Compact, Lightweight 14mm DA-Series Lens for *ist D

GOLDEN, Colorado (May 12, 2004)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced a second lens designed for the *ist D digital SLR will ship later this month. The smc PENTAX-DA 14mm F2.8 ED [IF] interchangeable wide-angle lens was developed as a second model of the new DA-series lineup. At 14.8 ounces and measuring just 2.7 inches long and 3.3 inches in diameter, the lens is one of the lightest in its category. The lens features a standardized DA-series design incorporating high-grade metallic components with green accents.

Featuring a focal length of 14mm (equivalent to 21mm in the 35mm format) and a 90-degree angle of view, this high-performance wide-angle lens incorporates a high-refraction, low-dispersion glass element and an Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass element to produce high-resolution, true-to-life images in advanced digital photography. The lens offers a minimum focusing distance of .56 ft. for a maximum magnification of approximately 0.19 times. The image circle is designed to perfectly match the 23.5mm x 15.7mm size of the CCD used in the *ist D, contributing to a drastic reduction in size, weight and production cost.

This new lens also features the responsive “Quick-Shift Focus System,” to allow photographers to instantly switch the focus mode from auto-to-manual with a slight twist of the focus ring. Coupled with the a large-sized focus ring that remains locked during autofocus operations and the elimination of the aperture ring, this mechanism enhances *ist D operation in autofocus and manual-focus modes.

While competing models in the same category only allow for the installation of gelatin filters at the rear end, this lens is designed to accept 77mm-diameter filters, including a circular polarizing filter. The lens is equipped with a detachable lens hood with a window used for easy adjustment of a circular polarizing filter.