Along with the Pentax K-7 DSLR camera, Pentax have also announced two weather-resistant zoom lenses. Intended to be used on Pentax’s environmentally sealed digital SLR bodies, the smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6AL WR and the smc PENTAX-DA 50-200mm F4-5.6ED WR lenses feature a newly designed, simplified weather-resistant construction and Pentax-original SP coating on the front lens element. Other features include a Quick-Shift focus system for instant AF/MF switching, a metallic lens mount and a lens hood included as a standard accessory. The DA 18-55mm will cost $199.95 and the DA 50-200mm $249.95, shipping in July 2009. Click through / read on for the main specifications of both lenses.

Pentax Press Release

The smc PENTAX-DA18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL WR and the smc PENTAX-DA50-200mmF4-5.6ED WR
Compact, lightweight, weather-resistant zoom lenses designed for exclusive use with digital SLR cameras

PENTAX UK is pleased to announce the launch of two compact, lightweight zoom lenses: the smc PENTAX-DA18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL WR, and the smc PENTAX-DA50-200mmF4-5.6ED WR. Featuring a newly designed, simplified weather-resistant construction, these zoom lenses offer excellent reliability in various outdoor conditions — particularly rain, fog and mist.

Main features

1. Simplified weather-resistant construction
These new zoom lenses feature a simplified weather-resistant construction designed to minimise the intrusion of water and moisture into the lens barrel. Mount on PENTAX weather-resistant digital SLR camera bodies,  assures the user of improved durability and reliability during shooting in rain, fog or mist.

2. SP coating to block dust and dirt
The front surface of these lenses is treated with PENTAX-original SP (Super Protect) coating, which applies a special fluorine compound to the lens surface through a vapour deposition process. This SP coating not only repels dust, water and grease, but it also makes it easy to wipe off fingerprints and cosmetics.

3. Digital-SLR-exclusive optical design
PENTAX has optimised the characteristics of these lenses — including lens coating, curvature and positioning of optical elements — to reproduce the finest possible digital images. As a result, they are practically free of flare and ghost images, and bring out the best in the PENTAX digital SLR camera bodies they are used with. Their image circle is also perfectly proportioned to the size of the image sensor used in PENTAX digital SLR cameras, helping to reduce the camera’s overall size and weight and guarantee outstanding cost performance.

4. Quick-Shift Focus system for instant AF/MF switching
After the subject is captured in focus by the camera’s AF system, the unique Quick-Shift Focus system allows the photographer to instantly switch to manualfocus operation for final pin-point focus adjustment.

5. Other features
1. Durable, dependable metallic lens mount
2. Lens hood with a PL (polarising filter) window included as a standard accessory

Overview of the smc PENTAX-DA18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL WR lens
This standard zoom lens covers focal lengths from 27.5mm wide angle to 84.5mm moderate telephoto (in the 35mm format). Incorporating a high-performance aspherical (AL) optical element and a super-low-dispersion glass optical element in its optics, it ensures outstanding image resolution and remarkable brightness, even at the edges, while effectively compensating various aberrations.

Overview of the smc PENTAX-DA50-200mm F4-5.6ED WR lens
This telephoto zoom lens covers focal lengths from 76.5mm moderate telephoto to 307mm super telephoto (in the 35mm format). Incorporating an extra-low dispersion (ED) glass optical element in its optics, it assures excellent description of the subject in various telephoto applications, including portraiture, sports/action and landscape, while effectively compensating chromatic aberration over the entire zoom range.

smc PENTAX-DA18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL WR Main Specifications

Lens mount PENTAX KAF mount
Lens Construction 11 elements in 8 groups
Angle of View 76 - 29°
Minimum Focusing Distance 0.25m (0.82 ft.)
Maximum Magnification 0.34x
Filter size 52mm
Dimensions       68.5mm x 67.5mm
Weight 230g / 8.1 oz
Lens Hood PH-RBC52mm

smc PENTAX-DA50-200mmF4-5.6ED WR

Lens mount PENTAX KAF mount
Lens Construction 11 elements in 10 groups
Angle of View 31.5 - 8.1°
Minimum Focusing Distance 1.1m (3.6 ft.)
Maximum Magnification 0.24x
Filter size 49mm
Dimensions       69mm x 79.5mm
Weight 285g / 10.1 oz
Lens Hood PH-RBD49mm

Image Gallery

Click on a thumbnail to see the full version.

Your Comments