HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE

starbase218 · 06-19-2016, 03:01 AM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

No, it's not too philosophical... I just don't agree with it

I do accept your point of view, but I see no benefit for Ricoh / Pentax in not maintaining compatibility with older lenses. No benefit at all. The aperture lever in the body, so far as I can tell, has now been *augmented* with electronic aperture control via the KAF4 mount. Job done. What's missing that would require removal of the aperture control mechanism?

Nothing, currently (I think).

totsmuyco · 06-19-2016, 03:11 AM

I'm also guessing, could it be that this lens will also be for a mirror less camera in the future? Not that I want one.

Kunzite · 06-19-2016, 04:17 AM

Indeed, it's not philosophical at all.
What's the expected shelf life for the newly launched D FA 70-200 and 150-450mm lenses? Canon replaced its 70-200 IS USM after 9 years - but you can still get the 1995 non-IS model new. Replacing the 100-400 took longer, and yes, you can get the old model too. Nikon only waited 7 years until they replaced the 70-200 VR with the VR II. Same story about being able to buy the older version, brand new.

See the pattern? Lenses are long term products, while cameras are easier replaced and considered obsolete. Thus, backward compatibility is very important; while forward compatibility is just a temporary problem.

**BigMackCam** · 06-19-2016, 04:57 AM

Originally posted by totsmuyco

I'm also guessing, could it be that this lens will also be for a mirror less camera in the future? Not that I want one.

Interesting. Hadn't thought of that one!

Na Horuk · 06-19-2016, 06:18 AM

I love that this lens caused so much discussion. It doesn't seem to be optically very special, not that much better from the 55-300 we already have. But the whole in-lens motor and aperture coupling... wow! All of us who thought we knew where Pentax was heading are now scratching our heads. Only wild speculation is possible. Can't wait to get some more concrete info

Lights · 06-19-2016, 08:17 AM - **1 Like**

Could it be that this lens is an attempt to solve two significant problems with video recording.

1. Noisy auto focus.

2. The horrible 'click' every time the aperture changes.

anu l · 06-19-2016, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by Lights

Could it be that this lens is an attempt to solve two significant problems with video recording.

1. Noisy auto focus.

2. The horrible 'click' every time the aperture changes.

The biggest thing I'm worries about this lens is
1- focus breathing
2- loss of Image Quality, especially from 200m to 300mm

if this lens performs as good as it's predecessor then it's quite worth it. even with the loss of some light.

reh321 · 06-19-2016, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by anu l

The biggest thing I'm worries about this lens is
1- focus breathing
2- loss of Image Quality, especially from 200m to 300mm

if this lens performs as good as it's predecessor then it's quite worth it. even with the loss of some light.

Why would you expect it to be worse than its predecessor {HD Pentax-DA 1:4-5.8 55-300mm ED WR} in any respect other than largest possible aperture opening?

D1N0 · 06-19-2016, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by Lights

2. The horrible 'click' every time the aperture changes.

Not just the click, also the sudden darkening of the image while stopping down. Transition will be smoother because it is stepless.

Wheatfield · 06-19-2016, 12:50 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by totsmuyco

Wow , I just bought my k-5II last February 2014. If all lenses will be KAF-4. it's now obsolete. This really sad. Actually this is one of the reasons why I chose Pentax, the longevity of the k-mount. I missed the part that the lens versions change and they can't be used on older cameras.

Pentax backwards compatibility has always been new bodies can use old lenses, nothing more, and even with that, they had to be forced into it with the *istD. There were a couple of last generation film bodies that couldn't properly use non A series lenses. Nothing has ever been said about new lenses having to work on older bodies, and anyone who thinks this is the case should try to mount a K series lens on a Spotmatic and use it for anything other than macro. In 1975, Pentax showed us that they would not necessarily have lens backwards compatibility.

mee · 06-19-2016, 03:52 PM

Originally posted by Lights

Could it be that this lens is an attempt to solve two significant problems with video recording.

1. Noisy auto focus.

2. The horrible 'click' every time the aperture changes.

That seems much more logical..

**Aristophanes** · 06-19-2016, 07:33 PM

Originally posted by mee

That seems much more logical..

It's Pentax's answer to 4k video.

kh1234567890 · 06-20-2016, 02:31 AM

Originally posted by Lights

Could it be that this lens is an attempt to solve two significant problems with video recording.
1. Noisy auto focus.
2. The horrible 'click' every time the aperture changes.

I'm sure that is the reason. Pentax videographers have an aversion to using an external mic and prefer to stick with the built-in 10 cent device, soldered to the camera motherboard, acoustically coupled to all the focus, aperture, SR etc motors and listening through a grime filled pinhole ...

**BigMackCam** · 06-20-2016, 02:38 AM

Originally posted by kh1234567890

I'm sure that is the reason. Pentax videographers have an aversion to using an external mic and prefer to stick with the built-in 10 cent device, soldered to the camera motherboard, acoustically coupled to all the focus, aperture, SR etc motors and listening through a grime filled pinhole ...

So... I take it you're not a fan, then?

Fogel70 · 06-20-2016, 02:55 AM

Originally posted by Lights

Could it be that this lens is an attempt to solve two significant problems with video recording.

1. Noisy auto focus.

2. The horrible 'click' every time the aperture changes.

Noisy AF do not only affect video.

I believe that the noisy AF has been one of the major reasons for Pentax struggling to find new users.
Compared to other brands, Pentax DSLR kits have seemed much less sophisticated, so many new used would not consider Pentax because the AF sound.

I believe we have seen the last new Pentax zoom lens released with screw drive AF.

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06-19-2016, 03:01 AM	#331
starbase218 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Planet Earth, Sol system, Milky Way galaxy, Universe Posts: 1,119	Originally posted by BigMackCam No, it's not too philosophical... I just don't agree with it I do accept your point of view, but I see no benefit for Ricoh / Pentax in not maintaining compatibility with older lenses. No benefit at all. The aperture lever in the body, so far as I can tell, has now been augmented with electronic aperture control via the KAF4 mount. Job done. What's missing that would require removal of the aperture control mechanism? Nothing, currently (I think).

06-19-2016, 03:11 AM	#332
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	I'm also guessing, could it be that this lens will also be for a mirror less camera in the future? Not that I want one.

06-19-2016, 04:17 AM	#333
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Indeed, it's not philosophical at all. What's the expected shelf life for the newly launched D FA 70-200 and 150-450mm lenses? Canon replaced its 70-200 IS USM after 9 years - but you can still get the 1995 non-IS model new. Replacing the 100-400 took longer, and yes, you can get the old model too. Nikon only waited 7 years until they replaced the 70-200 VR with the VR II. Same story about being able to buy the older version, brand new. See the pattern? Lenses are long term products, while cameras are easier replaced and considered obsolete. Thus, backward compatibility is very important; while forward compatibility is just a temporary problem.

06-19-2016, 04:57 AM	#334
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,647	Originally posted by totsmuyco I'm also guessing, could it be that this lens will also be for a mirror less camera in the future? Not that I want one. Interesting. Hadn't thought of that one!

06-19-2016, 06:18 AM	#335
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	I love that this lens caused so much discussion. It doesn't seem to be optically very special, not that much better from the 55-300 we already have. But the whole in-lens motor and aperture coupling... wow! All of us who thought we knew where Pentax was heading are now scratching our heads. Only wild speculation is possible. Can't wait to get some more concrete info

06-19-2016, 08:17 AM - 1 Like	#336
Lights New Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Sydney Posts: 11	Could it be that this lens is an attempt to solve two significant problems with video recording. 1. Noisy auto focus. 2. The horrible 'click' every time the aperture changes.

06-19-2016, 10:31 AM	#337
anu l Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 216	Originally posted by Lights Could it be that this lens is an attempt to solve two significant problems with video recording. 1. Noisy auto focus. 2. The horrible 'click' every time the aperture changes. The biggest thing I'm worries about this lens is 1- focus breathing 2- loss of Image Quality, especially from 200m to 300mm if this lens performs as good as it's predecessor then it's quite worth it. even with the loss of some light.

06-19-2016, 10:38 AM	#338
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,175	Originally posted by anu l The biggest thing I'm worries about this lens is 1- focus breathing 2- loss of Image Quality, especially from 200m to 300mm if this lens performs as good as it's predecessor then it's quite worth it. even with the loss of some light. Why would you expect it to be worse than its predecessor {HD Pentax-DA 1:4-5.8 55-300mm ED WR} in any respect other than largest possible aperture opening?

06-19-2016, 10:40 AM	#339
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	Originally posted by Lights 2. The horrible 'click' every time the aperture changes. Not just the click, also the sudden darkening of the image while stopping down. Transition will be smoother because it is stepless.

06-19-2016, 12:50 PM - 2 Likes	#340
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,975	Originally posted by totsmuyco Wow , I just bought my k-5II last February 2014. If all lenses will be KAF-4. it's now obsolete. This really sad. Actually this is one of the reasons why I chose Pentax, the longevity of the k-mount. I missed the part that the lens versions change and they can't be used on older cameras. Pentax backwards compatibility has always been new bodies can use old lenses, nothing more, and even with that, they had to be forced into it with the *istD. There were a couple of last generation film bodies that couldn't properly use non A series lenses. Nothing has ever been said about new lenses having to work on older bodies, and anyone who thinks this is the case should try to mount a K series lens on a Spotmatic and use it for anything other than macro. In 1975, Pentax showed us that they would not necessarily have lens backwards compatibility.

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06-19-2016, 03:52 PM	#341
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by Lights Could it be that this lens is an attempt to solve two significant problems with video recording. 1. Noisy auto focus. 2. The horrible 'click' every time the aperture changes. That seems much more logical..

06-19-2016, 07:33 PM	#342
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	Originally posted by mee That seems much more logical.. It's Pentax's answer to 4k video.

06-20-2016, 02:31 AM	#343
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by Lights Could it be that this lens is an attempt to solve two significant problems with video recording. 1. Noisy auto focus. 2. The horrible 'click' every time the aperture changes. I'm sure that is the reason. Pentax videographers have an aversion to using an external mic and prefer to stick with the built-in 10 cent device, soldered to the camera motherboard, acoustically coupled to all the focus, aperture, SR etc motors and listening through a grime filled pinhole ...

06-20-2016, 02:38 AM	#344
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,647	Originally posted by kh1234567890 I'm sure that is the reason. Pentax videographers have an aversion to using an external mic and prefer to stick with the built-in 10 cent device, soldered to the camera motherboard, acoustically coupled to all the focus, aperture, SR etc motors and listening through a grime filled pinhole ... So... I take it you're not a fan, then?

06-20-2016, 02:55 AM	#345
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	Originally posted by Lights Could it be that this lens is an attempt to solve two significant problems with video recording. 1. Noisy auto focus. 2. The horrible 'click' every time the aperture changes. Noisy AF do not only affect video. I believe that the noisy AF has been one of the major reasons for Pentax struggling to find new users. Compared to other brands, Pentax DSLR kits have seemed much less sophisticated, so many new used would not consider Pentax because the AF sound. I believe we have seen the last new Pentax zoom lens released with screw drive AF.