[doodlebug]

It's sad that we even have to worry about this. In my opinion, Pentax is knocking the wind out of their own sails this Photokina by doubling down on their stupid pricing scheme. Actually, I hope they get flooded with questions about the price hikes at Photokina just so they feel the bad rep it's giving them and then reconsider their strategy. Then again, since it's mostly a US pricing issue it might not be causing the same uproar in Europe that it is in the US.

Those of you in the US shouldn't take it personally - the price of Pentax gear has increased a lot in the UK as well.

The UK is in Europe the last time I looked.

[wtlwdwgn]

I think Pentax was 1st to paint their longer lenses white and it is to keep the internal parts cooler in hot weather. I noticed B&H has it for pre-order for only $6995! I hope LensRentals will get one for me to rent once in awhile.

[LFLee]

So... the first screw (start counting from the lens mount) is for filter;
the 2nd screw is for the tripod mount;
the 3rd screw is for???
That last portion doesn't looks like a lens hood (appear to have glass in it)?

Lee

[eurostar]

So... the first screw (start counting from the lens mount) is for filter;
the 2nd screw is for the tripod mount;
the 3rd screw is for???
That last portion doesn't looks like a lens hood (appear to have glass in it)?

The third knob is only on the prototype shown at CP+ last spring. Non one knows for sure what was; most probably was related to a Pentax patent for retractile lenses that could be shortened for transport. If that is indeed the case, then probably it didn't assured a perfect alignment and was dropped from the actual implementation of the lens.

[garyk]

Well Lens coat will love all the real estate to cover the lens. Wonder what the price will be.

[Uluru]

I've used many Nikon (black finish) higher millimeter telephoto lens' over the years insome of the harshest weather conditions on the planet, yet... Never experienced any problems with any Nikon telephoto due to either high temp and/or high humidity. Here's one of the ones I use presently......
This lens has seen Egypt in the middle of summer, and remained in the sun for hours on end. Zero ill effects. It's also seen Death Valley on a number of occasions. The lens easily capable of more durablity than the average human.

The reason Pentax painted 560mm in white is to make all of you look more like humans when shooting out in the snow, and not like gigantic storks.

[JinDesu]

The reason Pentax painted 560mm in white is to make all of you look more like humans when shooting out in the snow, and not like gigantic storks.

Prefer this answer the most~

[Unlocker]

Definitely not collapsible!

Compared to F*250-600mm.

[Jatcat]

Well Lens coat will love all the real estate to cover the lens. Wonder what the price will be.

Or use a 12 gal. trash bag !!

[thibs]

I want that 250-600... Well I always did. Just because Bragging rights

[bogiesbad]

So... the first screw (start counting from the lens mount) is for filter;
the 2nd screw is for the tripod mount;
the 3rd screw is for???


Lee

They decided to give that screw to the buyers.

[osmoses]

This lens is huge! Anyone knows how much it weight?

[Kunzite]

3040g

[Transit]

I'd be too embarrassed to carry this thing around.
Maybe they should have gone faster to fatten it up ?
Love to be a fly on the wall during their strategic lens decision meetings.
The epic battle between the long thin/ medium fat factions ...

And all the while there is a little guy with a squeeky voice that keeps saying
make a TC, make a TC,make a TC.
When occasionally heard, Squeekysan, a broken man,
is taunted with 'shut up, we do it next year'

[Transit]

Though a broken Man, Squeekysan had foreseen Pentax TC hate and had taken action in 1989...
The crate of 10,000 AF 1.7x TCs had never been missed.
His slow dribbling them onto internet auctions was all that kept the mortgage paid these days and sales were good...
With the crate still half full, he secretly hoped a new TC never comes .
Meanwhile his biggest fear.... a long prime to rule them all had evaporated with the 560 decision.
The 560mm that was to have been the end of his little scheme had gone thin and rich
with a production run similar to Concorde.

And an AF1.7xTC went for over $us400 the other day