Pentax USA Press Release

PENTAX Introduces a Lightweight, Ultra Thin 40mm Limited Lens For Digital SLRs

Golden, CO. (December 12, 2004)…PENTAX Imaging Company continues to expand its digital SLR lens family with the announcement of a fourth member − the smc PENTAX DA 40mm F2.8 Limited lens.  Designed for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras, the unique pancake style standard lens measures a mere .59 inches in length and weighs just 3.17 ounces. Combined with the popular PENTAX *ist DS digital SLR, the PENTAX DA 40mm F2.8 Limited lens will offer the smallest and lightest digital SLR combination available from any manufacturer. 

As part of the PENTAX Limited Series, the lens will offer exceptional image quality and construction, high contrast, high resolution, and minimal aberrations. Also compatible with the *ist D digital SLR, this ultra thin lens will offer overall maneuverability during shooting as well as portability and storage convenience.  This everyday standard lens will provide outstanding performance in a range of applications including snapshots, portraiture, indoor shooting and landscape photography.

Featuring a sophisticated appearance that incorporates an aluminum lens barrel, hood and cap, the lens offers a perspective similar to the naked eye with its 40mm focal length (equivalent to 61mm in the 35mm format), a large maximum aperture of F2.8, and a minimum focusing distance of 40 centimeters.

The PENTAX DA 40mm also features the PENTAX Quick Shift Focus System for instant switching to manual focus operation, a nine blade diaphragm to assure true-to-life reproduction of out-of-focus areas, and filter attachment versatility (a 49mm-size filter on the lens or a 30.5mm-size filter on the lens hood).

The PENTAX DA 40mm F2.8 Limited lens will ship in FEBRUARY 2005. 

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital and film cameras, sport optics, 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.  PENTAX and smc PENTAX are trademarks of PENTAX Corporation.

smc PENTAX DA 40mm F2.8 Limited Lens
Specifications

Design and Specifications subject to change without notice.

      Lens mount:                  PENTAX KAF mount

      Lens construction:            5 elements in 4 groups

      Angle of view:                39° ( when used with *istD, *istDS)

      Aperture control:                    Automatic

      Number of diaphragm blades:        9

      Minimum aperture:            F22

      Metering system:                    TTL open-aperture metering

      Minimum focusing distance:    15.7 inches

      Filter size:                    49mm

      Maximum magnification:              0.13X

      Dimensions (diameter x length):      1.24 x 0.59 inches

      Weight:                              3.17 ounces (w/o hood)