[OJGoreng]

Ah... I understand, the barrel expansion only has infuence on the longer lenses. And that's why only the longer lenses are white, to reflect the sunlight.

Still I think it looks silly, having a big white lens on an all black camera.

I realise I'm beating a dead horse before the fetus has fully gestated, but... I'm guessing the target audience is nature photographers on the one hand, and sports photographers on the other hand. The former group (including me) will have to coat the lens in something less-conspicuous. A shining lens surface is already something birds can pick up from kilometers away. A giant white lens will be like waving a lighthouse around. So in honesty, heat aspects aside, I really hope it won't be white. Adding sticky foil in more subdued colours to it may not work if the collapsable design speculation turns out to be correct... the foil would block the sliding mechanism.

Anyway, I still want one.

[french_mike]

Or else your shooting polar bear


By frenchmike at 2012-02-09

[Bob from Aus]

I really hope it won't be white

Good point. Use a big fat black permanent pen (texta in Australia) to colour over your brand new white lens

[raider]

Hi guys, I know the 560 is not released yet but what is the anticipated price for this lens? I am trying to do some budgeting here

Edit: Nevermind.....one post suggest 3K for this lens.

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Last edited by raider; 03-18-2012 at 10:12 PM.

[Bob from Aus]

Hi raider - lots of ideas kicking around. The hopefuls talk around the $2000 mark. Those saying it needs to compete against the sigma 500 say under or around $4,000. Those who think it will be a top notch lens competing with Nikon/canon might say over $5,000. The sigma is $5,000. We don't even know what kind of focusing system it will use but I would think a motor so it is different to Sigma. The cost of the lens will reflect its quality so it's then up to pentax ricoh to work out what profit margin they need. Not being a super fast lens at that focal length should keep the price down.

Just think of the canon/nikon suckers as they need to fork out $10,000 plus for something that weighs a ton.

[eurostar]

I realise I'm beating a dead horse before the fetus has fully gestated, but... I'm guessing the target audience is nature photographers on the one hand, and sports photographers on the other hand. The former group (including me) will have to coat the lens in something less-conspicuous. A shining lens surface is already something birds can pick up from kilometers away. A giant white lens will be like waving a lighthouse around. So in honesty, heat aspects aside, I really hope it won't be white. Adding sticky foil in more subdued colours to it may not work if the collapsable design speculation turns out to be correct... the foil would block the sliding mechanism.

Anyway, I still want one.

Or, you do like me with my shiny white A*600/5,6... take an old green wool sock, open it up on the foot end, and put on your lens. It is not sticky, so the telescopic parts (like the hood in my lens) can still move freely.

[pingflood]

Hi raider - lots of ideas kicking around. The hopefuls talk around the $2000 mark. Those saying it needs to compete against the sigma 500 say under or around $4,000. Those who think it will be a top notch lens competing with Nikon/canon might say over $5,000. The sigma is $5,000. We don't even know what kind of focusing system it will use but I would think a motor so it is different to Sigma. The cost of the lens will reflect its quality so it's then up to pentax ricoh to work out what profit margin they need. Not being a super fast lens at that focal length should keep the price down.

Just think of the canon/nikon suckers as they need to fork out $10,000 plus for something that weighs a ton.

I am one of those suckers, but I did pay $6500 "only" for my 500/4, and did get an extra stop.

[raider]

Ok. If that lens is 2000$ I will snap it up, as the da300 is already costing 1300 or so. So at 2k it is dead cheap for a lens that focal length....

[AGWoodard]

Just think of the canon/nikon suckers as they need to fork out $10,000 plus for something that weighs a ton.

This is just an ignorant statement.

If cost is more important than IQ, go buy a bigma.

[Frogfish]

Or else your shooting polar bear

By frenchmike at 2012-02-09

I'm sure I can see the photographer's hand protruding from the bear's mouth ... even in death not willing to give up his beloved camera & tripod !

[Bob from Aus]

This is just an ignorant statement.

Thanks - already have an old bigma, but my new sigma 500 work beautifully on my K5 and it cost nearly $6,000 to get it into the country

[OJGoreng]

Or, you do like me with my shiny white A*600/5,6... take an old green wool sock, open it up on the foot end, and put on your lens. It is not sticky, so the telescopic parts (like the hood in my lens) can still move freely.

That's a great idea, actually.... thanks!

[HawaiianOnline]

That's a great idea, actually.... thanks!

There's all kinds of options, really. From covers with a specific fit all the way to protective covers that are made for generic lens sizes. There's more than just Lenscoat brand covers too.

[zapp]

Ok. If that lens is 2000$ I will snap it up, as the da300 is already costing 1300 or so. So at 2k it is dead cheap for a lens that focal length....

Get real! $3000 would be a bargain for a 5.6/560 mm lens. The lens must have a 10 cm front glass element just like a 2.8/300 mm lens. Most specs actually suggest that this is a 2.8/300 elongated to multiply the focal length by two - although no ED glass (just a DA lens). So it may end up a little less expensive than a full fledge 2.8/300 - as longer lenses are easier to correct. A Sigma 2.8/300 costs close to $3000, used FA 2.8/300 lenses from Pentax sell for $2700. Unless Pentax really cuts cost by innovative design, $3000 would be a start and 4-5000 still realistic. The DA* 300 has f/4 as fastest stop, opening up one stop is expensive in this league.

[falconeye]

Most specs actually suggest that this is a 2.8/300 elongated to multiply the focal length by two - although no ED glass (just a DA lens).

Are you in the same thread?

We are talking about a modified scope design and similiarly specced Pentax scopes use 3-4 elements (1 ED) and are just under $2000. It has much fewer lens elements than the more expensive ~10+ element designs with a 100mm front lens.

Anything above $2790 will be disappointing and anything below $1990 will be a positive surprise. My personal guess is around $2500 because of the focus motor, aperture, and possible additional rear lens group working as a field flattener.

Note also that Pentax decided they have no market anymore in the $3000+ lens business. An assessment I am increasingly agreeing with.