Originally posted by bobell69 Does anyone know how long it takes to design a lens from beginning to production? Just wondering if a lens design is the result of many months of design work by a team or an individual. I see Pentax currenty developing one or two lenses a year in the K mount, and about one every 18 months or so in the 645 mount. Is it reasonable to assume that if focused on one mount only that a ramp up could deliver three to five or more quality K mount lenses in a year?
See as X-mount is less than a year old and companies are already producing lenses for it I don't think i takes too long. I would be surprised if Zeiss would dedicate resources to develop glass for the X-mount without first seeing the markets reaction to it. I would like to think the reason we have not seen any desirable glass from Pentax is because they are working on FF glass.
Sigma did an interview a few years ago where they talked about how computer models have radically reduced development time for lenses and really improved the IQ of glass. Sigma has made huge strides in IQ over the past few years with lenses like the 50mm and 85mm. Newer glass like Fluorite, and ULD glass have made it easier to achieve really good IQ. The newer coating also make design easier.
Can people confirm that the FA 31mm, 43mm, & 77mm were missing from the show and from the literature that was handed out? The rumor is going around that those lenses were not on display.