K-5 silver, new Optio and new medium format lens official

kshapero

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PENTAX ANNOUNCES LIMITED EDITION SILVER K5
Golden, Colorado (February 7, 2011)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced that the popular K-5 digital SLR will be available soon in Limited Edition Silver. Available in the US in limited quantities this special-edition model of the PENTAX K-5 digital SLR camera will feature an exclusive design with an original exterior color scheme and a uniquely shaped grip.
Along with the silver K-5, PENTAX announced three popular PENTAX DA Limited Edition Silver lens models designed for use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras also which will ship in the near future. Each limited edition lens will feature a high-quality, silver finish applied to the high precision machine shaped lens barrel, hood and cap.
The three prime lenses that will be available in silver include:
• smc PENTAX-DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited Silver
• smc PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited Silver
• smc PENTAX-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited Silver
The special edition, silver finish K-5 will match existing PENTAX FA-Limited series lenses and the new DA Limited Silver series lenses. The camera’s mode dial, control buttons and levers all feature the elegant silver color. To improve handling, this special-edition model comes with an exclusively designed grip that is thicker than the standard K-5 model. Shock-resistant, scratchproof reinforced glass has been used to protect the LCD monitor on the camera’s back panel and the status panel on the top panel.
First announced in September 2010, the K-5 DSLR offers a true high-end, weather-resistant prosumer design and features normally found only on the most costly of professional cameras including:
• High resolution 16.3 megapixel CMOS sensor.
• Fast 7 FPS to capture fast action shots.
• A high sensitivity 80-12800 ISO range, expandable to 51200, with improved noise performance overall.
• Widescreen 1080p HD video at 25 FPS with sound via built-in microphone or external 3.5mm stereo microphone jack.
The unique DA Limited series of prime lenses offers incredible sharpness and image quality, and are made specifically for PENTAX DSLR cameras. These lenses are ideal for even the most discerning photographer who demands top performance in an ultra-compact package. The high-grade aluminum construction of the DA Limited series provides the utmost durability and elegant design.
Whether paired or purchased separately, the Limited Edition Silver K-5 and the smc PENTAX DA Limited Silver lenses will offer owners a classic, high-end photography expererience. Priced at $1699.95 (body kit), the PENTAX K-5 Limited Edition Silver will be available in April 2011.
The PENTAX DA Limited Edition Silver lens pricing and availability are TBA.
PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of a variety of digital cameras including weather-resistant digital SLRs and stylish, compact, waterproof cameras, as well as lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, and eyepieces. For more than 90 years, PENTAX has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. With headquarters in Golden, Colorado. PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc.
 
I like it! That's one sharp looking DSLR.

The lenses are rather nifty too.

I guess Pentax is just making sure all their primes are future-proof. I.E. that if they ever decide to make an FF DSLR these lenses will revert to the standards we traditionalists like. But in the meantime, you're left with a rather odd set of lenses on the crop sensor.
 
YIKES! Good grief, Charlie Brown.

In addition, Penatax announced the addition of a second lens for the 645D Medium Format digital camera. As the second model of the 645D lens series, the smc Pentax D FA 645 25mm F4 AL SDM AW is designed as an ultra-wide-angle lens that features Pentax-original optics featuring dustproof, weather-resistant construction. It has an MSRP of $4999.95.

The company has also introduced the 12th generation of their adventure series digital cameras – the Optio WG-1 and WG-1 GPS. Featuring waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, coldproof, and crushproof capability, these new models feature 14 megapixel sensors and are waterproof to 33 feet.
 
Why aren't these lenses faster? :/

Pentax marches to the beat of their own drummer. That said, the image quality from these lenses is excellent. I am sure their answer to this question was that they prioritized image quality over speed.

Note too that these lenses are the current DA LTD series, nothing new other than the finish.
 
Why aren't these lenses faster? :/

I guess Pentax hasn't made Limited lenses to be fast, even back in film days. They are supposed to be good, not both good and fast (below f/2).

I think here on RFF are some Pentax zealots who would enlighten about Lims 🙂
 
Re: speed

I have heard this mentioned in other parts, but speed, given the high-iso capabilities of current cameras, is not as important anymore.

I don't shoot digital so I cannot comment on this but it does make sense.

Is 2.8/2.4 instead of 2 that big a deal when you have an image stabilized body and clean ISO up to 1600? Is it worth the size and price to get it to f2?
 
Considering that my dad made acceptable Kodachrome slides at ISO 10 with a 50/3.5 lens on his Konica, having an f/2.8 lens on a body delivering ASA 1600 is not a problem. It's all relative.
 
Still, think of it this way: Pentax 40mm f2.8 for $350 or Canon EF 50mm f1.8 for $100. I know which lens/sytem I would choose...

There really is no comparison between a Pentax LTD lens and a Canon consumer grade prime. I took a million very good shots with my Canon EF50/1.8, but honestly these two are apples and oranges. Though, I do think the EF 50 will work better on a Canon body than the LTD will if you want to use it for photography.😉

That was a Mk I lens too, I am an old school EOS user.
 
I've got the FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited and 31mm f/1.8 Limited, and they are terrific. I'll probably end up with the 43, too--I had it once before and sold it. The 31 is the best lens of any kind that I have ever used.

I quite love the look of the silver K-5! I will stick with my black one, though--it's a marvel.
 
DO. F'IN. WANT! Seroiusly, I was really considering the K-5 when it just came out, but now I can hardly resist. It might be time to update my 7 year old DSLR already!
 
There's a hell of a lot more to life than a big, low contrast max aperture, and if you look at the test results (at say, Lenstip), the Pentax FA 50/1.4 is easily available, inexpensive, and comparable to or arguably better than the Canikon equivalents.

As for the 35/2.8 Limited (not available in the silver set), well, you should listen to a couple of serious photographers who've actually used the thing.
 
There's a hell of a lot more to life than a big, low contrast max aperture, and if you look at the test results (at say, Lenstip), the Pentax FA 50/1.4 is easily available, inexpensive, and comparable to or arguably better than the Canikon equivalents.

As for the 35/2.8 Limited (not available in the silver set), well, you should listen to a couple of serious photographers who've actually used the thing.

That 35 really is excellent as well.

I haven't used the FA 50/1.4, but I've had the M and A versions, and the Super Tak, and two versions of the SMC Tak. And the SMC Takumar 50/1.4 is THE PENTAX 50 for me. You can get it for a Benjamin. Also it looks like a million bucks on the K-5.


K-5 with SMC Tak by mabel.sound, on Flickr

A couple of pics from it, on the K-5:

5309872895_a82cf096c4_z.jpg
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Opening gifts with Mom and Dad-4 by mabel.sound, on Flickr[/IMG]


Winter walk-21 by mabel.sound, on Flickr
 
Hey, what do they mean by silver anyway? If it is silver plastic, UGH!!! Yes I know the lenses are the real thing (some kind of metal alloy) but the body? I haven't yet seen a DSLR using metal as a covering, have you?
 
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