[Mistral75]

European price: EUR 899 / CHF 1,149.

Das HD PENTAX-DA 20-40 mm / F2,8~4 ED Limited DC WR wird in den Farben schwarz und silber ab Anfang Dezember für 899 Euro / 1.149 SFr (UVP) erhältlich sein.

[Alizarine]

Oh .. I got the information from here :
SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Ah so Adam posted the specs already. I see. Looks like DPR doesn't have it yet (or I dont know it's there too)

[gazonk]

I like the good close focusing distance, better than e.g. the DA12-24 (where I discovered this limitation when trying it in a shop) or the DA70 (where I frequently end up having to switch to the DA35 Macro).

[JinDesu]

Weather-resistant Pentax Limited 20-40mm F2.8-4 zoom lens announced: Digital Photography Review

The amusing part is that DPReviews comments are less critical of this lens than we are lol...

[dadipentak]

The price suggests that the DA zoom lens will be optically amazing. I think the backpackers, bikers and rock climbers etc are going to be all over it.

[RonHendriks1966]

The pricing is abit steep. I guess we have to wait for awhile to see if any price drop.
But it's WR And DC motor, look promising for a superb walkabout APS-C

However, I was comparing the size with DA 18-55mm WR,
DA 18-55mm WR: 68 x 67.5 mm , 230 g
DA 20-40mm : 71.0 x 68.5 mm , 283 g

Damn it is slightly heavier and bigger than the 18-55 WR???

Well it's about the same size as the FA31mm, only just a little less weight, so I think this is a good sized lens.

[dankoBanana]

The price suggests that the DA zoom lens will be optically amazing. I think the backpackers, bikers and rock climbers etc are going to be all over it.

I'll replace my DA*15-50 with it and the DA 15 IF it provides good flare resistance. my DA* is a big miss for that type of situation

[filoxophy]

However, I was comparing the size with DA 18-55mm WR,
DA 18-55mm WR: 68 x 67.5 mm , 230 g
DA 20-40mm : 71.0 x 68.5 mm , 283 g

Another comparison for those who care:
M 135/3.5: 63? x 66mm, 270g

That length is for the hood collapsed--extended the total length is approximately 85mm. Also, couldn't find a listing of the M135's width, but many A primes are 63mm wide, which looks about right.

[repaap]

European price: EUR 899 / CHF 1,149.

That sounds good/better. Sometimes 1000$ ~ 1000€ in these things. Could go near 800 for some shops...

[Franc]

i'm very curious about the IQ, price wise its perfect

[bdery]

Whining is one thing, comparing is the other. For $100,- less you buy a Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8. If they give the ltd zoom to me for free I'd sell it and buy the CZ.

Fair enough, that's a personal choice. But one cannot compare the price of an excellent all-manual lens bought used with the price of an excellent all-automatic lens with a built-in computer chip, DC AF, quick-shift, weather sealed zoom bought new...

[Imcalfin]

The price suggests that the DA zoom lens will be optically amazing. I think the backpackers, bikers and rock climbers etc are going to be all over it.

This looks like the hiking lens for me. 90% of my pictures are between 24mm and 35mm as it is, it has WR and is reasonably compact. More so than my current choice of zoom for extended walks (the old Sigma 18-50 no macro). Constant f2.8 would sure be nice but I understand and approve of the compromise to keep the size down. I seldom go below f5.6 for the type of photography I'd use this lens for anyway.

The price is not outrageous if the build and image quality is there to back it up. Time to start saving up I suppose.

[Clavius]

Fair enough, that's a personal choice. But one cannot compare the price of an excellent all-manual lens bought used with the price of an excellent all-automatic lens with a built-in computer chip, DC AF, quick-shift, weather sealed zoom bought new...

Bought used?! The Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 will be released in January and is going to cost $798,- new. It's not manual, it has a stepper motor.

[Wired]

hiking, backpackers, people who want to keep this focal length in their bag but not carry around a DA*16-50 or Sigma f1.8 15-35, or cyclists, cross country skiiers... anywhere that weight is important but you don't want to sacrifice optical quality.

yea, this lens is going to be awesome.

[bdery]

Bought used?! The Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 will be released in January and is going to cost $798,- new. It's not manual, it has a stepper motor.

Sorry, I'm not familiar with that particular lens, everything I've seen from CZ has been manual so far, or so I assumed.