I would love to see a DA* 50-135mm f2.8 PLM lens!

Jonathan Mac · 03-29-2023, 01:35 AM

Originally posted by hjoseph7

The 50-135 mm is selling for about $1200 on B&H brand new. Just imagine how much its going to cost with the new motor and whatever else they might do to it. Still I would love to have one !

I don't think it would cost much more - the HD Limiteds cost the same, or a little less, than their SMC predecessors. The 50-135mm wouldn't even need any changes to the optical formula and I imagine people would be more willing to pay for a lens without that dodgy SDM motor in it.

I find it incredible that the whole DA* series has not been replaced with updated versions by now.

**Rondec** · 03-29-2023, 03:05 AM

Originally posted by hjoseph7

The 50-135 mm is selling for about $1200 on B&H brand new. Just imagine how much its going to cost with the new motor and whatever else they might do to it. Still I would love to have one !

It's odd. Amazon has the 50-135 listed at 755 right now and the price I'm seeing on B and H is 999. I actually would guess a new price on a 50-135 PLM would be in the 1200 range. I think for most of its history the 50-135 has sold in the 700 to 800 range. Also, Pentax is able to sell their 70-200 f2.8 for 1600 so, I would think they make a decent profit at 1200. That's where the DA *16-50 PLM is priced.

**mikesbike** · 04-02-2023, 01:47 PM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

I find it incredible that the whole DA* series has not been replaced with updated versions by now.

Me too. At least with the DA* 50-135mm, so compact and nice handling for its f/2.8 aperture size, just updating the AF system and switching to HD coatings would do the trick! Just these upgrades should not bring about much of a price increase.

Those DA* lenses having optics originating from the film-based models might need optical updating to reduce purple fringing, etc, as was the case with the new DFA 100mm AW macro lens.

I've been fortunate so far, as my DA* SDM lenses, which I have owned now for many years, still work fine despite often having to sit for months or even a year or two between uses. I hope this continues to be the case! If it does happen, I'd likely convert to screw driven, although the report of professional replacement would now be of new-generation SDM variety is also encouraging.

zapp · 04-08-2023, 05:54 AM

Originally posted by sarge

Who else here would like to see Pentax upgrade the DA* 50-135mm f2.8 to a PLM focus system?
The new 16-50 PLM is outstanding! I would love to see that performance brought to the 50-135!

This update must happen, but Pentax does not present new designs that often. We don’t know how many current 50-135 are still in stock, … 11-18 preceded the K3iii, 16-50 was released along with K3iii, 50-135 will follow. The lens will not show up in the roadmap since it will replace an existing model.

04-02-2023, 01:47 PM	#48
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,566	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac I find it incredible that the whole DA* series has not been replaced with updated versions by now. Me too. At least with the DA* 50-135mm, so compact and nice handling for its f/2.8 aperture size, just updating the AF system and switching to HD coatings would do the trick! Just these upgrades should not bring about much of a price increase. Those DA* lenses having optics originating from the film-based models might need optical updating to reduce purple fringing, etc, as was the case with the new DFA 100mm AW macro lens. I've been fortunate so far, as my DA* SDM lenses, which I have owned now for many years, still work fine despite often having to sit for months or even a year or two between uses. I hope this continues to be the case! If it does happen, I'd likely convert to screw driven, although the report of professional replacement would now be of new-generation SDM variety is also encouraging. Last edited by mikesbike; 04-02-2023 at 01:56 PM.

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03-29-2023, 01:35 AM	#46
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,911	Originally posted by hjoseph7 The 50-135 mm is selling for about $1200 on B&H brand new. Just imagine how much its going to cost with the new motor and whatever else they might do to it. Still I would love to have one ! I don't think it would cost much more - the HD Limiteds cost the same, or a little less, than their SMC predecessors. The 50-135mm wouldn't even need any changes to the optical formula and I imagine people would be more willing to pay for a lens without that dodgy SDM motor in it. I find it incredible that the whole DA* series has not been replaced with updated versions by now.

03-29-2023, 03:05 AM	#47
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,666	Originally posted by hjoseph7 The 50-135 mm is selling for about $1200 on B&H brand new. Just imagine how much its going to cost with the new motor and whatever else they might do to it. Still I would love to have one ! It's odd. Amazon has the 50-135 listed at 755 right now and the price I'm seeing on B and H is 999. I actually would guess a new price on a 50-135 PLM would be in the 1200 range. I think for most of its history the 50-135 has sold in the 700 to 800 range. Also, Pentax is able to sell their 70-200 f2.8 for 1600 so, I would think they make a decent profit at 1200. That's where the DA *16-50 PLM is priced.

04-08-2023, 05:54 AM	#49
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,389	Originally posted by sarge Who else here would like to see Pentax upgrade the DA* 50-135mm f2.8 to a PLM focus system? The new 16-50 PLM is outstanding! I would love to see that performance brought to the 50-135! This update must happen, but Pentax does not present new designs that often. We don’t know how many current 50-135 are still in stock, … 11-18 preceded the K3iii, 16-50 was released along with K3iii, 50-135 will follow. The lens will not show up in the roadmap since it will replace an existing model.