Da* 50-135mm discontinued?

tsofron · 02-01-2010, 06:30 AM

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Hello guys,

I just talked to one of the Pentax resellers here in my country - they said that the DA* 50-135 is going to be discontinued, they don't have stock and can't order it from Pentax Europe...

I've googled quick about this and found some interesting information, regarding the Tokina sibling:

Tokina 50-135 F2.8 discontinued: Nikon SLR Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/78054-tokina-5...continued.html

Can anybody confirm this rumour?!

Regards,
Tudor

K7shooter · 02-01-2010, 08:00 AM

Can't confirm this, but I wouldn't be surprised. It seems to me the 50-135 was designed to compliment the 16-50 as the "do-all duo" for travel and landscape photographers. Problem is, these two lenses combined are heavier than most people want to carry (at least for long hikes).

My best guess would be that if they are indeed discontinuing the 50-135, it is to make room for not one but TWO zooms to replace it, one being a midrange (35-85) and the other a mid-telephoto (85-135+).

ogl · 02-01-2010, 08:11 AM

16-50 too? I seems to me.

Tokina offers 11-16/2.8 for А mount. What does it mean?

Russell-Evans · 02-01-2010, 09:05 AM

Originally posted by ogl

What does it mean?

People with the SDM issue on their 50-135mm will get screwed. A year from now it will be no, sorry, no parts.

Thank you
Russell

lurchlarson · 02-01-2010, 09:21 AM

It would make sense that if the 50-135 got discontinued that the 16-50 would go too. The 16-50 is out of stock or really expensive in several dealers. So perhaps successors are going to be announced?

Horseonthefly · 02-01-2010, 09:42 AM

Originally posted by K7shooter

My best guess would be that if they are indeed discontinuing the 50-135, it is to make room for not one but TWO zooms to replace it, one being a midrange (35-85) and the other a mid-telephoto (85-135+).

Could just be a mid to fill the gap between the 16-50 and the slower 60-250.

vizjerei · 02-01-2010, 11:36 AM

oh they are working on a better version of SDM for those lens :P as we know there are problem for the SDM now...

Seraf · 02-01-2010, 11:36 AM

I just wonder how would be treated da*17-60/4 lens with compact lightweigt design.

Billgscott · 02-01-2010, 12:24 PM

Maybe, it is so that thay can launch the new DFA* replacements for the up-coming FF to be anounced this year and available from Mar 2011.

Or not ....

Bill

FullertonImages · 02-01-2010, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by Billgscott

Maybe, it is so that thay can launch the new DFA* replacements for the up-coming FF to be anounced this year and available from Mar 2011.

Or not ....

Bill

Even so, that doesn't mean that they should discontinue all the DA* stuff. It's the most unique line on the market. I don't think they can make it if they abandon aps-c and try to go head to head in the FF market. If they introduce FF, it shouldn't be at the cost o the aps-c line. I would hope that it is only to re-release updated versions.

asdf · 02-01-2010, 12:54 PM

Originally posted by GeneralBenson

Even so, that doesn't mean that they should discontinue all the DA* stuff. It's the most unique line on the market. I don't think they can make it if they abandon aps-c and try to go head to head in the FF market. If they introduce FF, it shouldn't be at the cost o the aps-c line. I would hope that it is only to re-release updated versions.

They wouldn't have to discontinue all of it. The image circles of DA* 55,200,300,60-250 all fill the 35mm film frame.

bdery · 02-01-2010, 02:57 PM

People on this thread seem to assume that this rumor is true, and build from that. I would suggest that maybe it isn't, considering that the 50-135 is seen as one of the best Pentax lenses ever.

I can be wrong, of course.

Chwisch87 · 02-01-2010, 03:03 PM

Well the 16-50 and the 50-135 are joint efforts between Pentax and Tokina. This could be a sign that they are readying a new version for PMA?

It could also be possible that Tokina was simply just not selling enough of them to make up fixed costs?

LeDave · 02-01-2010, 03:04 PM

Maybe the reason why they aren't stocking these anymore are because of my theory. The retailers can no longer get ahold of the 50-135 anymore because Pentax have stopped producing these 50-135 for awhile, and are selling the currently old stocks and now they are almost depleted. Possibly due to finding a fix for SDM and selling them under the original DA* 50-135 without naming it version II because it could hurt Pentax as it could be admitting that the current SDM do have a problem. Eventually we might see them up for selling again, it could just be a matter of time. Maybe they saw the petition? Ha.. Ha.. Well like someone said.. This lens is optically too good to be discontinued, finding a SDM fixture is the best solution.

benjikan · 02-01-2010, 03:25 PM

A lot in stock all over the place...

Amazon.com: Pentax SMC DA* Series 50-135mm f/2.8 ED IF SDM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax and Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B000NO5QVG/?tag=apn-electronics-21

http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod5161.htm

http://www.thenerds.net/PENTAX_USA.Pentax_smc_DA_50_135mm_F28_ED_IF_SDM_Tele...0431-2&affid=3

02-01-2010, 06:30 AM	#1
tsofron New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 13	*Da 50-135mm discontinued?** Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Hello guys, I just talked to one of the Pentax resellers here in my country - they said that the DA* 50-135 is going to be discontinued, they don't have stock and can't order it from Pentax Europe... I've googled quick about this and found some interesting information, regarding the Tokina sibling: Tokina 50-135 F2.8 discontinued: Nikon SLR Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/78054-tokina-5...continued.html Can anybody confirm this rumour?! Regards, Tudor

02-01-2010, 12:24 PM	#9
Billgscott Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: York Posts: 241	FF replacements? Maybe, it is so that thay can launch the new DFA* replacements for the up-coming FF to be anounced this year and available from Mar 2011. Or not .... Bill

02-01-2010, 03:25 PM	#15
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	A lot in stock all over the place... Amazon.com: Pentax SMC DA* Series 50-135mm f/2.8 ED IF SDM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax and Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B000NO5QVG/?tag=apn-electronics-21 http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod5161.htm http://www.thenerds.net/PENTAX_USA.Pentax_smc_DA_50_135mm_F28_ED_IF_SDM_Tele...0431-2&affid=3 Last edited by benjikan; 02-01-2010 at 03:31 PM.

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02-01-2010, 08:00 AM	#2
K7shooter Guest	Can't confirm this, but I wouldn't be surprised. It seems to me the 50-135 was designed to compliment the 16-50 as the "do-all duo" for travel and landscape photographers. Problem is, these two lenses combined are heavier than most people want to carry (at least for long hikes). My best guess would be that if they are indeed discontinuing the 50-135, it is to make room for not one but TWO zooms to replace it, one being a midrange (35-85) and the other a mid-telephoto (85-135+).

02-01-2010, 08:11 AM	#3
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	16-50 too? I seems to me. Tokina offers 11-16/2.8 for А mount. What does it mean?

02-01-2010, 09:05 AM	#4
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553	Originally posted by ogl What does it mean? People with the SDM issue on their 50-135mm will get screwed. A year from now it will be no, sorry, no parts. Thank you Russell

02-01-2010, 09:21 AM	#5
lurchlarson Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oregon, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 681	It would make sense that if the 50-135 got discontinued that the 16-50 would go too. The 16-50 is out of stock or really expensive in several dealers. So perhaps successors are going to be announced?

02-01-2010, 09:42 AM	#6
Horseonthefly Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Raleigh or Fayetteville, NC Posts: 37	Originally posted by K7shooter My best guess would be that if they are indeed discontinuing the 50-135, it is to make room for not one but TWO zooms to replace it, one being a midrange (35-85) and the other a mid-telephoto (85-135+). Could just be a mid to fill the gap between the 16-50 and the slower 60-250.

02-01-2010, 11:36 AM	#7
vizjerei Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,418	oh they are working on a better version of SDM for those lens :P as we know there are problem for the SDM now...

02-01-2010, 11:36 AM	#8
Seraf New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 17	I just wonder how would be treated da*17-60/4 lens with compact lightweigt design.

02-01-2010, 12:48 PM	#10
FullertonImages Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 883	Originally posted by Billgscott Maybe, it is so that thay can launch the new DFA* replacements for the up-coming FF to be anounced this year and available from Mar 2011. Or not .... Bill Even so, that doesn't mean that they should discontinue all the DA* stuff. It's the most unique line on the market. I don't think they can make it if they abandon aps-c and try to go head to head in the FF market. If they introduce FF, it shouldn't be at the cost o the aps-c line. I would hope that it is only to re-release updated versions.

02-01-2010, 12:54 PM	#11
asdf Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,252	Originally posted by GeneralBenson Even so, that doesn't mean that they should discontinue all the DA* stuff. It's the most unique line on the market. I don't think they can make it if they abandon aps-c and try to go head to head in the FF market. If they introduce FF, it shouldn't be at the cost o the aps-c line. I would hope that it is only to re-release updated versions. They wouldn't have to discontinue all of it. The image circles of DA* 55,200,300,60-250 all fill the 35mm film frame.

02-01-2010, 02:57 PM	#12
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	People on this thread seem to assume that this rumor is true, and build from that. I would suggest that maybe it isn't, considering that the 50-135 is seen as one of the best Pentax lenses ever. I can be wrong, of course.

02-01-2010, 03:03 PM	#13
Chwisch87 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Photos: Gallery Posts: 317	Well the 16-50 and the 50-135 are joint efforts between Pentax and Tokina. This could be a sign that they are readying a new version for PMA? It could also be possible that Tokina was simply just not selling enough of them to make up fixed costs?

02-01-2010, 03:04 PM	#14
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	Maybe the reason why they aren't stocking these anymore are because of my theory. The retailers can no longer get ahold of the 50-135 anymore because Pentax have stopped producing these 50-135 for awhile, and are selling the currently old stocks and now they are almost depleted. Possibly due to finding a fix for SDM and selling them under the original DA* 50-135 without naming it version II because it could hurt Pentax as it could be admitting that the current SDM do have a problem. Eventually we might see them up for selling again, it could just be a matter of time. Maybe they saw the petition? Ha.. Ha.. Well like someone said.. This lens is optically too good to be discontinued, finding a SDM fixture is the best solution.