New DA* 16-50 & DA* 50-135?

Lev · 12-05-2018, 12:29 PM

I've been looking around form some news and saw this on pentaxrumors.com:

Concerning the revamping of some of the current, but aging DA★ lenses:

Next also old DA* lenses with new motor and electronics (maybe 16-50 + 50-135 will be first)
Maybe official information will be released in September (source)

Read more: HD PENTAX-D FA ? 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW lens additional info (sharper than the Sigma Art version) - Pentax Rumors

Are we going to see refreshed versions?
Despite my terrible experience with DA* lens I was going to try my luck again and buy 50-135! hold?

fredralphfred · 12-05-2018, 12:41 PM

Very solid optics and a really useful zoom range marred only by a (very) slow, if no longer unreliable, AF drive motor. IF Pentax were to update the focusing motor in it, I think it would be a runaway seller for them.

You almost can't not have the da* 50-135 on APS-C. I sold mine a little over a year ago and have regretted it ever since. I didn't realize how often I used that zoom range. Nearly everyone whose comments about the lens I've read has loved the lens despite the SDM problems on early copies. Pentax was supposed to have fixed those. How long's it been since you've heard of a new SDM lens with a problem? (Not really intending to hijack the thread.)

Having said that, I was very disappointed by the AF speed (which is why I sold the lens). My 18-135 beats the pants off it for AF. It makes the 50-135 far less useful, and made me consider sending it to Uncle Vanya to be converted to screw drive despite the fact that my SDM worked perfectly. (It's supposed to focus much faster as a screw-drive lens).

stevebrot · 12-05-2018, 12:55 PM - **2 Likes**

Note the date. This may have been a one sentence rumor last March from AsahiMan on a DPReview forum, but as with most rumors the substance often remains missing as the months churn on.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4259189?page=5#forum-post-60837233

Steve

Lev · 12-05-2018, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by fredralphfred

Very solid optics and a really useful zoom range marred only by a (very) slow, if no longer unreliable, AF drive motor. IF Pentax were to update the focusing motor in it, I think it would be a runaway seller for them.

You almost can't not have the da* 50-135 on APS-C. I sold mine a little over a year ago and have regretted it ever since. I didn't realize how often I used that zoom range. Nearly everyone whose comments about the lens I've read has loved the lens despite the SDM problems on early copies. Pentax was supposed to have fixed those. How long's it been since you've heard of a new SDM lens with a problem? (Not really intending to hijack the thread.)

Having said that, I was very disappointed by the AF speed (which is why I sold the lens). My 18-135 beats the pants off it for AF. It makes the 50-135 far less useful, and made me consider sending it to Uncle Vanya to be converted to screw drive despite the fact that my SDM worked perfectly. (It's supposed to focus much faster as a screw-drive lens).

I just can't remember fighting so hard to myself. AF speed is nothing compared to problem I had last time purchasing this lens. Unbelievably bad front/back focus issues, loose focus ring.. etc etc. As you said, it's most useful range along with astonishing image quality and that's why I'm turning back to this lens but every time I do that these issues don't let me go farther.

---------- Post added 12-05-18 at 01:09 PM ----------

Originally posted by stevebrot

Note the date. This may have been a one sentence rumor last March from AsahiMan on a DPReview forum, but as with most rumors the substance often remains missing as the months churn on.

70-200/4 added to roadmap.: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Steve

Steve, help me!

fredralphfred · 12-05-2018, 01:10 PM

I remember thinking the focus ring felt weird, but I thought that was just the quick-focus. (I think it was my first quick-focus lens.) My copy didn't have any front- or back-focus issues, and the focus ring wasn't actually loose. I hope if you purchase it again you get a good copy. Once mine (eventually) focused, it was spot-on every time.

---------- Post added 12-05-18 at 02:12 PM ----------

Originally posted by stevebrot

Note the date. This may have been a one sentence rumor last March from AsahiMan on a DPReview forum, but as with most rumors the substance often remains missing as the months churn on.

70-200/4 added to roadmap.: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Steve

That's a really good point. I didn't actually look at the rumor until after I replied to Lev. I think it's safe to say that there either weren't plans to refresh them or they fell through. Besides, from all accounts, if I was going to refresh the pair, I'd probably rework the 16-50. It doesn't seem to get much love.

stevebrot · 12-05-2018, 01:24 PM

Originally posted by Lev

Steve, help me!

The rumor is from March 2018.

Originally posted by fredralphfred

I think it's safe to say that there either weren't plans to refresh them or they fell through.

This ^ ^ ^

Updating the DA* zooms with modern AF motors is a good idea, but has not had any official announcement.

Steve

Lev · 12-05-2018, 01:28 PM

o god, here we go again...

reh321 · 12-05-2018, 01:48 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by stevebrot

The rumor is from March 2018.

This ^ ^ ^

Updating the DA* zooms with modern AF motors is a good idea, but has not had any official announcement.

I believe, but do not know, that Pentax has done a lot of re-thinking since Spring 2018 - at least, that is how I read 'between the lines of' the non-answers given in the Photokina 2018 interviews. Their answers seemed much less certain than their answers at CP+ 2018 interviews, and they weren't even willing to give the same answers.

**sbh** · 12-05-2018, 01:53 PM

As a general thought, if there is a new APSC top end camera in 2019, updated lenses would make sense to come with it.

surfar · 12-05-2018, 01:56 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by reh321

Their answers

Theres a 100 reasons they come next year!

ZombieArmy · 12-05-2018, 01:56 PM

Slap some HD coatings and PLM motors into these bad boys and you'll have a winner I'm sure. Pentax already has the best APSC glass in the market, should push the advantage further by doing an update on these.

stevebrot · 12-05-2018, 02:01 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Lev

o god, here we go again...

You started it!

Steve

reh321 · 12-05-2018, 02:05 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by sbh

As a general thought, if there is a new APSC top end camera in 2019, updated lenses would make sense to come with it.

Yes!

Asahi man says they have an internal roadmap, and the part he has seen shows emphasis on FF. Hopefully we will get a peek at the rest of it by CP+. This uncertainty is why I decided to purchase a KP at the $700 price ... my lenses work best with an APS body.

reh321 · 12-05-2018, 02:16 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stevebrot

You started it!

Steve

I gave you one "like".
I would have done that a dozen times if they allowed that, because your words were a simpler version of what I was going to say.

**aslyfox** · 12-05-2018, 02:36 PM

I'm not excited

perhaps there is a reason this [ and other " news " ] is on a site called rumors

ru·mor
[ˈro͞omər]

NOUN
a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth.
"they were investigating rumors of a massacre" · [more]
synonyms:
gossip · hearsay · talk · tittle-tattle · the grapevine · [more]
VERB
(be rumored)
be circulated as an unverified account

12-05-2018, 12:29 PM	#1
Lev Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia Posts: 1,197	*New DA 16-50 & DA* 50-135?** I've been looking around form some news and saw this on pentaxrumors.com: Concerning the revamping of some of the current, but aging DA★ lenses: Next also old DA* lenses with new motor and electronics (maybe 16-50 + 50-135 will be first) Maybe official information will be released in September (source) Read more: HD PENTAX-D FA ? 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW lens additional info (sharper than the Sigma Art version) - Pentax Rumors Are we going to see refreshed versions? Despite my terrible experience with DA* lens I was going to try my luck again and buy 50-135! hold?

12-05-2018, 12:55 PM - 2 Likes	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Note the date. This may have been a one sentence rumor last March from AsahiMan on a DPReview forum, but as with most rumors the substance often remains missing as the months churn on. https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4259189?page=5#forum-post-60837233 Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 12-05-2018 at 01:02 PM.

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12-05-2018, 12:41 PM	#2
fredralphfred Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orting, WA Posts: 252	Very solid optics and a really useful zoom range marred only by a (very) slow, if no longer unreliable, AF drive motor. IF Pentax were to update the focusing motor in it, I think it would be a runaway seller for them. You almost can't not have the da* 50-135 on APS-C. I sold mine a little over a year ago and have regretted it ever since. I didn't realize how often I used that zoom range. Nearly everyone whose comments about the lens I've read has loved the lens despite the SDM problems on early copies. Pentax was supposed to have fixed those. How long's it been since you've heard of a new SDM lens with a problem? (Not really intending to hijack the thread.) Having said that, I was very disappointed by the AF speed (which is why I sold the lens). My 18-135 beats the pants off it for AF. It makes the 50-135 far less useful, and made me consider sending it to Uncle Vanya to be converted to screw drive despite the fact that my SDM worked perfectly. (It's supposed to focus much faster as a screw-drive lens).

12-05-2018, 01:07 PM	#4
Lev Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia Posts: 1,197 Original Poster	Originally posted by fredralphfred Very solid optics and a really useful zoom range marred only by a (very) slow, if no longer unreliable, AF drive motor. IF Pentax were to update the focusing motor in it, I think it would be a runaway seller for them. You almost can't not have the da* 50-135 on APS-C. I sold mine a little over a year ago and have regretted it ever since. I didn't realize how often I used that zoom range. Nearly everyone whose comments about the lens I've read has loved the lens despite the SDM problems on early copies. Pentax was supposed to have fixed those. How long's it been since you've heard of a new SDM lens with a problem? (Not really intending to hijack the thread.) Having said that, I was very disappointed by the AF speed (which is why I sold the lens). My 18-135 beats the pants off it for AF. It makes the 50-135 far less useful, and made me consider sending it to Uncle Vanya to be converted to screw drive despite the fact that my SDM worked perfectly. (It's supposed to focus much faster as a screw-drive lens). I just can't remember fighting so hard to myself. AF speed is nothing compared to problem I had last time purchasing this lens. Unbelievably bad front/back focus issues, loose focus ring.. etc etc. As you said, it's most useful range along with astonishing image quality and that's why I'm turning back to this lens but every time I do that these issues don't let me go farther. ---------- Post added 12-05-18 at 01:09 PM ---------- Originally posted by stevebrot Note the date. This may have been a one sentence rumor last March from AsahiMan on a DPReview forum, but as with most rumors the substance often remains missing as the months churn on. 70-200/4 added to roadmap.: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review Steve Steve, help me!

12-05-2018, 01:10 PM	#5
fredralphfred Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orting, WA Posts: 252	I remember thinking the focus ring felt weird, but I thought that was just the quick-focus. (I think it was my first quick-focus lens.) My copy didn't have any front- or back-focus issues, and the focus ring wasn't actually loose. I hope if you purchase it again you get a good copy. Once mine (eventually) focused, it was spot-on every time. ---------- Post added 12-05-18 at 02:12 PM ---------- Originally posted by stevebrot Note the date. This may have been a one sentence rumor last March from AsahiMan on a DPReview forum, but as with most rumors the substance often remains missing as the months churn on. 70-200/4 added to roadmap.: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review Steve That's a really good point. I didn't actually look at the rumor until after I replied to Lev. I think it's safe to say that there either weren't plans to refresh them or they fell through. Besides, from all accounts, if I was going to refresh the pair, I'd probably rework the 16-50. It doesn't seem to get much love.

12-05-2018, 01:24 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Lev Steve, help me! The rumor is from March 2018. Originally posted by fredralphfred I think it's safe to say that there either weren't plans to refresh them or they fell through. This ^ ^ ^ Updating the DA* zooms with modern AF motors is a good idea, but has not had any official announcement. Steve

12-05-2018, 01:28 PM	#7
Lev Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia Posts: 1,197 Original Poster	o god, here we go again...

12-05-2018, 01:48 PM - 2 Likes	#8
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by stevebrot The rumor is from March 2018. This ^ ^ ^ Updating the DA* zooms with modern AF motors is a good idea, but has not had any official announcement. I believe, but do not know, that Pentax has done a lot of re-thinking since Spring 2018 - at least, that is how I read 'between the lines of' the non-answers given in the Photokina 2018 interviews. Their answers seemed much less certain than their answers at CP+ 2018 interviews, and they weren't even willing to give the same answers.

12-05-2018, 01:53 PM	#9
sbh Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Black Forest, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 852	As a general thought, if there is a new APSC top end camera in 2019, updated lenses would make sense to come with it.

12-05-2018, 01:56 PM - 1 Like	#10
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,144	Originally posted by reh321 Their answers Theres a 100 reasons they come next year!

12-05-2018, 01:56 PM	#11
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	Slap some HD coatings and PLM motors into these bad boys and you'll have a winner I'm sure. Pentax already has the best APSC glass in the market, should push the advantage further by doing an update on these.

12-05-2018, 02:01 PM - 1 Like	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Lev o god, here we go again... You started it! Steve

12-05-2018, 02:05 PM - 2 Likes	#13
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by sbh As a general thought, if there is a new APSC top end camera in 2019, updated lenses would make sense to come with it. Yes! Asahi man says they have an internal roadmap, and the part he has seen shows emphasis on FF. Hopefully we will get a peek at the rest of it by CP+. This uncertainty is why I decided to purchase a KP at the $700 price ... my lenses work best with an APS body.

12-05-2018, 02:16 PM - 1 Like	#14
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by stevebrot You started it! Steve I gave you one "like". I would have done that a dozen times if they allowed that, because your words were a simpler version of what I was going to say.

12-05-2018, 02:36 PM	#15
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	I'm not excited perhaps there is a reason this [ and other " news " ] is on a site called rumors ru·mor [ˈro͞omər] NOUN a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth. "they were investigating rumors of a massacre" · [more] synonyms: gossip · hearsay · talk · tittle-tattle · the grapevine · [more] VERB (be rumored) be circulated as an unverified account