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Please help with Pentax lenses acronyms …

dirk1000
Posted 22/01/2008 - 20:37 Link
Gentlemen and Gentlewomen,

Bought my first Pentax lens (a 10-17 mm fish-eye). The lens arrived this morning from Buenos Aires after a weeklong negotiation with the only Pentax store of Argentina. The final price I paid for the lens was U$D 918! Argentina is definitely not a Pentax country.

Wondering elucidates some acronyms used by Pentax in his documentation nomenclature, I’ am looking for a little help with the meaning of this:

D; DA; DA*; FA; ED; AL; (IF); FA-J; D-FA; SDM; smc and Limited.

Thanks in advance for any help.


Best regards.
________________
Dirk TROTTEYN.
K10D+ Sigma 18-50 1:2.8 DC Lens.
rwg
Posted 22/01/2008 - 21:53 Link
I can have a go at most of them...

Limited : top professional quality lenses, metal construction. top prices
smc : 'super multi coated' the pentax anti-reflection coating
sdm : 'supersonic' motor in the lens for focusing - quieter and faster than screw drive autofocus.
D-FA : D is digital lenses, reduced image circle, not suitable for 35mm film - not sure how this is different from D or DA.
FA-J : as FA but no manual aperture ring I think (aperture only set from body)
IF : internal focus - the lens does not change length with focusing.
AL : ? lens contains one or more aspheric elements
ED : ? extra-low dispersion glass (reduces chromatic aberration)
FA : Autofocus lens with aperture ring suitable for 35mm (how does this differ from plain F? Is it to do with transmitting focal distance to the body?)
DA* : top (professional?) quality lens (again D for digital image circle)
D/DA : normal quality digital lenses (not sure what the difference is).

I'm sure someone else will be along in a mo to correct my errors and omissions...

Robin
Kit: K10D, MZ10, FA 50/1.4, DA18-55, FA80-320, FA 28-80, A50/1.7, A70-210/4, SEF-54PZF
johnriley
Posted 22/01/2008 - 22:04 Link
D-FA is a digitally designed lens with an image circle suitable for 35mm film. Tha macro lenses fit this category.

DA lenses are digital designs with an image circel suitable for APS-C sensors.

Digital design implies improves coatings for the rear element to reduce reflections from the shiny sensor and telecentric design where the exiting light rays are as parallel as possible.
Best regards, John
dirk1000
Posted 22/01/2008 - 22:30 Link
Thanks Robin, thanks John, very clear explanation.


Best regards.
________________
Dirk TROTTEYN.
K10D+ Sigma 18-50 1:2.8 DC; DA 10-17 fish-eye.
Image counter: 4589
dirk1000
Posted 27/01/2008 - 01:45 Link
Comment Image


This is the weather in Tucumán from Tuesday until today (Tuesday arrived my new DA Pentax 10-17 fish-eye lens…). The weather forecast: Storms and heavy rains until next Wednesday…

I want proof my new lens…Grrr…


Best regards.
________________
Dirk TROTTEYN.
K10D+ Sigma 18-50 1:2.8 DC; DA 10-17 fish-eye.
Image counter: 4710.-
nathanever82
Posted 28/01/2008 - 00:05 Link
Hi Dirk
I just bought a 10-17 as well and I am about to go and get it in ny...
Can you please tell me what angle is the picture you posted Could you also give me some picture info, it doesn't seem wide open, but i wouldn't know.
Thank you,
Cheers,
'Between the lights there is always a shadow'

www.nathanservi.com & PPG
dirk1000
Posted 28/01/2008 - 00:49 Link
Hi Nathan,

Sorry but this picture was not taken with the DA 10-17 lens. Used my Sigma 18-50 1:2.8 in 50mm focal length; 1/60 sec; f/ 5.6; and ISO 100.

The new weather forecast announces bad conditions for the next four days (more storms and heavy rains)… Grrr.

I will be very pleased in share with you all the info of the DA 10-17mm I get after testing it in a reasonable good light day.


Best regards.
________________
Dirk TROTTEYN.
K10D+ Sigma 18-50 1:2.8 DC; DA 10-17 fish-eye.
Image counter: 4717.-

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