[house]

I have a hunch they've spared no expense with the DA*1650 and that it may well be as complex as the DA*1118. Can explain that size otherwise. The samples they've shown (if only in video) also have a very clean look.

[Smolk]

I guess somewhat lower - fast UWA zooms are typically more expensive than similar quality standard zooms.

yes, I know, but it's also a few years later, almost 3x range vs almost 2x.Somehow I think past pricing doesn't apply.

Anyway, most important will be performance. I might also consider the DFA 50mm which would be a great portrait lens on the K-3 III and double duty if i ever get a FF too. Although I already have a lot in that focal range (43 Ltd, several 50/55s, and the Voigtlander 1.4/58mm).
For now, I look forward to the small size of the new camera with the 21/40mm Ltd.

[jersey]

I expect some moaning about the size though...

You Tube

You Tube

About size


Seriously, it is really big lens.And it has good competition in form of 20-40 Ltd that is lots smaller. I dunno if I buy it, I think for someone who is mainly shooting while walking around and rarly in studios (plus shooting for fun, not money) this lens is not the best choice. Also Ltd has pixie dust, DA* is just excellent

[Serkevan]

yes, I know, but it's also a few years later, almost 3x range vs almost 2x.Somehow I think past pricing doesn't apply.

Anyway, most important will be performance. I might also consider the DFA 50mm which would be a great portrait lens on the K-3 III and double duty if i ever get a FF too. Although I already have a lot in that focal range (43 Ltd, several 50/55s, and the Voigtlander 1.4/58mm).
For now, I look forward to the small size of the new camera with the 21/40mm Ltd.

The DA* 11-18 is 1400€ in Germany, which is very dear - it's more expensive than the full-frame 24-70/2.8 (1300€)
Yes, the D FA is a Tamron rebadge, but so is the 15-30... and that doesn't stop Pentax from charging 1700€ for the UWA; that's 400€ more than the standard zoom.

I'd expect the 16-50 at 1100€

[zapp]

Pentax has released some serious stuff lately. DA* 11-18 is a high end wide angle zoom that will sell in smaller numbers than a rebadged 24-70. DA* 16-50 will make the release of the K3iii much more complete and an updated 50-135 is obviously in the pipeline. A new APSC camera with all new * zooms all from Pentax. Nice.
FF gets updated ltds and has already seen two * primes, recently. Nice as well.
Pentax is not a bargain brand and produces some serious gear these days. Smaller spec bases are covered fine, these guys do very well.
Some more exotic glass would be nice as well... let’s buy more Pentax to see more releases.

[Rondec]

This is the sort of zoom that really will benefit those willing to spend on a K-3 III. The current 16-50 is an OK landscape lens, but it has SDM issues (slow focus/prone to fail), some optical issues (not very good borders wide open, particular at 16mm, fair amount of distortion), and has quite a bit of veiling flare. I don't know that they can fix all of these, but certainly the SDM issues will be solved and the flare should be improved with new coatings.

If you are willing to drop 2000 on a new camera, 1200 for a stellar lens to go with it may be in order.

[jersey]

I wonder what will be next update. I suppose depending on how K-3 sells, but I really hope that it will be "starryfied" 55-300 PLM, not 50-135. Unless they do something like 150-400 after 50-135 - that would also be great.

[ThorSanchez]

I wonder what will be next update. I suppose depending on how K-3 sells, but I really hope that it will be "starryfied" 55-300 PLM, not 50-135. Unless they do something like 150-400 after 50-135 - that would also be great.

I think a 50-135 f/2.8 PLM makes a lot of sense, it's the APS-C version of a 70-200 and there's no real alternative right now. This would be a low light action, indoor sport kind of lens and there's really nothing in Pentax' lineup that does that right now. The current 50-135 is slow to focus.

I don't know that there's much bang for the buck with a new, improved 55-300 PLM because the current version is already very good.

I agree that a consumer-ish long lens for wildlife is also a hole. Something like a 150-600 or the 150-400 you mention. I have some interest in the current 150-450 but that costs as much as the K-3 III.

[reh321]

I agree that a consumer-ish long lens for wildlife is also a hole. Something like a 150-600 or the 150-400 you mention. I have some interest in the current 150-450 but that costs as much as the K-3 III.

The 77-420mm PLM {55-300mm PLM + 1.4X TC} is plenty for my wildlife needs - it has "reach" and I can take it for long birding walks with my wife.
Personally, I would prefer a KAF4 DA 18-50mm {no star} for those who experience "Dark Image Syndrome", which would provide an affordable alternative to doing a solenoid transplant.

[ThorSanchez]

The 77-420mm PLM {55-300mm PLM + 1.4X TC} is plenty for my wildlife needs - it has "reach" and I can take it for long birding walks with my wife.
Personally, I would prefer a KAF4 DA 18-50mm {no star} for those who experience "Dark Image Syndrome", which would provide an affordable alternative to doing a solenoid transplant.

I think most would like a longer lens that isn't limited to f/8 or narrower, which the PLM + TC is, at least at the long end.

And a KAF4 DA 18-50mm would almost certainly cost about as much as fixing a failed solenoid on an out-of-production camera. Or about as much as a used Pentax with a functioning solenoid. I know you really don't want to fix your camera, but vanishingly few people buy lenses specifically to overcome a failure you could fix yourself for $50 or have someone else do for $200, or buy a new used camera for a few $hundred.

[reh321]

I think most would like a longer lens that isn't limited to f/8 or narrower, which the PLM + TC is, at least at the long end.

And a KAF4 DA 18-50mm would almost certainly cost about as much as fixing a failed solenoid on an out-of-production camera. Or about as much as a used Pentax with a functioning solenoid. I know you really don't want to fix your camera, but vanishingly few people buy lenses specifically to overcome a failure you could fix yourself for $50 or have someone else do for $200, or buy a new used camera for a few $hundred.

I said "Personally, I would prefer" - you might prefer something else.
Most of us would not lug a long "DA*" lens 'consumer' lens on an outing.
With the graceful high ISO values now available to us, and how narrow the DOF is at wider apertures, my "DA 77-420 PLM" is perfectly adequate.
Considering that Pentax is still having failures after their latest fix, a KAF4 lens would be a valuable addition to what they can offer to consumers
You may continue to discuss if you want to - I have stated a personal opinion.

added: BTW - we are receiving reports from K-70 owners which seem to be "Dark Image Syndrome"
The K-70 certainly is not 'out-of-production'.
I might purchase a K-90, but the existence of an affordable KAF4 standard lens would certainly increase the odds.

[TwoUptons]

I wonder what will be next update. I suppose depending on how K-3 sells, but I really hope that it will be "starryfied" 55-300 PLM, not 50-135. Unless they do something like 150-400 after 50-135 - that would also be great.

There is a full frame 55-ish to 300-ish lens on the roadmap now. I think that’s a good place to focus, especially if it can come close to the DA55-300 PLM focusing speed.

I don’t know about updating the 50-135. The DFA*70-210 is big but excellent in nearly every other respect. It does leave a portrait shaped hole between 50-70 with the 16-50, though...

I can’t see the long lenses being a priority, either, unless they do something unusual and inexpensive, like the new Canons. I just don’t see the market there...

-Eric

[mtkeller]

I can’t see the long lenses being a priority, either, unless they do something unusual and inexpensive, like the new Canons. I just don’t see the market there...

-Eric

What about a rebadge of the Tamron 150–600? Seems like it could be done with minimal development cost on the Pentax end…they already have the relationship to use HD coatings and put in weather seals. I guess it may depend on how many 150–450s and 560s they have sitting in warehouses. Don’t know that it would cannibalize 560 sales, but might hurt the 150–450 if there’s a K-mount 150–600 out there.

[ThorSanchez]

What about a rebadge of the Tamron 150–600? Seems like it could be done with minimal development cost on the Pentax end…they already have the relationship to use HD coatings and put in weather seals. I guess it may depend on how many 150–450s and 560s they have sitting in warehouses. Don’t know that it would cannibalize 560 sales, but might hurt the 150–450 if there’s a K-mount 150–600 out there.

They have both a 70-200 f/2.8 at about $1500 and a 70-210 f/4 at $1000, so I think a 150-600 at somewhere around $1000 would be a nice compliment to the $2000 150-450.

[Serkevan]

They have both a 70-200 f/2.8 at about $1500 and a 70-210 f/4 at $1000, so I think a 150-600 at somewhere around $1000 would be a nice compliment to the $2000 150-450.

Unless you're in Europe, where the 70-200/2.8 is 2300€
It's actually 100€ more expensive than the 150-450 over here...