5 New Pentax Lenses

Pentax have introduced 5 new lenses for their DSLR cameras, including 300mm and 200mm Supersonic Motor lenses. Both lenses are also weatherproofed and protected from penetrating dust by appropriate seals. The full lineup is:

- smc PENTAX-DA* 300mm F4.0 ED [IF] SDM
- smc PENTAX-DA* 200mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM
- smc PENTAX-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited
- smc PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED
- smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II

Prices range from £99 for the 18-55mm to £899 for the 300mm lens, availability to be confirmed.

Pentax UK Press Release

PENTAX EXTENDS LENS RANGE FOR DIGITAL SLRS

Five new lenses are announced to supplement the existing range of accessories for digital SLR cameras.

The two new fast telephotos smc PENTAX-DA* 200mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM and smc PENTAX-DA* 300mm F4.0 ED [IF] SDM are not only optically astounding but also support the ultrasonic autofocus drive system for fast and quiet operation.

Special optical glass including ED glass elements, aspherical lens elements and outstanding lens coating provide for excellent contrast characteristics, a consistent edge-to-edge sharpness and a particularly clear rendition of fine details.

As well as the outstanding imaging attributes, PENTAX engineers have raised the mechanical characteristics of the lenses to a state-of-the-art level. Built-in ultrasonic motors (Supersonic Motors) in the lenses provide for extremely quiet and fast autofocusing. Both lenses are also weatherproofed and protected from penetrating dust by appropriate seals. The front lens elements of the lenses use the special Pentax SP - “Super Protect” - fluoride coating technology. This nano-technology protects the front lens against dust, finger marks or smearing, making the lenses exceptionally easy to clean. The Pentax “Quick Shift Focus System” allows the photographer to manually alter the focus point at will without having to take the camera out of the autofocus mode.

The new smc PENTAX-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited Lens will satisfy the most demanding photographer with its pictorial quality. Due to its fast aperture and outstanding sharpness this lens is ideal as an everyday ‘standard lens’.

Two zoom lenses; the smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II and the smc PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED complete the new PENTAX lens assortment. With their compactness and extended zoom range they are both well suited for all types of general photography. The SP - “Super Protect” - technology and the PENTAX “Quick Shift Focus System” are incorporated in both lenses. ED glass lens elements are used in the optical construction of the smc PENTAX PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 tele-zoom in order to assure the highest image quality possible.

(The SDM (Supersonic Motor) system can only be used with PENTAX K10D and K100D Super.  All other PENTAX DSLR cameras use the AF drive system incorporated in the camera body.)

UK pricing
Lens / Recommended Retail Price * / Availability
smc PENTAX-DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM £899.99 TBA
smc PENTAX-DA* 200mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM £799.99 TBA
smc PENTAX-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited Lens £299.99 TBA
smc PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED £259.99 TBA
smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II £ 99.99 TBA
* These expected retail prices only.  All prices are subject to change.

US pricing
smc PENTAX DA* 200mm f/2.8 ED (IF) SDM will ship in March 2008 for $1099.95
smc PENTAX DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) SDM will ship in May 2008 for $1299.95
smc PENTAX DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED will ship in May 2008 for $399.95
smc PENTAX DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited will ship in April 2008 for $599.95
smc PENTAX DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II will ship as a kit lens with PENTAX K200D in March 2008 (value $199.95).

smc PENTAX-DA* 200 mm F2.8ED [IF]SDM
Focal length: 200 mm
(in 35mm film format)
Widest aperture F2.8
Smallest aperture F22
Construction 9 elements in 8 groups
Angle of view 8.1° (with a PENTAX digital SLR body)
Minimum focusing distance 1.2 m
Magnification 0.20x (1:5.0)
Filter size 77 mm
Aperture control Fully automatic
Aperture blades 9
Lens hood PH-RBK77 mm
Lens case S120-160
Lens cap O-LC77
Diameter x length 83 mm x 134 mm
Weight 825 g
Special features Supersonic Motor
Quick-shift Focus System
SP (Super Protect) Coating
Filter drawer

smc PENTAX-DA* 300 mm F4ED[IF] SDM
Focal length: 300 mm
(460mm in digital SLR format)
Widest aperture F4
Smallest aperture F32
Construction 8 elements in 6 groups
Angle of view 5.4° (with a PENTAX digital SLR body)
Minimum focusing distance 1.4 m
Magnification 0.24x (1:4)
Filter size 77 mm
Aperture control Fully automatic
Aperture blades 9
Lens hood PH-RBK77 mm
Lens case S120-210
Lens cap O-LC77
Diameter x length 83 mm x 184 mm
Weight 1070 g
Special features Supersonic Motor
Quick-shift Focus System
SP (Super Protect) Coating
Filter drawer
Removable tripod collar

smc PENTAX-DA35 mmF2.8 Macro Limited
Focal length: 35 mm
(53.5 mm in digital SLR format)
Widest aperture F2.8
Smallest aperture F22
Construction 9 elements in 8 groups
Angle of view 44° (with a PENTAX digital SLR body)
Minimum focusing distance 0.139 m
Magnification 1.00x (1:1)
Filter size 49 mm
Aperture control Fully automatic
Aperture blades 9
Lens hood Built-in, retractable
Lens case 48100 Z100
Diameter x length 63 mm x46.5 mm
Weight 215 g
Special features Quick-shift Focus System
SP (Super Protect) Coating

smc PENTAX-DA 18-55 mm F3.5-5.6AL II
Focal length: 18-55 mm
(27.5-84 mm in digital SLR format)
Widest aperture F3.5-5.6
Smallest aperture F22-38
Construction 11 elements in 8 groups
Angle of view 76-29° (with a PENTAX digital SLR body)
Minimum focusing distance 0.25 m
Magnification 0.34x (1:2.9)
Filter size 52 mm
Aperture control Fully automatic
Aperture blades 6
Lens hood PH-RBA52 mm
Lens cap O-LC52
Lens case S80-120
Diameter x length 68.0 mm x 67.5 mm
Weight 220 g (with lens hood 245 g)
Special features Quick-shift Focus System
SP (Super Protect) Coating

smc PENTAX-DA 55-300 mm F4-5.8ED
Focal length: 55-300 mm
(84.5-460 mm in digital SLR format)
Größste Blende F4-5.8
Smallest aperture F22-32
Construction 12 elements in 8 groups
Angle of view 29-5.4° (with a PENTAX digital SLR body)
Minimum focusing distance 1.4 m
Magnification 0.28x (1:3,6)
Filter size 58 mm
Aperture control Fully automatic
Aperture blades 6
Lens hood PH-RBG58 mm
Lens cap O-LC58
Lens case S80-160
Diameter x length 71 mm x111.5 mm
Weight 440 g (with Lens hood 470 g )
Special features Quick-shift Focus System
Filter drawer

Published: Wednesday, January 23, 2008

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