More Limited lenses

Jonathan Mac · 03-06-2018, 11:17 PM

Originally posted by clackers

They're not big, AFAIK.

They're more the Limited than Star philosophy, including being a little slower.

The Tamron 35mm and 45mm f/1.8s are huge for their specs.

I'd like to see more DA limited lenses - compact and sharp primes.

thibs · 03-06-2018, 11:19 PM

Well, we'll see if they take 'limited' as in DA Limited or as in FA Limited.

neokind · 03-06-2018, 11:36 PM

Originally posted by thibs

Well, we'll see if they take 'limited' as in DA Limited or as in FA Limited.

From the interview context, he was talking about full frames. So, I’d assume FA.

biz-engineer · 03-06-2018, 11:45 PM - **2 Likes**

If the Star lens line should be completed first, then the limited would come in around year 2024 to 2027? Camera is a long term business.

Last edited by biz-engineer; 03-06-2018 at 11:55 PM.

Tatouzou · 03-07-2018, 03:02 AM

Originally posted by twilhelm

You mean the 20-40?

We’d like more like that one.

No, I think Asahi man was realy speaking of the 17-70 f4 SDM, I have it and it is a very nice piece of glass, not WR but there is obviously a rubber seal on the mount.

**monochrome** · 03-07-2018, 03:12 AM - **2 Likes**

My take: D FA24/2.8 Limited; D FA20/2.8 Limited; D FA85/1.8 Limited; D FA35/2 Limited; D FA55/1.8 Limited. A set of standard primes in metal and finely finished with DC motors. KAF4. They have the designs to start from. They’re small. They don’t need to be particularly fast. They don’t need to be perfect. They can use in-camera lens corrections.

I’d bet the film era FA Limited designs are ended when the current batch is sold out.

angerdan · 03-07-2018, 04:58 AM

The current FA Limited primes are fully compatible with film bodies, so removing the screw-drive and mechanical aperture (that's what KAF4 means) would break with this tradition.
Also it would be not offer all functions with older DSLR cameras and the K-01.
The Evolution of the Pentax K-mount - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

Delivering the best possible image quality for their compact size is one of the strenghts of the Limited lenses. The can compare with Zeiss optical designs.
Comparison between a Pentax 31mm Ltd and a Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm - PentaxForums.com

deus ursus · 03-07-2018, 05:56 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by angerdan

The current FA Limited primes are fully compatible with film bodies, so removing the screw-drive and mechanical aperture (that's what KAF4 means) would break with this tradition.
[...]

The FA's are fully compatible with film bodies as well, so they are already breaking with old traditions with the D-FA's. I don't see any point in making new lenses fully compatible with filmbodies, be it Limited lenses or any other lens types.

**Pål Jensen** · 03-07-2018, 06:14 AM

Originally posted by angerdan

The current FA Limited primes are fully compatible with film bodies, so removing the screw-drive and mechanical aperture (that's what KAF4 means) would break with this tradition.

The first Limited lens was released 21 years ago.....

taktoon · 03-07-2018, 06:54 AM

So brake it!

Dipsoid · 03-07-2018, 07:05 AM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

The Tamron 35mm and 45mm f/1.8s are huge for their specs.

I'd like to see more DA limited lenses - compact and sharp primes.

The Tamron 45 is nearly the size of the the 50 Sigma Art too. It makes the 43 look like a M43 lens in comparison.

**ben-pentax** · 03-07-2018, 07:22 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by angerdan

The current FA Limited primes are fully compatible with film bodies, so removing the screw-drive and mechanical aperture (that's what KAF4 means) would break with this tradition.

No problem.

It's time for the D-FA Limiteds.

**monochrome** · 03-07-2018, 07:24 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by angerdan

The current FA Limited primes are fully compatible with film bodies, so removing the screw-drive and mechanical aperture (that's what KAF4 means) would break with this tradition.
Also it would be not offer all functions with older DSLR cameras and the K-01.
The Evolution of the Pentax K-mount - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

Delivering the best possible image quality for their compact size is one of the strenghts of the Limited lenses. The can compare with Zeiss optical designs.
Comparison between a Pentax 31mm Ltd and a Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm - PentaxForums.com

In some ways the FA Limiteds are designed to meet a film era style no longer in demand (intentionally soft at the edges at wider apertures to promote the central subject). That design is especially evident with the 43.

I’m not at all certain the FA Limiteds are truly judged exceptional outside older Pentax shooter groups. For that reason, given potential loss of size advantage if updated with modern focus motors and weather seals plus other changes, I’m not convinced they would be a success if updated to modern standards. Adding SP to the front element, HD in place of SMC, adding AeroBright to the rear element, etc., removing the aperture lever - changes them. They won’t be FA Limiteds any more. They might be better, they might be worse, but they won’t be FA Limiteds.

We’ll see what Pentax do when current inventory from the batch run started late 2015 is exhausted - but they won’t be ‘updated’ before then.

Kunzite · 03-07-2018, 07:47 AM

Their last film camera was launched in 2003. It's time to stop being stuck to the distant past.
The FA Limiteds were designed for a style which was current back then, and to work with cameras that were current models. Today, as monochrome noted, such lenses won't see much praise.

angerdan · 03-07-2018, 08:00 AM

Originally posted by deus ursus

The FA's are fully compatible with film bodies as well, so they are already breaking with old traditions with the D-FA's. I don't see any point in making new lenses fully compatible with filmbodies, be it Limited lenses or any other lens types.

Only with the D FA zoom lenses. D FA primes are another concept, they are fully backward compatible (besides the aperture control of the renewed WR version).
Since even older highend DSLR cameras like the K-5 don't support KAF4, such a concept seems to be the opposite of the past product philosophy of Pentax.
Autofocuss / Lenses / Products | RICOH IMAGING

Originally posted by monochrome

In some ways the FA Limiteds are designed to meet a film era style no longer in demand (intentionally soft at the edges at wider apertures to promote the central subject).
That design is especially evident with the 43.
I’m not at all certain the FA Limiteds are truly judged exceptional outside older Pentax shooter groups.

The FA 43mm has been so pupular in Japan that Pentax did bring an L 43mm 1.9 for Leica M.
Pentax 43mm f1.9 Special for Leica Mount ? - PentaxForums.com
https://web.archive.org/web/20040327012114/http://www.pentax.co.jp:80/japan/...43_special.pdf
SMC PENTAX-FA 43mm f1:1.9 Limited / -L Special | Flickr

The FA Limited lenses are designed to deliver exceptional image quality. That's what they are promoted by Pentax.
"This high-performance lens has a ghostless coating and uses high-refraction glass lenses extravagantly for delivering superior delineation performance up to usage limits. The lens has a brightness of F1.9, sharp imaging with abundant gradations, closeup shooting capabilities up to a minimum of 0.45m, and an 8-blade iris aperture for natural, soft out-of-focus (bokeh) effect for features that could only be found in a high-performance single focal point lens. "
smc PENTAX-FA 43mmF1.9 Limited / Standard Lenses / K-mount Lenses / Lenses / Products | RICOH IMAGING

03-07-2018, 03:12 AM - 2 Likes	#21
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	My take: D FA24/2.8 Limited; D FA20/2.8 Limited; D FA85/1.8 Limited; D FA35/2 Limited; D FA55/1.8 Limited. A set of standard primes in metal and finely finished with DC motors. KAF4. They have the designs to start from. They’re small. They don’t need to be particularly fast. They don’t need to be perfect. They can use in-camera lens corrections. I’d bet the film era FA Limited designs are ended when the current batch is sold out. Last edited by monochrome; 03-07-2018 at 10:07 AM.

03-07-2018, 07:24 AM - 1 Like	#28
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by angerdan The current FA Limited primes are fully compatible with film bodies, so removing the screw-drive and mechanical aperture (that's what KAF4 means) would break with this tradition. Also it would be not offer all functions with older DSLR cameras and the K-01. The Evolution of the Pentax K-mount - Articles and Tips \| PentaxForums.com Delivering the best possible image quality for their compact size is one of the strenghts of the Limited lenses. The can compare with Zeiss optical designs. Comparison between a Pentax 31mm Ltd and a Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm - PentaxForums.com In some ways the FA Limiteds are designed to meet a film era style no longer in demand (intentionally soft at the edges at wider apertures to promote the central subject). That design is especially evident with the 43. I’m not at all certain the FA Limiteds are truly judged exceptional outside older Pentax shooter groups. For that reason, given potential loss of size advantage if updated with modern focus motors and weather seals plus other changes, I’m not convinced they would be a success if updated to modern standards. Adding SP to the front element, HD in place of SMC, adding AeroBright to the rear element, etc., removing the aperture lever - changes them. They won’t be FA Limiteds any more. They might be better, they might be worse, but they won’t be FA Limiteds. We’ll see what Pentax do when current inventory from the batch run started late 2015 is exhausted - but they won’t be ‘updated’ before then. Last edited by monochrome; 03-07-2018 at 08:14 AM.

03-07-2018, 08:00 AM	#30
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,639	Originally posted by deus ursus The FA's are fully compatible with film bodies as well, so they are already breaking with old traditions with the D-FA's. I don't see any point in making new lenses fully compatible with filmbodies, be it Limited lenses or any other lens types. Only with the D FA zoom lenses. D FA primes are another concept, they are fully backward compatible (besides the aperture control of the renewed WR version). Since even older highend DSLR cameras like the K-5 don't support KAF4, such a concept seems to be the opposite of the past product philosophy of Pentax. Autofocuss / Lenses / Products \| RICOH IMAGING Originally posted by monochrome In some ways the FA Limiteds are designed to meet a film era style no longer in demand (intentionally soft at the edges at wider apertures to promote the central subject). That design is especially evident with the 43. I’m not at all certain the FA Limiteds are truly judged exceptional outside older Pentax shooter groups. The FA 43mm has been so pupular in Japan that Pentax did bring an L 43mm 1.9 for Leica M. Pentax 43mm f1.9 Special for Leica Mount ? - PentaxForums.com https://web.archive.org/web/20040327012114/http://www.pentax.co.jp:80/japan/...43_special.pdf SMC PENTAX-FA 43mm f1:1.9 Limited / -L Special \| Flickr The FA Limited lenses are designed to deliver exceptional image quality. That's what they are promoted by Pentax. "This high-performance lens has a ghostless coating and uses high-refraction glass lenses extravagantly for delivering superior delineation performance up to usage limits. The lens has a brightness of F1.9, sharp imaging with abundant gradations, closeup shooting capabilities up to a minimum of 0.45m, and an 8-blade iris aperture for natural, soft out-of-focus (bokeh) effect for features that could only be found in a high-performance single focal point lens. " smc PENTAX-FA 43mmF1.9 Limited / Standard Lenses / K-mount Lenses / Lenses / Products \| RICOH IMAGING Last edited by angerdan; 03-07-2018 at 08:19 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
More, more, more light!!!	Grig	Monthly Photo Contests	5	01-10-2018 02:21 AM
More and More Lenses Can Be Adapted To Pentax K Mount	Fenwoodian	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	10	07-13-2017 07:36 PM
DA15 Limited vs DA21 Limited - more versatile "walkaround" lens debate continues	madison_wi_gal	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	80	03-07-2017 06:11 PM
Lenses, lenses, and more lenses, a camera (or 2) and a camera bag?	krs	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	11	01-04-2009 04:11 PM

03-06-2018, 11:17 PM	#16
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,894	Originally posted by clackers They're not big, AFAIK. They're more the Limited than Star philosophy, including being a little slower. The Tamron 35mm and 45mm f/1.8s are huge for their specs. I'd like to see more DA limited lenses - compact and sharp primes.

03-06-2018, 11:19 PM	#17
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Well, we'll see if they take 'limited' as in DA Limited or as in FA Limited.

03-06-2018, 11:36 PM	#18
neokind Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 336	Originally posted by thibs Well, we'll see if they take 'limited' as in DA Limited or as in FA Limited. From the interview context, he was talking about full frames. So, I’d assume FA.

03-06-2018, 11:45 PM - 2 Likes	#19
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,231	If the Star lens line should be completed first, then the limited would come in around year 2024 to 2027? Camera is a long term business. Last edited by biz-engineer; 03-06-2018 at 11:55 PM.

03-07-2018, 03:02 AM	#20
Tatouzou Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 175	Originally posted by twilhelm You mean the 20-40? We’d like more like that one. No, I think Asahi man was realy speaking of the 17-70 f4 SDM, I have it and it is a very nice piece of glass, not WR but there is obviously a rubber seal on the mount.

03-07-2018, 04:58 AM	#22
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,639	The current FA Limited primes are fully compatible with film bodies, so removing the screw-drive and mechanical aperture (that's what KAF4 means) would break with this tradition. Also it would be not offer all functions with older DSLR cameras and the K-01. The Evolution of the Pentax K-mount - Articles and Tips \| PentaxForums.com Delivering the best possible image quality for their compact size is one of the strenghts of the Limited lenses. The can compare with Zeiss optical designs. Comparison between a Pentax 31mm Ltd and a Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm - PentaxForums.com

03-07-2018, 05:56 AM - 2 Likes	#23
deus ursus Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Stårheim, Norway Posts: 658	Originally posted by angerdan The current FA Limited primes are fully compatible with film bodies, so removing the screw-drive and mechanical aperture (that's what KAF4 means) would break with this tradition. [...] The FA's are fully compatible with film bodies as well, so they are already breaking with old traditions with the D-FA's. I don't see any point in making new lenses fully compatible with filmbodies, be it Limited lenses or any other lens types.

03-07-2018, 06:14 AM	#24
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371 Original Poster	Originally posted by angerdan The current FA Limited primes are fully compatible with film bodies, so removing the screw-drive and mechanical aperture (that's what KAF4 means) would break with this tradition. The first Limited lens was released 21 years ago.....

03-07-2018, 06:54 AM	#25
taktoon Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 605	So brake it!

03-07-2018, 07:05 AM	#26
Dipsoid Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 241	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac The Tamron 35mm and 45mm f/1.8s are huge for their specs. I'd like to see more DA limited lenses - compact and sharp primes. The Tamron 45 is nearly the size of the the 50 Sigma Art too. It makes the 43 look like a M43 lens in comparison.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

03-07-2018, 07:22 AM - 1 Like	#27
ben-pentax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 133	Originally posted by angerdan The current FA Limited primes are fully compatible with film bodies, so removing the screw-drive and mechanical aperture (that's what KAF4 means) would break with this tradition. No problem. It's time for the D-FA Limiteds.

03-07-2018, 07:47 AM	#29
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Their last film camera was launched in 2003. It's time to stop being stuck to the distant past. The FA Limiteds were designed for a style which was current back then, and to work with cameras that were current models. Today, as monochrome noted, such lenses won't see much praise.