[Barry Pearson]

You should try the FA* 600/4. It is close to 7kg and very front heavy. A 3kg lens is handholdable IMO.

It must differ from person to person. And I think it depends on whether it is a prime or a zoom.

I sold my Sigma 500mm f/4.5 (3 KG) because I couldn't successfully hand-hold and find and track moving objects.

I used some of the money to buy the D FA 150-450mm (2 KG). I find this much easier to hand-hold.
And the fact that it is a zoom means I can adapt to the situation, and where I find it tricky to find and track, I can get wider.

[hoopsontoast]

As an alternative, I would say this non * trio, going for Limited style size and weight but with decent plastic build and possibly WR where possible. Experience with my K85 and FA135 has shown how nice it is to have compact glass, with still decent build. I would happily give up a little speed for sharpness and size/weight. Give Pentax a real USP.

FA 24mm f2.8 WR
FA 85mm f1.8
FA 135mm f2.8

[ElJamoquio]

It must differ from person to person. And I think it depends on whether it is a prime or a zoom.

I sold my Sigma 500mm f/4.5 (3 KG) because I couldn't successfully hand-hold and find and track moving objects.

I used some of the money to buy the D FA 150-450mm (2 KG). I find this much easier to hand-hold.
And the fact that it is a zoom means I can adapt to the situation, and where I find it tricky to find and track, I can get wider.

It depends on the lens design.

3 kg with a center of gravity 24 inches from the camera is not very handholdable.
3 kg with a center of gravity 10 inches from the camera is pretty durn handholdable.

Just spent a week with the Nikon 400mm FL. I think it's the best lens ever made. Didn't use a tripod once.

On the other hand I felt that the SIgma 500mm F/4.5 was only barely-hand-hold-able.

[Simen1]

You should try the FA* 600/4. It is close to 7kg and very front heavy. A 3kg lens is handholdable IMO.

I tried the 5,4 kg FA* 250-600 f/5,6 on a tripod and the 300mm still weights 3 kg. Maybe i should try the Sigma 200-500 f/2,8 hand held and weigh the 560mm f/5,6 again..

But seriously i prefer the camera and lens combination to weigh less then 2 kg and carry less then 10 kg of photo equipment on a trip. A 560mm f/5,6 is to far out of my comfort zone to buy one, even if i wanted to use that amount of money on it. Even the Sigma/Tamron 150-600 is to heavy in my opinion. I could buy a simple MF mirror tele, but i like AF and would pay a lot more to get a ringless bokeh. A yolo style mirror tele with AF would shake the market. Nobody else have that. Just think of the impact it would have on wildlife photography and birding. A lens like that can sell lots of cameras too.

[Wired]

DFA*24mm f2.0
DFA*135mm f2.0
DFA*85mm f1.4/f1.8

[K David]

I want exactly zero new D FA primes. I want to see more FA primes with an aperture ring. A full-frame lens is basically useless to me without an aperture ring because I shoot film and digital and I will not buy any more lenses that only work on one system. If I could have anything released, I'd want an FA Limited 20mm f/2 WR T/S.

[kooks]

DFA*85mm f1.4/f1.8

In fact this is a most... Same as a new 50mm f1.4 ... and wide fast lens.. perhaps a 20mm f2.0 could work out.

[Wired]

now would DFA* lenses be faster f1.4 variants + more "exotic" focal lengths like the 135 and DFA be the standard f1.8 variants?

[kooks]

now would DFA* lenses be faster f1.4 variants + more "exotic" focal lengths like the 135 and DFA be the standard f1.8 variants?

I have been wondering if the "exotic lengths" are good for the brand... are they?? i mean cuz most people know the normal lenghts and look for that, dont know if is good for a brand to market something that the people is not THAT used to.. i think thats a good question.

[Wired]

I have been wondering if the "exotic lengths" are good for the brand... are they?? i mean cuz most people know the normal lenghts and look for that, dont know if is good for a brand to market something that the people is not THAT used to.. i think thats a good question.

but Pentax is known for being different. hence the 31, 43, 77. no one else has these.

Canikon both have a 135 f2.0 however

[kooks]

but Pentax is known for being different. hence the 31, 43, 77. no one else has these.

Sure, thats exacly what i wonder.. if having that exotic lenghts is a good marketing strategy.. It coudl be good, but it have to come with a "different" marketing strategy, i think that Ricoh is aiming to grow in the DSLR market, and having this unusual lenses MIGHT not play in good favor of the brand.. or might work perfect.. at this time i dont know if is good or bad.

[Winder]

but Pentax is known for being different. hence the 31, 43, 77. no one else has these.

Canikon both have a 135 f2.0 however

LIMITED line needs to keep the "odd" focal lengths.

We could have a D-FA* 85mm F/1.4 and a D-FA* 77mm F/1.8 Limited.

Bring back the A* 85mm and A* 135mm in modern D-FA* fashion, but keep the smaller and lighter F/1.8 Limited lenses. If they want more separation then make the 50mm & 85mm an F/1.2. The 85L is a core Canon professional lens. Ricoh would make a big statement with a couple of F/1.2 lenses. Firing a direct shot at Canon.

Professional grade D-FA* for speed (Aperture and AF). 24mm, 35mm, 50mm F/1.2, 85mm F/1.2, 135mm F/1.8, 200mm, 300mm, 400mm. (8 lenses)
Limited for build quality and compact size (F/1.8 or F/2) - don't sacrifice optical quality. There are only 3-4 Limited D-FA lenses to worry about.
D-FA for general photography. F/1.8 - F/2.8 primes with typical build quality.

[willeisner]

Pentax could be different, not like Art Sigma, Canon and Nikon. could keep scenics limited.
with updates for 2015 slightly more speed with the same fairy dust. and a few new lenses, update the macro 100mm


43mm 1.4
31mm 1.4
85mm 1.2
100mm f2 macro
200mm f2

[mee]

f/1.4 ....f/1.2 hmmm you guys are discussing some very expensive primes here.

I'll be happy with a 24-70 f/2.8 or 24-120ish f/4, a 70-200 f/2.8 or f/4 and my already owned Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro lens. I suspect the newer zooms will be similar to having a pocket full of prime lenses... just not AS fast.

Though the lack of ANY information short of the two already long discussed zooms tells me Ricoh isn't close to a release of the body. We don't even have the standard zoom specs released yet and it is June. Even for a company that holds it's cards close to it's chest, I'd say we're pushing Q4 at the earliest for it.

That said, to jump back into this thread, I'd LIKE to see a 150 or 180mm f/2.8 Macro AW lens.

[steve1307]

DFA 20mm f2.8

DFA 28mm f3.5 T/S

DFA* 85mm f1.2 (or DFA*135 f2 - might be cheaper)