Originally posted by panoguy The DA*'s too? That certainly seems like Pentax "giving away the farm," but I'm sure kunzie's right and Pentax never puts their name on a lens (or camera) that isn't 100% Pentax. That's just someone else making stuff up on the internet to make kunzie feel bad.
Seriously, aside from flaming the fanboi, it makes absolute financial sense for Tokina to offer the same lenses with OEM designations (like the Pentax, Sony and Nikkor 18-135's with the otherwise mysterious "DC" motor) and even more sense for the OEMs to buy them with a few customizations to fill out their lens lines. When it comes to compacts, the same can be said to maximize profits. My point is not that Pentax is doing something wrong or bad, but rather that it clearly shows what Pentax feels is important when you compare the prices and specs.
I'm not making things up nor am I guessing, those lenses have a completely different construction from the Tokina versions, and are assembled in Vietnam - by Pentax. Also, there are Pentax patents for some of those optical designs.
I never claimed that "Pentax never puts their name on a lens (or camera) that isn't 100% Pentax"; in fact I said the contrary, by mentioning the rebadged Tamron and by saying that some of those optical designs are Tokina's.
You are indeed flaming, but I'm no fanboy. Making up things, and fighting well known facts won't be made easier by name calling.