[gazonk]

I just realized its funny that.. Pentax made this lens in the focal length range that they have the most lenses in. 21mm, 31mm, 35mm, 35mm macro, 40mm XS, 40mm ltd.. all the 18-55mm, 18-135mm, 16-50mm also overlap.

You forgot 17-70 - everybody seems to forget the 17-70 :-)

Yes, you're right... but the gap between 21 and 31 is too wide, IMHO. And the 16-50 is too many problems and too much bulk for too much money. What I really could need is a 24mm to fill in the gap between my 15mm and 35mm. There's of course the DA21, but it doesn't excite me, I think the 20-40 is more interesting.

[abacus07]

I just realized its funny that.. Pentax made this lens in the focal length range that they have the most lenses in. 21mm, 31mm, 35mm, 35mm macro, 40mm XS, 40mm ltd.. all the 18-55mm, 18-135mm, 16-50mm also overlap. I wonder if Pentax will make another ltd zoom in a tele range, even though there isn't one on the chart yet. Or is the 50-135mm f2.8 already good enough? Its not very compact, but seems to have great IQ

I disagree. They have a lot of lenses in the 2nd half of that range but not in the first half of that range.

The 2nd limited zoom is something I have wondered about. they have had similar offerings in the past with 2x zooms. At the same time I don't see who the target for a 50-100f4 or 60-120f4 lens would be. I can see the 20-40 being popular with hikers for landscapes since it is light and WR.

[eliallan]

I would kill for a limited prime between 23mm and 28mm, maybe a 25mm f2. IMO this has been the biggest hole in the pentax lineup for quite a few years. There are some 3rd party and out of production options, but none really nail it. The samyang 24/1.4 is huge, the pentax 24/2 has mixed reviews, the sigma 24/1.8 is huge and has mixed reviews, the Zeiss has great iq but is rare,expensive, and manual, am I missing any? Give me a 25mm f2.5 Limited WR DC for less than $900 and I'll be so happy.

[chrisfer]

Give me a 25mm f2.5 Limited WR DC for less than $900 and I'll be so happy.

Yes, if this lens is small.

[Zygonyx]

Hummm... i don't see it smaller than the Zeiss diastagon 25/2.8 though...

[topace]

The Zeiss 25/2.5 is center-sharp, but the edges are not very impressive. It's also not small or light. No, a 25/2.5-ish limited would likely be very interesting.

[wed7]

I was able to try this lens, it really is lighter and nice to behold, and it is sharp at center just like most of Pentax lenses specially at max aperture, but my experience was limited and that was a Pentax K-3 launch here in my area. The lens was brought by Pentax endorser Mark Dimalanta, you can google his works. Unfortunately the lens still not available here, should it becomes availble, the price would cost an arm and leg... or more. ;-)

Is it really that unreasonable for Pentax to produce fast lenses/primes at in small package just like the K and M series with AF?

[gazonk]

Is it really that unreasonable for Pentax to produce fast lenses/primes at in small package just like the K and M series with AF?

Doesn't at least the FA43 qualify? Quite fast (1.9) and smaller and lighter than e.g. the M-50/1.7

[Zygonyx]

The Zeiss 25/2.5 is center-sharp, but the edges are not very impressive. It's also not small or light. No, a 25/2.5-ish limited would likely be very interesting.

Definitely 25,6mm f/2.8 for the diastagon

[Wired]

I've decide I'm sick of waiting for the Sigma to come out. My tax return will buy me a 20-40 limited

[ElJamoquio]

In the other thread somebody said the SIgma is coming out at the end of the week. But who knows.

[lytrytyr]

The Zeiss 25/2.5 is center-sharp, but the edges are not very impressive. It's also not small or light.

If you mean the ZK 25/2.8, it is one of the smallest of the ZK Distagons.
For walkaround, I fit one, mounted on a K-x or K-50, in a bridge camera waistpack.

I am not sure about the basis for your claim that "the edges are not very impressive",
although I suspect that it comes from reading tests of the lens with charts at short range.
Certainly the lens does not have internal focusing, and despite the short MFD, it is not a macro lens.
Nevertheless, it is very sharp in the landscape range.

I suggest you consult Zeiss' guide to its industrial lenses:
F-Mount Lenses | ZEISS United States

There, the 25/2.8 is rated for sensors down to 3.4 microns pixel size,
outclassed only by the Makro-Planar 100/2 and new Apo-Sonnar 135/2 rated for 2.8 microns.
For comparison, the Planar 50/1.4 and Distagon 28/2 are only good down to 3.9 microns.

[Cynog Ap Brychan]

I am not sure about the basis for your claim that "the edges are not very impressive", although I suspect that it comes from reading tests of the lens with charts at short range.

Having owned this lens in the past, I can vouch for the fact that the edge definition is not particularly great. However, I was using it on a Nikon D800 and from what I could see, it should be fine with an APS-C sensor. It also focuses very close for a 25mm, and as its rendering was very pleasing to my eye. I sold it because it did not have autofocus, and my eyes are no longer up to discerning correct focus on modern DSLR screens.

[drugal]

am I missing any?

I really like my Pentax F 28 f2.8, but maybe that isn't fast enough for you?

I don't take too many shots with it, but I'm usually pleased with the results.

[mikemike]

There is always the FA* 24, it is not much bigger than this lens if that is what you are looking for and I believe I saw one in the marketplace for about half the price.