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Pentax has just announced the smc Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm F2.8 WR, a weather-resistant tele-macro lens for use on Pentax digital and film SLRs. This macro lens features a high-grade aluminium barrel, and its exterior design has been greatly refined from that of the existing Pentax D FA-series lenses. As the WR designation suggests, the lens features a simplified weather-resistant construction, protecting the lens barrel from moisture.  By mounting the lens on a Pentax weather-resistant digital SLR camera body, it offers greater durability and reliability when shooting in conditions such as rain or mist. Also, the Pentax-D FA MACRO 100mm F2.8 WR is the first Pentax interchangeable macro lens featuring a completely rounded diaphragm blade. A working distance of 13cm facilitates the shooting of timid or dangerous creatures, such as insects. The smc Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm F2.8 WR features 1:1 (life-size) magnification, Pentax-developed Quick Shift Focus system and an image circle accommodating the image size of 35mm film-format cameras. The new Pentax lens is expected to go on sale in December 2009 or January 2010, at a recommended retail price of £679.99.

Pentax Press Release

PENTAX announces a new weather resistant macro lens, the smc PENTAX-D FA MACRO 100mm F2.8 WR

PENTAX U.K. announces the launch of the smc PENTAX-D FA MACRO 100mm F2.8 WR, an interchangeable macro lens designed for use with PENTAX digital and film-format SLR cameras. The new lens combines a high-quality exterior finish with PENTAX-original weather-resistant construction for demanding outdoor photography.

Main features of the smc PENTAX-D FA MACRO 100mmF2.8 WR

1.  Quality exterior finish with high-grade aluminium barrel
This macro lens features a high-grade aluminium barrel, and its exterior design has been greatly refined from that of the existing D FA-series lenses, offering a more sophisticated, quality appearance. The entire mechanism of the focus ring has been reviewed and upgraded to enable flawless manual-focus operation.

2. Simplified weather-resistant construction for greater reliability outdoors
The lens features a simplified weather-resistant construction, protecting the lens barrel from moisture.  By mounting the lens on a PENTAX weather-resistant digital SLR camera body, it offers greater durability and reliability when shooting in conditions such as rain or mist. The lens also features the PENTAX-original SP (Super Protect) coating on its front surface to repel dust, water and grease and to minimise fingerprints and cosmetic spots.

3. Rounded diaphragm blade to produce a beautiful bokeh
The PENTAX-D FA MACRO 100mm F2.8 WR is the first PENTAX interchangeable macro lens featuring a completely rounded diaphragm blade. This creates a natural, beautiful bokeh, while minimising the streaking effect of point light sources.

4. High-quality image description
The lens offers a focal length equivalent to 153mm in the 35mm format. Inheriting the high-performance optics of the renowned smc PENTAX-D FA MACRO 100mm F2.8 lens, it delivers high-quality, true-to-life images, while minimising flare and ghost images. Its maximum magnification of life size allows the photographer to capture dramatic close-up images with great ease.

5. Other features
1)    A working distance of 13cm (in life-size applications) to facilitate the shooting of difficult subjects, such as insects
2)    The PENTAX-developed Quick-Shift Focus System for instant switching to manual-focus operation after the subject is captured in focus by the camera’s AF system
3)    An image circle accommodating the image size of 35mm film-format cameras
4)    Compatibility with the macro adapter included in the PENTAX AF160FC Dedicated Auto Macro Flash

Price

RRP £679.99

Availability

December/January

The smc PENTAX-D FA MACRO 100mm F2.8 WR Specifications:
   
Focal Length   100mm (Equivalent to 153mm in 35mm format when used on a Pentax DSLR camera) 
Aperture     F2.8  
Minimum Aperture     F32  
Lens Construction     9 elements in 8 groups
Angle of View   16° (with PENTAX Digital SLR body) 24.5° (with 35mm Film SLR body)
Minimum Focusing Distance     0.303m (0.99 ft.)   
Maximum Magnification   1.00x
Filter Diameter 49mm  
Diaphragm Control     Fully Automatic
Number of Diaphragm Blades     8    
Lens Aperture Ring     None  
Tripod Adapter None  
Lens Hood     PH-RBE49    
Lens Case     S80-120
Front Cap     O-LC49
Maximum Diameter & Minimum Length     65mm x 80.5mm (2.6 inch x 3.2 inch) 
Weight 340g (12 oz.) 
Furnished accessories   Hood, Case, and Lens Cap    

Remarks
      Simplified Weather-Resistant  
      Rounded Diaphragm Blade
      Quick-Shift Focus System    
      SP (Super Protect) Coating