DA* 55mm f1.4 SDM

superbass · 05-18-2008, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by mattdm

Pentax Japan has been releasing updated lens "roadmap" documents quarterly. There was one at the end of January, then another at the end of March, and so I expect we'll get an update at the end of June.

I was looking for one of the roadmaps, but I couldn't find one. Does anyone have one from March?

mattdm · 05-18-2008, 05:19 PM

Originally posted by superbass

I was looking for one of the roadmaps, but I couldn't find one. Does anyone have one from March?

They rearranged the Pentax Japan website and broke the links, messing up most Google results. However, I went directly to Pentax Japan and put "roadmap" in the top search box, resulting in:

Interchangeable Lenses : Digital Cameras : Imaging Systems Division : PENTAX

Wheatfield · 05-18-2008, 07:10 PM

FWIW, I just picked up a Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4. It is truly an awesome lens. It is an A series though, not an AF lens.

superbass · 05-18-2008, 07:53 PM

Originally posted by mattdm

They rearranged the Pentax Japan website and broke the links, messing up most Google results. However, I went directly to PENTAX and put "roadmap" in the top search box, resulting in:

Interchangeable Lenses : Digital Cameras : Imaging Systems Division : PENTAX

Cool, thanks. I had tried googling for it too, and that didn't work out.

thibs · 05-19-2008, 12:34 AM

The dA*50 is not meant to replace the FA50 but to replace the FA*85/1.4.

Also, I don't think they will reuse the FA50 design, I expect a much improved design. Note that they used 55mm and not 50mm to make it clear it is not a simple replacement.

What they need hawever is a replacement for the FA35/2, a cheap and bright SDM design. An updated 35/2 would be fine although an f/1.4 would be better.

mattdm · 05-19-2008, 04:42 AM

Originally posted by thibs

Also, I don't think they will reuse the FA50 design, I expect a much improved design. Note that they used 55mm and not 50mm to make it clear it is not a simple replacement.

Exactly my thoughts — and why I want it.

Quote:

What they need hawever is a replacement for the FA35/2, a cheap and bright SDM design. An updated 35/2 would be fine although an f/1.4 would be better.

Well, we're getting a DA★ 30mm, which I'm kinda hoping will be f/1.9 to match the FA 43mm.

Zebooka · 05-19-2008, 10:02 AM

I suppose DA* 30mm will be 1.4 lens

lbam · 05-19-2008, 11:25 AM

I'd like to see a 55mm lens to brag about.
We already have a great lens in the FA 50 F1.4, I'd like to see something more than great. If that costs $600 so be it.

Jack Simpson · 05-19-2008, 12:55 PM

Originally posted by BrendanPK

ITS called LBA, Join the club man!
Go on and get it

Hi Brendan,

I'm not sure but I think "LBA" is a copyrighted acronym from another
Digital Photography Forum whose name slips my mind at the moment

Jack

RaduA · 05-19-2008, 01:33 PM

The price is related to what the lens can do. If we can use it straight from 1.4 and with very good results from f1,7 why not be 600 USD? I saw on a Sigma forum that their 50 F1.4 is rumoured to cost like 389 GBP. A LOT of money but let's see what delivers. And same for DA*55 and DA* 60-250. Taking all the delays into consideration both better be exceptional lens. And why not starting a DA* dinasty just like FA limiteds before them.
I have FA 50 and IMO under f2 it is not that good. I would pay 600 USD (400 Euros) for a DA* 55 which outperforms totaly the FA under f2.

Radu

thibs · 05-20-2008, 01:23 AM

The FA50/1.4 has been retested on the K20D in latest Chasseur d'Images (see my dedicated thread). I don't remind all the details but it holds its own pretty well.

RaduA · 05-20-2008, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by thibs

The FA50/1.4 has been retested on the K20D in latest Chasseur d'Images (see my dedicated thread). I don't remind all the details but it holds its own pretty well.

Hi, Thibs!

I regard FA50 as a good to very good lens especialy for the price. Hence for more money I expect better performance and improving in the "not so good" areas of FA50 (f1,4- f2 - contrast and resolution, PF, vignetting at f1,4, border resolution at medium aperture) plus the modern amenities like SDM and weather sealing. And if the list price is 600 USD and street price 10-20% less it is even better!

Radu

Cambo · 05-20-2008, 10:16 AM

biggest hole in their roadmap. Nothing from 100 to 200 except the middle of a zooms range. In fact, nothing between 77mm to 200 that isn't a macro (flat field of focus) lens. They need to fill this gap. And a big gun or two would be nice (400 f2.8 - 600 f4 - 250-600 f5.6 zoom).

They need to redo the 135 f2.8 - a great lens, love to see it as a DA*.

Cheers,
Cameron

RaduA · 05-20-2008, 10:45 AM

Originally posted by Cambo

biggest hole in their roadmap. Nothing from 100 to 200 except the middle of a zooms range. In fact, nothing between 77mm to 200 that isn't a macro (flat field of focus) lens. They need to fill this gap. And a big gun or two would be nice (400 f2.8 - 600 f4 - 250-600 f5.6 zoom).

They need to redo the 135 f2.8 - a great lens, love to see it as a DA*.

Cheers,
Cameron

Of course u are right Cameron,

If we look into the latest roadmap besides the DA 15 ltd, DA* 30 and the DA* 55 the rest are either available or slated for a summer release. I suppose that DA* 55 is in its final stages and I fully expect new additions for the summer roadmap. A DA* ~ 135 seems logical (if only for the vaste experience Pentax has at this fl) but if Pentax could license VL 125/2.5 macro and weather seal and SDMs it IMO it would be one of the best lenses ever!

Radu

Jonson PL · 05-20-2008, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by Cambo

biggest hole in their roadmap. Nothing from 100 to 200 except the middle of a zooms range. In fact, nothing between 77mm to 200 that isn't a macro (flat field of focus) lens. They need to fill this gap. And a big gun or two would be nice (400 f2.8 - 600 f4 - 250-600 f5.6 zoom).

They need to redo the 135 f2.8 - a great lens, love to see it as a DA*.

Cheers,
Cameron

a DA* 135 could be nice, maybe even an f/2. But I guess before that, a 85/2 would hit the market.

05-18-2008, 05:19 PM	#17
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by superbass I was looking for one of the roadmaps, but I couldn't find one. Does anyone have one from March? They rearranged the Pentax Japan website and broke the links, messing up most Google results. However, I went directly to Pentax Japan and put "roadmap" in the top search box, resulting in: Interchangeable Lenses : Digital Cameras : Imaging Systems Division : PENTAX Last edited by mattdm; 05-19-2008 at 04:38 AM.

05-20-2008, 10:16 AM	#28
Cambo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,016	135mm.....150ishmm biggest hole in their roadmap. Nothing from 100 to 200 except the middle of a zooms range. In fact, nothing between 77mm to 200 that isn't a macro (flat field of focus) lens. They need to fill this gap. And a big gun or two would be nice (400 f2.8 - 600 f4 - 250-600 f5.6 zoom). They need to redo the 135 f2.8 - a great lens, love to see it as a DA*. Cheers, Cameron

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05-18-2008, 04:48 PM	#16
superbass Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NY Posts: 340	Originally posted by mattdm Pentax Japan has been releasing updated lens "roadmap" documents quarterly. There was one at the end of January, then another at the end of March, and so I expect we'll get an update at the end of June. I was looking for one of the roadmaps, but I couldn't find one. Does anyone have one from March?

05-18-2008, 07:10 PM	#18
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	FWIW, I just picked up a Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4. It is truly an awesome lens. It is an A series though, not an AF lens.

05-18-2008, 07:53 PM	#19
superbass Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NY Posts: 340	Originally posted by mattdm They rearranged the Pentax Japan website and broke the links, messing up most Google results. However, I went directly to PENTAX and put "roadmap" in the top search box, resulting in: Interchangeable Lenses : Digital Cameras : Imaging Systems Division : PENTAX Cool, thanks. I had tried googling for it too, and that didn't work out.

05-19-2008, 12:34 AM	#20
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	The dA50 is not meant to replace the FA50 but to replace the FA85/1.4. Also, I don't think they will reuse the FA50 design, I expect a much improved design. Note that they used 55mm and not 50mm to make it clear it is not a simple replacement. What they need hawever is a replacement for the FA35/2, a cheap and bright SDM design. An updated 35/2 would be fine although an f/1.4 would be better.

05-19-2008, 04:42 AM	#21
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by thibs Also, I don't think they will reuse the FA50 design, I expect a much improved design. Note that they used 55mm and not 50mm to make it clear it is not a simple replacement. Exactly my thoughts — and why I want it. Quote: What they need hawever is a replacement for the FA35/2, a cheap and bright SDM design. An updated 35/2 would be fine although an f/1.4 would be better. Well, we're getting a DA★ 30mm, which I'm kinda hoping will be f/1.9 to match the FA 43mm.

05-19-2008, 10:02 AM	#22
Zebooka Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Russia, Siberia, Novosibirsk Posts: 323	I suppose DA* 30mm will be 1.4 lens

05-19-2008, 11:25 AM	#23
lbam Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 442	I'd like to see a 55mm lens to brag about. We already have a great lens in the FA 50 F1.4, I'd like to see something more than great. If that costs $600 so be it.

05-19-2008, 12:55 PM	#24
Jack Simpson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Penticton, BC Posts: 251	Originally posted by BrendanPK ITS called LBA, Join the club man! Go on and get it Hi Brendan, I'm not sure but I think "LBA" is a copyrighted acronym from another Digital Photography Forum whose name slips my mind at the moment Jack

05-19-2008, 01:33 PM	#25
RaduA Guest	The price is related to what the lens can do. If we can use it straight from 1.4 and with very good results from f1,7 why not be 600 USD? I saw on a Sigma forum that their 50 F1.4 is rumoured to cost like 389 GBP. A LOT of money but let's see what delivers. And same for DA55 and DA 60-250. Taking all the delays into consideration both better be exceptional lens. And why not starting a DA* dinasty just like FA limiteds before them. I have FA 50 and IMO under f2 it is not that good. I would pay 600 USD (400 Euros) for a DA* 55 which outperforms totaly the FA under f2. Radu

05-20-2008, 01:23 AM	#26
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	The FA50/1.4 has been retested on the K20D in latest Chasseur d'Images (see my dedicated thread). I don't remind all the details but it holds its own pretty well.

05-20-2008, 09:58 AM	#27
RaduA Guest	Originally posted by thibs The FA50/1.4 has been retested on the K20D in latest Chasseur d'Images (see my dedicated thread). I don't remind all the details but it holds its own pretty well. Hi, Thibs! I regard FA50 as a good to very good lens especialy for the price. Hence for more money I expect better performance and improving in the "not so good" areas of FA50 (f1,4- f2 - contrast and resolution, PF, vignetting at f1,4, border resolution at medium aperture) plus the modern amenities like SDM and weather sealing. And if the list price is 600 USD and street price 10-20% less it is even better! Radu

05-20-2008, 10:45 AM	#29
RaduA Guest	Originally posted by Cambo biggest hole in their roadmap. Nothing from 100 to 200 except the middle of a zooms range. In fact, nothing between 77mm to 200 that isn't a macro (flat field of focus) lens. They need to fill this gap. And a big gun or two would be nice (400 f2.8 - 600 f4 - 250-600 f5.6 zoom). They need to redo the 135 f2.8 - a great lens, love to see it as a DA. Cheers, Cameron Of course u are right Cameron, If we look into the latest roadmap besides the DA 15 ltd, DA 30 and the DA* 55 the rest are either available or slated for a summer release. I suppose that DA* 55 is in its final stages and I fully expect new additions for the summer roadmap. A DA* ~ 135 seems logical (if only for the vaste experience Pentax has at this fl) but if Pentax could license VL 125/2.5 macro and weather seal and SDMs it IMO it would be one of the best lenses ever! Radu

05-20-2008, 11:57 AM	#30
Jonson PL Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,842	Originally posted by Cambo biggest hole in their roadmap. Nothing from 100 to 200 except the middle of a zooms range. In fact, nothing between 77mm to 200 that isn't a macro (flat field of focus) lens. They need to fill this gap. And a big gun or two would be nice (400 f2.8 - 600 f4 - 250-600 f5.6 zoom). They need to redo the 135 f2.8 - a great lens, love to see it as a DA. Cheers, Cameron a DA 135 could be nice, maybe even an f/2. But I guess before that, a 85/2 would hit the market.