Pentax 20-40mm DC WR Limited and Q 08 Wide Zoom Officially Announced

lytrytyr · 11-06-2013, 06:13 PM

Originally posted by Mr Spocko

Sigma have gone more "upmarket" for want of a better phrase, I don't mind that to a point but I think it would be a mistake for third party makers to ignore the value/affordable side

Don't Sigma have their cheap line - "Contemporary"?

Just like Pentax have the DA L and other plastic mount lenses.

lytrytyr · 11-06-2013, 06:19 PM

Originally posted by Ayoh

the lens is not a very demanding design.

Really? Check out the specs:

"ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass and a super-low dispersion glass element"

from

PENTAX - HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR

And apparently no aspherical elements,
which bodes well for the bokeh.

Ayoh · 11-06-2013, 06:42 PM

Yes really, the lens has neither a wide view angle, or large aperture, or large zoom range. Basic kit lenses have ED elements and aspherics. I understand the attraction in terms of build quality, size etc. but optically the design requirements are not demanding. The price seems a bit much. Conversely look at the sigma 18-35mm 1.8; the lens is has significantly more demanding optical design and yet has a lower list price.

Originally posted by lytrytyr

Really? Check out the specs:

"ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass and a super-low dispersion glass element"

from

PENTAX - HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR

And apparently no aspherical elements,
which bodes well for the bokeh.

giu.behringer · 11-06-2013, 06:48 PM

$999 for a 30 to 60mm equivalent (???) without constant aperture? I'd rather go for the 16-50 2.8 for a bit more, which I already find way too overpriced.

alamo5000 · 11-06-2013, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by Adam

$999 = high, but fair enough if it's good enough to fill the roles of the 21/35/40

40mm @f4?

Nope.

cali92rs · 11-06-2013, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by lytrytyr

Really? Check out the specs:

"ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass and a super-low dispersion glass element"

from

PENTAX - HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR

And apparently no aspherical elements,
which bodes well for the bokeh.

What doesnt bode well for bokeh is 40mm f4

JinDesu · 11-06-2013, 07:17 PM

Man, it's almost like the 16-45 can't do good bokeh either, then.

Nick Siebers · 11-06-2013, 07:19 PM

I have an FA 20-35 f/4 lens, and it is great. I picked up an 18-135 for the weather sealing, although the extra range is handy I wouldn't need it. If I could sell both those lenses for this Limited zoom I would do it... but $999 will be tough to make up.

The size and weight of the FA 20-35 are big selling points, which the new lens seems to share. It is nothing to carry it around all day. And IQ is very nice. I am not so sure about bokeh, not too pronounced with f/4, but maybe I will test it out. I love it with bounce flash indoors.

StudentBoots · 11-06-2013, 07:22 PM

I think we're all forgotten about one major aspect: it's a Limited with weather sealing!
Just wait for when they start rolling out more primes (especially Lmtds) with sealing.

Bogartist · 11-06-2013, 07:27 PM - **2 Likes**

People keep mentioning the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 as a comparison, or even the Pentax 16-50 f/2.8. For sure, those lenses are faster, and the Sigma is even less expensive.

But the Pentax 16-50 weighs twice as much as this new 20-40. The Sigma 18-35 weighs three times as much. And they're both massive. The Limited lenses have never been about maximum speed, they're designed to hit sweet spots of minimal size with optimal construction. That's their whole point. One could argue that's a large point of Pentax SLRs, as well.

Yes, it's not cheap. But good lenses usually aren't. Considering the Limited primes have a pretty good range covered, a Limited zoom was a good decision, and making it WR is the icing on the cake.

HawaiianOnline · 11-06-2013, 07:27 PM

Obviously these products are two more nails in Pentax's coffin. I will be selling all of my Pentax gear for scrap because that's the only value it has now...

DOOOOOOOM

Edit: On a serious note, I hope that the 20-40 has image quality on par with the FA Limiteds...

**jpzk** · 11-06-2013, 07:38 PM

I look at it this way:

1. It is, after all, a "Limited" lens.
2. It has new (better?) coating.
3. It is weather sealed ! Something a few members were hoping for .... and it's there.
4. It is very compact.
5. DC autofocus

Only "field" tests will tell us how it performs and what final rendition it will give, either on a K3, K5 (Incl. II and IIs) or even a K7 ... etc.

I would hope for some "spectacular" results ... we shall see.

Cheers.

JP

lytrytyr · 11-06-2013, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by Ayoh

Basic kit lenses have ED elements and aspherics. I understand the attraction in terms of build quality, size etc. but optically the design requirements are not demanding.

Basic kit lenses have poor edges at their short end,
and the better Pentax zooms have excessive CAs there.
The design challenge is to avoid these issues,
in a small package.

Charles Hueter · 11-06-2013, 07:42 PM

This lens wouldn't be $999 to me because my 21mm Limited would definitely go on sale to help finance it.

I'm very happy to see weather sealing and DC autofocus expand to the Limited line while still keeping the lens compact. More of this, please!

Ayoh · 11-06-2013, 07:47 PM

The other DA limiteds also face these design objectives and constraints and are within the $400-600 mark

Compared to the other lenses in the limited series range, this lens seems a bit overpriced. It would be hard to convince the buyer at $1000.

I also think that this zoom may have relatively prominent CA as Pentax design philosophy has historically been to not fully correct CA due to the ability to fix it in post-processing. This is not necessarily a bad thing if the CA level is not excessive like in the 16-50mm.

Originally posted by lytrytyr

Basic kit lenses have poor edges at their short end,
and the better Pentax zooms have excessive CAs there.
The design challenge is to avoid these issues,
in a small package.

11-06-2013, 07:38 PM	#42
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	I look at it this way: 1. It is, after all, a "Limited" lens. 2. It has new (better?) coating. 3. It is weather sealed ! Something a few members were hoping for .... and it's there. 4. It is very compact. 5. DC autofocus Only "field" tests will tell us how it performs and what final rendition it will give, either on a K3, K5 (Incl. II and IIs) or even a K7 ... etc. I would hope for some "spectacular" results ... we shall see. Cheers. JP Last edited by jpzk; 11-06-2013 at 07:44 PM. Reason: spelling and added info

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Q/08 Wide Zoom Rumor Post	monochrome	Pentax Q	91	12-29-2013 11:12 AM
Official info about the new 08 wide zoom for Q	StigVidar	Pentax News and Rumors	81	11-16-2013 11:06 PM
HD Pentax 55-300mm WR Officially Announced	Adam	Pentax News and Rumors	53	10-15-2013 11:00 AM
Pentax HD lens series officially announced for Switzerland and Germany	RKKS08	Pentax News and Rumors	9	09-14-2013 12:04 AM
Pentax 560mm, 18-270mm, and DFA 645 90mm Macro Officially Announced	Adam	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	09-11-2012 05:58 AM

11-06-2013, 06:13 PM	#31
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by Mr Spocko Sigma have gone more "upmarket" for want of a better phrase, I don't mind that to a point but I think it would be a mistake for third party makers to ignore the value/affordable side Don't Sigma have their cheap line - "Contemporary"? Just like Pentax have the DA L and other plastic mount lenses.

11-06-2013, 06:19 PM	#32
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by Ayoh the lens is not a very demanding design. Really? Check out the specs: "ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass and a super-low dispersion glass element" from PENTAX - HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR And apparently no aspherical elements, which bodes well for the bokeh.

11-06-2013, 06:42 PM	#33
Ayoh Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 341	Yes really, the lens has neither a wide view angle, or large aperture, or large zoom range. Basic kit lenses have ED elements and aspherics. I understand the attraction in terms of build quality, size etc. but optically the design requirements are not demanding. The price seems a bit much. Conversely look at the sigma 18-35mm 1.8; the lens is has significantly more demanding optical design and yet has a lower list price. Originally posted by lytrytyr Really? Check out the specs: "ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass and a super-low dispersion glass element" from PENTAX - HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR And apparently no aspherical elements, which bodes well for the bokeh.

11-06-2013, 06:48 PM	#34
giu.behringer Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 33	$999 for a 30 to 60mm equivalent (???) without constant aperture? I'd rather go for the 16-50 2.8 for a bit more, which I already find way too overpriced.

11-06-2013, 06:48 PM	#35
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	Originally posted by Adam $999 = high, but fair enough if it's good enough to fill the roles of the 21/35/40 40mm @f4? Nope.

11-06-2013, 07:13 PM	#36
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by lytrytyr Really? Check out the specs: "ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass and a super-low dispersion glass element" from PENTAX - HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR And apparently no aspherical elements, which bodes well for the bokeh. What doesnt bode well for bokeh is 40mm f4

11-06-2013, 07:17 PM	#37
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Man, it's almost like the 16-45 can't do good bokeh either, then.

11-06-2013, 07:19 PM	#38
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	I have an FA 20-35 f/4 lens, and it is great. I picked up an 18-135 for the weather sealing, although the extra range is handy I wouldn't need it. If I could sell both those lenses for this Limited zoom I would do it... but $999 will be tough to make up. The size and weight of the FA 20-35 are big selling points, which the new lens seems to share. It is nothing to carry it around all day. And IQ is very nice. I am not so sure about bokeh, not too pronounced with f/4, but maybe I will test it out. I love it with bounce flash indoors.

11-06-2013, 07:22 PM	#39
StudentBoots Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 108	I think we're all forgotten about one major aspect: it's a Limited with weather sealing! Just wait for when they start rolling out more primes (especially Lmtds) with sealing.

11-06-2013, 07:27 PM - 2 Likes	#40
Bogartist Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 20	People keep mentioning the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 as a comparison, or even the Pentax 16-50 f/2.8. For sure, those lenses are faster, and the Sigma is even less expensive. But the Pentax 16-50 weighs twice as much as this new 20-40. The Sigma 18-35 weighs three times as much. And they're both massive. The Limited lenses have never been about maximum speed, they're designed to hit sweet spots of minimal size with optimal construction. That's their whole point. One could argue that's a large point of Pentax SLRs, as well. Yes, it's not cheap. But good lenses usually aren't. Considering the Limited primes have a pretty good range covered, a Limited zoom was a good decision, and making it WR is the icing on the cake.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

11-06-2013, 07:27 PM	#41
HawaiianOnline Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hawaii Posts: 613	Obviously these products are two more nails in Pentax's coffin. I will be selling all of my Pentax gear for scrap because that's the only value it has now... DOOOOOOOM Edit: On a serious note, I hope that the 20-40 has image quality on par with the FA Limiteds...

11-06-2013, 07:40 PM	#43
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by Ayoh Basic kit lenses have ED elements and aspherics. I understand the attraction in terms of build quality, size etc. but optically the design requirements are not demanding. Basic kit lenses have poor edges at their short end, and the better Pentax zooms have excessive CAs there. The design challenge is to avoid these issues, in a small package.

11-06-2013, 07:42 PM	#44
Charles Hueter Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 42	This lens wouldn't be $999 to me because my 21mm Limited would definitely go on sale to help finance it. I'm very happy to see weather sealing and DC autofocus expand to the Limited line while still keeping the lens compact. More of this, please!

11-06-2013, 07:47 PM	#45
Ayoh Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 341	The other DA limiteds also face these design objectives and constraints and are within the $400-600 mark Compared to the other lenses in the limited series range, this lens seems a bit overpriced. It would be hard to convince the buyer at $1000. I also think that this zoom may have relatively prominent CA as Pentax design philosophy has historically been to not fully correct CA due to the ability to fix it in post-processing. This is not necessarily a bad thing if the CA level is not excessive like in the 16-50mm. Originally posted by lytrytyr Basic kit lenses have poor edges at their short end, and the better Pentax zooms have excessive CAs there. The design challenge is to avoid these issues, in a small package.