I believe this is typical forum misinformation. The link provided doesn't work, so cannot be validated.

If you look at their corporate website Products area link and click the link for Imaging Systems which includes lenses, the only company name mentioned is Pentax.

There is also no mention of Tokina or Kenko in their published list of their Global Network link

If you research all of Hoya's published financials or do any search through business publications or company registrations, there is no mention of Tokina or Kenko and Hoya involvement.

I'll stand by my statement until I see irrefutable proof that Tokina or Kenko are subsidiaries or Hoya. I've looked for over 3 years to validate these claims and have never found any official statement from Hoya, Tokina or Kenko confirming this belief.

There is certainly a close link between the companies, as Tokina distribute Hoya filters in Japan link. There is also a close visual similarity between Hoya and Kenko branded filters, even down to the packaging.

Tokina is NOT a Hoya company, they are a small independent company who have an agreement with Pentax for design and development co-operation, and it may well be that a DA*11-16 may eventually appear, but it's not certain. The only mention of Hoya by Tokina is that they use Hoya glass, as do many other lens makers.

The misunderstanding about Tokina and Hoya seems to stem from the name of the US distributor THK Inc (I assume it means Tokina Hoya Kenko) who also distribute Slik tripods and heads, so is it safe to assume that Hoya own Slik?! Chinese whispers have done the rest!

I definitely agree with you .

In fact at f4.0 it's equal (if not better) than either of the 70-200 f2.8 alternatives at f4.0, it's just much more expensive, especially at the new price (around £1150! link).

Pentax are going for that mega brick market, but with something that can actually make a HUGE difference to IQ, and that is the 645D which they have announced will definitely arrive next year.

Although most of us won't be able to afford one, neither can most of us afford a D3x or 1DS either!

Not only wouldn't it fit your bag, it probably would've burst your wallet as well!

Front filter size would be greater than 90mm as well! Not practical.

The maximum workable solution for f2.8 is 200mm (77mm filter), I wonder if that's why the Tamron and Sigma stop at 200mm?

Ah ha! - Delusional eh? Great! - That's my problem solved!

Okay, then it must be down to sheer greed!

It's called "Recessionary Marketing".

It happened recently in Canada. Pentax prices were increased 50% or more on many items, there was a rush to buy before they hit and obviously there was a period of stagnation afterwards. The prices then fell by around 25% afterwards and people started buying again. The result? A net increase in profits.

i.e. Sell 1000 units at -10% profit, result, a £10,000 loss.

Or sell 200 units at 15% profit, result, a £3000 profit. Okay, less unit sales means increased overheads per unit, so reduce overheads/manufacturing capability to suit demand.

The maths is fairly straightforward.

As Pentax seem to have under capacity (look how long it took the 60-250 to reach the market), plus they have the K-7 and the new WP kit lenses and a rumoured (but 99.9% expected) body between K-m and K-7 due in a few months to keep things rolling along. They are clearly aiming at profitability, not an increase in unit sales (not usually available during recessions!)

I also think it's fairly easy to see their strategy and planned market price positioning, i.e. slightly below Nikon and above Canon. Olympus don't seem to have much of a problem pricing their decent glass at high prices either. I don't think we shall see much reduction until Nikon reduce prices and that's going to happen? I think not, (They also have June price increases).

You also have to factor in the currency fluctuations as well.

Let's face it, we have to learn to live with the fact that this hobby (obsession :wink is going to be much more expensive in the future.

Due to non payment from a previous sale and no communication from the buyer (a forum member !!), I'm re-listing this "virtually new" lens for sale.

It's only two months old with all the original paperwork and box. The reason for the sale is I bought the DA*60-250 to replace it as it was smaller and had comparable performance at all apertures and came out just 3 weeks after I'd bought the Tamron .

But, unlike the DA*60-250, the Tamron doesn't shorten it's focal length at close focus, it stays constant, whereas the DA* shortens to about 150mm. Neither does it extend when zooming, both focus and zoom are internal and this helps greatly to prevent the sucking in of dust.

If the Tamron had been the same size/weight as the DA*, I would have probably kept it, but the size/weight was a crucial factor for me, it's not much in reality but it meant I needed to consider replacing all my bags, and probably my shoulder as well!

Priced to sell at £475 (or very near offer) + £10 Special Delivery (UK only)

Payment by bank transfer, or add £16.50 for payment by Paypal.

Here are pictures of the lens:







On the camera with a Tamron 1.4x TC (now sold)




Test shots and other images can be seen here: link

Not possible!

Re: The lens prices - Isn't CR Kennedy the Sigma importer as well :

Not that it should make much difference!