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Anybody anxiously awaiting the planned DA limited zoom?

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Chris Mak

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Well, with the K5IIs I am now solidly a Pentax user, with no plans to change systems anywhere in forseeable future. I am devoted to the traditional DSLR with OVF, and feel I am in the right place with Pentax.
Currently I have only the MF Zeiss prime lenses, not counting the Sigma 500/4.5.
With Olympus I was a predominantly zoom user, and loved the SHG 14-35f2.
Amongst the things that pushed me across to Pentax, was a particular lens planned for 2013. This lens shoúld be the next lens release, if you take top to bottom, as release order. It is of course the DA limited zoom thet should go from about 21mm to about 38mm, this is somewhat unclear to me due to the fading in and fading out of the indicated foc al length.
Needless to say, that I have high hopes for this lens. I love the Zeiss primes, amongst which the 25/2.8 and 35/2, but they ard primes, and also have a very specific kind of rendering. For e.g. vacations, I very much want a high quality zoom in exactly the planned range: ideally 21-35. I would very much want this to be a constant aperture zoom, counting on f2.8, and have internal focussing. And of course the limited primes image quality. I wouldn't mind myself if it is expensive, the Olympus 14-35 goes for around 2300,- but is f2, and weathersealed. I don't expect the Pentax to be f2, more like f2.8, which is fine. You only buy a lens like that once, so 1500,- would be fine for me, if it is very high quality. Of course it should have an infallible focus motor that will last.
What do you all expect or hope this lens to be?
And when should it arrive?
Can't wait myself, certainly now that I have a camera that should get the very best out of it.

Chris
 
A DA18-35Ltd f:3.2 + K-01 would be a fantastic travel kit. Not to say that I am "anxiously awaiting" for such a lens, but I do hope Pentax does makes one. Of course it couldn't be SDM if it is to remain compact as are all Ltd lenses. Such lens could be no bigger than the DA15.
 
Yes. I'm anxious to see what being a "Limited" zoom entails.
 
BobORama said:
Since I got that new prescription, I don't get anxious.


-- Bob

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"Anxiously" was of course tongue in cheek, let me rephrase that to "full of anticipation".
I do believe this could turn out to be a very special lens.
 
My educated guess (that's all this is) is that in being a "Limited" it will be intended to remain relatively small and probably designed for 49mm filters like the other DA limiteds. Based on that, I suspect the lens won't be as fast as f/2.8. More likely f/4 or f/3.2 would be my guess. Probably also screw drive to keep size small. Again...just an educated guess. I'm hoping that they will make it weather resistant. Once it comes out, I'll have to decide between it and a DA 21mm Limited.

If instead it were being named a DA* lens, I'd be expecting it to be faster, weather sealed and physically larger.

Thanks,

Daryl
 
Si, is this the FA 20-35 f4 zoom tarted up in a new Limited casing?

A FF lens?



Regards


Chris
 
DarylK said:
DarylK wrote:

My educated guess (that's all this is) is that in being a "Limited" it will be intended to remain relatively small and probably designed for 49mm filters like the other DA limiteds. Based on that, I suspect the lens won't be as fast as f/2.8. More likely f/4 or f/3.2 would be my guess. Probably also screw drive to keep size small. Again...just an educated guess. I'm hoping that they will make it weather resistant. Once it comes out, I'll have to decide between it and a DA 21mm Limited.

If instead it were being named a DA* lens, I'd be expecting it to be faster, weather sealed and physically larger.

Thanks,

Daryl
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Ok, so a limited zoom is meant to be relatively small. That's ok, I had f2.8 in mind, but as a walk-around standard zoom, I would shoot it at smaller apertures mostly anyway, so f3.2 or even f4 would be ok. What is more important, is the IQ, which I would like to be DA35macro ltd level. Lots of detail and little CA, low or no vignetting, and low distortion. If Pentax can put DA35ltd level IQ in the 20-35 zoom it would really be nice.

Screw drive focussing is ok.

Chris
 
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Hi,

I'm watching with interest but am not 'eagerly anticipating' the limited zoom. If anything, I'd be much more interested in the road map 135-400mm (approx) lens. That range isn't met at all by any current Pentax zoom lens where the fabled Limited Zoom will duplicate the FLs featured in other zooms, including the DA* 16-50, 16-45, 17-70, 18-55, 18-135, 18-270, etc. Surely it's not a priority?


As far as I can see, Fuji have completely rewritten the book on wide to standard lenses with their APSC 18-55 f2.8-4 zoom lens for their X series cameras. It's a stop faster than any other small kit lens, it's beautifully made out of metal and has IQ in spades, despite in camera correction of distortion. $700. Check out the Photozone test.

I own the 21, 31 and 40, but if the Pentax Limited zoom is as good as the Fuji I might consider one. However, I'd strongly prefer it to start at 16 or 18mm at the wide end.

To be honest, I wonder if we'll ever see it. The road map was written over a year ago. Yes Pentax have delivered the early stages, but the world has moved on. If they haven't left it behind, I think we can allow that they've at least taken a fork in the road....... If they're developing an FF camera, I can think of half a dozen lenses they'll need before another limited whose FL is already available to their customers.

Rod
 
Chris Mak said:
Chris Mak wrote:
Chris Mak said:
DarylK wrote:

My educated guess (that's all this is) is that in being a "Limited" it will be intended to remain relatively small and probably designed for 49mm filters like the other DA limiteds. Based on that, I suspect the lens won't be as fast as f/2.8. More likely f/4 or f/3.2 would be my guess. Probably also screw drive to keep size small. Again...just an educated guess. I'm hoping that they will make it weather resistant. Once it comes out, I'll have to decide between it and a DA 21mm Limited.

If instead it were being named a DA* lens, I'd be expecting it to be faster, weather sealed and physically larger.

Thanks,

Daryl
Click to expand...
Ok, so a limited zoom is meant to be relatively small. That's ok, I had f2.8 in mind, but as a walk-around standard zoom, I would shoot it at smaller apertures mostly anyway, so f3.2 or even f4 would be ok. What is more important, is the IQ, which I would like to be DA35macro ltd level. Lots of detail and little CA, low or no vignetting, and low distortion. If Pentax can put DA35ltd level IQ in the 20-35 zoom it would really be nice.

Screw drive focussing is ok.

Chris
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Chris, I come from Oly land too, and sold all my kit two years ago including the three SHG f2s. Then I recently sold my K5 for a K30 + K-01 while waiting to see what lies ahead in the Pentax line-up.

Like you, I used the 14-54 and 12-60 as standard Oly zooms, as well as the fabled PL 14-150, so am well used to 4/3 IQ. On the Pentax, I have a 16-50 with its SDM motor replaced, and that is a lovely lens, plus an 18-135 for general use.

Then I spotted an FA 24-90 f3.5 - f4 in France & went for that. In short, it has remarkably good IQ, and I use it constantly on both cams as a short, lightweight standard zoom. Its fast enough too with the ISO capability of the these cams. The drawback is its rather light construction and zoom creep, or should I say zoom rush ... But check out the reviews on the other forum ...

With the K30 it produces images that I am sure exceed anything I had from my 4/3 setup ... better contrast, colour rendition, resolution. There's some CA at longer FL but no real issue.

But they are hard to find.
 
I would love to see a few new lenses from Pentax that I want to buy and is price low enought that I can buy. I wanted the DA560 but at the price it is listed at I can not afford it. The Limited zoom has also got my interest and will like to see it released. The DA135-400 also has my interest and fills in a gap that I don't have and will find very usefull in wildlife photography. The DA*16-85 that was on the roadmap also has my interest.

I was hoping to hear more about those lenses or even any lenses at CP+. But there was no information released so one has to wonder what the future holds for those "upcoming" lenses on the last roadmap. Hopefully when the upcoming K3 is released we will see a new lens from the last roadmap released. Then again I am not holding my breath. Maybe the whole lens map was ditched and the resources are going to developing FF lenses. Without information or actual releases one has to wonder those things.

Dave



PS I am sorry for the negative attitude but it has bee way too long since Pentax has released a lens that I wanted to buy. I own all the DA and FA Limited lenses and all the DA* lenses plus a few more. So I really like to buy Pentax lenses.
 
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ogl said:
ogl wrote:

20-35/4
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18-35 would be perfect, but I'll settle for that. A small zoom range for near-prime quality, small size and Limited construction = buy.

Also, to carry the "Limited" tradition, it should have an odd focal length, like 19-33. Just saying.
 
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Gary Martin said:
Gary Martin wrote:
Gary Martin said:
ogl wrote:

20-35/4
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18-35 would be perfect, but I'll settle for that. A small zoom range for near-prime quality, small size and Limited construction = buy.

Also, to carry the "Limited" tradition, it should have an odd focal length, like 19-33. Just saying.
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Lol! I think you're right. I'm pretty sure it will be an f/4. Anyting else will be too big. Same focusing mechanism as other DA limiteds would be excellent.



 
I am very interested in this. I would like a small/light 15-31 f/4 DA limited. This, along with the FA77 would cover most of my needs.
 
Gary Martin said:
Gary Martin wrote:

Also, to carry the "Limited" tradition, it should have an odd focal length, like 19-33. Just saying.
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Also in line with Limited tradition...
  • Some kind of funky internal lens hood (that hopefully is cool without getting in the way)
  • Felt lined metal lens cap...for us to store in our closets ;-)
I can't help but love the quirkyness of these little gems - at least the two that I have.


Daryl
 
DLBlack said:
DLBlack wrote:

I would love to see a few new lenses from Pentax that I want to buy and is price low enought that I can buy. I wanted the DA560 but at the price it is listed at I can not afford it. The Limited zoom has also got my interest and will like to see it released. The DA135-400 also has my interest and fills in a gap that I don't have and will find very usefull in wildlife photography. The DA*16-85 that was on the roadmap also has my interest.

I was hoping to hear more about those lenses or even any lenses at CP+. But there was no information released so one has to wonder what the future holds for those "upcoming" lenses on the last roadmap. Hopefully when the upcoming K3 is released we will see a new lens from the last roadmap released. Then again I am not holding my breath. Maybe the whole lens map was ditched and the resources are going to developing FF lenses. Without information or actual releases one has to wonder those things.

Dave

PS I am sorry for the negative attitude but it has bee way too long since Pentax has released a lens that I wanted to buy. I own all the DA and FA Limited lenses and all the DA* lenses plus a few more. So I really like to buy Pentax lenses.
Click to expand...
 
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