[causey]

Fantastic news. 12-35mm would be about the ideal range for me! And I was thinking of getting the DA 15mm. At least now I have a good reason to wait. But the SDM is a negative for me.

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Last edited by causey; 12-17-2010 at 06:14 AM.

[RBellavance]

If this turns out to be real, my interest in the DA18-135 will probably take a nose-dive. I already own a DA50-200WR, and 12-35WR would complement it very well... The DA12-24 is one of my most used lenses when travelling, and the new lens' range and WR would make it even more useful.

[ogl]

Pentax patent of DA12-35mm F3.5-4.5 AL WR SDM??????????So-net???

I've found it could be real next spring.

[omega leader]

My standard walkaround kit is my 12-24mm f4 and my 50-150mm f2.8.

If this lens focuses closer than the 12-24mm and is as sharp I would buy it in a moment and probably sell my 12-24mm.

I hope we see this in stores soon.

[northcoastgreg]

Granted, 35/4.5 sounds kind of useless

Depends on how it's used. 12-35 works perfectly for landscape, and in landscape one doesn't need fast lens, just sharp lenses with excellent color rendition. I rather doubt a variable aperture lens covering this range is going to outresolve the DA 12-24, but if it does, it will be a hard package to resist for those of us who shoot landscapes. I could take 95% of my landscape photos with such a lens, obviating the need to swap glass in the field.

[Ash]

The real virtue of this lens would be the WR feature as a landscape lens. The range may overlap with complementary lenses like the DA* 16-50 but there is a world of difference between 12 and 16mm in landscape photography. SDM, I'm hoping (real hard), is a success with this model and is built as sturdy as the lens itself will be...

[Hypocorism]

... but there is a world of difference between 12 and 16mm in landscape photography.

Ain't that the truth!
I have a 10-20 and even yearn for 8mm now too after Sigma's success story.

SDM, I'm hoping (real hard), is a success with this model and is built as sturdy as the lens itself will be...

True, Otoh; one is left to wonder why aren't they deploying the new AF drive built into the (new) 18-135 in this one too?

I know its early days yet but it seems to be gathering huge acclaim from all directions, plus the 18-135 isn't that expensive unlike most SDM lenses so its inbuilt AF is probably cheaper to make/sell and seems compact enough too.

.R.

[DonDouglas]

Sorry if this comes across as nitpicking, but I'd refer to f/3.5 as a maximum rather than minimum aperture; smallest number but biggest diaphragm opening.

[alohadave]

True, Otoh; one is left to wonder why aren't they deploying the new AF drive built into the (new) 18-135 in this one too?

DC is for lower priced consumer lenses. SDM is for higher tier lenses.

[glanglois]

Implies that SDM is not ready to be replaced by DC?

Implies that Pentax believe that use of SDM will not inhibit sales? That's a bit hard to swallow, judging by what I read on this site. Please note that I used the word "inhibit", not "prevent". A longer-term warranty would help fix some things. Like my reluctance to acquire the 60-250.

Caution: I have not read the patent yet. Nor ever will unless it's translated by an accomplished translator. Anyone want to help?

* I didn't see a specific reference to the AF mechanism. Did I miss that?

* I didn't understand the reference to Tokina and Canon. I know I missed that.

* Does the reference to CP+ imply an announcement in February with the lens arriving with the cherry blossoms? Depends on the island but perhaps around 1 April for Honshu? Doesn't sound crazy if the patent were applied for in September.

If produced, shows directional support for outdoor photography in general and landscapes in particular - in line with the 645D. That also implies it must be sharper than a kit lens.

But I am confused. It made sense if consumer-grade WR and DC were linked, as were *-type sealing and SDM.

Oh, well. As usual, we'll speculate and they'll plan. With luck, we'll both have a good time along the way!

[abacus07]

This is exciting news indeed. I have two problems with the Sigma 10-20 and DA 12-24. Size (compared to the DA15) and they're not really long enough to use as a primary lens. They essentially become a wide prime (with different wide ranges). This is still big (I'll guess 1 lb) but it would probably never have to come off my camera. And the WR is the clincher. As far as the size I guess I can handle that since it would be my primary lens.

My primary usage would be backpacking and travel. So landscapes and architecture are my primary usages. This, a fast 50 and my M135 would be all that I need for travel.

[Hypocorism]

Pentax patent of DA12-35mm F3.5-4.5 AL WR SDM??????????So-net???

I've found it could be real next spring.

It's impressive how they've managed to build in anti-discrimination tech and apply it to specific flora reproductive seasons. That feat deserves a patent approval in itself.

"In Japan, any people regardless of age or sex captures a cherry tree flowering on March or April."

(The online translation software might have to wait a while though.)

.R.

[Super A-wesome]

The f3.5-4.5 aperture isn't so bad. Remember, f4.5 is only 1/3 stop slower than f4, a hardly noticable difference.

[abacus07]

The f3.5-4.5 aperture isn't so bad. Remember, f4.5 is only 1/3 stop slower than f4, a hardly noticable difference.

Especially when this looks like an ideal hiking/outdoors lens. I prefer these apertures tbh since it will be lighter.

[alohadave]

That's a bit hard to swallow, judging by what I read on this site.

Don't base your buying decisions off the squeaky wheels at this website.