DPNow comment: We had been told that we'd have to wait for an official announcement on Pentax's new line-up of supersonic AF motor-equipped lenses lenses next week, during Photokina. But a sharp-eyed DPNow forum visitor brought the following news from the Pentax Japan website to our attention this morning. The lenses listed below, which work via two new contacts inside the lens mount of the Pentax K10D and later Pentax and compatible DSLRs, do not resemble the specifications of the proposed five new KA-mount lenses announced by Samsung, along with the new GX-10 DSLR, earlier today. There had been some uncertainty as to whether the lenses would be compatible with earlier KA-mount Pentax and Samsung DSLRs that do not feature the extra contacts, but the press release text implies that the old system of camera body-driven AF is accommodated in the new lebses. Whatever, things are certainly looking up for Pentax and Samsung KA-mount DSLR users. The same release also provides more information about the long-awaited pentax medium format DSLR.
Release Issued by Pentax:
PENTAX to Exhibit Upcoming Digital SLR Camera Products at Photokina 2006 in Germany
PENTAX Corporation is pleased to announce the exhibition of three interchangeable digital SLR camera lenses and a medium-format digital SLR camera, all currently under development, at Photokina 2006. This is one of the world's largest photo and imaging merchandise fairs, and will be held this year from September 26 to October 1 in Cologne, Germany.
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Three interchangeable lenses designed for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras
♦ [ Product type ] Wide-angle zoom lens
Model name ( tentative ) : smc PENTAX-DA* 16-50mm F2.8ED AL[IF]
Marketing schedule : To be marketed in March 2007
♦ [ Product type ] Telephoto zoom lens
Model name ( tentative ) : smc PENTAX-DA* 50-135mm F2.8ED [IF]
Marketing schedule : To be marketed in March 2007
♦ [ Product type ] Super-telephoto zoom lens
Model name ( tentative ) : smc PENTAX-DA* 60-250mm F4ED [IF]
Marketing schedule : To be marketed in 2007
Other product information :
These products are designed for exclusive use with PENTAX K- and *istD-series digital SLR cameras. They are being developed as the top-of-the-line star ( * ) lens to deliver exceptional performance and optimal image quality.
These products will feature the PENTAX KAF2 mount, which incorporates additional electrical contacts to drive a built-in supersonic motor used in autofocusing operation.
• [ Product type ] Lens-interchangeable medium-format SLR camera
Model name ( tentative ) : PENTAX 645 Digital
Product information & marketing schedule :
18 effective megapixels
PENTAX 645AF mount
Compatibility with existing smc PENTAX 645-series lenses
Marketing schedule to be announced later
Other information :
This product will be continuously upgraded by incorporating newly developed image sensors, with its final effective megapixels expected to reach a 30-megapixel level.
Notes : Model names, designs, specifications and market launch schedules of these products are all tentative and subject to change without notice.
Marketing prices of these products will be announced later.
REMARKS : This information is current as of the date of publication. Note that information displayed may have already been changed without prior notice.
