[LeGuillotine]

So what is the D FA standard zoom going to be? Looks like a 28-200mm. http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/images/K_Mount_Lens.pdf
Why not 300mm? Who will buy it anyway. Use such a zoom, you might as well stay with aps-c...

I think it is going to be 28-135mm 3.5-5.6

[D1N0]

I think it is going to be 28-135mm 3.5-5.6

Mirroring this one Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

But it seems a bit longer than 135. Maybe 140 or 150?

[repaap]

Mirroring this one Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

But it seems a bit longer than 135. Maybe 140 or 150?

To my eyes it looks more like 28-135. Not longer. Compare it to other 135 long lenses on that map... Should be alright zoom range. (18-85 aps-c vise)

[Pål Jensen]

Pity it isn't a 24-105. Much more useful....

[Barry Pearson]

So, I strongly suspect that the first new lens release (not already on the roadmap) will be an update of the 300mm prime to incorporate a DC AF motor, since the current optical design can fit a FF image circle and the new lens can be sold to existing APS-C users as well as new FF users. The necessary work to have DC drive entry level zooms has already been done, with the future wide angle DA zoom on the roadmap probably replacing the 12-24. For entry level to mid-level APS-C users, the only remaining lens that really needs an AF motor update is the 55-300, and with its short focus throw, that might not be a big priority. Since the super-zooms are rebadges, they probably are even lower on the priority list. The question in my mind is whether Pentax sees the need to update the DA* zooms and shorter DA* primes to DC AF from SDM (and from SMC to HD or Aerobright II coatings) or expects those potential customers to buy D FA lenses instead. The D FA lenses are going to be premium priced lenses, no matter what, and the only disadvantages of covering the FF image circle instead of only APS-C is size and weight. There is an expectation that more expensive lenses weigh more and not just among FF camera users.

You will find that the FA prime lenses are quite compact. The D FA 100 WR and D FA 50/2.8 aren't large lenses either. The A50/1.2 is not large even though it is the fastest lenses Pentax made granted its manual focus. Remember, this is Pentax we are talking about here and they have been making some remarkably small full frame lenses since the 1950s.

The weight issue shouldn't be under-estimated. The new 150-450mm and 70-200mm are about 2 kilograms each. Compare that with the DA* 300mm and DA* 60-250mm lenses, about 1 kilogram each. (I know I can't successfully hand-hold a 3 kilogram long lens, and I've got rid of the Sigma 500mm f/4.5 in part-exchange for the two new lenses for that reason).

I suspect any D FA* wide angle zoom will weight about twice as much as the nearest current Pentax APS-C equivalent. Ricoh won't expect everyone to use or switch to FF, and I expect they will continue to have high quality APS-C zooms that are smaller, lighter, and cheaper than the new D FA zooms. They won't assume that people who want smaller lighter lenses will all go for primes. I personally have little use for primes except specialist ones.

[Kunzite]

I figured out their strategy: they want us to jump to the lighter and smaller 645 system

[Pål Jensen]

I believe that the APS line-up will be optimized for (small) size. The lenses they have released lately point to that direction...

[sapporodan]

I figured out their strategy: they want us to jump to the lighter and smaller 645 system

Hah you just made me laugh

[aurele]

I interpreted it as saying: 55mm isn't a traditional focal length for portraits on full frame, so you wouldn't expect many FF-shooters to use it for such; and whatever qualities the DA* 55's rendering has that make it especially suitable for portaits might not be desirable for whatever other use cases they would be using it for.


(I can't speak to what those qualities are, as I don't know the lens myself.)

I use the DA*55 on film a lot, and though it's not a long lens, the distorsion is almost non existent.

It's a fine lens that's very powerfull if you are indoor and don't have a lot of space.

It won't be re-enginereed opticaly for a long time IMO

[repaap]

I use the DA*55 on film a lot, and though it's not a long lens, the distorsion is almost non existent.

It's a fine lens that's very powerfull if you are indoor and don't have a lot of space.

It won't be re-enginereed opticaly for a long time IMO

I just love my DA*55/1.4. Havent used it on film camera, but I have very good feeling about using it on both formats. Speed is not a problem for me. And I believe that this lens does not need upgrade, unlike FA50/1.4 or A50/1.2.

[Wired]

I just love my DA*55/1.4. Havent used it on film camera, but I have very good feeling about using it on both formats. Speed is not a problem for me. And I believe that this lens does not need upgrade, unlike FA50/1.4 or A50/1.2.

Works great on film!

I've used it with my MZ6 a lot, and I really enjoy it.

[Mistral75]

Works great on film!

I've used it with my MZ6 a lot, and I really enjoy it.

In spite of the DA* 55mm f/1.4 being a manual focus lens when used on your MZ6?

[Wired]

In spite on the DA* 55mm f/1.4 being a manual focus lens when used on your MZ6?

compared to all lenses being MF on my LX or MX?

[Mistral75]

compared to all lenses being MF on my LX or MX?

I have the weakness to prefer using autofocus lenses in autofocus mode and favour manual focus lenses for manual focusing .

[repaap]

I have used 55/1.4 couple times MF even with K-3. Just for fun. No problems. Easy to see when target us in focus(flowers).