New HD DA Limited lenses

snake · 09-15-2013, 05:59 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

One of Ricoh's strengths is manufacturing process control. Perhaps there were changes to the Limiteds that go deeper than the paint.

Need I say more?

It remains to be seen. Unlike most, I am giving Ricoh a chance to prove itself.

However, one caveat is that I tried to speak to Ricoh directly about a year ago about Pentax and certain things about the company. Their response was rather flat:

"I'm sorry, but you have to deal directly with Pentax on those questions"

and they proceeded to give me Pentax's contact information. Stuff along the lines of QC, SDM, and some other things. It might have changed now, but they gave me the impression that Pentax was distinct and still running its own division, so I'm interested in seeing if this changes with the company/brand changes.

Kunzite · 09-15-2013, 06:02 AM

Originally posted by Uluru

I have seen all new DA HD Limiteds in flesh, and honestly, they look ways better than the old ones.
They are stunning. Seeing is believing. If the new cameras get the same sophisticated uplift, like the GR has over all its brethren, even Leica will hide itself under the desk.
These things have been designed for a tactile emotive response, a feeling of great and *differentiating* quality. Can't imitate that with plastic (Fuji's or m4/3 lenses).

That's interesting; I can't wait to see them myself.
Are you saying even the "tactile emotive response" was improved? Mechanical changes, not only the aspect? Or you're talking about Limiteds in general?

**monochrome** · 09-15-2013, 06:06 AM

Originally posted by snake

However, one caveat is that I tried to speak to Ricoh directly about a year ago about Pentax and certain things about the company. Their response was rather flat:

I guess all we can do is wait. And read tea leaves.

**savoche** · 09-15-2013, 06:36 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by monochrome

I guess all we can do is wait. And read tea leaves.

And while I waited I bought myself an SMC 21 Ltd. I prefer to drink the tea rather than reading the leaves

lytrytyr · 09-15-2013, 07:11 AM

Originally posted by Andi Lo

I think it's true that we love our Ltds partly because of their build quality, but perhaps such feel is also reproducible in plastic?

Well, you could compare the DA 35 Ltd Macro with its optical twin,
the Tokina AF 35mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX.

**tlong423** · 09-15-2013, 08:48 AM

Originally posted by Andi Lo

I think it's true that we love our Ltds partly because of their build quality, but perhaps such feel is also reproducible in plastic?

Actually no, it is not.

Zygonyx · 09-15-2013, 09:27 AM

Originally posted by Uluru

I have seen all new DA HD Limiteds in flesh, and honestly, they look ways better than the old ones.
They are stunning. Seeing is believing...

Wouldn't it be exaggerated to ask you what kind of differences you've felt or seen ?
Can you objectivise your fellings ?

lytrytyr · 09-15-2013, 11:29 AM

Originally posted by tlong423

Actually no, it is not.

"the build quality of the lens is on a very high level"

. . . from the Photozone review of the

Tokina AF 35mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX (Nikon) - Review / Test Report

Kunzite · 09-15-2013, 11:37 AM

It doesn't matter, that thing is ugly.

deus ursus · 09-15-2013, 12:33 PM

Looks good on a Nikon, though.

(This wasn't meant as a compliment, if anyone should think so)

Zygonyx · 09-15-2013, 01:34 PM

For sure, Nikon gear is also ugly

Uluru · 09-15-2013, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by Zygonyx

Wouldn't it be exaggerated to ask you what kind of differences you've felt or seen ?
Can you objectivise your fellings ?

Details; HD coated lens elements have a different reflective index and look 'more invisible', or more transparent. They 'suck you inside' so to speak. Markings are simplified, only one colour used, writing is a bit different so the feel of quality metal construction is even more visually enhanced. Lenses were brand new, well lubricated, and it seemed they give a bit different response in manual focusing. DA15 and DA70 feel similar, DA40 feels better than SMC (at least my copy of it, which was brand new anyway).
However, I had so little time allowed, rep breathing above my neck, so I didn't check the lens contact pins! I totally forgot about it.

tclausen · 09-15-2013, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by deus ursus

Looks good on a Nikon, though.

(This wasn't meant as a compliment, if anyone should think so)

My significant other recently told me "you make any shirt look spectacular"....perhaps that wasn't the compliment I initially thought that it was....

kshapero · 09-15-2013, 02:47 PM

Another opportunity for weatherproofing missed!

**Aristophanes** · 09-15-2013, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by kivis

Another opportunity for weatherproofing missed!

I don't think one can WR the DA Limiteds without adding bulk and dealing with the quick-shift.

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09-15-2013, 05:59 AM	#466
snake Banned Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: NY/Germany Posts: 1,183	Originally posted by monochrome One of Ricoh's strengths is manufacturing process control. Perhaps there were changes to the Limiteds that go deeper than the paint. Need I say more? It remains to be seen. Unlike most, I am giving Ricoh a chance to prove itself. However, one caveat is that I tried to speak to Ricoh directly about a year ago about Pentax and certain things about the company. Their response was rather flat: "I'm sorry, but you have to deal directly with Pentax on those questions" and they proceeded to give me Pentax's contact information. Stuff along the lines of QC, SDM, and some other things. It might have changed now, but they gave me the impression that Pentax was distinct and still running its own division, so I'm interested in seeing if this changes with the company/brand changes.

09-15-2013, 06:02 AM	#467
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by Uluru I have seen all new DA HD Limiteds in flesh, and honestly, they look ways better than the old ones. They are stunning. Seeing is believing. If the new cameras get the same sophisticated uplift, like the GR has over all its brethren, even Leica will hide itself under the desk. These things have been designed for a tactile emotive response, a feeling of great and differentiating quality. Can't imitate that with plastic (Fuji's or m4/3 lenses). That's interesting; I can't wait to see them myself. Are you saying even the "tactile emotive response" was improved? Mechanical changes, not only the aspect? Or you're talking about Limiteds in general?

09-15-2013, 06:06 AM	#468
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by snake However, one caveat is that I tried to speak to Ricoh directly about a year ago about Pentax and certain things about the company. Their response was rather flat: I guess all we can do is wait. And read tea leaves.

09-15-2013, 06:36 AM - 1 Like	#469
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by monochrome I guess all we can do is wait. And read tea leaves. And while I waited I bought myself an SMC 21 Ltd. I prefer to drink the tea rather than reading the leaves

09-15-2013, 07:11 AM	#470
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by Andi Lo I think it's true that we love our Ltds partly because of their build quality, but perhaps such feel is also reproducible in plastic? Well, you could compare the DA 35 Ltd Macro with its optical twin, the Tokina AF 35mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX.

09-15-2013, 08:48 AM	#471
tlong423 Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Kansas City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 194	Originally posted by Andi Lo I think it's true that we love our Ltds partly because of their build quality, but perhaps such feel is also reproducible in plastic? Actually no, it is not.

09-15-2013, 09:27 AM	#472
Zygonyx Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ile de France Posts: 4,033	Originally posted by Uluru I have seen all new DA HD Limiteds in flesh, and honestly, they look ways better than the old ones. They are stunning. Seeing is believing... Wouldn't it be exaggerated to ask you what kind of differences you've felt or seen ? Can you objectivise your fellings ?

09-15-2013, 11:29 AM	#473
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by tlong423 Actually no, it is not. "the build quality of the lens is on a very high level" . . . from the Photozone review of the Tokina AF 35mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX (Nikon) - Review / Test Report

09-15-2013, 11:37 AM	#474
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	It doesn't matter, that thing is ugly.

09-15-2013, 12:33 PM	#475
deus ursus Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Stårheim, Norway Posts: 658	Looks good on a Nikon, though. (This wasn't meant as a compliment, if anyone should think so)

09-15-2013, 01:34 PM	#476
Zygonyx Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ile de France Posts: 4,033	For sure, Nikon gear is also ugly

09-15-2013, 01:48 PM	#477
Uluru Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Back to my Walkabout Creek Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,535	Originally posted by Zygonyx Wouldn't it be exaggerated to ask you what kind of differences you've felt or seen ? Can you objectivise your fellings ? Details; HD coated lens elements have a different reflective index and look 'more invisible', or more transparent. They 'suck you inside' so to speak. Markings are simplified, only one colour used, writing is a bit different so the feel of quality metal construction is even more visually enhanced. Lenses were brand new, well lubricated, and it seemed they give a bit different response in manual focusing. DA15 and DA70 feel similar, DA40 feels better than SMC (at least my copy of it, which was brand new anyway). However, I had so little time allowed, rep breathing above my neck, so I didn't check the lens contact pins! I totally forgot about it.

09-15-2013, 02:40 PM	#478
tclausen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,397	Originally posted by deus ursus Looks good on a Nikon, though. (This wasn't meant as a compliment, if anyone should think so) My significant other recently told me "you make any shirt look spectacular"....perhaps that wasn't the compliment I initially thought that it was....

09-15-2013, 02:47 PM	#479
kshapero Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Florida, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 437	Another opportunity for weatherproofing missed!

09-15-2013, 05:43 PM	#480
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	Originally posted by kivis Another opportunity for weatherproofing missed! I don't think one can WR the DA Limiteds without adding bulk and dealing with the quick-shift.