Lenses culled

Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere. It looks as though Pentax have culled a huge number of lenses, including some high end, well regarded ones, probably clearing the decks for digital only offerings.

http://theonlinephotographer.blogspot.com/2006/02/pentax-holds-product-massacre-...

Just like Nikon did recently. It's a sign of the times, but there are new lenses on the way, and the future of Pentax looks pretty exciting...

I wonder how many 15mm f3.5 lenses actually got sold in recent years, or how many of any of the more exotic offerings.

I agree. The future is digital.

I agree the future is digital, but with what sensor size?

We can all hope for a full size sensor - as ever, it's a question of public demand and economics

But with the introduction of a full-size sensors the APS-C lenses become obsolete...

It's a no win situation. APS lenses obsolete, old film lenses now work like they should!

The moral of the story therefore is....hang on to your old film lenses for the day when full frame 35 mm sensors arrive! (or raid ebay now and hoard them)

The answer will surely be that with the advent of lenses of 10mm or less focal length we won't need a full size sensor.

I think with all the Digital lenses that are being produced, the die is already cast.

I'm not as convinced yet as it's not just the ultra-wides that are affected. If you look at the Canon lens range then their standard prime lens was the 50mm F1.8 which can be had for about £70 or so in the uk new. To get a similar type of lens for digital then they have a 35mm F2 but it's over £200.

Also in the Canon range the old standard wide angle prime would be the 28mm F2.8 which is about £130 new. With digital you're looking for 18mm or so to get the same coverage - the closest prime is the 20mm F2.8 but it's well over £300.

As (or if!) digital only versions of those lenses become available they might be cheaper than currently but perhaps it's just as likely that full-frame sensors will come down in price to the level that makes them affordable in entry level cameras. With longer lenses you've got the option of cropping to emulate longer focal lengths (especially with sensors with a higher pixel count) but that isn't of any use if wider is what you want!