DSLR – Pentax Body

Along with the K-7 DSLR, Pentax has launched the smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6AL WR and smc PENTAX-DA 50-200mm F4-5.6ED WR weather-resistant lenses. Treated with Super-Protect (SP) coating for dust resistance and designed with environmental sealing, both the lenses complement the latest Pentax weather-resistant DSLRs. Priced at $199.95 USD for the DA 18-55mm and $249.95 USD for the DA 50-200mm, the lenses will start shipping in July 2009.

Press release:

May 19, 2009: HOYA CORPORATION PENTAX Imaging Systems Division is pleased to announce the launch of two compact, lightweight zoom lenses: the smc PENTAXDA18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL WR, and the smc PENTAX DA50-200mmF4-5.6ED WR. Featuring a newly designed, simplified weather-resistant construction, these zoom lenses offer excellent reliability in various outdoor applications — especially in rain, fog and mist.

Common features
Simplified weather-resistant construction
The new zoom lenses feature a simplified weather-resistant construction designed to minimize the intrusion of water and moisture into the lens barrel. With these lenses mounted on PENTAX weather resistant digital SLR camera bodies, the user is assured of improved durability and reliability during shooting in rain, fog or mist and at locations subject to a spray or splash of water.

SP coating to block dust and dirt
The front surface of these lenses is treated with PENTAX-original SP (Super Protect) coating, which applies a special fluorine compound to the lens surface through a vapor deposition process. This SP coating not only effectively repels dust, water and grease, but it also makes it easy to wipe off fingerprints and cosmetics.

Digital-SLR-exclusive optical design
PENTAX has optimized the characteristics of these lenses — including lens coating, curvature and positioning of optical elements — to reproduce the finest possible digital images. As a result, they are practically free of flare and ghost images, and bring out the best in the PENTAX digital SLR camera bodies they are coupled with.

Their image circle is also perfectly proportioned to the size of the image sensor used in PENTAX digital SLR cameras, helping to reduce the camera’s overall size and weight and guarantee outstanding cost performance.

Quick-Shift Focus system for instant AF/MF switching
After the subject is captured in focus by the camera’s AF system, the unique Quick-Shift Focus system lets the photographer instantly switch to manual-focus operation for final pinpoint focus adjustment.

Other features

• Durable, dependable metallic lens mount
• Lens hood with a PL (polarizing filter) window included as a standard accessory

Overview of the smc PENTAX-DA18-55 F3.5-5.6AL WR lens
This standard zoom lens covers focal lengths from 27.5mm wide angle to 84.5mm moderate telephoto (in the 35mm format). Incorporating a high-performance aspherical (AL) optical element and a super-low dispersion glass optical element in its optics, it assures outstanding image resolution and remarkable brightness, even at the edges, while effectively compensating various aberrations.

Overview of the smc PENTAX-DA50-200 F4-5.6ED WR lens
This telephoto zoom lens covers focal lengths from 76.5mm moderate telephoto to 307mm super telephoto (in the 35mm format). Incorporating an extra-low dispersion (ED) glass optical element in its optics, it assures excellent description of the subject in various telephoto applications, including portraiture, sports/action and landscape, while effectively compensating chromatic aberration over the entire zoom range.

 

smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mm and smc PENTAX-DA 50-200mm specifications

 

Disclaimer: This Announcement is purely and 200% *Unofficial*

K-7 CHARACTERISTICS TABLE:

Some more photos:

Found at: http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/2009/04/pentax-k-7-unofficially-announced.html

I’m really hoping that Live View is going to be a real thing, not just a marketing ploy. Finally we’ll have a movie capabilities, so I don’t need to carry my compact camera as well. I’m also quite excited about dedicate AF assistant light as flash bursts are really annoying and not very effective either.

Now, go Pentax, go!!! This will hopefully put Pentax where it should be – on the top shelf, and will bring a recognition. I have many friends that have no clue what Pentax is – they never heard this word in their lives, but of course they now Canon and Nikon. The light of hope is shining much brighter now!

Please, support this blog by buying from my affiliates.

Thank you

Kamil Wawrzyszko

Amazon UK or Amazon US – links on the right

Pentax K7

There’s been a lot of buzz for the past couple of weeks about a new Pentax body named “K7″ – at least that’s what everyone thinks the name will be.  It won’t be an upgrade to a K20D, but rather a new line of semi-pro DSLRs from Pentax.  It is said to be much more advanced than a K20D and is a lot more compact.  This is quite good news for all of us with heavy lenses.

I was really planning on buying the K20D soon but am now holding out until this summer to see the K7.  This whole thing just tickles my fannies!  Everyone thought Pentax was doomed but I found it hard to believe since they really had some very good glasses.  I doubt anyone can compete with the quality the Pentax Limited lenses produces – yes, not even from the CaNikon crowd.  There’s just no beating Pentax when it comes to Prime glasses.  And plus, I have always been told that it’s not the camera that makes the picture but the one holding the camera (as evident in my photographs!)

Good on you Pentax!  I’m proud to call myself a Pentaxian!

Found at: http://pauldangcil.com/blog/

Please, buy from my affiliates to support this website.

Kamil Wawrzyszko

PMA 2009: Pentax has announced the availability of the DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited ultra wide-angle lens. Incorporating most of the DA* series lens features, it offers a 23mm (35mm equiv.) angle of view and includes a Hybrid Aspherical lens and an Extra-Low-Dispersion glass optical element to minimize distortion and chromatic aberration. With a light aluminium body and a compact design, this lens will start shipping in April 2009 for $649.95 USD.

Press Release:

PENTAX announces a new ultra-wide angle lens, the smc PENTAX-DA15mm F4ED AL Limited

PENTAX U.K. is pleased to announce the launch of the smc PENTAX-DA15mm F4 ED AL Limited, designed for exclusive use with Pentax digital SLR cameras.  This is the newest lens to join the acclaimed Pentax Limited series family. Maintaining the highest standards, the Limited series is renowned for unbeatable construction and unsurpassed image quality. This new Limited series lens will continue that tradition while providing users with a new ultra-wide perspective.

Main features of the smc PENTAX-DA15mmF4ED AL Limited

Ultra-wide-angle perspective
When mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body, this new lens offers the equivalent to a 23mm angle of view in the 35mm format. This lets the photographer create unique, eye-catching images with visual effects only possible from an ultra-wide-angle lens, such as enhanced perspective and an emphasized depth of field. It is the ideal lens for sweeping landscapes, magnificent architecture and confined interiors.

Limited Lens-series quality for incredible images and an appealing compact design.
The PENTAX Limited Lens series combines extensive testing with the incredible knowledge of our engineers to provide every user with a lens designed for the ultimate in image reproduction.  True to form, this new lens not only ensures excellent image quality, but also produces sharp, clear images with outstanding contrast, even at the maximum aperture. This is because its optical design has been optimised for digital photography.  In addition, the lens barrel, hood, and cap are all made of high-grade aluminium, providing reliable construction in an attractive lens.

High-performance optics
This lens incorporates a hybrid aspherical (AL) lens and an optical element of extra-low-dispersion (ED) glass to ensure high-quality image reproduction with minimal aberrations, including lateral chromatic aberration. Additionally, for an ultra-wide-angle lens, the smc PENTAX-DA15mmF4ED AL Limited has excellent control over image distortion.

Compact, lightweight design
Thanks to its newly developed optics, this lens is designed to be extremely compact and lightweight despite its ultra-wide-angle perspective. Since it has no dome-shaped protrusion at the front end, the photographer can mount commercial 49mm-diameter filters, including circular polarizing filters popular in landscape photography.

Other features

• Flower-shaped lens hood, with extendible design for easy carrying
• Minimum focusing distance of 18 centimetres (or 0.59 feet) for close-up photography
• PENTAX-developed Quick-Shift Focus System for instant switching to manual-focus operation after the subject is captured in focus by the AF system
• PENTAX-original Super Protect (SP) coating applied to the front surface of the lens, making it easy to wipe off fingerprints, cosmetics and other stains

Price
RRP £569.99

smc PENTAX DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited lens specifications