They must be sure of its performance!
I'm sure that them that buy it will be delighted with it.
I look forward to reading peoples experiences with the lens and importantly, some images created with it.

I agree with the previous comments. Nice one!

I feel it is the way the market is going as the pace of digital innovation slows more attention has moved to creating lenses of previously unknown optical quality. When the DA*11-18mm was released at what was it £1400 or £1500 I thought "That's me out". I've already got the Sigma 10-20mm which is a very good lens. However a special price was offered bringing the lens back to a three figure sum and I jumped on it. Not disappointed in the least, hopefully I've got years of photographic enjoyment to look forward to with it.
Perhaps most of us will need to get used to buying better quality less often AND I will mention there are plenty of very excellent lenses available that cover 85mm.
Personally I see it as a good thing to have top of the range aspirational lenses and perhaps bodies in the range, as well as the very good less expensive offerings we have.
Looking forward to seeing reviews and opinions on the new DA* 16-50mm, if it's as good as the 11-18mm it will be a fantastic option at the top of the range.

No.1 Master of light
No.2 Swept into the landscape, love the curve of the water movement really draws and directs ones view.
My thoughts are, I'll come back later when I have more time and am more relaxed

Don't forget the Pentax 100mm Macro. People say good things about it and I think it is cheaper than the Irix especially if you time your purchase

I'll add Samyang to John's list, as they also make some good lenses in K mount but, it is true to say there are not many Sigma or Tamron lenses made in K mount any more.

Fascinating insight into these little creatures. Great image to finish on.

I agree with Mannesty, it would be great to have inbuilt focus stacking.
The bigger view finder view will be welcome, personally I can't see the problem with Pentax staying as a DSLR maker, I suspect the main part of the market will go mirrorless, that doesn't mean there won't be room in the market for the DSLR for some time yet. It will probably stabilise at a comparatively small percentage of the total market.

You're a tough cookie to please colinB. Just spend your hard earned on the new lenses and stick them on your K5II. I stumped up for the new DA* 11-18mm, if the new DA* 16-50mm is built of the same stuff it will be a fantastic lens.
I enjoy the benefit of a twist and swivel screen on my K-S2, I don't use it often but every now and then it is invaluable. I still have my K5II but always pick up the K-S2 despite the better functionality of the K5II. If you want a new camera body what about the very well regarded K70? It will save you a small fortune on the cost of the K-new.
I will point out, I know it looks like the K-new has a fixed screen but, as yet there has been no official specification on what screen set up it will be, hopefully we'll find out for sure in the near future.

I hope this link takes you to the video. Some interesting developments.
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/event/2020/cp_ref/?fbclid=IwAR1xO2mfnldsn...

Spoiler alert. At last a replacement for the hit and miss DA* 16-50 HURRAH!