[Mistral75]

The optical formula and lens diagram can e.g. be found in the German data sheet: http://www.pentax.de/media/16e7df3958ec872a3990ebfeffe11fa6/Datenblatt_HD_PE...A560mm_GER.pdf

And to report something positive: Pentax made my day by announcing this lens at this price point!

I just have acquired two FA* lenses instead: 400/5.6 and 200/4 Macro

Thank you. Pentax FA* 200mm f/4 isn't a budget lens either... the last three sold on eBay reached 3,700 - 3,800 USD.

[froeschle]

Pentax FA* 200mm f/4 isn't a budget lens either

OK, so let me just reformulate my impressions. I had enough money and I was prepared to buy a new super-telephoto lens from Pentax for a reasonable price. However, from even my mediocre knowledge, I decided that the offer from Pentax is now really underwhelming. Thus, I have invested only in "old" but superior optics. If I would not be a true Pentaxian, I would have switched to Nikon a long time ago. So, for me, the 560 is only a very bad notice. Without the announcement of a FF Pentax camera in the near future, more and more of the trust in Pentax will vanish...

[RXrenesis8]

As predicted by Falk Lumo nearly a year ago, I'm gonna go with ~$2000 MSRP

My guess is $4000+

Man... $7000... we were both way off, but you were the closest without going over!

[gazonk]

OK, so let me just reformulate my impressions. I had enough money and I was prepared to buy a new super-telephoto lens from Pentax for a reasonable price. However, from even my mediocre knowledge, I decided that the offer from Pentax is now really underwhelming. Thus, I have invested only in "old" but superior optics. If I would not be a true Pentaxian, I would have switched to Nikon a long time ago. So, for me, the 560 is only a very bad notice. Without the announcement of a FF Pentax camera in the near future, more and more of the trust in Pentax will vanish...

But today's rumors (see other threads) strongly indicate that the K-3 is indeed a compact 24mp FF

[falconeye]

But today's rumors (see other threads) strongly indicate that the K-3 is indeed a compact 24mp FF

I can't find such rumors. Everybody else going FF means nothing for Pentax. Or did you mean the fake thread?

However, I took notice of Pentax describing the 560mm as "840mm equivalent". I think they wouldn't have done this if an FF offering from their part would be imminent. I won't even ask Pentax on Monday. Maybe, Monday of Photokina 2014 makes more sense ...

[Blue]

I can't find such rumors. Everybody else going FF means nothing for Pentax. Or did you mean the fake thread?

However, I took notice of Pentax describing the 560mm as "840mm equivalent". I think they wouldn't have done this if an FF offering from their part would be imminent. I won't even ask Pentax on Monday. Maybe, Monday of Photokina 2014 makes more sense ...

You should ask them to make them squirm. The Nikon D600 is at $2099 for the body on pre-order here in the U.S.A. That could be competing with there flagship aps-c.

[gazonk]

I can't find such rumors. Everybody else going FF means nothing for Pentax. Or did you mean the fake thread?.

no, Frank fooled me with his joke...

[froeschle]

But today's rumors (see other threads) strongly indicate that the K-3 is indeed a compact 24mp FF

I would bet/guess that the K-3 will be (unfortunately) a 24 MP APS-C DSLR appearing in (early) 2013 (with UVP 1399€ in Germany).
The question rather is whether a K-1 FF finally is in development or not.

[Pål Jensen]

I can't find such rumors. Everybody else going FF means nothing for Pentax. Or did you mean the fake thread?

However, I took notice of Pentax describing the 560mm as "840mm equivalent". I think they wouldn't have done this if an FF offering from their part would be imminent. I won't even ask Pentax on Monday. Maybe, Monday of Photokina 2014 makes more sense ...

Haven't you been predicting a Pentax FF at every Photokina the last years?

I believe in a Pentax FF the moment I see it. to me it seems like Pentax is trying to make the most convincing APS line-up out there. Also, the best and most advanced MF digital out there. If this is sucessful with enough marketshare I think they will consider FF.

[Pål Jensen]

Man... $7000... we were both way off, but you were the closest without going over!

I was fooled by the telscope deisgn remark and the fact that it didn't have DA* designation. But I also said somewhere that a regular DA* ED IF lens 560/5.6 lens would cost about $8000. Modern 300/2.8 lenses cost $6000-7000 and the Pentax A* 600/5.6 costed more than the A* 300/2.8 lens. Hence, theres nothing surprising in the price of the 560/5.6 lens. In fact, it is a little on the cheap side...

[Anvh]

Cheap, also for a telescope design?
I think we need to wait how good the design really is before judging it?
If it can come close to nikon and canon has for this price i think it might be a winner regardless, you can get this and K5 mkII for less then only such competing lenses.

[LamyTax]

Cheap, also for a telescope design?
I think we need to wait how good the design really is before judging it?
If it can come close to nikon and canon has for this price i think it might be a winner regardless, you can get this and K5 mkII for less then only such competing lenses.

How can it come close? It literally can't come closer than 5.6m, and it won't work well with 2x TC at f/11.

[Anvh]

It literally can't come closer than 5.6m

huh???

[MMVIII]

How can it come close? It literally can't come closer than 5.6m, and it won't work well with 2x TC at f/11.

LamyTax, you are repeating this quite sour rant endlessly... I just looked it up, a Canon 600mm can't focus closer than 5.5m, a Nikon 5m, what do you want?

[Pål Jensen]

LamyTax, you are repeating this quite sour rant endlessly... I just looked it up, a Canon 600mm can't focus closer than 5.5m, a Nikon 5m, what do you want?

He want Pentax lenses to be given away for free...