Two new lenses, and not only are they not zooms, but they're macro lenses! More than I'd hoped for!
This looks like great news. Two little lenses that are really good indicators to me of pentax's ability to recognise their mistakes and do some good design (-:
My favourite features are the QSF system* and the large focusing ring.
It struck me that they look a bit like the 645 FA lenses too.
Now where's the D-FA 200mm macro that's half the cost of the FA*, looks cooler and has QSF? (-:
They appear to also have the same elements/groups as the FA 50 and 100 macros.
Better start saving... Hope they're not tooo much. Who's gunna volunteer to get them both and run a review ASAP?
* Looks like the feature that Pal mentioned in a 'rumour' thread as being not entirely compatible with older bodies.
David
Bruce Dayton wrote:
Just saw this on DPreview: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0408/04080801pentax_lenses.asp
Seems that they are taking the design of the DA 16-45 to some degree. The slick focus mechanism which allows focusing manually or auto without flipping a switch or pulling on the focus ring (FA* style) along with much lighter weight.
There used to be a few reasons why I preferred my Tamron 90/2.8 macro over the FA 100/2.8 - weight, size of focus ring, smoothness of manual focus. Seems that Pentax has made it so there is no reason to go for the Tamron anymore.
On top of that, these new lenses are full image circle and have aperture rings! This should be big news to all who are retaining older camera bodies or hoping for a full frame DSLR at some point.
