Originally posted by Rondec Looking at what Pentax was able to do with the DA *16-50 PLM, I would really be interested in a DFA *24-70mm (Pentax designed of course). Certainly it would be too big a lens to have PLM drive, but they certainly could get better performance at f2.8 than what the Tamron designed one offers. Of course, it would be more expensive too...
This is the issue. Everyone is making expensive gear with higher profit margins. At least in the Pentax world, cameras are now luxury items. This remind me of a Sigma rep 8 years ago, when they started producing for the premium market. The seemed to want to do one better than everyone else. Now it's Pentax in the same mind set. Pentax has a lot of medium to low excellent quality glass available. They are now filling out the top end. Slower development, bigger price. But they have no where else left to go.
My last purchase was the DA 55-300 PLM. A great lens for great price. The current trend is excellent lenses at big prices.They are not attracting my attention, but, no worries. In APS-c I have 8mm to 500mm covered. In FF I have 14mm to 600mm covered. It's not like I'm waiting for something to come out to complete my coverage in focal length. I'm not even sure what they could sell me right now. Especially since I'm happy with the 55-300 on FF. I remain a fan of compact light weight gear with compromises I understand. That's not the current direction of the company, but there are at least 10 lenses I'd buy if I had unlimited capital. SO for me it comes down to "can Pentax sell me stuff if they don't produce another lens?" Honestly, there's a lot, I don't need new lenses to have a substantial shopping list. But nothing on that shopping list is critical, and most would be niche lenses for which I don't very often have a use. I don't use my Sigma 8-16 much. If I bought the DA*11-18- it would be to keep the Sigma company sitting on the shelf.