New Kit lens w/ weather sealing ... DA 18-55 AL WR

fengwei · 10th May 2009

Source from Pentaxforum:
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/p...ns-come-4.html

Pentax representatives has officially stated in interviews that Pentax will release a new lens serie with the same optical design as the current serie. Now, why release a new lens serie without optical changes, and what changes are made in those new lenses if the changes are not to the optics?

Answer is simple - the new lens serie will have weather sealing and improved in-lens autofocus motors for the improved AF in the new and coming bodies. No optical changes because it would cost too much to change the optics, it does not cost really as much - and does not take as long time doing - to add weather sealing to existing lenses.

Of course those new lenses needs a new name in order to avoid confusing with the existing serie.

A 18-55 II with weather sealing is a logical choice, it will also match the weather sealed new in-between camera - the camera in-between the new K-7 and the existing K-m. And it will bring down the price of the new K-7.

The K-m has the DA L-lenses, without weather sealing.
The new and coming weather sealed lenses will match the new and coming weather sealed bodies well.

The 18-55 is just the beginning. I'm confident that the 17-70 will be updated soon with weather sealing also, and with improved in-lens AF for the enhance functionality in the new K-7.

For the 18-55 II, adding SDM might be too much of a job.

It will of course take some time for Pentax to add weather sealing to existing lenses, and they will not add weather sealing to all of them.

No weather sealing to the Limiteds, and no SDM to them.

I see the 55-300, new 18-250 zoom, and 12-24 as the most logic candidates to be released in updated versions after the new 18-55 and 17-70.

Oh, the 30 f/1.4 will come - it was removed from the roadmap beacuse it isn't part of the current DA or DA Star lens serie. It is part of the new WR and SDM serie. Name as yet unknown.

night86mare · 10th May 2009

wa......... now this is something!!!!!!

hjbyeo · 10th May 2009

Though I really think I won't be going to shooting much in drizzling condition, it will be really helpful when the weather turns bad (suddenly) ... just like this morning, sun's shining and it's CAT 1!!

And it also spells better constructed Kit Lens than all its competitors. Hopefully it's not just the DA 18-55 II, but the 50-200 as well! Way to go, Pentax!

scorpioh · 10th May 2009

Luckily the limiteds are not affected.

LancerEX · 10th May 2009

Originally Posted by hjbyeo

Though I really think I won't be going to shooting much in drizzling condition, it will be really helpful when the weather turns bad (suddenly) ... just like this morning, sun's shining and it's CAT 1!!

And it also spells better constructed Kit Lens than all its competitors. Hopefully it's not just the DA 18-55 II, but the 50-200 as well! Way to go, Pentax!

I suppose the whole of Singapore was raining this morning. I was out at the Chinese Garden before 7am, then went home at 8am. It started pouring soon after ... I wouldn't want to test out my DA* lens for rainworthiness though.

istDeS · 10th May 2009

Originally Posted by hjbyeo

Though I really think I won't be going to shooting much in drizzling condition, it will be really helpful when the weather turns bad (suddenly) ... just like this morning, sun's shining and it's CAT 1!!

And it also spells better constructed Kit Lens than all its competitors. Hopefully it's not just the DA 18-55 II, but the 50-200 as well! Way to go, Pentax!

Yeah, it was sunshine at my place this morning and when on my way to Botanic Garden it was raining that side.

istDeS · 10th May 2009

Originally Posted by LancerEX

I suppose the whole of Singapore was raining this morning. I was out at the Chinese Garden before 7am, then went home at 8am. It started pouring soon after ... I wouldn't want to test out my DA* lens for rainworthiness though.

No need to test lah, the DA* are proven so just use it.

creampuff · 10th May 2009

Originally Posted by LancerEX

... I wouldn't want to test out my DA* lens for rainworthiness though.

Chicken!

I thought that was the best way to clean the DA* lenses...

On a serious note, just wondering if the new range will have Quick Shift still.

fengwei · 11th May 2009

Originally Posted by creampuff

Chicken!
I thought that was the best way to clean the DA* lenses...

On a serious note, just wondering if the new range will have Quick Shift still.

To be honest, I don't use QS that often. Oh wait, I guess it's because I don't have many DA lenses

Baracus · 11th May 2009

Originally Posted by fengwei

Oh, the 30 f/1.4 will come - it was removed from the roadmap beacuse it isn't part of the current DA or DA Star lens serie. It is part of the new WR and SDM serie. Name as yet unknown.

Interesting. Rival to the FA 31? And the cost?

dnaxe · 11th May 2009

Originally Posted by fengwei

I see the 55-300, new 18-250 zoom, and 12-24 as the most logic candidates to be released in updated versions after the new 18-55 and 17-70.

Oh please please DA 11-16/2.8 SDM WR

flowerpot · 11th May 2009

WR.... good to have, but i still won't shoot in the rain...

anyway the prime lens are getting very close... DA14mm, DA15mm, DA21mm, DA30mm,FA31mm, DA35mm,FA43m,FA50mm, DA55mm, FA77mm... so many lenses

...

i wish they have an update on the tele zoom... the 50-135 is just too short..., 60-250 is too expensive and slow... pls revive the 80-200mm

flowerpot · 11th May 2009

Originally Posted by dnaxe

Oh please please DA 11-16/2.8 SDM WR

if it happen it will be very very expensive...

rotisiao · 11th May 2009

i wish they would make a 100-400mm weather sealed zoom lens.

dnaxe · 11th May 2009

Originally Posted by flowerpot

if it happen it will be very very expensive...

Well, the tokina 11-16 is about 1k. 1.5k is probably the maximum I would pay for a Pentax DA* version.

Gengh · 11th May 2009

Originally Posted by dnaxe

Oh please please DA 11-16/2.8 SDM WR

My sentiments exactly!

But agree with the rest that the price might be a concern too....

night86mare · 11th May 2009

Originally Posted by dnaxe

Oh please please DA 11-16/2.8 SDM WR

DA 10-20/2.8 SDM WR

hjbyeo · 11th May 2009

Originally Posted by night86mare

DA 10-20/2.8 SDM WR

DA 10-24/2.8 SDM WR ...

le petit prince · 11th May 2009

Originally Posted by night86mare

DA 10-20/2.8 SDM WR

Originally Posted by hjbyeo

DA 10-24/2.8 SDM WR ...

Wahlau.. you guys.

What the hey. I'll throw in my wishes too... WR for all my DA Limiteds!

And yes, I'm the type who'll shoot in the rain. :P

night86mare · 12th May 2009

Originally Posted by hjbyeo

DA 10-24/2.8 SDM WR ...

DA 10-300/2.8 SDM WR

no distortion

and razor sharp

10th May 2009	#1
fengwei Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bukit Gombak Posts: 9,067	New Kit lens w/ weather sealing ... DA 18-55 AL WR Source from Pentaxforum: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/p...ns-come-4.html Pentax representatives has officially stated in interviews that Pentax will release a new lens serie with the same optical design as the current serie. Now, why release a new lens serie without optical changes, and what changes are made in those new lenses if the changes are not to the optics? Answer is simple - the new lens serie will have weather sealing and improved in-lens autofocus motors for the improved AF in the new and coming bodies. No optical changes because it would cost too much to change the optics, it does not cost really as much - and does not take as long time doing - to add weather sealing to existing lenses. Of course those new lenses needs a new name in order to avoid confusing with the existing serie. A 18-55 II with weather sealing is a logical choice, it will also match the weather sealed new in-between camera - the camera in-between the new K-7 and the existing K-m. And it will bring down the price of the new K-7. The K-m has the DA L-lenses, without weather sealing. The new and coming weather sealed lenses will match the new and coming weather sealed bodies well. The 18-55 is just the beginning. I'm confident that the 17-70 will be updated soon with weather sealing also, and with improved in-lens AF for the enhance functionality in the new K-7. For the 18-55 II, adding SDM might be too much of a job. It will of course take some time for Pentax to add weather sealing to existing lenses, and they will not add weather sealing to all of them. No weather sealing to the Limiteds, and no SDM to them. I see the 55-300, new 18-250 zoom, and 12-24 as the most logic candidates to be released in updated versions after the new 18-55 and 17-70. Oh, the 30 f/1.4 will come - it was removed from the roadmap beacuse it isn't part of the current DA or DA Star lens serie. It is part of the new WR and SDM serie. Name as yet unknown.

10th May 2009	#2
night86mare Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: in your mind Posts: 19,253	Re: New Kit lens w/ weather sealing ... DA 18-55 AL WR wa......... now this is something!!!!!! __________________ Gallery \| Dreamscapes 09 Pentaxian 伪君子之所以更可憎

10th May 2009	#3
hjbyeo Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: East Posts: 1,950	Re: New Kit lens w/ weather sealing ... DA 18-55 AL WR Though I really think I won't be going to shooting much in drizzling condition, it will be really helpful when the weather turns bad (suddenly) ... just like this morning, sun's shining and it's CAT 1!! And it also spells better constructed Kit Lens than all its competitors. Hopefully it's not just the DA 18-55 II, but the 50-200 as well! Way to go, Pentax! __________________ Pentaxian \| apwp flickr

10th May 2009	#4
scorpioh Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 955	Re: New Kit lens w/ weather sealing ... DA 18-55 AL WR Luckily the limiteds are not affected. __________________ Just a Pentaxian with his humble k10d...

11th May 2009	#12
flowerpot Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Both East n West Posts: 2,237	Re: New Kit lens w/ weather sealing ... DA 18-55 AL WR WR.... good to have, but i still won't shoot in the rain... anyway the prime lens are getting very close... DA14mm, DA15mm, DA21mm, DA30mm,FA31mm, DA35mm,FA43m,FA50mm, DA55mm, FA77mm... so many lenses ... i wish they have an update on the tele zoom... the 50-135 is just too short..., 60-250 is too expensive and slow... pls revive the 80-200mm __________________ ~Towards Sublime Gallery~

11th May 2009	#14
rotisiao Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 703	Re: New Kit lens w/ weather sealing ... DA 18-55 AL WR i wish they would make a 100-400mm weather sealed zoom lens. __________________ My flickr!