[Setter Dog]

If this rumor is true I wonder whether it will be an addition to or a replacement for the existing 55-300. The 55-300 is a fantastic value: reasonably sharp; compact for a telephoto; reliable; inexpensive.

I have the 55-300WR and love it,...sure there are minor focusing problems, but not often. What I'd like to see is something with zoom that's wider at the short end, 18-250 for example.

Jack

[D1N0]

sadly no low res leak yet

[pathdoc]

something with zoom that's wider at the short end, 18-250 for example.

A WR 18-250 with non-screwdrive motor would kill the reason to exist of the 18-135 DC WR immediately; remaining stock would be relegated at once to kit lens territory.

[D1N0]

Looks like they are using compact superzoom techniques to develop (or redesign) lenses. It creates new tolerances that can go bad, but it is the way to battle camera's like the rx 10, which are almost dslr size anyway.

[Ole]

I have the 55-300WR and love it,...sure there are minor focusing problems, but not often. What I'd like to see is something with zoom that's wider at the short end, 18-250 for example.

Jack

What about the DA 18-270? It is fairly compact so no need for the retractable feature and it exists today.

[ogl]

What about the DA 18-270? It is fairly compact so no need for the retractable feature and it exists today.

I thought it's discontinued...But it's real
Pentax smc Pentax-DA 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 ED SDM Lens 21497 B&H

[zmohie]

It's the first with linear drive,optimized for live view AF and video.
New optic,new style,new amateur line for APS-C.
Not the last newbie for this year in APS-C.
Only the second APS-C camera could be to late for this year,maybe show only at Photokina.
But hey,most important for all is,Pentax is still in full action,without any pause.
Main target is fullframe,but the APS-C camera and lens roadmap is interesting and not a ping boring.
Till end of next year we get minimum of 6 or 7 new fullframe lenses and 4 APS-C lenses.
Best regards

it seems a good year for pentax.
is there any info about k3ii successor!

[D1N0]

Since a 55-300 is a telezoom I don't see a real need for it to be retractable. It's hardly a walk around. Make a 18-270 which is 50mm long, that would be cool.

[HudsonShooter]

i have 2 retractable tele zooms so why not a 3rd this sounds interesting by pentax

[rawr]

It will be interesting to see if any new lens motor tech pioneered by this lens find it's way into other new or re-designed Pentax lenses. If the linear motor is compact, revised FA 77/43/31? Revised DA pancakes?

Speaking of linear motors, I saw this quote from a recent lensrentals blog post about linear motors:

"... you can sometimes recognize lenses that use this type of motor because the focus element rattles around when the camera is switched off. "

Soon not only will the cameras of many new Pentax buyers 'rattle' worryingly, but their lenses will too.

[asahi man]

Only in lenses with light wight lens groups and a complete new autofocus lens group.
You need a different system to move the focusing lenses.
It's not to use for massive and extremely durable lenses.
Best regards

[Imp]

pics are up!

[Mistral75]

From Digital Camera Info, a list of specifications and a first picture:

http://digicame-info.com/2016/06/hd-pentax-da55-300mm-f45-63-ed.html

- Rear focusing system to significantly reduce the weight of the focus group
- PLM (Pulse Motor) to reduce the autofocus noise
- Compared to the current 55-300mm, focus is 8.3 times faster on the wider angle side and up to 1.7 times faster on the telephoto side
- First K-mount lens with electromagnetic diaphragm
- High-precision exposure control in movie mode when paired with K-70
- Minimum focusing distance: 0.95m
- Maximum magnification: 0.30x
- Filter diameter: 58mm
- 14 elements (of which one made of ED glass) in 11 groups
- Collapsible structure and compact, lightweight design
- Total length: 89mm; maximum diameter: 76.5mm
- Weight: 442 grams
- Drip-proof structure sealed in 11 places
- HD coating. SP coating
- Nine rounded aperture blades
- Quick Shift Focus.

[D1N0]

Two more elements from the previous 55-300 design, so an altered optical design.

[Imp]

electromagnetic diaphragm

no more mechanical linkage? or does that mean something else?

exposure control in movie mode when paired with K-70

Aha, so it IS built for video... the plot gets thicker