New DA series Weather Resistant Lens's

JAZZer · 06-29-2009, 06:35 AM

I would like from Pentax to make WR version of older DA lenses (12-24, 10-17, 16-45/17-70 & limiteds)... it would be really good & useful set!

**Clarkey** · 06-29-2009, 04:58 PM

From the recent Henrys imaging show in Canada, it was remarked by the Pentax staff that more WR lenses from the current lineup were coming. The 55-300mm was explicitly commented on as a candidate for this process.

IMO, this is a great move. Canon offers several variants of longer glass, which make them more accessible to use type and (more importantly), budget. However it would be good to have sealed, SDM type longer glass available rather than having to step up to the 60-250mm, even if it is slower.

Personally I'd love to see a compact, reasonably fast all in one solution which was sealed. Say an 18-150 mm that was 3.5-5.6 and SDM. I'd buy it in a heart beat. The closest Pentax has come to this is the FA 28-200mm IF AL - which was handy! No-one else has a lens matching all of these criteria on the market at present.

nickthetasmaniac · 06-29-2009, 07:21 PM

i'd most like to see a sealed Pentax version of the Tokina 11-16/f2.8 with SMC and SDM, and something along the lines of a sealed 70-200/f2.8.
I've got the DA* 50-135 and it's great as a short tele walk around lens, but not quite long enough for a fast sports lens; i know a lot of people who end up getting the Tamron and Sigma 70-200's instead, and the 60-250/f4 is too slow, so i think a 70-200 would fit in nicely.
As for the 11-16, if Pentax wants to sell the K-7 as an outdoor enthusiasts camera, i think they really need a wide, sealed landscape lens in their lineup.
Both of these would probably be DA*, rather than DA lenses, but I think it's important that Pentax doesn't forget their top end in the chase for beginner buyers.

thibs · 06-29-2009, 10:27 PM

Originally posted by Clarkey

The closest Pentax has come to this is the FA 28-200mm IF AL - which was handy! No-one else has a lens matching all of these criteria on the market at present.

Which is a Tamron design, just as the 18-250

EricT · 06-30-2009, 03:31 AM

Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac

i'd most like to see a sealed Pentax version of the Tokina 11-16/f2.8 with SMC and SDM, and something along the lines of a sealed 70-200/f2.8.
I've got the DA* 50-135 and it's great as a short tele walk around lens, but not quite long enough for a fast sports lens; i know a lot of people who end up getting the Tamron and Sigma 70-200's instead, and the 60-250/f4 is too slow, so i think a 70-200 would fit in nicely.
As for the 11-16, if Pentax wants to sell the K-7 as an outdoor enthusiasts camera, i think they really need a wide, sealed landscape lens in their lineup.
Both of these would probably be DA*, rather than DA lenses, but I think it's important that Pentax doesn't forget their top end in the chase for beginner buyers.

I highly doubt they will release a DA* 70-200, given the overlap with 50-135, 60-250 and the 200. And even if they did, it would be quite expensive. The idea of WR versions of DA lenses is to give the consumers/prosumers access to weather-sealed glass at a reasonable price.

Also, a DA 12-24mm WR would fit the bill nicely. You don't really need f/2.8 for landscapes.

nickthetasmaniac · 06-30-2009, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by EricT

I highly doubt they will release a DA* 70-200, given the overlap with 50-135, 60-250 and the 200. And even if they did, it would be quite expensive. The idea of WR versions of DA lenses is to give the consumers/prosumers access to weather-sealed glass at a reasonable price.

Also, a DA 12-24mm WR would fit the bill nicely. You don't really need f/2.8 for landscapes.

It's the sealing, more than the f2.8 that i'm interested in. Whether they put it in an updated 12-24, of a rebadged 11-16 doesn't really bother me... Although that said, f2.8 would be handy for a wide-angle walkaround (I know there's the DA 14/f2.8, just pondering).

I think there would still be a market for a 70-200/f2.8. It'd be a big beast (the Sig/Tam versions aren't small) so i don't think it would steal too many sales from the 50-135 (quite compact for an f2.8) as a fast walk-around. And people would still go the 200/f2.8 if they're after outright image quality. But as a versitile sports zoom i think there's a niche in the line-up. I don't really understand where the 60-250 is spose to sit. It's too slow for sports, too heavy for a walk-around, and in Australia it costs as much as the DA* 300/f4... Who do they think is going to buy it?

Even if a DA* 70-200 did steal sales though, I think the issue is that sales are already being stolen, but by third party manufacturers because Pentax doesn't offer anything. At least if there was a DA* version the sales would be going to something in-house.

**ManuH** · 07-01-2009, 05:20 AM

Originally posted by Clarkey

Personally I'd love to see a compact, reasonably fast all in one solution which was sealed. Say an 18-150 mm that was 3.5-5.6 and SDM. I'd buy it in a heart beat. The closest Pentax has come to this is the FA 28-200mm IF AL - which was handy! No-one else has a lens matching all of these criteria on the market at present.

My hopes are on a WR version of the Tokina 16.5-135 f3.5-5.6. That would be a great alternative to the 18-250 if the performance is good.

wll · 07-01-2009, 05:24 AM

I would love a 55-300mm WR. I have the regular version and it is truly a very good lens (read the reviews)

I just got a 50-200mm in a large buy and sold it. It was OK, but in my book OK is not good enough. Don't understand why Pentax used the same optical formula in the WR version when all reviews give it a less then good performance factor ?

On the other hand the 18-55mm AL II is a very good lens and it is small. I would purchase the 18-55 WR lens IF they came out with the 55-300 in WR, as both these lenses would be carried together in inclement weather situations.

wll

**Clarkey** · 07-01-2009, 05:35 AM

Hmm, 16.5-135mm. The 5.6 max is very useful. If the quality was there I would also be very interested.

Originally posted by thibs

Which is a Tamron design, just as the 18-250

Aye, it is, but with a 6.3 at the zoom end, slightly longer and heavier, and no quiet focus (same deal with the 28-200, but on film it was lightning fast to get a lock.

It's been said before, but another candidate (since we no longer get it for pentax) is the Tokina 80-400mm - together with the 17-70mm this would be a great rig.

07-01-2009, 05:24 AM	#23
wll Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mission Hills, CA Posts: 773	For my carry around ---- I would love a 55-300mm WR. I have the regular version and it is truly a very good lens (read the reviews) I just got a 50-200mm in a large buy and sold it. It was OK, but in my book OK is not good enough. Don't understand why Pentax used the same optical formula in the WR version when all reviews give it a less then good performance factor ? On the other hand the 18-55mm AL II is a very good lens and it is small. I would purchase the 18-55 WR lens IF they came out with the 55-300 in WR, as both these lenses would be carried together in inclement weather situations. wll

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06-29-2009, 06:35 AM	#16
JAZZer Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 39	I would like from Pentax to make WR version of older DA lenses (12-24, 10-17, 16-45/17-70 & limiteds)... it would be really good & useful set!

06-29-2009, 04:58 PM	#17
Clarkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brampton, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,456	From the recent Henrys imaging show in Canada, it was remarked by the Pentax staff that more WR lenses from the current lineup were coming. The 55-300mm was explicitly commented on as a candidate for this process. IMO, this is a great move. Canon offers several variants of longer glass, which make them more accessible to use type and (more importantly), budget. However it would be good to have sealed, SDM type longer glass available rather than having to step up to the 60-250mm, even if it is slower. Personally I'd love to see a compact, reasonably fast all in one solution which was sealed. Say an 18-150 mm that was 3.5-5.6 and SDM. I'd buy it in a heart beat. The closest Pentax has come to this is the FA 28-200mm IF AL - which was handy! No-one else has a lens matching all of these criteria on the market at present.

06-29-2009, 07:21 PM	#18
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	i'd most like to see a sealed Pentax version of the Tokina 11-16/f2.8 with SMC and SDM, and something along the lines of a sealed 70-200/f2.8. I've got the DA* 50-135 and it's great as a short tele walk around lens, but not quite long enough for a fast sports lens; i know a lot of people who end up getting the Tamron and Sigma 70-200's instead, and the 60-250/f4 is too slow, so i think a 70-200 would fit in nicely. As for the 11-16, if Pentax wants to sell the K-7 as an outdoor enthusiasts camera, i think they really need a wide, sealed landscape lens in their lineup. Both of these would probably be DA*, rather than DA lenses, but I think it's important that Pentax doesn't forget their top end in the chase for beginner buyers.

06-29-2009, 10:27 PM	#19
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by Clarkey The closest Pentax has come to this is the FA 28-200mm IF AL - which was handy! No-one else has a lens matching all of these criteria on the market at present. Which is a Tamron design, just as the 18-250

06-30-2009, 03:31 AM	#20
EricT Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 484	Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac i'd most like to see a sealed Pentax version of the Tokina 11-16/f2.8 with SMC and SDM, and something along the lines of a sealed 70-200/f2.8. I've got the DA* 50-135 and it's great as a short tele walk around lens, but not quite long enough for a fast sports lens; i know a lot of people who end up getting the Tamron and Sigma 70-200's instead, and the 60-250/f4 is too slow, so i think a 70-200 would fit in nicely. As for the 11-16, if Pentax wants to sell the K-7 as an outdoor enthusiasts camera, i think they really need a wide, sealed landscape lens in their lineup. Both of these would probably be DA, rather than DA lenses, but I think it's important that Pentax doesn't forget their top end in the chase for beginner buyers. I highly doubt they will release a DA 70-200, given the overlap with 50-135, 60-250 and the 200. And even if they did, it would be quite expensive. The idea of WR versions of DA lenses is to give the consumers/prosumers access to weather-sealed glass at a reasonable price. Also, a DA 12-24mm WR would fit the bill nicely. You don't really need f/2.8 for landscapes.

06-30-2009, 07:50 AM	#21
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	Originally posted by EricT I highly doubt they will release a DA* 70-200, given the overlap with 50-135, 60-250 and the 200. And even if they did, it would be quite expensive. The idea of WR versions of DA lenses is to give the consumers/prosumers access to weather-sealed glass at a reasonable price. Also, a DA 12-24mm WR would fit the bill nicely. You don't really need f/2.8 for landscapes. It's the sealing, more than the f2.8 that i'm interested in. Whether they put it in an updated 12-24, of a rebadged 11-16 doesn't really bother me... Although that said, f2.8 would be handy for a wide-angle walkaround (I know there's the DA 14/f2.8, just pondering). I think there would still be a market for a 70-200/f2.8. It'd be a big beast (the Sig/Tam versions aren't small) so i don't think it would steal too many sales from the 50-135 (quite compact for an f2.8) as a fast walk-around. And people would still go the 200/f2.8 if they're after outright image quality. But as a versitile sports zoom i think there's a niche in the line-up. I don't really understand where the 60-250 is spose to sit. It's too slow for sports, too heavy for a walk-around, and in Australia it costs as much as the DA* 300/f4... Who do they think is going to buy it? Even if a DA* 70-200 did steal sales though, I think the issue is that sales are already being stolen, but by third party manufacturers because Pentax doesn't offer anything. At least if there was a DA* version the sales would be going to something in-house.

07-01-2009, 05:20 AM	#22
ManuH Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,249	Originally posted by Clarkey Personally I'd love to see a compact, reasonably fast all in one solution which was sealed. Say an 18-150 mm that was 3.5-5.6 and SDM. I'd buy it in a heart beat. The closest Pentax has come to this is the FA 28-200mm IF AL - which was handy! No-one else has a lens matching all of these criteria on the market at present. My hopes are on a WR version of the Tokina 16.5-135 f3.5-5.6. That would be a great alternative to the 18-250 if the performance is good.

07-01-2009, 05:35 AM	#24
Clarkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brampton, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,456	Hmm, 16.5-135mm. The 5.6 max is very useful. If the quality was there I would also be very interested. Originally posted by thibs Which is a Tamron design, just as the 18-250 Aye, it is, but with a 6.3 at the zoom end, slightly longer and heavier, and no quiet focus (same deal with the 28-200, but on film it was lightning fast to get a lock. It's been said before, but another candidate (since we no longer get it for pentax) is the Tokina 80-400mm - together with the 17-70mm this would be a great rig.