Pentax-DA 560mm F5.6 ED AW
Specifications
The names of top-of-the-line Pentax lenses are usually quite long because they include a lot of codes describing the features of the lens. Pentax has departed from this tradition with the DA 560mm lens. It is an internal focusing lens but doesn't have the traditional "[IF]" suffix to designate this. Also, it has a built-in autofocus motor but no "DC" designation to reveal this feature. However, the lens does bear the new "HD" prefix designating that it has been trated with Pentax's most advanced coating.
The Pentax DA 560mm super telephoto lens is designed for the APS-C format, which is used in all current and past Pentax DSLR cameras. We have also tested this lens on a film ("full-frame") camera and found that when stopped down to F8 or smaller, it is quite usable (the detailed results as reported here).
This lens has no provision for screw drive autofocus, so on legacy DSLR cameras that do not support in-lens autofocus motors (those introduced in 2006 or earlier) one would have to resort to manual focus.
Below are the key specifications of this lens:
| Lens Name | HD PENTAX-DA 560mm F5.6 ED AW |
| Optical Formula | 7 elements in 6 groups. Includes two ED elements |
| Image Circle | APS-C (see discussion above regarding FF) |
| Autofocus | Built-in DC focusing motor (compatibility: K10D (2006) or newer) |
| Field of View | 2.5° horizontal, 2.9° diagonal |
| Aperture Range | F5.6 - F45 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9, rounded in the range of F5.6 to F11 |
| Aperture Ring | No |
| Max. Magnification | 0.1x |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 5.6 m (18 ft) |
| Internal Focus | Yes |
| Quick Shift | Yes |
| Filter Diameter | 40.5 mm (rear filter holder), 112 mm (front) |
| Cap | Included, nylon slip-on |
| Hood | Built-in, slide out |
| Case | Dedicated case included |
| Diameter x Length | 130 x 522 mm (5.1 x 20.5 in.) |
| Weight | 3040 g (6.7 lb) |
| Mount Designation | KAF3 |
| Weather Sealing | Yes |
| Price | MSRP / At launch: $6996.95 (US) |
As this is a DA-series lens, modern Pentax DSLRs will support in-camera lateral chromatic aberration correction when this lens is mounted, as well as distortion correction.
In order to get live view autofocus to work reliably with this lens, a firmware update is required (details here).
The front element is treated with Pentax's Super Protect (SP) coating, making it more resistant to finger prints, dust and scratches, and easier to clean.
