Pentax-DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 and 50-135mm f/2.8 SDM Zoom Lenses - Press Release

[Photo-John]

PENTAX DELIVERS TWO DIGITAL SDM ZOOM LENSES

GOLDEN, CO. (February 21, 2007)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced a new series of high performance lenses – the smc PENTAX-DA* Series (pronounced PENTAX D.A. STAR SERIES). The first two lenses in the series are the smc PENTAX-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL[IF]SDM wide angle zoom and the smc PENTAX-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF]SDM telephoto zoom. Previously announced in September 2006, the two interchangeable lenses are designed for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras. The PENTAX-DA* Series delivers the highest level of optical quality and reflects the PENTAX commitment to delivering ultimate image quality in digital photography. Bringing together advanced optical technologies, including aspherical elements, special optical-glass elements and original lens coatings, these new interchangeable lenses are superior to any existing lens series in terms of contrast, clarity and edge-to-edge sharpness.

These PENTAX-DA* series lenses feature a tightly sealed, weather-resistant and dust-resistant construction to enhance durability for use in rain or dusty conditions making each a perfect companion for the weather-sealed PENTAX K10D digital SLR. The lenses also feature the PENTAX original Quick-Shift Focus System for instant switching to manual-focus operation and PENTAX-original SP (Super Protect) coating to repel dust, water and grease. A new SDM system has been incorporated for smoother, quieter autofocusing operation using a built-in supersonic motor.

These lenses feature the PENTAX KAF2 mount, which incorporates additional electrical contacts to drive a built-in supersonic motor used in autofocusing operation.

Both models will be featured along with the entire line of PENTAX digital compact and SLR cameras and lenses in Booth G151 at PMA 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada from March 8 – 11, 2007. The smc PENTAX-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL[IF]SDM will ship in Spring 2007 priced at US $899.95. The smc PENTAX-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF]SDM will ship at the same time for US $999.95.

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital SLR and compact cameras, lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, eyepieces and mobile printers and scanners. For more than 80 years, PENTAX technology 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.

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[Photo-John]

Innovative SDM System for smoother, quieter autofocusing operation
The two smc PENTAX-DA* zoom lenses come equipped with a new SDM System for smoother, quieter autofocusing operation using a built-in supersonic motor. When mounted on the PENTAX K10D digital SLR camera body, the focus mode is automatically switched to SDM assisted autofocusing.* When mounted on other PENTAX digital SLR camera bodies, the conventional autofocus mode using a camera-mounted motor is selected.

* The PENTAX K10D firmware must be updated to take advantage of this automatic switching function.

Reliable weather- resistant and dust-resistant construction
These PENTAX-DA* series lenses feature a tightly sealed, weather-resistant and dust-resistant construction to enhance durability for use in rain or dusty conditions making each a perfect companion for the weatherproof PENTAX K10D digital SLR.

Original Quick-Shift Focus System for instant switching to manual-focus operation
The PENTAX-developed Quick-Shift Focus System allows the user to instantly switch to manual-focus operation without any mode changes, after the subject is captured in focus by the AF system. This user-friendly system can be used in both the SDM-assisted autofocus mode using a lens-mounted supersonic motor and the conventional autofocus mode using a camera-mounted motor.

SP coating to protect the lens against water and grease
The PENTAX-original SP (Super Protect) coating is applied to the front surface of this lens. Through a vapor deposition process, the lens surface is coated with a special fluorine compound to repel dust, water and grease, making it easy to wipe off fingerprints and cosmetics.

Digital SLR-exclusive optical design
These lenses are designed exclusively for use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras. Featuring an image circle perfectly proportioned to the CCD size (23.5mm x 15.7mm), optics optimized for digital imaging characteristics, and offering high-quality image reproduction, the lens series is a perfect partner to PENTAX digital SLR cameras.

Specific features of the smc PENTAX-DA* 16-50mm F2.8ED AL[IF] SDM Lens
When mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body, this 3.1-times zoom lens covers angles of view from 24.5mm to 76.5mm (in the 35mm format). This versatile ultra-wide to medium-telephoto coverage lens may be used as a standard zoom lens in a wide variety of applications, including landscape and portrait. Incorporating two ED (extra-low dispersion) elements and three aspherical elements, this standard zoom lens effectively compensates for chromatic and spherical aberrations.

Major features of the smc PENTAX-DA* 50-135mm F2.8ED [IF] SDM Lens
Mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body, this 2.7X zoom lens covers angles of view from 76.5mm to 207mm (in the 35mm format). Coupled with a large maximum aperture of F2.8, it is a perfect telephoto zoom lens for applications such as portraiture featuring beautifully obscured, out-of-focus backgrounds and sports photography freezing split-second action at high shutter speeds. Incorporating three ED (extra-low dispersion) elements, this telephoto zoom lens effectively minimizes the chromatic aberrations which would be particularly detrimental to image-forming performance. This telephoto zoom lens is treated with PENTAX-original ghostless coating to effectively minimize internal reflections in the optical elements and greatly improve the image description of backlit subjects.