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totsmuyco · 10-20-2019, 04:01 AM

I think it's worth the wait for me. I hope it's going to be kAF3 mount. I'm still using a k-5II and a k-3II.

Mistral75 · 10-20-2019, 04:11 AM

Originally posted by totsmuyco

I think it's worth the wait for me. I hope it's going to be kAF3 mount. I'm still using a k-5II and a k-3II.

The HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm f/4 should be KAF3: apart from the HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW, which has no specific advantage on an APS-C body since there is an APS-C ★ alternative, all new 24x36 lenses are KAF3.

By the way, a KAF4 lens works fine with a K-3 II. One just needs to update the firmware of the camera.

**Belnan** · 10-20-2019, 05:09 AM

Originally posted by Mistral75

The HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm f/4 should be KAF3

Seems like very specific information, it does seem like they are releasing very few KAF4 lenses but I'm not sure why this one wouldn't be.

Mistral75 · 10-20-2019, 05:36 AM

Originally posted by Belnan

Seems like very specific information, it does seem like they are releasing very few KAF4 lenses but I'm not sure why this one wouldn't be.

As of now, it's has been a constant policy of Ricoh Imaging to make their new lenses KAF3 instead of KAF4 when said new lens had no equivalent in the APS-C line-up.

The only KAF4 lenses so far are the HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW and HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE. There are alternatives to both in the current APS-C line-up, e.g. smc Pentax-DA★ 55mm f/1.4 SDM and HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR.

**Serkevan** · 10-20-2019, 05:50 AM

That might change with the advent of the K-new (and perhaps the next entry-level APS-C camera). Although I am not quite sure the mechanical aperture is so much worse than the electromagnetic diaphragm...

totsmuyco · 10-20-2019, 05:52 AM

Originally posted by Mistral75

The HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm f/4 should be KAF3: apart from the HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW, which has no specific advantage on an APS-C body since there is an APS-C ★ alternative, all new 24x36 lenses are KAF3.

By the way, a KAF4 lens works fine with a K-3 II. One just needs to update the firmware of the camera.

Yes I know. I've already updated my K-3II. However, I like to standardize my gears. I'd like to have KAF3 so that I can use it on my k-5II

**ThorSanchez** · 10-20-2019, 06:16 AM

Originally posted by Serkevan

That might change with the advent of the K-new (and perhaps the next entry-level APS-C camera). Although I am not quite sure the mechanical aperture is so much worse than the electromagnetic diaphragm...

It makes it easier to collaborate with other manufacturers to build lenses than can be more readily repurposed for other mounts. Good for economies of scale and reducing Pentax' R&D costs.

**Serkevan** · 10-20-2019, 06:52 AM

Sure, it makes it easier for Tamron/Sigma/Tokina to repurpose their lenses, but I meant from a performance point of view.

Kunzite · 10-20-2019, 07:00 AM - **2 Likes**

The electronically controlled aperture is better than the old mechanical linkage - faster, more precise, more consistent , quieter, less imposing on the lens design. In many cases it doesn't matter; the old mechanism did its job for decades.

**Kevin B123** · 10-20-2019, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by Mistral75

As of now, it's has been a constant policy of Ricoh Imaging to make their new lenses KAF3 instead of KAF4 when said new lens had no equivalent in the APS-C line-up.

It's APS-C equivalent is the DA* 50-135 which is now rumored to be in for update ahead of the 70-200 release, so it may be KAF4.

Mistral75 · 10-20-2019, 10:16 AM

Originally posted by Kevin B123

It's APS-C equivalent is the DA* 50-135 which is now rumored to be in for update ahead of the 70-200 release, so it may be KAF4.

Equivalent as 'same focal length or close, same aperture or close', not as 'same angle of view and depth of field on different sensors':

HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW (KAF4) and smc Pentax-DA★ 55mm f/1.4 SDM (KAF3)
HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE (KAF4) and HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR (KAF)

I wrote 'APS-C line-up' because all Pentax 24x36 DSLRs are compatible with KAF4 lenses, therefore there is no need to bother about compatibility in 24x36 land.

On the other hand, K-5 II(s) and former APS-C cameras are not compatible with KAF4 lenses, hence the need for new lenses to be KAF3 instead of KAF4 when there is no alternative. Example: the latest new lens (revamped lenses set aside), the HD Pentax-DA★ 11-18mm f/2.8 ED DC AW, is KAF3.

Kunzite · 10-20-2019, 10:26 AM

Yeah... I'm not sure if many who wouldn't upgrade from their K-5 II and older cameras would get the new lenses.

Mistral75 · 10-20-2019, 10:38 AM

Would they fancy an expensive 11-18mm f/2.8 more than a relatively cheap 70-200mm f/4? Yet...

**Serkevan** · 10-20-2019, 10:47 AM

What price would you expect from the 70-200/4? The 50/1.4 ,15-30/2.8 & 24-70/2.8 were around $1000, but the 70-200/2.8 is more expensive. The DA* 11-18 is also around $1000.
I would hope the new 70-200 to release around $699 or $799, but I'm not holding my breath too much.

**UncleVanya** · 10-20-2019, 11:07 AM

Originally posted by Mistral75

As of now, it's has been a constant policy of Ricoh Imaging to make their new lenses KAF3 instead of KAF4 when said new lens had no equivalent in the APS-C line-up.

The only KAF4 lenses so far are the HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW and HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE. There are alternatives to both in the current APS-C line-up, e.g. smc Pentax-DA★ 55mm f/1.4 SDM and HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR.

Both 55-300 lenses are apsc... I'm not sure how this fits your pattern.

10-20-2019, 10:16 AM	#686
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Originally posted by Kevin B123 It's APS-C equivalent is the DA* 50-135 which is now rumored to be in for update ahead of the 70-200 release, so it may be KAF4. Equivalent as 'same focal length or close, same aperture or close', not as 'same angle of view and depth of field on different sensors': HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW (KAF4) and smc Pentax-DA★ 55mm f/1.4 SDM (KAF3) HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE (KAF4) and HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR (KAF) I wrote 'APS-C line-up' because all Pentax 24x36 DSLRs are compatible with KAF4 lenses, therefore there is no need to bother about compatibility in 24x36 land. On the other hand, K-5 II(s) and former APS-C cameras are not compatible with KAF4 lenses, hence the need for new lenses to be KAF3 instead of KAF4 when there is no alternative. Example: the latest new lens (revamped lenses set aside), the HD Pentax-DA★ 11-18mm f/2.8 ED DC AW, is KAF3.

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10-20-2019, 04:01 AM	#676
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	I think it's worth the wait for me. I hope it's going to be kAF3 mount. I'm still using a k-5II and a k-3II.

10-20-2019, 04:11 AM	#677
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Originally posted by totsmuyco I think it's worth the wait for me. I hope it's going to be kAF3 mount. I'm still using a k-5II and a k-3II. The HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm f/4 should be KAF3: apart from the HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW, which has no specific advantage on an APS-C body since there is an APS-C ★ alternative, all new 24x36 lenses are KAF3. By the way, a KAF4 lens works fine with a K-3 II. One just needs to update the firmware of the camera.

10-20-2019, 05:09 AM	#678
Belnan Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nova Scotia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,090	Originally posted by Mistral75 The HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm f/4 should be KAF3 Seems like very specific information, it does seem like they are releasing very few KAF4 lenses but I'm not sure why this one wouldn't be.

10-20-2019, 05:36 AM	#679
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Originally posted by Belnan Seems like very specific information, it does seem like they are releasing very few KAF4 lenses but I'm not sure why this one wouldn't be. As of now, it's has been a constant policy of Ricoh Imaging to make their new lenses KAF3 instead of KAF4 when said new lens had no equivalent in the APS-C line-up. The only KAF4 lenses so far are the HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW and HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE. There are alternatives to both in the current APS-C line-up, e.g. smc Pentax-DA★ 55mm f/1.4 SDM and HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR.

10-20-2019, 05:50 AM	#680
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	That might change with the advent of the K-new (and perhaps the next entry-level APS-C camera). Although I am not quite sure the mechanical aperture is so much worse than the electromagnetic diaphragm...

10-20-2019, 05:52 AM	#681
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	Originally posted by Mistral75 The HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm f/4 should be KAF3: apart from the HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW, which has no specific advantage on an APS-C body since there is an APS-C ★ alternative, all new 24x36 lenses are KAF3. By the way, a KAF4 lens works fine with a K-3 II. One just needs to update the firmware of the camera. Yes I know. I've already updated my K-3II. However, I like to standardize my gears. I'd like to have KAF3 so that I can use it on my k-5II

10-20-2019, 06:16 AM	#682
ThorSanchez Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,811	Originally posted by Serkevan That might change with the advent of the K-new (and perhaps the next entry-level APS-C camera). Although I am not quite sure the mechanical aperture is so much worse than the electromagnetic diaphragm... It makes it easier to collaborate with other manufacturers to build lenses than can be more readily repurposed for other mounts. Good for economies of scale and reducing Pentax' R&D costs.

10-20-2019, 06:52 AM	#683
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Sure, it makes it easier for Tamron/Sigma/Tokina to repurpose their lenses, but I meant from a performance point of view.

10-20-2019, 07:00 AM - 2 Likes	#684
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	The electronically controlled aperture is better than the old mechanical linkage - faster, more precise, more consistent , quieter, less imposing on the lens design. In many cases it doesn't matter; the old mechanism did its job for decades.

10-20-2019, 08:59 AM	#685
Kevin B123 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,191	Originally posted by Mistral75 As of now, it's has been a constant policy of Ricoh Imaging to make their new lenses KAF3 instead of KAF4 when said new lens had no equivalent in the APS-C line-up. It's APS-C equivalent is the DA* 50-135 which is now rumored to be in for update ahead of the 70-200 release, so it may be KAF4.

10-20-2019, 10:26 AM	#687
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Yeah... I'm not sure if many who wouldn't upgrade from their K-5 II and older cameras would get the new lenses.

10-20-2019, 10:38 AM	#688
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Would they fancy an expensive 11-18mm f/2.8 more than a relatively cheap 70-200mm f/4? Yet...

10-20-2019, 10:47 AM	#689
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	What price would you expect from the 70-200/4? The 50/1.4 ,15-30/2.8 & 24-70/2.8 were around $1000, but the 70-200/2.8 is more expensive. The DA* 11-18 is also around $1000. I would hope the new 70-200 to release around $699 or $799, but I'm not holding my breath too much.

10-20-2019, 11:07 AM	#690
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,476	Originally posted by Mistral75 As of now, it's has been a constant policy of Ricoh Imaging to make their new lenses KAF3 instead of KAF4 when said new lens had no equivalent in the APS-C line-up. The only KAF4 lenses so far are the HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW and HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE. There are alternatives to both in the current APS-C line-up, e.g. smc Pentax-DA★ 55mm f/1.4 SDM and HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR. Both 55-300 lenses are apsc... I'm not sure how this fits your pattern.

New zoom 70-200 F4

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