Pentax DA* 11-16mm f/2.8 and DA* 400mm f/4

MikePerham · 07-02-2009, 07:44 AM

Originally posted by Xian

Has anybody hear about this??

Pentax really need these to complete their range of lenses, along with a TC and replace the DFA macro lenses with DA 70mm and 135mm macro lenses ...the 70 first!

Bunny Gear · 07-02-2009, 07:44 AM

Originally posted by Xian

Has anybody hear about this??

A friend told me in autumn we could get them...

can we trust your source?

BrendanPK · 07-02-2009, 09:10 AM

Question is really is not when will they be out, but how much. With the current price increase all these will be out of reach for all but the select few.
I would love a 400 F4 esp a DA* thats sealed. BUT I am not paying $3500-5000 for it (est with current prices as standard to go on) I would rather drop a few $$ more and go with the Sigma 500 F4.5
Now if they would do a 400 F4 at say $2000-2500 I could see possibly getting it. ESP with a dedicated SDM converter!

wll · 07-02-2009, 09:10 AM

A 11-16mm even if its a f4

An f2.8 would be pretty big and pretty expensive, but it would be cool.

wll

Bunny Gear · 07-02-2009, 09:24 AM

Originally posted by wll

A 11-16mm even if its a f4

An f2.8 would be pretty big and pretty expensive, but it would be cool.

wll

there is no 11-16/4 lens. there is 11-16/2.8

have a look at Tokina 11-16.
Tokina AF 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX (Canon) - Review / Lens Test Report

Dimensions 84x89 mm, not very big.

DA12-24/4
Dimensions 84x88mm

Peter Zack · 07-02-2009, 09:50 AM

Gimme both please!!!!

Art Vandelay II · 07-02-2009, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by Bunny Gear

Dimensions 84x89 mm, not very big.

It balances ok on my D200, but I'd want a battery grip on the K-7 to use it. I believe my first impression of it after it arrived was: "shit, I just bought a brick...is that new Oly Pen out yet?"

robjmitchell · 07-02-2009, 02:43 PM

There could be a 11-16/2.8 in the works, but i'm betting the DA super telephoto lense will be a zoom and be longer than 400mm! 400 just isn't super to me

GLXLR · 07-02-2009, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by robjmitchell

There could be a 11-16/2.8 in the works, but i'm betting the DA super telephoto lense will be a zoom and be longer than 400mm! 400 just isn't super to me

11-16mm would also kill the sale of the 14mm f/2.8 though.

Xian · 07-02-2009, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by Bunny Gear

can we trust your source?

I think yes...

He is in a good position.

Bunny Gear · 07-02-2009, 07:21 PM

Originally posted by GLXLR

11-16mm would also kill the sale of the 14mm f/2.8 though.

some love fixed lenses, some - zoom.
it's different levels.

MikePerham · 07-02-2009, 07:28 PM

Originally posted by robjmitchell

There could be a 11-16/2.8 in the works, but i'm betting the DA super telephoto lense will be a zoom and be longer than 400mm! 400 just isn't super to me

With X1.5 factor, the 400 is like the 600 of old. Super telephoto by any standard ...and if an F/4.0 that would be iceing on the cake and allow a 1.4 TC.

cwood · 07-02-2009, 08:35 PM

Originally posted by BrendanPK

Question is really is not when will they be out, but how much. With the current price increase all these will be out of reach for all but the select few.
I would love a 400 F4 esp a DA* thats sealed. BUT I am not paying $3500-5000 for it (est with current prices as standard to go on) I would rather drop a few $$ more and go with the Sigma 500 F4.5
Now if they would do a 400 F4 at say $2000-2500 I could see possibly getting it. ESP with a dedicated SDM converter!

As you have already alluded to in your post - people don't generally buy the Sigma super tele's because they have better image quality than the Pentax, Canon or Nikon counterparts... it is simply cheaper while still being pretty good. I had a chance to test both the Canon 500/4 and Sigma 500/4.5 and there was no comparison for sharpness at wide-open apertures. I am fortunate enough to own the Pentax 300/2.8 and I have found it to be better than the Sigma equivalent. If Sigma developed a 400/4 I would expect it to come in close to $2500 but there's no way Pentax is going to put out a DA*400/4 at that price. Count on $3000-$4000. If you're not prepared to pay that why not just get the Sigma right now and have some fun

Bunny Gear · 07-02-2009, 10:21 PM

Canon 400/5.6 - 1500 USD
Canon 400/4 - 5500 USD

Nikon has only 400/2.8.

I think DA*400/4 could be under 2000 USD

cwood · 07-02-2009, 10:28 PM

Originally posted by Bunny Gear

Canon 400/5.6 - 1500 USD
Canon 400/4 - 5500 USD

Nikon has only 400/2.8.

I think DA*400/4 could be under 2000 USD

Consider this...

if you add a 1.4x TC to a 300 F2.8 you get 420mm F4.

Now go look at the price of a 300mm F2.8.

The only reason the Canon 400/4 is smaller than a 300/2.8 is because it is a DO design - which ironically makes it both more expensive and worse for quality. Assuming Pentax went with a more traditional optical formula there is no way to make this lens without it being twice the physical dimension of a 400mm F5.6. That's a lot of HUGE pieces of expensive glass and that will most definitely not cost less than $2000.

07-02-2009, 07:44 AM	#16
MikePerham Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Prince George, BC Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 642	*DA 11-16 and 400 f/4.0** Originally posted by Xian Has anybody hear about this?? Pentax really need these to complete their range of lenses, along with a TC and replace the DFA macro lenses with DA 70mm and 135mm macro lenses ...the 70 first!

07-02-2009, 09:10 AM	#19
wll Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mission Hills, CA Posts: 773	I would love ...... A 11-16mm even if its a f4 An f2.8 would be pretty big and pretty expensive, but it would be cool. wll

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Fisheye MC Zenitar-K (Pentax) 16mm f/2.8 Lens	hs57	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	3	06-09-2009 07:44 AM
For Sale - Sold: FS Zenitar 16mm f2.8 Pentax K mount	asecsc4	Sold Items	2	06-05-2009 09:44 PM
For Sale - Sold: Zenitar 2.8/16mm lens Pentax-K	chubasco	Sold Items	4	05-04-2009 03:05 PM
Pentax A 16mm F/2.8 fisheye	Feanor	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	20	12-17-2008 02:29 PM
Pentax 16-50 at 16mm Sample	benjikan	Post Your Photos!	5	11-25-2007 09:46 AM

07-02-2009, 07:44 AM	#17
Bunny Gear Banned Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: China Posts: 53	Originally posted by Xian Has anybody hear about this?? A friend told me in autumn we could get them... can we trust your source?

07-02-2009, 09:10 AM	#18
BrendanPK Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 735	Question is really is not when will they be out, but how much. With the current price increase all these will be out of reach for all but the select few. I would love a 400 F4 esp a DA* thats sealed. BUT I am not paying $3500-5000 for it (est with current prices as standard to go on) I would rather drop a few $$ more and go with the Sigma 500 F4.5 Now if they would do a 400 F4 at say $2000-2500 I could see possibly getting it. ESP with a dedicated SDM converter!

07-02-2009, 09:24 AM	#20
Bunny Gear Banned Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: China Posts: 53	Originally posted by wll A 11-16mm even if its a f4 An f2.8 would be pretty big and pretty expensive, but it would be cool. wll there is no 11-16/4 lens. there is 11-16/2.8 have a look at Tokina 11-16. Tokina AF 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX (Canon) - Review / Lens Test Report Dimensions 84x89 mm, not very big. DA12-24/4 Dimensions 84x88mm

07-02-2009, 09:50 AM	#21
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Gimme both please!!!!

07-02-2009, 10:37 AM	#22
Art Vandelay II Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 886	Originally posted by Bunny Gear Dimensions 84x89 mm, not very big. It balances ok on my D200, but I'd want a battery grip on the K-7 to use it. I believe my first impression of it after it arrived was: "shit, I just bought a brick...is that new Oly Pen out yet?"

07-02-2009, 02:43 PM	#23
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776	There could be a 11-16/2.8 in the works, but i'm betting the DA super telephoto lense will be a zoom and be longer than 400mm! 400 just isn't super to me

07-02-2009, 06:20 PM	#24
GLXLR Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sugar Land, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 684	Originally posted by robjmitchell There could be a 11-16/2.8 in the works, but i'm betting the DA super telephoto lense will be a zoom and be longer than 400mm! 400 just isn't super to me 11-16mm would also kill the sale of the 14mm f/2.8 though.

07-02-2009, 06:25 PM	#25
Xian Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Korea Posts: 33 Original Poster	Originally posted by Bunny Gear can we trust your source? I think yes... He is in a good position.

07-02-2009, 07:21 PM	#26
Bunny Gear Banned Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: China Posts: 53	Originally posted by GLXLR 11-16mm would also kill the sale of the 14mm f/2.8 though. some love fixed lenses, some - zoom. it's different levels.

07-02-2009, 07:28 PM	#27
MikePerham Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Prince George, BC Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 642	Originally posted by robjmitchell There could be a 11-16/2.8 in the works, but i'm betting the DA super telephoto lense will be a zoom and be longer than 400mm! 400 just isn't super to me With X1.5 factor, the 400 is like the 600 of old. Super telephoto by any standard ...and if an F/4.0 that would be iceing on the cake and allow a 1.4 TC.

07-02-2009, 08:35 PM	#28
cwood Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: California Posts: 851	Originally posted by BrendanPK Question is really is not when will they be out, but how much. With the current price increase all these will be out of reach for all but the select few. I would love a 400 F4 esp a DA* thats sealed. BUT I am not paying $3500-5000 for it (est with current prices as standard to go on) I would rather drop a few $$ more and go with the Sigma 500 F4.5 Now if they would do a 400 F4 at say $2000-2500 I could see possibly getting it. ESP with a dedicated SDM converter! As you have already alluded to in your post - people don't generally buy the Sigma super tele's because they have better image quality than the Pentax, Canon or Nikon counterparts... it is simply cheaper while still being pretty good. I had a chance to test both the Canon 500/4 and Sigma 500/4.5 and there was no comparison for sharpness at wide-open apertures. I am fortunate enough to own the Pentax 300/2.8 and I have found it to be better than the Sigma equivalent. If Sigma developed a 400/4 I would expect it to come in close to $2500 but there's no way Pentax is going to put out a DA*400/4 at that price. Count on $3000-$4000. If you're not prepared to pay that why not just get the Sigma right now and have some fun

07-02-2009, 10:21 PM	#29
Bunny Gear Banned Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: China Posts: 53	Canon 400/5.6 - 1500 USD Canon 400/4 - 5500 USD Nikon has only 400/2.8. I think DA*400/4 could be under 2000 USD

07-02-2009, 10:28 PM	#30
cwood Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: California Posts: 851	Originally posted by Bunny Gear Canon 400/5.6 - 1500 USD Canon 400/4 - 5500 USD Nikon has only 400/2.8. I think DA*400/4 could be under 2000 USD Consider this... if you add a 1.4x TC to a 300 F2.8 you get 420mm F4. Now go look at the price of a 300mm F2.8. The only reason the Canon 400/4 is smaller than a 300/2.8 is because it is a DO design - which ironically makes it both more expensive and worse for quality. Assuming Pentax went with a more traditional optical formula there is no way to make this lens without it being twice the physical dimension of a 400mm F5.6. That's a lot of HUGE pieces of expensive glass and that will most definitely not cost less than $2000.