Originally posted by Joshua A I really think that an updates DA* system should be released around Photokina this year, consisting of the new DA(DA*) wide zoom, an updated DA* Standard Zoom, and an updated DA* Telephoto Zoom. My preferred lineup would consist of a 'DA* 10-20mm f2.8 DC, DA* 16-50mm f2.8 DC, DA* 50-150mm f2.8 DC'. The new DA* lineup should not include the DA* 60-250m, due to it's near full frame coverage.
Honestly I think Ricoh/Pentax would be foolish not to reissue the DA* 60-250mm f4 as a D-FA* 60-250 f4. It's been shown that with the rear baffle removed it is;, optically a pro grade (roughly on par with a Canon EF 70-200mm f4 IS USM). A replacement in the form of a D-FA* 60-250mm f4 DC [ED] AW would be a affordable replacement to the D-FA* 70-200mm f2.8, especially if they update the exterior to match the new lenses (a metal exterior would help) and increase the speed of the AF system dramatically.
That said, Ricoh has recently patented a 100-300mm f4 zoom, and whilst I'd love both lenses to co-exist, and I hope that they do, it may not come to fruition.
The DA* 60-250 is optically a gem. It may be the best lens I have in terms of sharpness, contrast, etc. Its only downside in terms op optical formula is that it has really bad focus breathing, and as such the maximum magnification is not so good. But that's a reasonable compromise I think. (still, if it's possible to improve this aspect with little or no other impact, Ricoh, please do so!)
I did some testing on it yesterday evening, and it actually focuses faster than a 55-300, e.g. it goes faster through its focus range. Still, the 55-300 seems to be better for tracking, as established in
this review. I think that probably has to do with the fact that there can be a small delay between the time you press the button and the time the lens actually starts to focus. When it has to do a lot of small adjustments (as is the case with tracking), those small delays matter more.
As for that patent, I have yet to see if it's going to develop into a real lens. It seems likely, but not all patents do.
I don't care so much about an f/2.8 wide-angle zoom. I think f/4 is just fine there. Maybe the new wide-angle zoom will be a DA* lens, who knows? That might even persuade more people to upgrade from their 12-24s, since you get weathersealing too. But otherwise, a new 16-50 and 50-150 (please don't make it as big or heavy as the Sigma) would be great. Coincidentally, 150mm is where the D-FA 150-450 can take over (when you're in that territory, the size advantage of APS-C lenses matters less I think).