Pentax Digital

Sean Nelson posted a very interesting tutorial on dpreview on how to use manual lenses on the latest Pentax DSLR, the K100D Super.

See it here.

Thanks Sean!

You can see these ocasionally on ebay and other auction sites. They usually go for very high prices.

So what’s so special about that * (star) or “limited” designation then?

1. * (star) Lenses: These lenses are the top of the Pentax lens line-up. Their components were carefully selected, to make sure they are top quality. All of them have a very large maximum aperture for their focal length.
   The following star lenses exist, sorted by type:
   • M*: The only known * lens for the M-series is the M* 300/4
   • A*: These go for very high prices on ebay. There are only primes in this series aswell.
     A* 85/1.4 - A* 135/1.8 - A* 200/2.8 ED - A* 200/4 Macro ED - A* 300/2.8 ED [IF] - A* 300/4 - A* 400/2.8 ED [IF] - A* 1200/8 ED [IF]
   • F*:
     primes: F* 300/4.5 ED [IF] - F* 600/4 ED [IF]
     zooms: F* 250-600/5.6 ED [IF]
   • FA*: Most of the current star lenses are FA*. Included are some very high-end, extreme telephoto lenses.
     primes: FA* 24/2 AL [IF] - FA* 85/1.4 [IF] - FA* 200/2.8 ED [IF] - FA* 200/4 Macro ED [IF] - FA* 300/2.8 ED [IF] - FA* 300/4.5 ED [IF] - FA* 400/5.6 ED [IF] - FA* 600/4 ED [IF]
     zooms: FA* 28-70/2.8 AL - FA* 80-200/2.8 ED [IF] - FA* 250-600/5.6 ED [IF]
   • DA*: The latest, digital star series. These lenses feature a SDM supersonic autofocus motor, for fast and quiet AF.
     primes: DA* 200 mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM (tentative name) - DA* 300 mm F4 ED [IF] SDM (tentative name)
     zooms: DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL[IF] SDM - DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM - DA* 60-250 mm F4 ED [IF] SDM (tentative name)
2. Limited Lenses: The Limited series of Pentax lenses are a series of high-end primes, with a sleek and compact design. Their optical quality is excellent, and by some, they are considered among the best lenses in the world!
   • K Gold: The K 50/1.2 (Gold) is not really a lens labeled “Limited”, but I wanted to mention it anyway. It was issued with the special Pentax LX Gold Edition.
   • A special: The A 50/1.2 Special is not really a lens labeled “Limited”, but I wanted to mention it anyway. It was issued with the special Pentax LX Millennium Edition.
   • FA Limited: The FA Limited series were absolutely top of the bill. There are 3 types, still in production on this day. They exist in silver and black editions.
     FA 31/1.8 AL Limited - FA 43/1.9 Limited - FA 77/1.8 Limited
   • DA Limited: The latest, digital limited series. These are very popular, and according to user reports, also show extremely high quality.
     DA 21/3.2 AL Limited - DA 40/2.8 AL Limited - DA 70/2.4 Limited - DA 35/2.8 Macro Limited (tentative name)

If you have the funds to buy any of these lenses, they are all worth it, you can’t miss.

However, due to their high pricetag, most of these will stay a dream…

Tom

(sources: dimitrov’s page and pentaxslr.com)

P.S.: If you’re curious: currently the cheapest (new) of these lenses is the DA 40/2.8 AL Limited , with a list price of 399$, not deducting the rebate that’s currently running for US customers.

I’ve just finished typing the Pentax Lens Types page.

It offers a detailed look on all types of lenses you can use on your Pentax DSLR, which is actually every Pentax lens ever made, and more.

It’s meant to be an answer to the questions: “Can I use old lenses on my Pentax Digital SLR?”,  “Which lenses can I use on my DSLR?”,  “How will the lenses work?”

If you have questions or remarks, please leave them here as a comment, I would be glad to answer them

Tom