Originally posted by RaduA IMO the only reason to cancel the DA15Ltd at this late stage is if it doesn't perform well enough to earn the Limited badge. It seems to me that it is very highly anticipated by many here (and not only) and will both round the Limited range to the ultra-wide zone and offer something unique for Pentax.
DA* 30 is much earlier in development and they may opt to slightly revise optically the FA31Ltd in a new mechanical package with ring motor and weather protection plus the new ABC coatings and save time and money.
But again for the 15mm focal length something APS-C only make a lot of sense IMO and I'll be surprised (and disappointed) if this rumor is true.
Radu
I don't think it has anything to do with the lack of performance of the lenses. It has been stated that the Pentax lens roadmap was considered a mess without direction so some changes should be expected. The 15mm is very close to the already existing 14mm. The 30mm is in competition with the 31mm, and the two 35mm lenses already in the line-up. No wonder if Pentax changes poriorities. In adition, the Limited lenses still make little sense as there are no matching body: Perhaps small, weatherproffed versions of them would have made more sense in the marketplace?
The other issue is the possibility of FF in the future. Having lots of niche APS-only lenses, that even compete with existing FF lenses, may be seen as an unwise strategic move....