New generation lenses

PENTAX Markets a Compact 18mm~35mm 
Zoom Lens for Its 35mm-Format Autofocus SLR Cameras

PENTAX Corporation is proud to announce the marketing in September of the smc PENTAX-FA J Zoom 18mm~35mm F4~F5.6 AL for use with PENTAX 35mm-format autofocus SLR cameras. Featuring an ultra-wide 100-degree angle of view at the 18mm focal length, this compact interchangeable zoom lens produces high-quality images with minimal aberration, thanks to the incorporation of an aspherical lens element.

Featuring a simple, functional design without an aperture ring, this compact, high-performance zoom lens measures only 72 millimeters (2.8 inches) in diameter and 68.5 millimeters (2.7 inches) in length and weighs a mere 190 grams (6.7 ounces). It also features an angle-of-view coverage between 63 and 100 degrees and a minimum focusing distance of 0.28 meters (0.92 feet) for a maximum magnification of 0.18 times. It comes equipped with a lens hood to cut off excessive light and minimize flare and ghost images.

When mounted on the new PENTAX *ist D digital SLR camera, this zoom lens offers focal lengths equivalent to 27.5mm~53.5mm in the 35mm format to cover wide-angle to standard ranges.

PENTAX Develops the New DA Series 
of Interchangeable Lenses for Its Digital SLR Cameras

PENTAX Corporation is proud to announce that it is currently in the final stage of development of the compact, high-performance smc PENTAX-DA series of interchangeable lenses, exclusively designed for use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras.

The image circle in the DA-series lenses is designed to perfectly match the size of the CCD (23.5mm x 15.7mm) incorporated in PENTAX’s digital SLRs, optimizing the performance of these cameras. The new design also contributes to a drastic reduction in size, weight and production cost, compared to 35mm-format counterparts with similar specifications.

As the first model of the new DA series, PENTAX plans to market the smc PENTAX-DA Zoom 16mm~45mm F4 ED AL (tentative name, equivalent to 24.5mm~69mm in the 35mm format; marketing date to be announced), which features a three-times zoom ratio with focal lengths covering ultra-wide to moderate-telephoto ranges when mounted on the new PENTAX *ist D digital SLR camera. It also incorporates an Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass lens element and two aspherical lens elements for true-to-life image reproduction and size reduction.

Its simple, functional design, coupled with the elimination of an aperture ring, considerably improves the camera’s operability.