[Mistral75]

Can you comment on which lens is shown in this picture?

Obviously a KAF lens that would destroy the mirror of any and all K-mount (D)SLR one would use it with.

[beholder3]

I just think that for Pentax to redesign the 60-250 and put in a new lens motor and baffle, it is probably just as easy for them to start at square one with a new design. The added benefit (from Pentax's standpoint) is that with a new lens you are that even people with a 60-250 will consider a 70-200 f4 if it is quite a bit lighter and faster focusing than the DA * lens.

Finally, the 60-250 currently retails for 1200 dollars and my guess is that Pentax is trying to hit a cheaper price point -- something more in the 900 to 950 dollar range with this lens.

A fair cheap price would be around 1,600 EUR.

The Nikon 70-200/4 started at 1,400 EUR seven years ago and was +400 EUR more than the Pentax DA* 60-250mm, which today would mean a competitive price to be 1,900 EUR.

Pentax needs not to be the manufacturer for low on cash cheapo buyers. Go for -10% less than the competition is already good.

[Mistral75]

because you know it.

ἃ μὴ οἶδα οὐδὲ οἴομαι εἰδέναι. (Plato, Apology)

[Mistral75]

Isn't that one of the prototype lenses for K-01?

It looks like the mock-up showcased at CP+ 2012 but this one has been duly used: look at the wear and tear on the aperture lever.

[RGlasel]

It looks like the mock-up showcased at CP+ 2012 but this one has been duly used: look at the wear and tear on the aperture lever.

I think we can say that this is an old working project, because it doesn't anticipate KAF4 mount and it doesn't take advantage of shorter registration distances permitted in mirrorless cameras. From a business standpoint, one of the advantages of a shorter registration distance is the opportunity to sell adapters to everyone, even those who are not willing to buy new lenses.

Ooku's cryptic post on the common factor of the DFA 70-200 f4, DFA * 50 and DA* 11-18 is difficult to decipher, but it seems to me that not releasing the 70-200 f4 when a prototype is in the field is thin evidence of development of a new camera system. Like you, I only know what I don't know, but I would guess that the true common factor is an unwillingness to spend money to develop and commercialize new products when the final decision makers are not convinced that SmartVision will still be part of Ricoh Company after 2022.

I know even less about Canon's executive thinking processes, but the investment to massively automate their mature camera and lens manufacturing processes is much larger than any potential gain. There is no pricing pressure on Canon to maintain their market share and human beings are much cheaper to adapt to demands for increasing product complexity with lower total volume, compared to robots. Someone with the authority to make high level statements is either blind or spreading disinformation.

[awscreo]

A fair cheap price would be around 1,600 EUR.

The Nikon 70-200/4 started at 1,400 EUR seven years ago and was +400 EUR more than the Pentax DA* 60-250mm, which today would mean a competitive price to be 1,900 EUR.

Pentax needs not to be the manufacturer for low on cash cheapo buyers. Go for -10% less than the competition is already good.

That's pretty steep, for that amount it should be a * lens. If it's not a *, maybe around $1200 would be cool, especially if optically it's in line with the 28-105 and 24-70.

[repaap]

That's pretty steep, for that amount it should be a * lens. If it's not a *, maybe around $1200 would be cool, especially if optically it's in line with the 28-105 and 24-70.

Frankly, I'd not be surprised if it was 1400 € when released. perhaps going down to 1200 or less in half year or so. I'd not expect less than what Nikon/Tamron/Canon has to offer, optically.

[nocturnal]

I just think that for Pentax to redesign the 60-250 and put in a new lens motor and baffle, it is probably just as easy for them to start at square one with a new design. The added benefit (from Pentax's standpoint) is that with a new lens you are that even people with a 60-250 will consider a 70-200 f4 if it is quite a bit lighter and faster focusing than the DA * lens.

Not me, the 60 and 250 ends I use extensively and nor do I bother lugging along my F* 300 f4.5 any longer, I only got a DA* 60-250 a short fime ago and I have to say now that finally I don't want any more gear. Now I just concentrate on the photography and is nice to not want anything else...

Paradise syndrome

[Rondec]

A fair cheap price would be around 1,600 EUR.

The Nikon 70-200/4 started at 1,400 EUR seven years ago and was +400 EUR more than the Pentax DA* 60-250mm, which today would mean a competitive price to be 1,900 EUR.

Pentax needs not to be the manufacturer for low on cash cheapo buyers. Go for -10% less than the competition is already good.

Maybe a price point of 1200 then, but the DFA *70-200 f2.8 currently retails for 1800 on B and H and at times is lower than that. It is hard for me to imagine Pentax releasing an f4 version of that lens for more than the f2.8 version. It's not about making cheapo lenses (none of the Pentax lenses I've used fall into this category), but more about pricing items to sell while still making a profit.

[normhead]

Not me, the 60 and 250 ends I use extensively and nor do I bother lugging along my F* 300 f4.5 any longer, I only got a DA* 60-250 a short fime ago and I have to say now that finally I don't want any more gear. Now I just concentrate on the photography and is nice to not want anything else...

Paradise syndrome

A 60-50 with a 1.4 is 350mm, nearly passable for birding. A 200 ar 280 isn't nearly as appealing. The only way I even look at a 70-200 ƒ4 is if it's light weight very fast focusing and sharp enough to use with the simultaneously released 2x TC. I have the DA*200, and DA 55-300 PLM, I'm really not interested in lenses that won't get close to 400mm with TCs. I have lots of those.

[wkraus]

Double guess tells me that Ricoh have postponed lenses (or removed from the roadmap) , and eventually resumed the manufacturing of FA limited lenses (+ adding FA ltd to the Pentax special site), because they are designing a new FF mirrorless model that may involve changes on the lens mount => no new lens designs for the K mount until the new mount is fully working. If the double guessing is true, we won't know about new lens roadmap until a new camera model (different concept mirrorless or hypbrid VF) is announced.

Mr. D. Guess is no more reliable than Mr. E. Guess. Don’t trust them.

[nocturnal]

A 60-50 with a 1.4 is 350mm, nearly passable for birding. A 200 ar 280 isn't nearly as appealing. The only way I even look at a 70-200 ƒ4 is if it's light weight very fast focusing and sharp enough to use with the simultaneously released 2x TC. I have the DA*200, and DA 55-300 PLM, I'm really not interested in lenses that won't get close to 400mm with TCs. I have lots of those.

Indeed so. I am really glad I got the 60-250 as I realise a 70-200 just wouldn't do for what I do... Landscapes.

Lately the 250mm end came in handy when incorporating birds into the landscape, 200mm would have been short.

With the 60mm end I needed to walk back a bit for some shots, 70mm would have been too long.

I'm so glad not to be waiting for or wanting lenses.

[TwoUptons]

You know what would be interesting... is if it is compact and comes with the occasionally-mentioned full-frame 1.4* teleconverter for ~$1,200...

It would make for an interesting sports/hiking combo...

-Eric

[monochrome]

Isn't that one of the prototype lenses for K-01?

IIRC, 35mm XS prototype, shown as a companion to the DA40/2.8XS. I don’t recall the aperture.

If I recall incorrectly I’m certain someone will re-recall me.

[OoKU]

DFA50-300 F4.5-5.6