Almost Positive about FF Pentax...I think...

bobrapp · 04-30-2008, 10:46 PM

Originally posted by robgo2

Is Pentax currently producing any FF lenses?

Rob

There are several, including the 31,43, 77mm limiteds and includes the 35 f2 and 50mm f1.4. There still are some consumer zooms available. It would not take Pentax too much time to bring back a lot of excellent FA zooms. It would take a little longer to put SDM in those designs.

Remember, Canon has not introduced any real new primes over the past 10 years (most all are micro motor) whereas Pentax has in both FF and APS formats.

philmorley · 04-30-2008, 11:06 PM

Originally posted by robgo2

Is Pentax currently producing any FF lenses?

Rob

that was my thought for a long time, then I thought some more and saw how many holes there are in the current lineup and how many there have been for the past few years and now I dont think lack of lenses would stop pentax releasing a new camera. (they were going to release new 645d with only only 1 lens on the roadmap)

Kguru · 04-30-2008, 11:35 PM

Originally posted by philmorley

kxxxd entry level below k200d
k200d 10mp
k20d 14mp
kxd pro spec apsc 14mp with new af / metering / fps
kffd

- I think I saw someone mentioning 29mp (but I can't find it now)
Phil

Phil, where is my custom order for K21D 21Mp 1.2x crop 30x20cm sensor?
This would go well with both FA and DA camps, both wide and tele camps -- a marketing masterstroke

Lance B · 05-01-2008, 12:09 AM

Originally posted by robgo2

Is Pentax currently producing any FF lenses?

Rob

FA31, FA43, FA77, FA50 f1.4, FA35 f2, DFA50 macro, DFA100 macro, FA300 f2.8(to order), FA600 f4(to order).

I am sure that Pentax could resurrect *any* of the FA lenses and modfiy them slightly for digital use.

I use these FA lenses on my K20D and the high resolution of that sensor does not show up deficiencies of these lenses:
FA*28-70 f2.8
FA*80-200 f2.8
FA*300 f4.5
FA20 f2.8
FA50 f1.6
FA31 f1.8
FA43 f1.9
FA77 f1.8
FA50 f2.8 macro

lol101 · 05-01-2008, 02:55 AM

Originally posted by ftpaddict

Ok so most DA glass is full-frame.
The latest DA* primes (200 & 300) are full-frame, because they're derived from the FA* versions. Same goes for other DA lenses.

DA 12-24 isn't FF, neither is the 50-135.

I'd be curious about the 16-50 but I am quite sure it will heavily vignette towards the wider end.

Now, will the 55f1.4 or 60-250 be FF? They should be if Pentax is preparing the launch of a FF in the next 3 years.

lol101 · 05-01-2008, 03:06 AM

Originally posted by Lance B

FA31, FA43, FA77, FA50 f1.4, FA35 f2, DFA50 macro, DFA100 macro, FA300 f2.8(to order), FA600 f4(to order).

I am sure that Pentax could resurrect *any* of the FA lenses and modfiy them slightly for digital use.

I use these FA lenses on my K20D and the high resolution of that sensor does not show up deficiencies of these lenses:
FA*28-70 f2.8
FA*80-200 f2.8
FA*300 f4.5
FA20 f2.8
FA50 f1.6
FA31 f1.8
FA43 f1.9
FA77 f1.8
FA50 f2.8 macro

The only problem being that Pentax is now promoting nothing but DA lenses, most of which don't cover FF.

In other terms, if you want recent glass for your new Pentax gear, you HAVE to buy DA and, according to the roadmap, it will remain so for at least a year.

If these are FF compatible, why not make them D-FAs?

My guess is that Pentax didn't plan to have a FF camera for too long and that they developped an array of DA lenses thinking they would only have APS-C cameras to fit.

If they are now thinking to develop a FF cam, they must also be planning to release their new DFAs ... we'll see in the next month/years if something like D-FA* 24-70f2.8, D-FA* 70-200f2.8 comes around but that would mean dumping the nice DA* for the people wanting to go FF: quite an investment!

bobrapp · 05-01-2008, 03:40 AM

Sony is presently rolling out older Minolta designs for use with their cameras. No new optical designs other than from Zeiss. If they do deliver a full format, just stand back and watch!

philmorley · 05-01-2008, 04:23 AM

Originally posted by Kguru

Phil, where is my custom order for K21D 21Mp 1.2x crop 30x20cm sensor?
This would go well with both FA and DA camps, both wide and tele camps -- a marketing masterstroke

All I did was put the rumours together. Personally around 1.25 crop would be great

philmorley · 05-01-2008, 04:24 AM

perhaps thats the delay with 60-250, needs to be made ff capable ?????????????????

mattdm · 05-01-2008, 04:32 AM

Originally posted by lol101

If they are now thinking to develop a FF cam, they must also be planning to release their new DFAs ... we'll see in the next month/years if something like D-FA* 24-70f2.8, D-FA* 70-200f2.8 comes around but that would mean dumping the nice DA* for the people wanting to go FF: quite an investment!

Sounds good to me — I'll be happy to buy your used DA★ 50-135mm.

attack11 · 05-01-2008, 05:04 AM

Originally posted by lol101

The only problem being that Pentax is now promoting nothing but DA lenses, most of which don't cover FF.

In other terms, if you want recent glass for your new Pentax gear, you HAVE to buy DA and, according to the roadmap, it will remain so for at least a year.

If these are FF compatible, why not make them D-FAs?

My guess is that Pentax didn't plan to have a FF camera for too long and that they developped an array of DA lenses thinking they would only have APS-C cameras to fit.

If they are now thinking to develop a FF cam, they must also be planning to release their new DFAs ... we'll see in the next month/years if something like D-FA* 24-70f2.8, D-FA* 70-200f2.8 comes around but that would mean dumping the nice DA* for the people wanting to go FF: quite an investment!

you forgot what nikon has done, simply turn off the edges of the sensor when using aps-c sized glass. no problem for pentax going forward.

CreV · 05-01-2008, 05:10 AM

Make a round sensor instead...

Noisychip · 05-01-2008, 06:01 AM

Originally posted by CreV

Make a round sensor instead...

Yes, that's what I'm wondering for years: Why don't they stop developing rectangular sensors?

While a round one might be difficult to manufacture, why not a square one?

36 x 36 mm, that yould be just perfect! Maybe combined with some mechanism to show a vertical or horizontal 3:2 crop in the viewfinder...?

Shouldn't be a big problem when it comes to lenses, though the sensor's corners are a bit further away from the sensor.

A round one, of course would even allow to rotate an image for a couple of degrees without losing the corners

alohadave · 05-01-2008, 06:52 AM

Originally posted by Noisychip

Yes, that's what I'm wondering for years: Why don't they stop developing rectangular sensors?

While a round one might be difficult to manufacture, why not a square one?

36 x 36 mm, that yould be just perfect! Maybe combined with some mechanism to show a vertical or horizontal 3:2 crop in the viewfinder...?

Shouldn't be a big problem when it comes to lenses, though the sensor's corners are a bit further away from the sensor.

A round one, of course would even allow to rotate an image for a couple of degrees without losing the corners

Because of how chips are fabricated, you will never see a round sensor. Part of the reason that APS-C is so popular with manufacturers is that they can make more chips per wafer than if the chips was FF sized.

It's also the reason why MF digital backs are $30K. So many fewer chips can be produced, so it automatically limits the supply.

The same thing applies to P&S chips, smaller chips mean more working units per wafer, which lowers costs.

kenyee · 05-01-2008, 07:38 AM

I'm pretty sure the DA*16-50 is not FF....anything wide angle isn't unless it has a massive front element. E.g., the Sigma 17-70 and 10-20 both have clipped corners at all focal lengths on FF.
As for why it's not marketed as DFA, that would mean they'd have to commit to FF publicly ;-)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Very positive K-x review again	gazonk	Pentax News and Rumors	9	03-29-2010 05:10 PM
be positive	axl	Monthly Photo Contests	0	06-09-2009 03:46 PM
be positive...	axl	Post Your Photos!	8	05-07-2009 09:39 AM
Converting a Negative to a Positive	Iowa Tom	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	10	02-23-2009 03:27 AM
Positive news about Pentax AF over Canon....	offertonhatter	Pentax DSLR Discussion	31	10-08-2008 07:49 AM

04-30-2008, 10:46 PM	#31
bobrapp Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Grand Junction Colorado Posts: 209	Originally posted by robgo2 Is Pentax currently producing any FF lenses? Rob There are several, including the 31,43, 77mm limiteds and includes the 35 f2 and 50mm f1.4. There still are some consumer zooms available. It would not take Pentax too much time to bring back a lot of excellent FA zooms. It would take a little longer to put SDM in those designs. Remember, Canon has not introduced any real new primes over the past 10 years (most all are micro motor) whereas Pentax has in both FF and APS formats.

04-30-2008, 11:06 PM	#32
philmorley Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: in a house in Armidale, Australia Posts: 472	Originally posted by robgo2 Is Pentax currently producing any FF lenses? Rob that was my thought for a long time, then I thought some more and saw how many holes there are in the current lineup and how many there have been for the past few years and now I dont think lack of lenses would stop pentax releasing a new camera. (they were going to release new 645d with only only 1 lens on the roadmap)

04-30-2008, 11:35 PM	#33
Kguru Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Perth - WestAust Posts: 602	Originally posted by philmorley kxxxd entry level below k200d k200d 10mp k20d 14mp kxd pro spec apsc 14mp with new af / metering / fps kffd - I think I saw someone mentioning 29mp (but I can't find it now) Phil Phil, where is my custom order for K21D 21Mp 1.2x crop 30x20cm sensor? This would go well with both FA and DA camps, both wide and tele camps -- a marketing masterstroke

05-01-2008, 12:09 AM	#34
Lance B Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 593	Originally posted by robgo2 Is Pentax currently producing any FF lenses? Rob FA31, FA43, FA77, FA50 f1.4, FA35 f2, DFA50 macro, DFA100 macro, FA300 f2.8(to order), FA600 f4(to order). I am sure that Pentax could resurrect any of the FA lenses and modfiy them slightly for digital use. I use these FA lenses on my K20D and the high resolution of that sensor does not show up deficiencies of these lenses: FA28-70 f2.8 FA80-200 f2.8 FA*300 f4.5 FA20 f2.8 FA50 f1.6 FA31 f1.8 FA43 f1.9 FA77 f1.8 FA50 f2.8 macro

05-01-2008, 02:55 AM	#35
lol101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Garennes sur Eure France Photos: Gallery Posts: 899	Originally posted by ftpaddict Ok so most DA glass is full-frame. The latest DA* primes (200 & 300) are full-frame, because they're derived from the FA* versions. Same goes for other DA lenses. DA 12-24 isn't FF, neither is the 50-135. I'd be curious about the 16-50 but I am quite sure it will heavily vignette towards the wider end. Now, will the 55f1.4 or 60-250 be FF? They should be if Pentax is preparing the launch of a FF in the next 3 years.

05-01-2008, 03:06 AM	#36
lol101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Garennes sur Eure France Photos: Gallery Posts: 899	Originally posted by Lance B FA31, FA43, FA77, FA50 f1.4, FA35 f2, DFA50 macro, DFA100 macro, FA300 f2.8(to order), FA600 f4(to order). I am sure that Pentax could resurrect any of the FA lenses and modfiy them slightly for digital use. I use these FA lenses on my K20D and the high resolution of that sensor does not show up deficiencies of these lenses: FA28-70 f2.8 FA80-200 f2.8 FA300 f4.5 FA20 f2.8 FA50 f1.6 FA31 f1.8 FA43 f1.9 FA77 f1.8 FA50 f2.8 macro The only problem being that Pentax is now promoting nothing but DA lenses, most of which don't cover FF. In other terms, if you want recent glass for your new Pentax gear, you HAVE to buy DA and, according to the roadmap, it will remain so for at least a year. If these are FF compatible, why not make them D-FAs? My guess is that Pentax didn't plan to have a FF camera for too long and that they developped an array of DA lenses thinking they would only have APS-C cameras to fit. If they are now thinking to develop a FF cam, they must also be planning to release their new DFAs ... we'll see in the next month/years if something like D-FA 24-70f2.8, D-FA* 70-200f2.8 comes around but that would mean dumping the nice DA* for the people wanting to go FF: quite an investment!

05-01-2008, 03:40 AM	#37
bobrapp Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Grand Junction Colorado Posts: 209	Sony is presently rolling out older Minolta designs for use with their cameras. No new optical designs other than from Zeiss. If they do deliver a full format, just stand back and watch!

05-01-2008, 04:23 AM	#38
philmorley Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: in a house in Armidale, Australia Posts: 472	Originally posted by Kguru Phil, where is my custom order for K21D 21Mp 1.2x crop 30x20cm sensor? This would go well with both FA and DA camps, both wide and tele camps -- a marketing masterstroke All I did was put the rumours together. Personally around 1.25 crop would be great

05-01-2008, 04:24 AM	#39
philmorley Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: in a house in Armidale, Australia Posts: 472	perhaps thats the delay with 60-250, needs to be made ff capable ?????????????????

05-01-2008, 04:32 AM	#40
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by lol101 If they are now thinking to develop a FF cam, they must also be planning to release their new DFAs ... we'll see in the next month/years if something like D-FA* 24-70f2.8, D-FA* 70-200f2.8 comes around but that would mean dumping the nice DA* for the people wanting to go FF: quite an investment! Sounds good to me — I'll be happy to buy your used DA★ 50-135mm.

05-01-2008, 05:04 AM	#41
attack11 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa, ON - Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 658	Originally posted by lol101 The only problem being that Pentax is now promoting nothing but DA lenses, most of which don't cover FF. In other terms, if you want recent glass for your new Pentax gear, you HAVE to buy DA and, according to the roadmap, it will remain so for at least a year. If these are FF compatible, why not make them D-FAs? My guess is that Pentax didn't plan to have a FF camera for too long and that they developped an array of DA lenses thinking they would only have APS-C cameras to fit. If they are now thinking to develop a FF cam, they must also be planning to release their new DFAs ... we'll see in the next month/years if something like D-FA* 24-70f2.8, D-FA* 70-200f2.8 comes around but that would mean dumping the nice DA* for the people wanting to go FF: quite an investment! you forgot what nikon has done, simply turn off the edges of the sensor when using aps-c sized glass. no problem for pentax going forward.

05-01-2008, 05:10 AM	#42
CreV New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: sweden Posts: 23	Make a round sensor instead...

05-01-2008, 06:01 AM	#43
Noisychip Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 282	Originally posted by CreV Make a round sensor instead... Yes, that's what I'm wondering for years: Why don't they stop developing rectangular sensors? While a round one might be difficult to manufacture, why not a square one? 36 x 36 mm, that yould be just perfect! Maybe combined with some mechanism to show a vertical or horizontal 3:2 crop in the viewfinder...? Shouldn't be a big problem when it comes to lenses, though the sensor's corners are a bit further away from the sensor. A round one, of course would even allow to rotate an image for a couple of degrees without losing the corners

05-01-2008, 06:52 AM	#44
alohadave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,024	Originally posted by Noisychip Yes, that's what I'm wondering for years: Why don't they stop developing rectangular sensors? While a round one might be difficult to manufacture, why not a square one? 36 x 36 mm, that yould be just perfect! Maybe combined with some mechanism to show a vertical or horizontal 3:2 crop in the viewfinder...? Shouldn't be a big problem when it comes to lenses, though the sensor's corners are a bit further away from the sensor. A round one, of course would even allow to rotate an image for a couple of degrees without losing the corners Because of how chips are fabricated, you will never see a round sensor. Part of the reason that APS-C is so popular with manufacturers is that they can make more chips per wafer than if the chips was FF sized. It's also the reason why MF digital backs are $30K. So many fewer chips can be produced, so it automatically limits the supply. The same thing applies to P&S chips, smaller chips mean more working units per wafer, which lowers costs.

05-01-2008, 07:38 AM	#45
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	I'm pretty sure the DA*16-50 is not FF....anything wide angle isn't unless it has a massive front element. E.g., the Sigma 17-70 and 10-20 both have clipped corners at all focal lengths on FF. As for why it's not marketed as DFA, that would mean they'd have to commit to FF publicly ;-)