Pentax today announced its 18-250mm 14x superzoom covering an equivalent focal range of 27.5 - 383 mm. Alongside the hulking zoom range it also boasts internal focus and a closest focus distance of 45 cm (17.7 in) throughout the zoom range - giving a reproduction ratio of around 1:3. One ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and two AL (Aspherical) elements in its design help to minimize optical aberrations. The lens will be available from October 2007 with a recommended price of US $499.95. More info and specifications after the jump.
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Press release
Specifications
Pricing and availability
smc PENTAX-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3ED AL [IF]
A high-performance zoom lens offering a versatile approximately 14X zoom ratio, designed exclusively for PENTAX digital SLR cameras
PENTAX Corporation is pleased to announce the marketing of the smc PENTAX-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3ED AL [IF] interchangeable zoom lens, designed for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras. With its approximately 14-times zoom ratio covering from wide-angle to super-telephoto ranges, this versatile lens handles a great variety of applications without the need for lens changes.
Main Features:
- High zoom ratio
When mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body, this zoom lens offers an approximately 14-times zoom ratio that covers the range from 27.5mm wide angle to 383mm super-telephoto in the 35mm format. Without the need for lens changes, it can be used for a wide variety of applications — ranging from such standard applications as landscape photography, snapshots and portrait at frequently used focal lengths, to specialized applications like sports and wildlife photography at the super-telephoto range.
- Superb image description assured by extra-low dispersion (ED) and aspherical optical (AL) elements
Incorporating one extra-low dispersion (ED) and two aspherical (AL) optical elements in its optics, this lens effectively compensates for the adverse effects of various aberrations, assuring outstanding image description.
- Digital SLR-exclusive design
This lens is exclusively designed for use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras, with its image circle perfectly proportioned to their image sensor size (23.5mm x 15.7mm). Since the coating, curvature and position of all optical elements are optimized for the characteristics of digital images, it effectively minimizes annoying flare and ghost images in the resulting images.
- Others
- An extra-short minimum focusing distance of 0.45 meters over the entire zoom range
- Inner-focus (IF) mechanism to avoid lens extension during focusing
Main Specifications
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|---|---|
| Lens mount | Pentax KAF mount |
| Lens construction | 16 elements in 13 groups |
| Angle of view | 76° ~ 6.5° (when mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body) |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 7 |
| Minimum aperture | F22 ~ F45 |
| Minimum focus distance | 45cm (1.48 ft) |
| Filter size | 62mm |
| Maximum magnification | 0.28x |
| Dimensions | 75mm (maximum diameter) x 85.5mm (length) (3.0 inch x 3.4 inch) |
| Weight (no hood) | 455 g (16 oz) |
Pricing and availability
The smc PENTAX-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3ED AL [IF] will be available from October 2007 with a recommended price of US $499.95.
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