[ffking]

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Originally posted by JPT*
Unfortunately, there was no talk about the DFA21mm lens at all. I figured if they were going to show that at all, it would be in this talk, but sadly not.
Eeeek! Please Pentax don't make it another one of those prototype unicorns that fade into the night. :'(

They did say some time back that they were going to concentrate on star and Ltd lenses so don't give up just yet - I'm sure they're just deadlocked in meetings about what max aperture to give it

[biz-engineer]

For these limited lenses (smc versions), most images and reviews are old from the time before 2016. I'd be interested to know where we can find some full size K1 images at various aperture , focused to distance/infinity, taken with these limited lenses. Or some serious tests performed with the K1. Reputation from the Pentax apsc only era is one thing, but I'd prefer to rely on my own evaluation for full frame 36Mp (K1).

[angerdan]

In Germany (amazon) there are a few (new) SMCs to be had for 225€.

That's correct:
Pentax 22190 SMC FA Objektiv mit Hülle: Amazon.de: Kamera

In the United States it's 264€ / $320:
amazon.com : Pentax SMCP-FA 35mm f/2.0 AL Lens with Case and Hood : Camera Lenses : Camera & Photo

[robbiec]

Available to pre-order from SRS in UK:

Pentax HD FA 31mm F1.8 Limited Lens - Pre-Order £1,099.00 (SMC £1,349)
Pentax HD FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Lens - Pre-Order £ 649.00 (SMC £ 729)
Pentax HD FA 77mm F1.8 Limited Lens - Pre-Order £ 799.00 (SMC £ 949)

Is this a first for newer version being cheaper than original?

Usual FA Limited pricing from SRS. They've bumped up the SMC's to standard MSRP but SRS normally do better.

[thibs]

That's correct:
Pentax 22190 SMC FA Objektiv mit Hülle: Amazon.de: Kamera

I see those at 395€

[angerdan]

I see those at 395€

I checked again and still 225€ from seller ac-foto:
https://www.amazon.de/s?i=merchant-items&me=A2R8B8IMCG4ZX1&rh=p_4%3APentax&d...ef=sr_nr_p_4_8
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00005ABC9/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2R8B8IMCG4ZX1&psc=1

Also available at the AC Foto webstore:
Pentax SMC FA 35/2.0 kaufen bei AC-Foto.com

[TwoUptons]

Available to pre-order from SRS in UK:

Pentax HD FA 31mm F1.8 Limited Lens - Pre-Order £1,099.00 (SMC £1,349)
Pentax HD FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Lens - Pre-Order £ 649.00 (SMC £ 729)
Pentax HD FA 77mm F1.8 Limited Lens - Pre-Order £ 799.00 (SMC £ 949)

Is this a first for newer version being cheaper than original?

Fitting a simple quadratic through the three existing HD prices puts the 21 DFA Limited at 1,645 in UK monies.

Of course, Excel predictions have been known to be wrong once or twice

-Eric

[thibs]

I checked again and still 225€ from seller ac-foto:
Amazon.de
Pentax 22190 SMC FA Objektiv mit Hülle: Amazon.de: Kamera

Also available at the AC Foto webstore:
Pentax SMC FA 35/2.0 kaufen bei AC-Foto.com

Thanks. Cannot be shipped to my location. Mmm.

[c.a.m]

Fitting a simple quadratic through the three existing HD prices puts the 21 DFA Limited at 1,645 in UK monies.

I think that you're onto something brilliant -- price as a function of focal length.

- Craig

[stevebrot]

For these limited lenses (smc versions), most images and reviews are old from the time before 2016. I'd be interested to know where we can find some full size K1 images at various aperture , focused to distance/infinity, taken with these limited lenses. Or some serious tests performed with the K1. Reputation from the Pentax apsc only era is one thing, but I'd prefer to rely on my own evaluation for full frame 36Mp (K1).

Nothing is worse than reviews that have gone bad with age, eh?


Steve

[biz-engineer]

Nothing is worse than reviews that have gone bad with age, eh?

These limited lenses were tested by photozone.de (now optical limits). The latest camera used was the Pentax K5, after than I can't see tests done with the K3 or K1. I've looked into PF reviews, where we can see some crops of siemens star target crops, providing a hint of sharpness from center to corner at every aperture, although we can't put a number of LP/PH behind each setting.

[ffking]

Since these lenses are the epitome of the famous qualities that can't be measured, I'm content to just look at the images I make with them (SMC versions, of course) mounted on my K-1 - and I'm more than happy

[Rondec]

Eeeek! Please Pentax don't make it another one of those prototype unicorns that fade into the night. :'(

I don't think there is any question it is coming. It just may not be here before the end of the year. Pentax doesn't talk about lenses that are months and months away. I would guess that the DA *16-50 PLM is the next "new" lens to come out from Pentax. I'm sure they that think that is an important lens as it should pair well with the K3 III.

[Serkevan]

Since these lenses are the epitome of the famous qualities that can't be measured, I'm content to just look at the images I make with them (SMC versions, of course) mounted on my K-1 - and I'm more than happy

I don't know how many line pairs the 77 measures on a K-1. But if a 200% crop looks like this at f/2.8, on a JPG downsized to 4 MB, while the image itself is gorgeous, I also don't care.

[Parry]

Be interested to see the difference with the old versions. I thought the old were already multi-coated? My set of the three really do make lovely images, perfect for the A7RIV with AF Monster Adaptor.

Anyone seen any sample images yet? So long as they don't lose that unmistakable character and just become another sharp yet ubiquitous lens.

To shift many more lenses, Pentax would do well to make autofocus adaptors for other manufacturers mirrorless systems, it would expand the appeal of Pentax. These would be a major hit with mirrorless users since there's lots of sharp lenses out there, but in my humble experience none with character of the FA Limited's.