PMA 2007: The smc PENTAX-DA Star lenses, smc PENTAX-DA 35mm macro lens, a dedicated auto flash and Pentax’s medium format 645 Digital with interchangable lens will be on show at this years PMA in Las Vegas, USA. There are four prototype lenses - smc PENTAX-DA Star 200mm, smc PENTAX-DA Star 300mm and smc PENTAX-DA Star 60-250mm and the PENTAX-DA 35mm macro. The Pentax 645 Digital was actually first shown at PMA last year, but has been bumped from 18 to 31 megapixels (tbc). All of these products are planned for release later in 2007.

Pentax UK Press Release

Pentax showcases its future top of the range of digital SLR camera products at PMA 2007

On display will be the smc PENTAX-DA Star lenses, smc PENTAX-DA 35mm macro lens, a dedicated auto flash and Pentax’s medium format 645 Digital with interchangable lens.

22nd February, 2007: Pentax will be exhibiting its soon to be release products at this year’s PMA. The products, all currently under development, are planned for release later in 2007. PMA is America’s largest annual photographic merchandise trade show, running from 8th to 11th March in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The smc PENTAX DA Star lenses on display boast a supersonic motor which delivers smoother and, quieter auto-focusing, enabling wildlife enthusiasts to capture once in a life time shots without disturbing their subjects.  The introduction of this range has increased the choice of Pentax lenses available to digital SLR photographers, which are suitable for every circumstance from portraits, to landscapes, action or wildlife photography.

Key products on display will be the high performance smc PENTAX-DA Star, interchangeable zoom lens range that includes the:

smc PENTAX-DA Star 200mm
smc PENTAX-DA Star 300mm
smc PENTAX-DA Star 60-250mm
Compact and lightweight interchangeable macro lens, the PENTAX-DA 35mm

The lenses will join the PENTAX-DA Star 16-50mm and smc PENTAX-DA Star 50-135mm, which are the first models in the range that launched today.  Its new range of high-end digital SLR products further demonstrates Pentax’s renewed investment in the professional photography market. 

Pentax’s medium-format digital SLR camera the 645 Digital will also be on display together with a medium format interchangeable lens that has been exclusively developed for use with the camera.

Overview of products on display

1.    Product type: Three interchangeable lenses for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras
These top of the range lenses are being developed as part of the Star-series lens range, which provide superior performance and technological excellence. The lenses also include the advanced SDM system that ensures smooth, quiet auto focusing operation using the supersonic motor installed in the lens body.

smc PENTAX-DA Star 200mm F2.8ED[IF]SDM
Product information:
A uni-focal super-telephoto lens, with an angle of view equivalent to a 306mm lens in the 35mm format
Market launch scheduled for September 2007

smc PENTAX-DA Star 300mm F4ED[IF]SDM
Product information:

A uni-focal super-telephoto lens, with an angle of view equivalent to a 460mm lens in the 35mm format

Market launch scheduled for September 2007

smc PENTAX-DA Star 60~250mm F4ED[IF]SDM
Product information:

A super-telephoto zoom lens, with an angle-of-view coverage equivalent to a 92mm-383mm zoom lens in the 35mm format

Market launch scheduled for December 2007

Compact, lightweight interchangeable macro lens for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras

smc PENTAX-DA Star 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited
Product information:

The first macro lens of this high-quality lens series, offering outstanding Contrast and clarity

Offering an angle of view equivalent to a 53.5mm lens in a 35mm format camera it is ideal for normal applications as a standard lens
Launch date: TBA

3.    Lens-interchangeable medium-format digital SLR camera
PENTAX 645 Digital
Product information:
*    Extra-large CCD image sensor developed by Kodak with 31.6 total megapixels (tentative)
*    Compatibility with existing smc PENTAX 645 interchangeable lenses
1     Two storage-media slots for SD memory card and a CompactFlash card
2     Release schedule to be announced

4.    Product type: Interchangeable standard lens for exclusive use with PENTAX medium-format digital SLR camera

smc PENTAX-D FA645 55mm F2.8

Product information:
A standard lens designed exclusively to be used with the PENTAX 645 Digital
(tentative name)
Advanced optical design and optimised for digital photography with all properties of lens element groups, including curvature and lens coating,
In addition the lens can be used with existing PENTAX 645-series medium-format SLR film cameras
Market launch schedule to be announced at a later date (will available at the same time as the PENTAX 645 Digital camera body)

5.    Product type: Dedicated auto flash
PENTAX AF200FG
Product information:

Compact clip-on-type auto flash unit with a guide number of 20 (at ISO 100/m)
Launch date: TBA

Note: Model names, designs, specifications and market launch schedules of these products are all tentative and subject to change without notice. Prices of these products will be announced at a later date.

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