Announcements: K-r and inexpensive DA35/2.4

[miserere_mei]

<p>The K-r might improve upon the K-x's great performance at high ISO. Check out <a href="http://dslrmagazine.com/images/stories/Pruebas/Kr-De-up/Pentax-Kr-Iso_AAA.jpg">these 100% crops</a> at all ISOs. I'm assuming they're out-of-camera JPEGs, which makes them even more remarkable.</p>

<p>"FORZADO" means "forced".</p>

[miserere_mei]

<p>It's not like the DA L 35 is a pancake lens; it's not that small.</p>

<p>To answer a question above, yes, it will be bundled with the new K-r as a kit option in matching colours. <a href="http://i55.tinypic.com/9jjalu.jpg">See here.</a></p>

[r.t. dowling]

<p>It used to be that I was continually torn between Pentax and Nikon. Now I find myself torn between Nikon and Sony. Never thought I'd find myself in that position. :-\</p>

<p>The new K-<em>r</em> looks great, and seems like it will be a worthy replacement for the excellent K-<em>x</em>. But the situation with Pentax lenses remains weird, for lack of a better term.</p>

<p>Given Pentax's affinity for unusual focal lengths, and considering the gaping hole in their lineup between 21mm and 31mm, one wonders why they haven't come out with anything in the 25mm-26mm range. 26/2.6 DA WR, anyone?</p>

[c_wyatt]

<p>My personal favourite lens would be something like a 24mm f/1.8 DA, * or WR. Perfect for the sealed bodies.</p>

<p>I realise camera companies can't always make your favourite lens, but I would<em> imagine </em>a moderate wide or standard, sealed fast lens at a moderate price would prove popular.</p>

[sumo_kun]

<p>Am I missing something here? The FA 35/2.0 is still available new... Where did this talk of it being discontinued come from? Or is it only discontinued in the US?<br>

I think the K-r looks awesome. Its got a much more serious look to it now its modeled after the K-7. I never liked the smooth plasticky K-x look. The K-r looks like it means business :)<br>

But I am disappointed that it isn't that much of an improvement over the K-x on paper. A small improvement but I wanted 1080p video... maybe thats too much to ask from something so cheap.</p>

[jacques c pelletier]

<p>Is it me or is this becoming yet another Pentax-complaining-board thread?<br>

I mean, sure the new lens does not appeal to too many people, perhaps even no-one, but don't you think that the K-r will be a hit? And how about the rumours (yeah ... rumours only) the supposedly upcoming K5?<br>

Anyway, time will tell once real test come out, from real users who, undoubtedly, will buy the K-r and the K5, when it's here.<br>

For me, what really matters is a better AF system and noise handling capabilities.<br>

Cheers for now.</p>

<p>JP</p>

[john_shriver]

<p>Pentax-FA 35/2.0 is very discontinued indeed, and the used prices are well above the new prices of 18 months ago. This was once a $299 lens, you can't get one for that little anymore. There are new old stock ones out there, but at about $500.<br>

The 50/1.4 is the last non-Limited Pentax-FA lens still in production.</p>

[miserere_mei]

<blockquote>

<p>Is it me or is this becoming yet another Pentax-complaining-board thread?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>It's you and it isn't you. We're complaining (some of us, anyway) about the new 35mm lens. Hardly anyone is complaining about the K-r; I might even consider buying one if the K-5 does come out at $1,600 like we've been hearing.</p>

<p>We don't hate Pentax, and that's the problem. We love Pentax so much that when we see them do stupid things it makes us angry. Pentax introduced their first DSLR in 2003, with an APS-C sensor. Their very first lens released after that point should have been a DA Ltd 28mm f/1.9, the APS-C equivalent of the FA Ltd 43mm f/1.9. They've released over a dozen lenses in the 7 years since, and throughout all that time Pentaxians everywhere were requesting, with ever-increasing patience, a normal fastish prime for APS-C, and to make it affordable if possible. And what did we get after 7 years of waiting? A plastic lens that's 7mm too long and almost a stop too slow.</p>

<p>Of course we're going to complain, Jacques.</p>

[sumo_kun]

<p>The FA 35/2 is still available and still being produced by Pentax as far as I know. Its listed n their site and I have at least 2 sources where I can get it new. Maybe its just Japan, but it is still alive. As for other FA lenses, there are a couple of other zooms too still being produced. The price may have gone up a bit but it is still available.<br>

Back to the topic, I just noticed that the 35/2.4 comes in like 12 colours! That's sweet and its cheap as well. I think it would make a great compact combo with the K-r or the K-x.</p>

[audun_sjoeseth1]

<p><a name="00XFkH"></a>"<a href="../photodb/user?user_id=4265112">C Wyatt</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"></a>, Sep 09, 2010; 06:09 p.m.</p>

<p>My personal favourite lens would be something like a 24mm f/1.8 DA, * or WR. Perfect for the sealed bodies.<br />I realise camera companies can't always make your favourite lens, but I would<em> imagine </em>a moderate wide or standard, sealed fast lens at a moderate price would prove popular."<br>

<br />Pentax: Please make an exellent DA 24mm f/1.8 (or 2) WR (Limited) with Quick Shift and Close Focus to 0.2m. Built in hood with same style as the hood in DA 35/2.8 Limited. Then I'll promise to buy an extra Pentax camera for it.</p>

[bob_stevenson]

<p>I think a large part fo the problem being discussed here is that we are all either lifelong photographers or have a high interest in pentax equipement. Pentax by comparison, now sees itself as a maker/seller of consumer goods and has no interest in what 'photographers' want,..and, for all we know, they are correct in this strategy.</p>

<p>When the first pentax DSLR appeared about 10 years back there were already signs that pentax were looking towards a different market and yo may all remember the furore of the 'Ist*' name and cheap plastic colour etc.</p>

<p>The truth does seem to be that pentax sees itself as an adult subsidery to 'Toys-R-Us' so 'WE' as photographers are not going to ever see the items that we really want such as a large aperture moderate wide like a 24mm f1.4 Sadly it seems that pentax never takes into account the views and wishes of serious photographers and, from what I can see, has no dialogue with them. This is probably the reason why there may never be a full-frame camera because it wold simply be a serious image system and as such, out of market area for pentax.</p>

<p>People here may be right to hail 'K-r', but the reality is that there are only 'drip-feed' improvements over previous models,...just enough to catch the eye of consumers. And, we can be sure that whatever replaces K-r will in turn have small, mainly visual, 'improvments' over K-r.</p>

[ricardovaste]

<p>The 35/2.4 sounds like a great buy, I imagine it'll be a very good performer too with it being such a simple design. I guess when people are buying a camera they might wonder why it's not a 1.8 like Nikon/Canon/Sony? But then I suppose if they had two 35/1.8 lenses, one extremely expensive, one extremely cheap, I guess it could potentially effect sales on the more expensive item. What are your thoughts? Was it 2.4 simply for the sake of differentiating? I can't see it making that much different on price/size.</p>

[audun_sjoeseth1]

<p>I see no problems with the new DA35/2.4 (I'd like to try one), but I really want a DA 24mm f/1.8 (or 2) WR (Limited) with Quick Shift and Close Focus to 0.2m. A lens like that will not effect sales of other Pentax lenses (perhaps it would effect sales of the DA21/3.2 Limited).</p>

[ricardovaste]

<p>Audun, have you tried the Sigma 24/1.8? Not trying to say it's a Pentax, it's nothing like a Limited lens, but I tested one and really liked it - close focus, nice build, bokeh, detail/"sharpness", quite large (for a short prime), but nowhere near unmanagable.</p>

[mountainvisions]

<p>The K-r sounds like a nice entry level camera. Not much to say about it. It definite erodes some of the K-7s strong points for people not wanting amazing ISO 100-400 and perhaps wanting the Sony 12MP CMOS. </p>

<p>As far as the 35mm f/2.4, it's a kit lens, and thats great. Pentax has been staying afloat being competitive in the entry level market where it can afford to put some of it's best tech without stealing from the flagship. Having 2 levels of camera is a huge bonus. I don't have a problem with a "fastish" normal prime being bundled. Truthfully, if I was to get a K-r as a backup camera I would probably buy the 35mm 2.4 as a bundled lens with that camera. Whereas even the WR kit lens didn't convince me to buy it with the K-7.</p>

<p>However, I have 3 issues which perhaps will be announced with the new flagship.</p>

<p>1) why a 35mm lens? Do we not have a million options in Pentax right between 31 and 43mm?</p>

<p>2) If a 35mm lens, why not the 35mm f/2. It's not like it was a big lens. Put the internals into an FA Limited WR body and let it fly off the shelves. If you priced it at $450, people would buy it! Why? It's faster than the DA 35mm Macro, it's tack sharp wide open, and it cost a lot less than the 31mm Limited. Yeah, I know Mis and some people don't like the 52mm FOV on a 1.5X sensor, but it worked just fine for me. My only issue with the 35mm f/2 FA was the build of the lens casings which just weren't quite as robust as I like. Plus the feel of the manual focus rings were also a bit disappointing. </p>

<p>3) Why has no DA 30mm lens ever been announced? It was briefly on the road map as a DA Limited but gone at the next roadmap. 35mm is great and all, but 30mm gives you a more normal FOV on a APS-C camera. While 52mm worked for me, 28 or 30mm would be ideal. To this date we still have no 30mm fast prime from a company that openly admitted it had virtually no plans to ever make a full frame camera in the near future. If you are that committed to APS-C you need to produce 1 freakin fast normal prime that the average enthusiast can enjoy.</p>

[audun_sjoeseth1]

<p>"Sigma 24/1.8?"</p>

<table>

<tbody>

<tr>

<td>Weight:</td>

<td>485g</td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>

<p>Diameter x Length: 83 x 80 mm/3.3 x 3.1 in<br />Way too bulky and heavy for my taste.</p>

[ricardovaste]

<p>Just a suggestion - you seem to want a lot of width and speed in a tiny package is all, so I thought I'd suggest something realistic (ie something that exists) :)</p>

[audun_sjoeseth1]

<p>I could live with a DA 24mm/2.4 WR with 0.2m and a hood like DA 35/2.8 Limited.</p>

[miserere_mei]

<blockquote>

<p>Justin wrote: If you are that committed to APS-C you need to produce 1 freakin fast normal prime that the average enthusiast can enjoy.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>My point exactly!</p>

<p>And the 30mm lens that was on the lens roadmap until the Hoya buyout was labelled DA*, not Ltd, so it would've been weather-sealed and, we assume, fast. I suppose Pentax just wanted people to spend their money at Sigma's store buying their successful 30mm f/1.4, so they never released it.</p>

[stemked]

<p>Personally if the lens gets a lot of buyers and keeps a bunch of engineers employed who put their extra curricular activities into a 400mm + autofocus lens I'll be a happy camper. I'd really like an autofocus lens in that range, not that I'm terribly disappointed in a manual 400mm f5.6 from Sigma and a 40 year old 500mm f4.5 Takumar.</p>

[r.t. dowling]

<blockquote>

<p><em><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=841385">Bob Stevenson</a> , Sep 10, 2010; 04:18 a.m.</em><br>

<em>The truth does seem to be that pentax sees itself as an adult subsidery to 'Toys-R-Us' ... Sadly it seems that pentax never takes into account the views and wishes of serious photographers ... </em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>I hear what you're saying, but I don't think that's entirely true. Example: Pentax 645D. Definitely not a Toys-R-Us camera. I think that's evidence that Pentax has at least <em>some</em> interest in pros and hardcore enthusiasts. (The DA* and Limited lenses would also be evidence of that.)</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p><em><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=759912">Justin Serpico</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Moderator" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/mod.gif" alt="" /><img title="Subscriber" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub8.gif" alt="" /><img title="Frequent poster" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/3rolls.gif" alt="" /></a>, Sep 10, 2010; 07:28 a.m.</em><br>

<em>1) why a 35mm lens? Do we not have a million options in Pentax right between 31 and 43mm?</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>The 31/1.8 costs $1K. Not an option for the target audience. The 35/2.8 is a bit closer at "only" $550, but again, that's too rich for most of the people who would buy a K-r or K-x (e.g., those who can't afford a K-7 or whatever the K-7 replacement will be). The 40 is <em>almost</em> in the right price range, but on APS-C it's too long to be a "normal." Same goes for the 43, and at $600 it, again, is priced too high for the target audience.</p>

<p>On the other hand, the gaping lack of options between 21 and 31 makes me wonder why Pentax didn't come out with something in that range. However, I'm glad they didn't release yet another Limited or DA*, because that wouldn't have made any sense either. (see below)</p>

<p> </p>

<blockquote>

<p><em><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=2072536">Richard Harris</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Frequent poster" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/1roll.gif" alt="" /></a>, Sep 10, 2010; 05:13 a.m.</em><br>

<em>I guess when people are buying a camera they might wonder why it's not a 1.8 like Nikon/Canon/Sony? But then I suppose if they had two 35/1.8 lenses, one extremely expensive, one extremely cheap, I guess it could potentially effect sales on the more expensive item.</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Perhaps, but if the other guys can do it, why can't Pentax? I just find it very confusing that Pentax comes out with these excellent, full-featured, affordable bodies, but doesn't have any lenses to match (kit lenses excepted). How many people are going to buy a $600 body and then put a $1000 31/1.8 on it? (OK, a few members of this forum would, but that's beside the point.)</p>

<p>Look at it from the point of view of photography students and serious amateurs -- people who understand the unique advantages that a fast normal prime offers (or perhaps their photography teacher told them to get that instead of a zoom). They walk into a camera store looking to buy into a system, and they see that they can get a 35/1.8 from Nikon or Sony for under $200. Today, they'd see nothing in even remotely the same price range available from Pentax. Or, in the future, they'd see that they can get a Pentax 35/2.4 -- but it's slower and still costs more than the competition. Most people don't want to pay more to get less. (For that matter, why doesn't the new K-r have a tilt/swivel LCD? Most of the other low-priced DSLRs have that nowadays. It's not a feature <em><strong>I</strong></em> desperately need... but once again, when people are comparison shopping, they're going to be like "Ooooh the screens on the Nikons and Sonys tilt and swivel! Cool!")</p>

<p>Honestly I'm not knocking Pentax for coming out with this lens. It's a step in the right direction. It's just frustrating for those of us who remember a time in the not-so-distant past when Pentax had something for everyone, and there was no question that Pentax offered both value <em>and</em> quality. Now it seems like Pentax is sort of fumbling in the dark trying to cater to the low end and the high end, and not really doing that great a job of pleasing either one. We all know they're capable of doing it, and that's why it bums us out when they do things that make us go "Huh?".</p>

[tim_malone]

<p>I do think that this lens will keep some people from jumping ship. I know that it has convinced me to wait on picking a new camera. I was recently getting very frustrated with focusing my manual focus lenses on my pentax DSLR and went looking for an autofocus lens in the normal range. I wanted something fast since my camera is a bit older and doesn't have the nice high-iso capabilities of the newer bodies. Really, the only thing from pentax that would meet my needs was the 31 limited. The Sigma 30mm seemed like an option, but I heard a lot of bad things about its ability to achieve focus. Anyway, after recovering from the shock of the 31's price, I determined that it would actually be more economical to buy a Nikon D90 and a 35/1.8. What I am saying here is that Pentax had created such a limited line of lenses, that it was actually cheaper to buy a new camera from a different manufacturer to get access to the kind of glass I wanted. I know that the Nikon lens can't compare to the 31 limited, but at this point, I don't care that much.<br>

If they do offer this new lens as a kit with the k-r for a reasonable price, I will probably stick with Pentax. I absolutely love my 50/1.4, when I can get it to focus properly, and would not want to part with it.<br>

One other thing that I noticed regarding the odd aperture of the new lens. Its focal length is exactly half that of the 70mm limited, which also has a maximum aperture of 2.4. The two probably aren't related, but I just thought I'd point that out.</p>

[shots worth sharing]

<p>Agree totally about the tilt/swivel LCD, R.T. I had that on my old Oly back in caveman times and you'd be surprised how useful it can be.<br /> <br /> As to the matter at hand, I was and remain in favor of Pentax's efforts to position itself with attractive options at the entry-level: they've done that well with the K-x. The trick now is to create an attractive upgrade path and if the K-5 is going to have a street price of +/- $1,400 the path is going to be steeper than it's been in the recent past and take longer to climb. What's needed, I think, are lenses in the $400 range which will be credibly appropriate in the context of a k-r > k-5 upgrade and I don't think this new 35mm qualifies.</p>

[r.t. dowling]

<p>http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606792-USA/Nikon_2183_AF_S_Nikkor_35mm_f_1_8G.html</p>

<p>Comes with a hood, and even better, a 5-year warranty. This is exactly what myself and many other Pentaxians have been asking for.</p>

<p>http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/731697-REG/Sony_SAL35F18_DT_35mm_f_1_8_SAM.html</p>

<p>No 5-year warranty on that one, but other than that it compares very favorably:</p>

[ivo_miesen]

<p>No intentions of jumping ship here. In fact, I just bought a new body. I doubted between the K7D and the K20D and finally settled for the K20D. Especially because the controls of the K20D are much better placed and faster as the ones on the K7D. When I look at the pictures of the K-r, I see a missed chance. I'd have liked to see the internal specs of the K-r combined with the body of the K20D, especially the lay out and functioning of the controls. Much faster to change settings on the K20D as on the K7D.<br>

The 2.4/35 looks interesting, the price will be decisive if I'll buy it. A 2.0-2.8-ish 28mm would be my first choice though, my old Fa 2.8/28 is slowly showing the marks of my style of using it. (Tossing it in a bicycle barbag during all sorts of weather.)</p>