Pentax has today announced a new 'digital only' DA-series lens, the 12-24 mm F4 ED AL, this is the sixth Pentax DA lens. Mounted on the *ist D or *ist DS digital SLRs this lens would provide an equivalent field of view of as a 18-36 mm lens.

Press Release:

PENTAX DIGITAL DA-SERIES LENS ANNOUNCED

GOLDEN, CO (March 15, 2005) PENTAX Imaging Company has announced yet another compact, lightweight, interchangeable zoom lens for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras including the *ist D and the *ist DS digital SLRs. The smc PENTAX-DA 12mm-24mm F4 ED AL [IF] is the sixth DA-series lens offered by the photo manufacturer. The PENTAX-DA 12mm-24mm F4 ED AL [IF] will feature:

• 2X zoom coverage in the ultra-wide angle range with an angle of view from 99 degrees to 61 degrees (equivalent in focal length from 18.5mm to 37mm in the 35mm format) when mounted on the PENTAX *ist D or *ist DS digital SLR camera body
   
• 13-element/11-group optical construction incorporating ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and aspherical optical elements
   
• The compact dimensions (diameter x length) of 3.3½ x 3.4½ (83.5mm x 87.5mm)

As with all DA-Series lenses, this lens features a responsive “Quick-Shift Focus System” that allows photographers to instantly switch the focus mode from auto to manual with a slight twist of the focus ring. Coupled with a simple, functional design and the elimination of an aperture ring, this new mechanism considerably improves operability. With Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass lens element and two aspherical lens elements, the lens offers more true-to-life image reproduction. The image circle in DA-series lenses is designed to perfectly match the 23.5mm x 15.7mm size of the CCD used in PENTAX digital SLRs to optimize camera performance. The new design also contributes to a drastic reduction in size, weight and production cost, compared to 35mm-format counterparts with similar specifications.