[RonHendriks1966]

One last new thread coming out of the R&D-spending on lenses Poll for wich to read of: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/146454-wich-le...r-d-money.html.

There is some inconsistancy in the poll outcoming around this cheap lensline and the numbers off lenses sold off the last years released DA 35mm/f2.4 wich sells very well. Part of this may be that it is a lens people buy, but don't put on their wish lists, or because this usergroup is somewhat different (more hi-end users) then the average buyer of this lens.

So just a poll on what lens do you think is interesting for this lensline. Next to the current lens to bring to market. To my idea when sales are high enough Pentax should release with every new entry camera a new lens in this line since they will bring in money.

Wich off the listed lenses off the poll would you choose? I added one new lens I just thought off this afternoon wich is very promising to my idea.

On the list where:

1. DA-L 18mm/f4
2. DA-L 60mm/f2.8
3. DA-L 90mm/f2.8
4. DA-L 70mm/f4 1:2 macro

The last one is a macro lens that has limited magnification, of not 1:1 like current macrolenses, but only 1:2 wich make still up for some nice macrowork at a real cheap price.

You can choose all items on the list (free for choosing just one or a few items), ad a new one (wich means leaving a post where you state what it should be) or choose for Stop developing new DA-L lenses.

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Last edited by RonHendriks1966; 06-10-2011 at 02:12 AM.

[paperbag846]

Instead of the DA-L 60mm f2.8, why not a reissue of the K55 1.8 as the DA - L 55 f1.8?

Could even bump that to f2.

A cheap portrait lens, no replacement for the FA 50 / FA 43 / DA* 55, but something fun and priced on par with the DA - L 35.

[RonHendriks1966]

Instead of the DA-L 60mm f2.8, why not a reissue of the K55 1.8 as the DA - L 55 f1.8?

Could even bump that to f2.

A cheap portrait lens, no replacement for the FA 50 / FA 43 / DA* 55, but something fun and priced on par with the DA - L 35.

Is that even possible for a shopprice selling for like $ 175 or alike? It sounds as a good thing!

[farfisa]

Now, I did vote for the DA 24/2 WR in the other poll, but I think a DA L 24/2.8 would be a welcome lens in the lineup.

Pentax keeps talking about making APS-C equivalents of classic focal lengths, and 35mm is pretty classic, IMO, almost as classic as the 50.

I understand it's close to the 21 and even faster.... but hey, that seems to be what they did with the last one!

[northcoastgreg]

The problem with DA-L lenses is that, once you go much beyond 35mm on the wide end and 60mm on the long end, the prices of the lenses escalate beyond desired price point. An 18mm f4 DA-L would be a great addition, especially for landscape photographers on a budget seeking to shoot with something better than the 18-55; but could such a lens be marketed at under $250? The 15mm limited is only 3 mm wider in focal length and costs over $500. Would making an plastic 18mm lens really cost less than half that?

[paperbag846]

Is that even possible for a shopprice selling for like $ 175 or alike? It sounds as a good thing!

The K55 was sold as a middle-of-the-road lens in its day... similar to the FA 35. I would imagine that with modest housing they could do it for approx 200, but what do I know? There was the K55 2.0, K55 1.8 (which were pretty much the same lens), and the K50 1.4. That 50 1.4 is pretty much what we now know as the FA 50, so I still see room in the lineup for something like that.

Of course, 2 35s, 1 40, 1 43, 1 50, and 2 55s make for a pretty tight grouping. However, only 2 of those lenses would be considered budget, so maybe it would work. It seems Pentax is really interested in flushing out it's budget offerings, and that makes sense for them in the long term (If I buy a DAL 35 today, in 3 years I might be ready for the FA 31 sort of thing).

It would be a great lens for aspiring portrait photogs on a budget, and would complement the DA L 35mm nicely. In fact, they could introduce a 2 prime kit (35, 55), as an alternative to the 2 zoom kit (18-55, 50-200). These would both appeal to very different types of photographers... but it would allow us to BE DIFFERENT!!!

[farfisa]

The K55 was sold as a middle-of-the-road lens in it's day... similar to the FA 35. I would imagine that with modest housing they could do it for approx 200, but what do I know?

It would be a great lens for aspiring portrait photogs on a budget.

Speaking of the FA 35, the DA L 35/2.4 was based on that formula, so the most logical formula to reuse next would be the FA 50, which used to sell for $200-$250 new, if I recall correctly.

I'm not going to get into the value of 50's on crop, but from a business standpoint, they could do the same thing they did with the 35/2.4 and probably produce a decent, cheap 50/1.8 like the other kids.

[aurele]

a cheap DA-L 85 f2 or so could be great. There is a gap to fill between 77 and 100mm .

[paperbag846]

Speaking of the FA 35, the DA L 35/2.4 was based on that formula, so the most logical formula to reuse next would be the FA 50, which used to sell for $200-$250 new, if I recall correctly.

They could do this. My hope is that they would leave the FA 50 alone. I have a feeling that they cannot afford to sell the FA 50 at bargain bin prices any more, which is why I suggested the DA L 55.

They could also do the 50mm f.17 in a DA L form... but why not just run with the K55, which has a better fov on digital anyway (it's also better spaced from the 35mm).

[RonHendriks1966]

but why not just run with the K55, which has a better fov on digital anyway (it's also better spaced from the 35mm).

That is so true, and why I came up with 60mm wich is a real new one. Maybe the 55 is cheaper to implement, but the idea is in general the same.

[paperbag846]

That is so true, and why I came up with 60mm wich is a real new one. Maybe the 55 is cheaper to implement, but the idea is in general the same.

Yes 60mm is good (emulates the 90mm lenses that were made for film). However I'm not so hot on the 2.8 aperture .

[Pentaxor]

DAL means for entry level market.

[garethwebber]

Can pentax really afford three prime lines - da l, da limited and da*?

I know da* is currently long end but by waterproofing the da14 and adding a normal, you would have a reasonable range.

G

[RonHendriks1966]

Yes 60mm is good (emulates the 90mm lenses that were made for film). However I'm not so hot on the 2.8 aperture .

Well maybe f2.4 isn't that of o problem as long as it is a cheap to produce and sell lens

DAL means for entry level market.

El cheapo written all over making the brand attractive to new users.

I know da* is currently long end but by waterproofing the da14 and adding a normal, you would have a reasonable range.

Strange US system, so I'm glad you bring up the DA14 wich I have. It's stated for $ 949,95 at Adorama, but when you put it in your card it costs only $ 699 So what is the story on that?

It is not in any reach for this cheap lensline.

[RonHendriks1966]

Just to bring to everyones attention the threads coming out off the lens development survey: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/146454-wich-le...r-d-money.html

• Lenses in your camerabag?: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/147689-wich-of...camerabag.html
• Thoughts about DM lensline: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/146899-new-len...ocus-only.html
• Thoughts about DA-L lensline: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/147024-da-l-le...l-plastic.html
• Thoughts about DA*135-270mm/f2.8: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/146855-pentax-...ive-motor.html

Since I'm going to try and summarice this survey after the weekend.