From: Bojidar Dimitrov <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 07:58:27 +0100
The idea seems similar to Pentax's idea to make the *ist the world's smalest and lightest SLR, so they left the aperture mechanics out.
I believe that the main reason for Pentax to introduce the FA J lenses, and to leave out the aperture mechanics - is price. Not size and weight. Why buy a Pentax 28-80 with aperture ring when you can get a Nikon 28-100 without aperture ring for less? Nikon faced the same dilemma when they saw the cheap Canon and Minolta zooms.
I like the idea of the FAJ's. Good starter lenses for first time buyers. Pentax can now concentrate more on optical performance in the entry level segment. (the FAJ 28-80 AL is the first entry zoom from Pentax with an aspherical lens element. Previously, AL was for the more expensive lenses. Even the FAJ 75-300 has an AL lens. This is something I don't understand, AL in a telezoom?).
What Pentax needs now is to make nice mid market lenses. I believe they will concentrate more on this in the near future, because there's a gap between the entry level and the pro-line. We need a good mid-market telezoom. Pentax has nothing between the FA 80-320 and the FA* 80-200 f/2.8. I'm sure that this gap will be filled soon. It will come with the release of the more upmarket *ist models. In the meantime, Sigma 100-300 f/4 EX is a good solution.
Best wishes, Roland
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