Pentax Full-Frame, DFA* 70-200mm, DFA 150-450mm Announced

rangercarp · 03-12-2015, 08:03 AM

Originally posted by gazonk

I'm not really looking for long and heavy teles (I prefer a light camera bag with limiteds in them)

Hopefully we we soon see a refresh of the FA limiteds, and a couple new DFA limiteds that are similarly sized.

normhead · 03-12-2015, 08:10 AM

Originally posted by rangercarp

Hopefully we we soon see a refresh of the FA limiteds, and a couple new DFA limiteds that are similarly sized.

A modern 200 2.8 is long overdue. Modern CA control, modern resolution, come on, it's a prime, it shouldn't be beaten for resolution and CA control by the DA*60-250, and, it's too slow focusing. But it's the right weight, a half pound lighter than the DA*60-250 and DA*300. I just can't bring myself to buy the DA*200 as it is.... as much as it's the perfect focal length and weight, theoretically.

Bophoto · 03-12-2015, 08:14 AM

I guess my most imported product to look at Stockholm photo fair in November are the new camera. Perhaps I dream about it later as "my precious"

I wonder what had happen if Pentax had released MZ-D (FF) in 2002 for 5 or 6000$/€?
If Contax had make a success with N digital (same 6Mp Philips sensor), they had be one of the players now:
Contax N Digital Review - Luminous Landscape

**Pål Jensen** · 03-12-2015, 08:39 AM

Originally posted by normhead

A modern 200 2.8 is long overdue. .

I doubt we would see one. This focal length and speed is covered by zooms. The D-FA 70-200/2.8 will fill that niche.....
200/2.8's will go the way of the 400/5.6's......

Stavri · 03-12-2015, 09:23 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by gazonk

I'm not really looking for long and heavy teles (I prefer a light camera bag with limiteds in them), and my gear buying budget is zero for the next few months, but still I get this Gollum-ish feeling when I see those sample photos

Anyway, even though I will probably never buy it, I'm really happy that Pentax has released such a serious lens ahead of the FF camera release.
Good times are coming!

Don't ever say never!

**RGlasel** · 03-12-2015, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

200/2.8's will go the way of the 400/5.6's

I tend to agree with this, especially since there are less expensive third party options in a 70-200 zoom as well. The first prime to be updated for FF will be the DA* 300 f/4, in my opinion. The patent for this lens says "designated for FF", with half the weight of the 150-450 zoom and probably a full stop faster. Based on current pricing, the updated DA* 300 should also be about half the price of the 150-450. Add a DC AF motor and updated coatings, and it should be good to go for both APS-C and FF bodies.

**monochrome** · 03-12-2015, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by RGlasel

I tend to agree with this, especially since there are less expensive third party options in a 70-200 zoom as well. The first prime to be updated for FF will be the DA* 300 f/4, in my opinion. The patent for this lens says "designated for FF", with half the weight of the 150-450 zoom and probably a full stop faster. Based on current pricing, the updated DA* 300 should also be about half the price of the 150-450. Add a DC AF motor and updated coatings, and it should be good to go for both APS-C and FF bodies.

Pentax SMCP-DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) SDM

Pentax HD DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) AW DC

to keep the [Star] designation? It would be a heavier and more robust lens. (It would probably have Aero-Bright and Ghostless coatings and SMC on the inner elements).

thibs · 03-12-2015, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

Pentax SMCP-DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) SDM

Pentax HD DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) AW DC

to keep the [Star] designation? It would be a heavier and more robust lens. (It would probably have Aero-Bright and Ghostless coatings and SMC on the inner elements).

Also, the DA300 is a modern design (made for the DA).
DA200 is an FA200 design, a film era design which shows its age. FF nonetheless.

**RGlasel** · 03-12-2015, 02:40 PM

The other reasoning for going slow on a 200mm prime is the unsuitability of its field of view for the type of pictures a telephoto prime lens is good for. It's too long for landscapes and portraits and too short for wildlife and fixed objects in the distance. The SMC A 70-210 f4 is the longest lens I own, and in the picture below I had the Trans-Canada Highway behind me to keep the swans from immediately paddling away from me. 300mm would have been far more useful. 200mm is a useful focal length on FF cameras for events where you can't get within 100 feet of the action, but zooming with your feet isn't practical at public events, hence the ubiquitous 70-200 zooms.

repaap · 03-12-2015, 03:05 PM

How do you guys..., and why. This used to be an other thread.

Stavri · 03-12-2015, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by normhead

A modern 200 2.8 is long overdue. Modern CA control, modern resolution, come on, it's a prime, it shouldn't be beaten for resolution and CA control by the DA*60-250, and, it's too slow focusing. But it's the right weight, a half pound lighter than the DA*60-250 and DA*300. I just can't bring myself to buy the DA*200 as it is.... as much as it's the perfect focal length and weight, theoretically.

Some point about DA* 200 are valid, slow SDM, CA wide open ( would benefit from some additional SLD elements) but to say it's not a sharp lens, that's taking it too far. The 200mm f2.8 is one of the sharpest telephoto lenses, besting the DA* 300 ( but it's not popular due to lack of reach). I agree that we won't see a modern 200 f2.8 anytime soon, after the limited, a wide angle ff prime and a new 200mm macro, 135mm f2.8 with dc aw should be next.

How sharp is the FA/DA 200mm f2.8? Check out roburgoss post
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/77477-f-fa-club-36.html#post3188704

normhead · 03-12-2015, 06:53 PM

Originally posted by Stavri

Some point about DA* 200 are valid, slow SDM, CA wide open ( would benefit from some additional SLD elements) but to say it's not a sharp lens, that's taking it too far. The 200mm f2.8 is one of the sharpest telephoto lenses, besting the DA* 300 ( but it's not popular due to lack of reach). I agree that we won't see a modern 200 f2.8 anytime soon, after the limited, a wide angle ff prime and a new 200mm macro, 135mm f2.8 with dc aw should be next.

How sharp is the FA/DA 200mm f2.8? Check out roburgoss post
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/77477-f-fa-club-36.html#post3188704

That's why I didn't say it wasn't sharp. I said, it's probably not as sharp as the DA* 60-250.

Stavri · 03-12-2015, 09:35 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by normhead

That's why I didn't say it wasn't sharp. I said, it's probably not as sharp as the DA* 60-250.

This is how I personally rank the DA* lenses:

Sharp <------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------>Less sharp

Da* 200mmf2.8..... Da* 300mm f4..........Da* 50-135.... Da* 60-250.......................... Da* 16-50

normhead · 03-13-2015, 06:25 AM

And how did you come to this ranking?

JinDesu · 03-13-2015, 07:08 AM

I suppose it's also a question, when it comes to the zoom, of is it average sharpness or at the sharpest focal length? Because for example, my Tamron 70-200 is as sharp as my primes at 70mm F4 or F5.6.

03-12-2015, 03:08 PM	#536
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Originally posted by normhead A modern 200 2.8 is long overdue. Modern CA control, modern resolution, come on, it's a prime, it shouldn't be beaten for resolution and CA control by the DA60-250, and, it's too slow focusing. But it's the right weight, a half pound lighter than the DA60-250 and DA300. I just can't bring myself to buy the DA200 as it is.... as much as it's the perfect focal length and weight, theoretically. Some point about DA* 200 are valid, slow SDM, CA wide open ( would benefit from some additional SLD elements) but to say it's not a sharp lens, that's taking it too far. The 200mm f2.8 is one of the sharpest telephoto lenses, besting the DA* 300 ( but it's not popular due to lack of reach). I agree that we won't see a modern 200 f2.8 anytime soon, after the limited, a wide angle ff prime and a new 200mm macro, 135mm f2.8 with dc aw should be next. How sharp is the FA/DA 200mm f2.8? Check out roburgoss post https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/77477-f-fa-club-36.html#post3188704 Last edited by Stavri; 03-12-2015 at 05:19 PM.

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03-12-2015, 08:03 AM	#526
rangercarp Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Southern Michigan Posts: 437	Originally posted by gazonk I'm not really looking for long and heavy teles (I prefer a light camera bag with limiteds in them) Hopefully we we soon see a refresh of the FA limiteds, and a couple new DFA limiteds that are similarly sized.

03-12-2015, 08:10 AM	#527
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by rangercarp Hopefully we we soon see a refresh of the FA limiteds, and a couple new DFA limiteds that are similarly sized. A modern 200 2.8 is long overdue. Modern CA control, modern resolution, come on, it's a prime, it shouldn't be beaten for resolution and CA control by the DA60-250, and, it's too slow focusing. But it's the right weight, a half pound lighter than the DA60-250 and DA300. I just can't bring myself to buy the DA200 as it is.... as much as it's the perfect focal length and weight, theoretically.

03-12-2015, 08:14 AM	#528
Bophoto Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 429	I guess my most imported product to look at Stockholm photo fair in November are the new camera. Perhaps I dream about it later as "my precious" I wonder what had happen if Pentax had released MZ-D (FF) in 2002 for 5 or 6000$/€? If Contax had make a success with N digital (same 6Mp Philips sensor), they had be one of the players now: Contax N Digital Review - Luminous Landscape

03-12-2015, 08:39 AM	#529
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by normhead A modern 200 2.8 is long overdue. . I doubt we would see one. This focal length and speed is covered by zooms. The D-FA 70-200/2.8 will fill that niche..... 200/2.8's will go the way of the 400/5.6's......

03-12-2015, 09:23 AM - 1 Like	#530
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Originally posted by gazonk I'm not really looking for long and heavy teles (I prefer a light camera bag with limiteds in them), and my gear buying budget is zero for the next few months, but still I get this Gollum-ish feeling when I see those sample photos Anyway, even though I will probably never buy it, I'm really happy that Pentax has released such a serious lens ahead of the FF camera release. Good times are coming! Don't ever say never!

03-12-2015, 11:24 AM	#531
RGlasel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saskatoon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,228	Originally posted by Pål Jensen 200/2.8's will go the way of the 400/5.6's I tend to agree with this, especially since there are less expensive third party options in a 70-200 zoom as well. The first prime to be updated for FF will be the DA* 300 f/4, in my opinion. The patent for this lens says "designated for FF", with half the weight of the 150-450 zoom and probably a full stop faster. Based on current pricing, the updated DA* 300 should also be about half the price of the 150-450. Add a DC AF motor and updated coatings, and it should be good to go for both APS-C and FF bodies.

03-12-2015, 01:02 PM	#532
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by RGlasel I tend to agree with this, especially since there are less expensive third party options in a 70-200 zoom as well. The first prime to be updated for FF will be the DA* 300 f/4, in my opinion. The patent for this lens says "designated for FF", with half the weight of the 150-450 zoom and probably a full stop faster. Based on current pricing, the updated DA* 300 should also be about half the price of the 150-450. Add a DC AF motor and updated coatings, and it should be good to go for both APS-C and FF bodies. Pentax SMCP-DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) SDM Pentax HD DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) AW DC to keep the [Star] designation? It would be a heavier and more robust lens. (It would probably have Aero-Bright and Ghostless coatings and SMC on the inner elements).

03-12-2015, 01:36 PM	#533
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by monochrome Pentax SMCP-DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) SDM Pentax HD DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) AW DC to keep the [Star] designation? It would be a heavier and more robust lens. (It would probably have Aero-Bright and Ghostless coatings and SMC on the inner elements). Also, the DA300 is a modern design (made for the DA). DA200 is an FA200 design, a film era design which shows its age. FF nonetheless.

03-12-2015, 02:40 PM	#534
RGlasel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saskatoon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,228	The other reasoning for going slow on a 200mm prime is the unsuitability of its field of view for the type of pictures a telephoto prime lens is good for. It's too long for landscapes and portraits and too short for wildlife and fixed objects in the distance. The SMC A 70-210 f4 is the longest lens I own, and in the picture below I had the Trans-Canada Highway behind me to keep the swans from immediately paddling away from me. 300mm would have been far more useful. 200mm is a useful focal length on FF cameras for events where you can't get within 100 feet of the action, but zooming with your feet isn't practical at public events, hence the ubiquitous 70-200 zooms.

03-12-2015, 03:05 PM	#535
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	How do you guys..., and why. This used to be an other thread.

03-12-2015, 06:53 PM	#537
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by Stavri Some point about DA* 200 are valid, slow SDM, CA wide open ( would benefit from some additional SLD elements) but to say it's not a sharp lens, that's taking it too far. The 200mm f2.8 is one of the sharpest telephoto lenses, besting the DA* 300 ( but it's not popular due to lack of reach). I agree that we won't see a modern 200 f2.8 anytime soon, after the limited, a wide angle ff prime and a new 200mm macro, 135mm f2.8 with dc aw should be next. How sharp is the FA/DA 200mm f2.8? Check out roburgoss post https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/77477-f-fa-club-36.html#post3188704 That's why I didn't say it wasn't sharp. I said, it's probably not as sharp as the DA* 60-250.

03-12-2015, 09:35 PM - 1 Like	#538
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Originally posted by normhead That's why I didn't say it wasn't sharp. I said, it's probably not as sharp as the DA* 60-250. This is how I personally rank the DA* lenses: Sharp <------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------>Less sharp Da* 200mmf2.8..... Da* 300mm f4..........Da* 50-135.... Da* 60-250.......................... Da* 16-50

03-13-2015, 06:25 AM	#539
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	And how did you come to this ranking?

03-13-2015, 07:08 AM	#540
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	I suppose it's also a question, when it comes to the zoom, of is it average sharpness or at the sharpest focal length? Because for example, my Tamron 70-200 is as sharp as my primes at 70mm F4 or F5.6.