New 50mm?

I missed this in the flurry of activity when the PENTAX-DA 560mm f/5.6 was announced, maybe I didn't think there'd be 2 new lenses pencilled in this year.

It looks like a 'budget' 50mm. Why f1.8 I don't know, but is somebody at Pentax listening to what we want?

When the DA35 was released we asked if it was the start of a more affordable range, looks like this is number 2 in that hoped for addition.

When it arrives at an affordable price and proves that it will sell what will we see next?

Great news. Hopefully at a good price. An affordable 85mm f2 or 135mm f2.8 would be welcome, as well as a compact/ affordable 20mm or 24mm.

When thinking or debating what new lenses Pentax may bring out (and there is a road map now so for the next two years at least it's unlikely there will be much deviation from it) you also need to think about how the lenses suggested will compete with existing lenses (unless they are discontinued - much as the FA50/1.4 is being discontinued in this case).

An 85/2 would compete directly with the fabulous 77/1.8 Ltd, and a 20mm would compete with it's own, much loved, 21mm, so not much likelihood of either of those as Pentax won't want to start cannibalising their own sales.

For me the 24mm falls between two stools. Pentax have two great lenses in the 21mm and 31mm (to say nothing of the 12-24) so a 24mm would probably only derive sales from people that would otherwise buy the 21 or 31 or 12-24.

A 135 on 35mm equals a 200mm on APS-C and as Pentax have that (and a 50-135), unless they bring out a FF camera there are not many gaps in the armoury or likelihood of a 135mm (and the new lens roadmap seems to infer what gaps there are will be addressed).

The FA 50mm f1.4 is not being discontinued.

Really ? I read that it was. However it does make more sense to keep a high IQ fast 50 in the range as well as a cheap 50mm prime.

EDIT. I think it is being discontinued. It is not on the new lens roadmap so they are probably just selling off existing stock.

They interviewed some high up Pentax chap a few weeks ago and he said the f1.4 would continue to be sold. As you say, more sense to have both and it's not like the 1.4 is costing them anything any longer.

Just added an EDIT. above Mike.

EDIT. It is not on the new lens roadmap so they are probably just selling off existing stock or will stop production once the new 50 hits the streets.

I thought that as well when I didn't see it on the roadmap but he definitely said Pentax would continue to make the 1.4.

Maybe he was 'being clever' and meant just for the immediate future ?!

Pentax do have the 50/2.8 macro, 55/1.4 Ltd, FA43 Ltd and now this DA50/1.8 (in addition to the 7 zooms that currently cover this FL - with two more to come). I don't mind if they are going to divert that production line to something new and exciting .. like the 560/5.6

LINK

03:48

Well that's pretty definitive !

I've bookmarked that - off to bed now but I'll watch the whole clip tomorrow. Thanks.

With the appearance of the new DA50 looking very much like the DA35 I feel that this could be the 'cheap' version, probably costing £120-£130.

The fact that the f1.4 isn't on the road map means nothing, why discontinue a profitable lens?

What I feel Pentax are doing here is what Nikon have been doing for years, they're producing a set of lenses for the enthusiasts who haven't got big bank accounts.

After all, how many sales must they be loosing to the second hand market in old manual lenses, just because users can't afford a new, modern lens?

If a full frame DSLR is introduced it would need the FA 50mm f1.4 or equivalent. Given that he said it will continue would seem to imply that full frame has not been ruled out. It seems that the 50mm f1.8 would be more akin to the 35mm f2.4, like a DA-L lens.

Mind, the FA 50mm's are fetching a good price for a fairly basic lens so while it is profitable why would Pentax drop it from the range? That would make no sense at all.

John

Looks like they are finally segmenting there market with products for hobbyists and another line for pro use.

I said this was something oentax should do when they introduced the da35mm...

Hopefully a 24mm f/2.4 will be next...

For years Pentax sold f/1.2, f/1.4. f/1.7 and f/2 50mm lenses and so I can see no inherent reason to discontinue the 1.4. Even in M42 they had a 50/1.4, 55/1.8 and 55/2 lenses. Stranger things have happened, though.

K.