[Serkevan]

The 70-210 is a rebranded Tamron. But the 60-250 is a star series lens. It's a Pentax designed lens. And definitely deserves an update

So are the 15-30 and the 24-70 and here we are - without plans for updating either of them. There are other priorities and the rebadged lenses are good. Updating the 60-250 right now wouldn't bring a whole lot to the table that the 70-210 (or the DA* as is) don't already cover, and it would take resources from more pressing stuff like the wide angle, wide aperture prime (D FA* 24|28|35 f/1.4?) or a DA* 50-135/2.8 PLM rework.

Whether we like it or not, Pentax have to pick their battles carefully with their limited resources...

[Mistral75]

I'm pretty sure that the original japanese press release said 400 units period, not per month (the latter a translation error). 400 units per month is totally unrealistic. After all, the lens costed $7000 upon release.
(...)

The Japanese press release says the following:

生産数量 --------当初月産400本

Source: Kマウントデジタル一眼カメラ用交換レンズ「HD PENTAX-DA 560mmF5.6ED AW」新発売｜RICOH IMAGING

生産 = production
数量 = volume, quantity
当初 = initial
月 = month or moon; I let you guess which in this case
産 = production
本 = units (in this context)

Together: 'Production volume: initial monthly production 400 units.'

[siva.ss.kumar]

The $7000 is similar pricing to the Olympus 150-400 Pro lens

[Rondec]

They said per month, they always said per month. You can check the announcement: K????????????????????HD PENTAX-DA 560mmF5.6ED AW?????RICOH IMAGING
I'm not blindly relying on Google Translate, the kanji for month is there.

But that is an initial production volume, so it doesn't mean they're making 400 units per month since then.

I doubt they did more than a three or four month run on them.

[Kunzite]

I doubt they did more than a three or four month run on them.

Yeah, but even 2 months is double the "only 400 units" theory. 3 months means over 1,000.

[Pål Jensen]

The Japanese press release says the following:

Source: Kマウントデジタル一眼カメラ用交換レンズ「HD PENTAX-DA 560mmF5.6ED AW」新発売｜RICOH IMAGING

生産 = production
数量 = volume, quantity
当初 = initial
月 = month or moon; I let you guess which in this case
産 = production
本 = units (in this context)

Together: 'Production volume: initial monthly production 400 units.'

My memory must be wrong. However, I'm sure I somehow got the information that it really was a initial batch of 400 units. At least it seems plausible. I'm sure items like this aren't subjects of monthly production runs - they are simply selling in too small quantities.
I refuse to believe that there exist 1000+ copies of this lens. If so, it is a runaway success story sure to get a replacement. No previous Pentax super-telephoto have sold anywhere near these quantities....

[zapp]

The problem of the current 560 are simply: length & shortest focus distance both caused by design.
A collapsible lens will not solve these basic problems.

The 560 filled a gap when a long telephoto lens was needed to make the system look somewhat complete. Simple design, quick win. Yep, 9.5 years is a long time, let´s hope for something new!
Today, I would expect something much more original and competitive as replacement. Pentax will have to make the calculation - what can they offer for a given price that enough users are willing to pay. I would expect more than a single lens. Minimum would be a lens with unique TC options.

[Pål Jensen]

Yes, Pentax used one of their telescope designs and converted it to a SLR lens in order to save developing cost. Perhaps cooperation with Tokina could be a solution for future long lenses?
In spite of the 560 shortcomings, it is half the weight of the FA* 600/4 and probably 1/3 of the price of a hypothetical brand new D-FA* 600/4...

[Kunzite]

Yes, Pentax used one of their telescope designs and converted it to a SLR lens in order to save developing cost. Perhaps cooperation with Tokina could be a solution for future long lenses?
In spite of the 560 shortcomings, it is half the weight of the FA* 600/4 and probably 1/3 of the price of a hypothetical brand new D-FA* 600/4...

Cooperation with Tokina is no longer an option IMO; particularly not on such expensive lenses.

I guess the DA 560mm was the best they could do given the circumstances, and even so it was canceled (Hoya ownership - Ricoh resurrected the project and made it happen).
Under different circumstances they might've tried a classic telephoto design... would they try it now? Given what they did for the D FA* 85mm I'd say this is possible... not sure if likely though.

OTOH it seems the 560mm has some unique qualities, if we listen e.g. to Chris Mak (who owned the lens for a while).

[angerdan]

there was definitely a collapsible prototype shown

All DA560 (prototype / production) topics can be discussed in the new Thread
DA560 production end / successor ? - PentaxForums.com

[normhead]

Yes, they could. It is a design based on a Pentax telescope. Maybe they could make several super telephotos based on Pentax telescopes and make them collapsible so that they will be easier to transport?

Back in the day, talking to Pentax reps, I told them it was too long or me to safely transport it where I go... but, did they listen to me?

[torge]

What do we know about the revamp of this really important lens for an APS-C system?

[Mistral75]

What do we know about the revamp of this really important lens for an APS-C system?

Not much. It all comes from a video posted in May:

Pentax Product Updates for CP+ 2020 - Trade Shows | PentaxForums.com

See also the video itself, beginning at the 15:36 mark:

CP+2020 まぼろしの参考展示PENTAX製品 ---Introducing PENTAX products currently in development--- - YouTube

[SunnyG.]

So are the 15-30 and the 24-70 and here we are - without plans for updating either of them. There are other priorities and the rebadged lenses are good. Updating the 60-250 right now wouldn't bring a whole lot to the table that the 70-210 (or the DA* as is) don't already cover, and it would take resources from more pressing stuff like the wide angle, wide aperture prime (D FA* 24|28|35 f/1.4?) or a DA* 50-135/2.8 PLM rework.

Whether we like it or not, Pentax have to pick their battles carefully with their limited resources...

You are right, about the fact that the 70-210 brings a lot to the table. But considering the performance to price ratio of this lens. And the focal length it covers. The 60-250 seems like a much better buy. It covers FF without any problems

[Serkevan]

You are right, about the fact that the 70-210 brings a lot to the table. But considering the performance to price ratio of this lens. And the focal length it covers. The 60-250 seems like a much better buy. It covers FF without any problems

The main issue with the 60-250 is the AF speed, which is the main improvement (apart from weight - the DFA is 250g lighter) in the new lens. If they wanted to (or could) re-issue the 60-250 with updated AF and the FF baffle, they would have done so - I recall that Mistral commented some time ago that, according to a Pentax person, changing the AF motor would have called for a full barrel redesign and at that point you might as well go for upgrading the optics.

On top of that, the 60-250 is 1500€. The 70-210 is 1200€ and actually went on sale for 1080€, so there's a significant price difference in Europe...