Pentax DA*55/1.4 DA*60-250/4 and DA17-70/4

[fengwei]

Source: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08...ntaxlenses.asp

Pre-PMA 2008: Pentax has announced that it will exhibit three forthcoming lenses both at PMA 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada and Photo Imaging Expo 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. Two - a 55mm F1.4 and 60-250mm F4 - are part of Pentax's flagship DA* line whilst the third, a 17-70mm F4, is a standard DA lens. All three lenses will feature SDM ultrasonic focusing.

PENTAX Corporation is pleased to announce that it will exhibit three digital-SLR-exclusive interchangeable lenses currently under development at two prominent industry events: PMA 2008, the largest photographic products fair in the U.S.A., to be held from January 31 to February 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada; and Photo Imaging Expo 2008, one of the largest imaging products exhibitions in Asia, to be held from March 19 to 22 at Tokyo Big Sight in Japan.
Overview of Model Products:

Two digital-SLR-exclusive interchangeable lenses designed for optimal optical performance:

Under development as the newest models of the top-of-the-line Star-Lens series.

Product name (tentative): smc PENTAX-DA*55mm F1.4 SDM

* A uni-focal moderate-telephoto lens offering a focal length equivalent to 84.5mm in the 35mm format
* A large F1.4 maximum aperture to produce beautiful out-of-focus backgrounds
* SDM system to assure super-quiet, extra-smooth autofocus operation
* Marketing date to be announced later

Product name (tentative): smc PENTAX-DA*60-250mm F4ED [IF]SDM

* A telephoto zoom lens covering moderate- to super-telephoto ranges, with focal lengths equivalent to 92mm to 383mm in the 35mm format
* SDM system to assure super-quiet, extra-smooth autofocus operation
* Scheduled to be marketed in summer 2008

Standard zoom lens designed exclusively for PENTAX digital SLR cameras:

Product name (tentative): smc PENTAX-DA17-70mm F4 AL[IF] SDM

* A moderate-telephoto zoom lens offering a 4.1-times zoom ratio and focal lengths equivalent to 26mm to 107mm in the 35mm format
* SDM system to assure super-quiet, extra-smooth autofocus operation
* Scheduled to be marketed in summer 2008

And here is the long waited DA*60-250:




I'm sure some here would be excited to see and have some of these

Here you go, the three new lenses:




Go Pentax Go!

[fengwei]

Here is the New Lens RoadMap:

http://www.digital.pentax.co.jp/ja/lens/roadmap.pdf




New Lenses:

DA 15mm Limited!
DA*30 SDM!
DA*55/1.4 SDM!

And a new Tele converter: REAR CONVERTER FOR SDM

Plus the announced above:
DA 17-70/4 SDM
DA 60-250/4 SDM

Plus a DA12-24/4, that'll be a perfect F4 combo

[art2d2]

Wooot !! time to retire my 16-45mm

[creampuff]

Aha, I will keep my DA 16-45 mm f/4
- 1 mm wider on wide angle is noticeable
- Has ED glass
- Got enough lenses to cover 45 to 70 mm range
- At the rate prices are going, the DA 17-70 mm is probably gonna be more expensive

[Vulpix0r]

Argh... My wallet is itching to buy the 60-250mm... This is going to be a torturous wait for me! And kudos to Pentax on adding SDM to a consumer grade lens like the DA 17-70mm, because this shows that they are serious about SDM and capturing as many market segments as possible. And creampuff, no matter how expensive it gets, I'm pretty sure it won't be as expensive as other equivalent brands!

[istDeS]

Originally Posted by fengwei I'm sure some here would be excited to see and have some of these Go Pentax Go!

After owing the DA*'s. I'm not at all excited with the DA*60-250 zoom.

[istDeS]

Originally Posted by fengwei The New Lens RoadMap: http://www.digital.pentax.co.jp/en/lens/roadmap.pdf The DFA 645 55/2.8 is still there, guess you know what it means

Thanks fengwei. Did i see a new DA35mm SDM on the new lens roadmap.

[istDeS]

Originally Posted by creampuff Aha, I will keep my DA 16-45 mm f/4 - 1 mm wider on wide angle is noticeable - Has ED glass - Got enough lenses to cover 45 to 70 mm range - At the rate prices are going, the DA 17-70 mm is probably gonna be more expensive

The DA 17-70 with SDM is sure gonna be more expensive and heavier.

[Redsun]

60-250!!
aiming for that too

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by istDeS Thanks fengwei. Did i see a new DA35mm SDM on the new lens roadmap.

Nope, it's a DA*30 SDM now

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by istDeS After owing the DA*'s. I'm not at all excited with the DA*60-250 zoom.

Hope you'd change your feelings after seeing the new DA* 200/300 and 60-250

[istDeS]

Originally Posted by fengwei Nope, it's a DA*30 SDM now

Ok, i was looking at the older one earlier. I see more limited lens and a rear converter for SDM.

[skypacker]

Nice! I wouldn't mind getting my hands on the 60-250.

But it looks like the 30-40mm range is a bit crowded, isn't it?
-DA 40/2.8 Ltd
-DA 35/2.8 Macro Ltd
and now DA* 30 SDM
Are 3 lenses in the such a narrow range needed?

[istDeS]

Originally Posted by fengwei Hope you'd change your feelings after seeing the new DA* 200/300 and 60-250

The DA*200/300 is gonna be. I'm not so sure about DA* zooms. Hopefully the DA* 60-250 is different.

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by skypacker Nice! I wouldn't mind getting my hands on the 60-250. But it looks like the 30-40mm range is a bit crowded, isn't it? -DA 40/2.8 Ltd -DA 35/2.8 Macro Ltd and now DA* 30 SDM Are 3 lenses in the such a narrow range needed?

Plus FA31LE, FA43LE, FA35/2, it does look quite crowded in this range

[fusetrips]

How long will it take for them to become widely available? Pentax lens production are quite limited.

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by fusetrips How long will it take for them to become widely available? Pentax lens production are quite limited.

Check the roadmap

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by istDeS The DA 17-70 with SDM is sure gonna be more expensive and heavier.

By looking at the lens photo, the DA1770 seems pretty small and compact, probably even smaller than the DA1645/4

[sbc]

Pentax lens range is getting confusing for newbies.

Limited - 15, 21, 31, 35M, 40, 43, 70, 77. Hand made, alumimum body(?)
DA* - 30, 55, 16-50, 50-135, 60-250, 200, 300. Weather sealed, SDM
DA SDM - 17-70. SDM consumer grade
DA - the rest. Consumer grade, screw driven.

[sbc]

Originally Posted by skypacker Nice! I wouldn't mind getting my hands on the 60-250. But it looks like the 30-40mm range is a bit crowded, isn't it? -DA 40/2.8 Ltd -DA 35/2.8 Macro Ltd and now DA* 30 SDM Are 3 lenses in the such a narrow range needed?

Well, I guess its good to have a choice..
DA40 - pancake
DA35M - macro
DA*30 - weather sealed, SDM