[The Kurly One]

Judging by the 560mm and the dropping of all future DA* designation makes me wonder if that line will be dropped.

The roadmap shows nothing that would cover a 35mm image circle... which to me seems like good news! I wont need to focus on just getting FF lenses

[dadipentak]

I hope they get that TC out soon---there are some unicorns I want to photograph.

[Fogel70]

for what kind of lenses? M, FA/DA, with SDM/DC motors?

I suspect it will only support AF on lenses with AF-motor. All present lenses (and most likely all future lenses too) suited for a 1.4x TC has AF-motor, so I doubt it will support screw-drive.

[Rorschach]

Judging by the 560mm and the dropping of all future DA* designation makes me wonder if that line will be dropped.

Hopefully this means the end of SDM and only DC and WR (or AW) lenses from now on.

[VisualDarkness]

Hopefully this means the end of SDM and only DC and WR (or AW) lenses from now on.

That would mean that there is an issue with SDM, despite what have been said in the past.

[Rorschach]

That would mean that there is an issue with SDM, despite what have been said in the past.

Maybe there is no issue with SDM any more but I am still suspicious. For example the 16-50mm f2.8 I will never buy but the 55mm f1.4 I would as there's been less complaints about breakdowns.

[audiobomber]

I suspect it will only support AF on lenses with AF-motor. All present lenses (and most likely all future lenses too) suited for a 1.4x TC has AF-motor, so I doubt it will support screw-drive.

At least there are some good third-party 1.4X TC's that support K-mount screw drive. There's no 1.4X TC that works properly on SDM. That's a ridiculous situation.

[thibs]

That would mean that there is an issue with SDM, despite what have been said in the past.

Well not saying a thing (not admitting) and introducing something else would save the face (from their PoV).
Not that I agree it is the thing to do...

[mobil1]

Never made sense to me to list WR as a major feature on Pentax cameras(WR was a major feature, among other things, in my decision of camera brand as no other DSLR at this price point had this) without a full lineup of DA WR lenses without having to spend the extra for DA* lenses. I know they're worth the extra cash, for some folks, but for enthusiasts who enjoy outdoor/nature photography, on a limited budget, and want a few good lenses without the worry of precipitation the selection was kinda limited. Glad to see the 55-300 is now WR and I'll likely buy a copy and sell my non-wr 55-300. Engineering wise, I don't see it as a big deal to add this feature to most of their lenses, for minimal cost to them. I'm wishing for the tc to be WR and couple it with the 55-300 WR, hopefully to be compatible. For my use it would make perfect sense to have a WR tc used with a WR lens that for my thinking is mainly an outdoor weather exposed tc.

[tram57]

At least there are some good third-party 1.4X TC's that support K-mount screw drive. There's no 1.4X TC that works properly on SDM. That's a ridiculous situation.

I think the Tamron-F Pz-AF MC4 1.4x works with SDM. I have a copy and it works great with all the DA limiteds, the kit lenses, and a Sigma 100-300 F4; all screw drive. This TC has the power zoom connectors that are used to power in lens AF motors. Can anyone confirm?

[VisualDarkness]

I think the Tamron-F Pz-AF MC4 1.4x works with SDM. I have a copy and it works great with all the DA limiteds, the kit lenses, and a Sigma 100-300 F4; all screw drive. This TC has the power zoom connectors that are used to power in lens AF motors. Can anyone confirm?

It's a gamble, it works decently with some lenses but almost not at all with other ones. Something really gets messed up in the algorithm.

[audiobomber]

I think the Tamron-F Pz-AF MC4 1.4x works with SDM. I have a copy and it works great with all the DA limiteds, the kit lenses, and a Sigma 100-300 F4; all screw drive. This TC has the power zoom connectors that are used to power in lens AF motors. Can anyone confirm?

It has the PZ contacts, and it works with SDM, as does my Kenko PZ 1.5X. I use the term "works" loosely. It does allow auto-focus but haltingly, and often stops when focus is not quite achieved. No problem with screw drive, it focusses quickly and accurately. IQ is excellent on SDM or screw lenses, but only if it hits focus on SDM lenses.

[Shanti]

At least there are some good third-party 1.4X TC's that support K-mount screw drive. There's no 1.4X TC that works properly on SDM. That's a ridiculous situation.

I use the Pentax 1.7 TC on SDM Da'*300 no problems..do wonder if the new one will be much better??

[zapp]

Ricoh updated the roadmap to reflect the new limited zoom, and the TC changed colors to HD:

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/K_Mount_Lens.pdf

so what, the only TC for Pentax lenses with decent functinality comes from Tamron at the moment.

Will the TC support SDM? Will it work with f/4 and f/5.6 lenses on the K3 - the resulting f-stop wuld be f/5.6 and f/8 which is hard for AF systems...

[Gray]

There's no 1.4X TC that works properly on SDM.

My Tamron F 1.4x Pz-AF MC4 works great with my DA* 60-250 and Sigma 50-500 HSM. IQ is top notch and SDM/HSM AF is reliable. It also works with my DA 18-135 (DC AF) and Sigma 17-70 C (HSM AF), but I don't use those combos much. Can't speak about the other SDM lenses (55, 50-135, 200 & 300), but the Tamron Pz-AF is great with the 60-250.

I also have the Promaster Spectrum 7 1.7x Z AF which is identical to the Tamron 1.4x except for the name and lens. It works well with screwdrive/SDM/HSM/DC AF, but hunts more in poor light and the IQ isn't as good as the Tamron.