[Winder]

Are you planning to buy all of those including all of the updated Limiteds??

That depends, but most of them... yes.

[angerdan]

Do you think Ricoh might add D FA* zooms, or will they consider this range covered?

With the DA* 11-18mm f2.8, your question got a new answer
ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/star_lens/special/sp_da11-18/

And the new DA* 16-50mm f2.8 ED PLM AW, the third new ★-Generation lens adds to the lineup in 2021 or later.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/16-pentax-news-rumors/407339-hd-pentax-d...econd-one.html
dpreview.com/news/2781433966/ricoh-announces-pentax-d-fa-85mm-f1-4-d-fa-21mm-limited-and-da-16-50mm-f2-8

Also there is the limited HD PENTAX-D FA★ 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW Silver Edition:
news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info2/2020/20200827_029196.html
ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/silver_series/
ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/telephoto/hdpentax-dfa-70-200/silver/

[BarneyL]

Also there is the limited HD PENTAX-D FA★ 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW Silver Edition:
news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info2/2020/20200827_029196.html
ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/silver_series/
ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/telephoto/hdpentax-dfa-70-200/silver/

I have the black, non-limited version.
I feel like it could use a replacement, mostly a faster AF motor and optical stabilizer (this thing is quite heavy and image in the VF wobbles quite a bit when hand-holding at 200mm setting).

[pschlute]

I have the black, non-limited version.
I feel like it could use a replacement, mostly a faster AF motor and optical stabilizer (this thing is quite heavy and image in the VF wobbles quite a bit when hand-holding at 200mm setting).

You joke surely ? The DFA* 70-200 is one of the fastest focussing zooms Pentax makes ! Pentax cameras have in body stabilisation, so no need for in-lens stabilisation.

[BarneyL]

No, I'm serious.

70-200 doesn't focus nearly as fast as the 55-300 PLM or 50* SDM.

Optical IS stabilizes the VF image. IBIS does not. Stabilized VF helps with focusing, among other things. Plus, OIS combined with IBIS is better at lower shutter speeds than IBIS alone.

[bdery]

70-200 doesn't focus nearly as fast as the 55-300 PLM or 50* SDM.

For the PLM, that's a different technology which cannot be used in heavy lenses.

For the DFA*, you are correct, but differences are not that large.

Pentax should focus on improving AF tracking, not AF-S speed, which is pretty good to start with.

[tibbitts]

No, I'm serious.

70-200 doesn't focus nearly as fast as the 55-300 PLM or 50* SDM.

Optical IS stabilizes the VF image. IBIS does not. Stabilized VF helps with focusing, among other things. Plus, OIS combined with IBIS is better at lower shutter speeds than IBIS alone.

Based on how recent a product this lens is, don't you feel you're looking at a decade or so before it would be likely to be revisited to the extent you're wanting? There are so many other, much older Pentax designs that need improvements more.

[BarneyL]

I totally feel that, no worries.

Then again, seeing how many revisions the 55-300 had, I could see 70-200 having a revamp quite soon as well (it's a premium lens & the most useful for indoor events, so it deserves the top notch tech that Pentax has to offer). Just not betting any money on it.

[tibbitts]

I totally feel that, no worries.

Then again, seeing how many revisions the 55-300 had, I could see 70-200 having a revamp quite soon as well (it's a premium lens & the most useful for indoor events, so it deserves the top notch tech that Pentax has to offer). Just not betting any money on it.

Well, yes and no. The 55-300 basic design never changed until the PLM. The other versions were relatively minor repackagings of the original, as had been done with similar lenses (18-55 and 50-200 for example.) Nothing was as significant as adding optical stabilization or replacing the AF mechanism.

[Rondec]

I have the black, non-limited version.
I feel like it could use a replacement, mostly a faster AF motor and optical stabilizer (this thing is quite heavy and image in the VF wobbles quite a bit when hand-holding at 200mm setting).

I have a feeling that much of those (not the optical stabilization) will be fixed when the K-1 II sequel comes out. JPT indicated in his summary of a Japanese article that they were able to do some action photography with the DA * 50-135 with the K-3 III and get in focus images.

The DFA *70-200 may not have the fastest motor, but it is quite a bit faster than the 50-135. My guess is algorithms make a huge difference with regard to tracking auto focus.

[Sandy Hancock]

Nice thread resurrection, @angerdan

So in truth, to return to the original poster's question, five years later there are actually NO new DFA* zooms, and in my opinion there is still no urgent need. The Tamron-based 15-30 and 24-70 have proved to be excellent performers, and the 150-450 (which would get a star if not for the variable aperture) is superb. We have also gained the incredible DFA* 50/1.4 and DAF* 85/1.4 primes.

As to the desire for a refresh of the DFA* 70-200/2.8 - there's no chance at all. If you really need slightly faster focus, we now have the DFA 70-210/4.0

I think this thread could safely return to the grave.

[Rondec]

Nice thread resurrection, @angerdan

So in truth, to return to the original poster's question, five years later there are actually NO new DFA* zooms, and in my opinion there is still no urgent need. The Tamron-based 15-30 and 24-70 have proved to be excellent performers, and the 150-450 (which would get a star if not for the variable aperture) is superb. We have also gained the incredible DFA* 50/1.4 and DAF* 85/1.4 primes.

As to the desire for a refresh of the DFA* 70-200/2.8 - there's no chance at all. If you really need slightly faster focus, we now have the DFA 70-210/4.0

I think this thread could safely return to the grave.

I would like to see a Pentax DFA *24-70. I am decently pleased with my DFA 24-70, but it has some weaknesses that I think could be addressed with a Pentax designed lens.

Certainly it won't happen for a long time -- I think there are 8 more lenses (at least) that need to be released first.

[Sandy Hancock]

I would like to see a Pentax DFA *24-70. I am decently pleased with my DFA 24-70, but it has some weaknesses that I think could be addressed with a Pentax designed lens.

No argument there. I am hopeful, however, that the upcoming refresh of the DA* 16-50/2.8 will at least partially address that gap for those with a crop camera - especially when the K-3 Mark III is released.

Certainly it won't happen for a long time -- I think there are 8 more lenses (at least) that need to be released first.

^ THIS

[biz-engineer]

I would like to see a Pentax DFA *24-70. I am decently pleased with my DFA 24-70, but it has some weaknesses that I think could be addressed with a Pentax designed lens.

I'm not sure how well the weaknesses of the 24-70 can be addressed and the cost of it. Most 24-70 or 24-105 zooms are worst performers. The angle of view vs FL varies fastest around 45 degree angle, what IMO makes it very difficult to maintain optical performance from 24 (wide) to 70 or 105 unless making the lens huge and very expensive. Even the most expensive 24-70 2.8 aren't that great in corners (not as good as the reviewers say...). I'll avoid 24-70/105 type zooms in the future, using primes from wide to around 50mm, then 70-200 (the choice of lens kit of Galen Rowell). My experience with the D-FA 28-105 is that it is the star lens (a lot better than my 24-70, so either I have a very bad copy of the 24-70 or I have an excellent copy of the 28-105, the difference between the two is like night & day).