Pentax continues to commit to its K-mount lens lineup with the announcement of the new 50mm f/1.4.
Breaking down the official name of the Pentax HD FA 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW, this full-frame lens features HD coatings to reduce ghosting and flare, an SDM ultrasonic autofocus motor, and is weather resistant. Additionally, the new 50mm utilizes Aero Bright II coatings in tandem with the HD coatings, and there’s an SP coating on the front lens element to help repel dust and water.
Inside, the 50mm f/1.4 is constructed of 15 elements in 9 groups, with 1 aspherical element. There are nine rounded aperture blades, and the f-stop range for this lens is f/1.4 to f/16. Minimum focusing distance is 1.3 feet. The front threading takes 72mm filters. It is weather sealed for protection against the elements. In all, the lens weighs 2.1 pounds with the lens hood on.
With the release of the 50mm f/1.4 lens, Pentax’s roadmap for the future of K-mount full-frame lenses indicate that we may next be seeing a 70-200mm f/4 coming in spring of 2019. Other lenses currently in development include an 85mm f/1.4, a zoomable fisheye, two wide-angles, and a telephoto zoom.
Pentax full-frame K-mount lens roadmap.
The Pentax HD FA 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW lens is priced at $1,196.95 with preorders being taken now. Lenses will begin shipping on July 20.
Holy hell, $1200?? Glad I don't shoot Pentax. It's kind of sad to say that too, because their cameras are the most feature rich out there for the price, but the limited lens options have always been a turn off.
you have 3 other choice for the 50mm ! The cheap DA50/1.8 for 100$, the older FA 50/1.4 for 300$, the DA*55/1.4 for 500 $ (?) or this massive beast for 1k. As it gets expensive, they are better and better. The DFA* is made to face the Sigma and other Otus lenses.
...I'm curious tho, looking at their listings over at B&H, it says "Essentially equivalent to an (x) lens upon 35mm SLR cameras", so does that mean these are crop frame-designed lenses?
the DA and DA* are advertised as being APS-C the FA is FF from film era. Both DA were created before the K1 was announced. Truth is the DA* is FF in reality and according to patent. I use it everyday on the K1. The DA works too.
I always think the limited lens options is a bit of a lame comment, after all do we just want to collect lenses. Pentax have plenty of lens options to cover all needs and at all price points, also have the usual Sigma, Tamron etc options. Cant really think of a lens that you cannot cover in some way.
The DA* is for top end lenses by Pentax, like the L series from Canon. Of which the Canon 50mm L lens is normally $1449. Nikon doesn't even offer a 50mm in their top end ED glass. The Sigma art 50mm is $949. So the price seems to be what one should expect.