Next PLM lenses

Having heard many positive comments about the autofocus performance of the 55-300 PLM lens, what are you hoping the next lenses will be to receive a PLM upgrade?

I'd like to see a PLM version of the FA 150-450mm f4.5-5.6ED DC AW where I'm thinking that the improved AF would be a big plus for wildlife photography. I'd also like to see a PLM version of the FA 70-200 for the same reason, although that would mainly benefit K-1 owners at this point. A lower priority for me, but still on my wish list, would be a PLM version of the DA 16-85 lens, which I don't usually use for wildlife but sometimes use for portraits.

Smitty1 wrote:

From what I've gathered through other forum posts, PLM isn't designed to drive heavy lens arrays.. it is more adept at the smaller type lenses such as the 55-300mm.

I think, for FF we might see some primes though with this technology.

For DA* I'd like to see the 16-50mm and the 50-135mm both get PLM (or at least a decent DC motor).

I am interested to see any information (official) which says PLM is for light lenses only. I have read only 'maybe' posts. Thanks

The FA* 300mm f/2.8!
(and compatible FF TCs)

The 70-200, 150-450 and 560mm should be as fast as possible...

But the TOP priority should be to upgrade all the DA* lenses.

tosiva wrote:

I am interested to see any information (official) which says PLM is for light lenses only. I have read only 'maybe' posts. Thanks

Just to add more data to the mix. Roger Cicala or LensRentals fame also came to the same conclusion (although he admits he's speculating):

https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2016/04/a-look-at-electromagnetic-focusing/

Why more motors? There must be a good reason because three or four motors has to be more expensive than one or two. I assume the most likely reason would be more power to move a larger element. If my understanding is correct, LEM motors are fast and silent, but not as powerful as a DC motor.

It appears, at least for right now, that single LEMs are most suitable for small, light, focusing elements that don’t have to move very far. Bigger elements probably need multiple motors. LEMs may use less electrical power than USM motors, but I don’t know if this would be significant enough to extend battery life

Sir Autofocus wrote:

Having heard many positive comments about the autofocus performance of the 55-300 PLM lens, what are you hoping the next lenses will be to receive a PLM upgrade?

I'd like to see a PLM version of the FA 150-450mm f4.5-5.6ED DC AW where I'm thinking that the improved AF would be a big plus for wildlife photography. I'd also like to see a PLM version of the FA 70-200 for the same reason, although that would mainly benefit K-1 owners at this point. A lower priority for me, but still on my wish list, would be a PLM version of the DA 16-85 lens, which I don't usually use for wildlife but sometimes use for portraits.

I think the most important for the brand as far as getting good reviews (and thereby appealing to more buyers) is to produce a good standard zoom, an 18-55WR or what-have you.  If they'd had something like that around it could have been offered with the KP as a rather enticing package.

Incidentally, the question was also asked in these threads which may interest you:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59030496

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59017096

tosiva wrote:

I am interested to see any information (official) which says PLM is for light lenses only. I have read only 'maybe' posts. Thanks

I seem to recall that Ricoh stated as much in an interview, but I am not 100% sure.

In any case they are making a big fuss about the focusing group in the new 55-300 being 93% lighter than the last one. Which makes it pretty unlikely that the PLM technology could achieve similarly fast results with lenses such as the 70-200 or 150-450.

asahi man wrote:

tosiva wrote:

Smitty1 wrote:

From what I've gathered through other forum posts, PLM isn't designed to drive heavy lens arrays.. it is more adept at the smaller type lenses such as the 55-300mm.

I think, for FF we might see some primes though with this technology.

For DA* I'd like to see the 16-50mm and the 50-135mm both get PLM (or at least a decent DC motor).

I am interested to see any information (official) which says PLM is for light lenses only. I have read only 'maybe' posts. Thanks

Official it's only made by Olympus.

They told that the 2.8 35-100 is using 2 ! AF motors,because the lens group is to heavy for the current motor.

And the Olympus motor is the same type.

I had the focus group of the 150-450 in my hand.....

Compare to the Olympus group with 2 motors,I think Pentax needs 4 motors or a complete new type of plm.

The next is,the mechanic around the focus group is completely different in every plm type lens against the Pentax DC or Canon or Nikon ultrasonic lenses.

The focus groups are in a absolutely durable and massive leading construction.

The plm type groups are in a loose leading.

It's not a secret that all these new motors are not made for heavy weights.

The new way is to use more than one motor.

Best regards

Hi Asahiman

CP+is near the horizon

Do you think we will see the rest of the 10 things you mentioned before?

We have seen KP with the 4 grips. There are still 5.

asahi man wrote:

10???

Yes I think I read it here or in other forum.

Maybe I am wrong.

miles green wrote:

But the TOP priority should be to upgrade all the DA* lenses.

Amen.

I just learned today that many of the mirrorless system lenses and the PLM 55-300, have no mechanical linkage for focusing, so they cannot even be focused manually on an older body or another system via adapter.

Is it possible for a lens that adopts PLM to also include mechanical linkage for focusing?

asahi man wrote:

zakaria wrote:

asahi man wrote:

10???

Yes I think I read it here or in other forum.

Maybe I am wrong.

I talked about 10 lenses on the old internal road map.

4 till 5 are still open of this list.

No cameras,I have only very low information about new camera possibilities.

Not really heavy enough to talk about.

Best regards

Thank you so much my dear friend.

Thanks for these informations Asahi Man!

Do you think PLM motors could be used for TS lenses? AF motor in the front or rear part of the lens, shift and tilt motors to record and adjust with tethering, like the old Pentax powerzoom motors ?

Kind regards, fred

PS: any hints about a Powerzoom comeback, especially for video ?

asahi man wrote:

I talked about 10 lenses on the old internal road map.

4 till 5 are still open of this list.

Asahiman, do you happen to be able to divulge anything on that elusive APS-C UWA zoom that has been lurking on the roadmap for years? Is any serious development going on with it?