rare of them up for sale. now I realized that it was more of a distinction. like the "L" Canon lenses, not necessarily mean loser.

12-12-2009, 04:59 PM	#5
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978	Originally posted by Oggy What do Pentax mean when they refer to a lens as "Limited"? It's all about performance. Limited lenses are superior to any other lenses in the same focal lengths in build and IQ. This is similar to canon 'L' series lenses, but then it could be just the inclusion of a lens hood, as I think only their limited lenses comes with a lens hood . Sigma 'EX' lenses point to better build quality only.

12-12-2009, 05:55 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Didn't we just finish up a thread on this topic The most satisfying answer I have read is that "limited" refers to limited production capacity. These lenses are made at a much lower rate using manual hand-made process then say the robot-forged kit lens. They might also be considered to be "limited" in the sense that the number of potential buyers is limited due to high price Steve

12-13-2009, 01:14 PM	#7
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Yes, browse the forum for a thread on this very topic from just a few days back. While one can debate the exactl meaning of the term, the upshot is, the Limited series are meant to be among Pentax's best lenses. Yes, there is also a "*" that also denotes high quality.

12-14-2009, 05:35 PM	#8
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Originally posted by stevebrot Didn't we just finish up a thread on this topic They might also be considered to be "limited" in the sense that the number of potential buyers is limited due to high price Steve I think this is actually on the nose!

12-15-2009, 03:25 PM	#9
Oggy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: West Sussex UK Posts: 235 Original Poster	D'Oh! http://https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/82929-l...--lenses.html How did I miss that. Thanks for the replies. I had got it in my head that the DAs were the top of the range and Limited refered to short supply.

12-16-2009, 06:24 AM	#10
golfcoachnoel Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: So Cal / Phil Photos: Gallery Posts: 58	Hang on guys! I thought that the DA* means its the series of lenses that are specifically made for digital bodies and the * after it denotes the weather and dust resistant properties of the lens. Hmm....did I miss it ? Coach

12-16-2009, 06:29 AM	#11
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by golfcoachnoel Hang on guys! I thought that the DA* means its the series of lenses that are specifically made for digital bodies and the * after it denotes the weather and dust resistant properties of the lens. Hmm....did I miss it ? Coach Yes, you missed something here. The "" (STAR) always denoted high-end glass, going back to the first STAR lens, the M 300/4. That included use of ED glass and ofcourse the accordingly higher price tag. The DA is indeed aimed at digital use, but you will find that at least the longer focal lengthes can be used with 35mm, too. Weather Resistance is WR and only a few lenses sport that, including some DA's - which is, where it really gets complicated... Ben

12-16-2009, 06:39 AM	#12
B Grace Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 429	It'd be easier if they would use $ signs, for instance, the DA14-72/2.0$$$$ vs. the DA50/3.5$. You can't really get a good feel for the quality of a lens until you've used it a bit so maybe denoting the cost would be an okay idea. Well, that would present the need for lenses with the little Euro symbol plus several others, I guess.

12-16-2009, 10:46 AM	#13
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by B Grace It'd be easier if they would use $ signs, for instance, the DA14-72/2.0$$$$ vs. the DA50/3.5$. You can't really get a good feel for the quality of a lens until you've used it a bit so maybe denoting the cost would be an okay idea. Well, that would present the need for lenses with the little Euro symbol plus several others, I guess. or DA*-repair.

12-16-2009, 10:47 AM	#14
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Change the thread title to be searchable.

12-16-2009, 11:42 PM	#15
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	It does happen to be true that the DA* lenses are weather sealed, but that's not really the main purpose of the * label - it's mostly about optical quality.