PENTAX Press Release 12/05/04

Compact, Lightweight 14mm DA-Series Lens for *ist D

GOLDEN, Colorado (May 12, 2004) - PENTAX Imaging Company has announced a second lens designed for the *ist D digital SLR will ship later this month.  The smc PENTAX-DA 14mm F2.8 ED [IF] interchangeable wide-angle lens was developed as a second model of the new DA-series lineup.  At 14.8 ounces and measuring just 2.7 inches long and 3.3 inches in diameter, the lens is one of the lightest in its category.  The lens features a standardized DA-series design incorporating high-grade metallic components with green accents. 

Featuring a focal length of 14mm (equivalent to 21mm in the 35mm format) and a 90-degree angle of view, this high-performance wide-angle lens incorporates a high-refraction, low-dispersion glass element and an Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass element to produce high-resolution, true-to-life images in advanced digital photography.  The lens offers a minimum focusing distance of .56 ft. for a maximum magnification of approximately 0.19 times. The image circle is designed to perfectly match the 23.5mm x 15.7mm size of the CCD used in the *ist D, contributing to a drastic reduction in size, weight and production cost.

This new lens also features the responsive ?Quick-Shift Focus System,? to allow photographers to instantly switch the focus mode from auto-to-manual with a slight twist of the focus ring. Coupled with the a large-sized focus ring that remains locked during autofocus operations and the elimination of the aperture ring, this mechanism enhances *ist D operation in autofocus and manual-focus modes.

While competing models in the same category only allow for the installation of gelatin filters at the rear end, this lens is designed to accept 77mm-diameter filters, including a circular polarizing filter. The lens is equipped with a detachable lens hood with a window used for easy adjustment of a circular polarizing filter.

- PENTAX KAF Mount (Metal)
- Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass lens for superior sharpness and color correction
- Responsive ?Quick-Shift Focus System? allows instant shift from AF to MF
- The image circle is designed to match the CCD used in PENTAX digital SLRs
- Convert focal length to 21mm with *ist D
- Comes with a lens hood to minimize flare and ghost images

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital and film cameras and lenses, binoculars, lenses, mobile printers, scanners and internet cameras.  For more than 80 years, PENTAX technology has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses.  PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PENTAX Corporation of Japan.