[axl]

This isn't entirely fair because those focal lengths apply to fullframe. On APSC it would be 12, 14 (covered), 16 (covered by 15mm), 18, 35 (covered, but by a macro), 55 (covered) and 90.

Exactly what I wanted to point out. Since Pentax are still declaring loyalty to APSC size system, completing the equivalent line up makes much more sense IMO. So what we really should be wanting are 18/2.8, 24/2, 35/1.4 & 90/2 or 2.8

my 2p

[er1kksen]

There is a 18mm ? Where is it ?

He didn't say that one was covered.

[jimH]

On the other hand, I wonder how many actually use their 50mm regularly these days.

I guess you're right, I rarely use mine, although in case I ever need it, I have it. We usually don't need everything we think we do. In the old days they got by with just a "standard" lens, didn't they?

[vizjerei]

Keep my 50/1.2, and sold my FA50/1.4.. haven't really use it much after I got my FA35.

[Blue]

In that survey given earlier, the thing that peaked my interest the most would be something like a DAL 50mm f/1.7. Fast, cheap, good optics? I'd buy one in a heartbeat. I get the feeling that with modern AF speeds, the old FA 50 design just can't keep up and are beginning to break down.

Oh and speaking of that survey, have the results been made available somewhere?

I'd like to slap the inventor of the plastic lens mount in the mouth.

Back to these rumors. This was stated a year or so ago when the FA 50mm f1.4 supplies dried up. However, Pentax Imaging, BH and Adorama have started stocking it again. The difference is that the price went up from $199 to $359. I guess those folks in Vietnam got a raise.

[jpoint]

A cheap 50/1.8 DFA lens is always most wanted pentax lens.

They told me that they will keep only the 55mm

[thibs]

A lens like nikon 35/1.8 is more urgent IMO. And cheap as the nikon please.

[jpoint]

If so. I bet nobody will buy the 31 limited.

A lens like nikon 35/1.8 is more urgent IMO. And cheap as the nikon please.

[thibs]

If so. I bet nobody will buy the 31 limited.

Nobody a tad price sensitive do buy it anyway.

[0144]

what they need is to take FA 50mm F1.7 design, remove aperture ring, remove manual focus ability, use whatever focus is cheaper to make(SDM/screw) and add weather sealing which should be quite easy without any moving lens parts in exterior but the front lens group.

Such a lens would be cheap to manufacture and a hit among new comers.

[Kunzite]

"Remove manual focus ability"? That would be a first and a show stopper at the same time.

[0144]

not that much of a show stopper. new people to DSLR's do not care about manual focus(most of them).

also this is a budget lens, so most of us wouldn't buy it anyway, but it would be great to counter other brand cheap lenses.

just think about it which would be better:
a auto focus only, WR F1,7 50mm
or a canon fully plastic F1,8?

note that with no external moving parts it's also easier to make it robust while keeping the price low

[gazonk]

not that much of a show stopper. new people to DSLR's do not care about manual focus(most of them).

also this is a budget lens, so most of us wouldn't buy it anyway, but it would be great to counter other brand cheap lenses.

The original 50/1.7 is a wonderful lens, if they remake that I'm sure a lot of people here would want to buy it, it would be silly to leave out MF.

But my guess is that they will show their commitment to APS-C buy providing a budget lens in the 28-35 range first.

[kevinschoenmakers]

I just found this on this website:

In production: Only the three "Limited" lenses out of the original 42 FA lenses are in production as of May 2010

EDIT: actually, I just saw that was written by Adam and Ole. What is the source for this?

[Ratmagiclady]

A cheap 50/1.8 DFA lens is always most wanted pentax lens.

I wonder if they were to issue a 1.7, if they mayn't as well go ahead and make it the 1.4.

The real reason they never made a cheap 1.8ish 50mm is cause the FA 50 1.4 only cost a couple of hundred for so long: why bother, after all, when you've had such an excellent little fast 50 all along. Frankly, the FA 55 has trouble distiguishing itself, apparently, apart from the weather sealing and the more modern case (And biggerness) Frankly, I bought this system around an FA 50,

What Pentax needs most is an affordable, fastish, compact *normal,* like a DA-WR 35/2 or (better yet) 28/2, or somethign new and 30ish.

I think there'll pretty inevitably be something on the order of the DA *55 in a fast 30ish, (maybe they could take the FA 31 design and put it in a non-metal casing or some such. ) but in the meantime there's that FA31 and a few Sigma offerings.

And, yeah, omitting MF would be totally counter to Pentax's market, not to mention that AF is not their most competitive area of performance.