Pentax D645 Lenses

[BenrnhardSperling]

Does somebody have info about the lenses that will be offered by Pentax apart from the new 55mm 2.8 ?

Are all the AF lenses coming back on?

Since the announcement the used market for AF lenses has all but dried up.

I have a full complement of the manual lenses and would like to know whether to go for the odd used AF lens appearing right now, or rather wait for the official launch and buy new ones. (If they will be available)

Has anyone information from Japanese Dealers?
Or better yet the complete offered lens and parts list?


Thanks

Bernhard

[Dave Gurtcheff]

I don't have the answer to your question, but I also have 4 manual focus 645 lenses, and will purchase a 645D when available. I just added two AF lenses in anticipation. The great news is what Pentax says in their literature "Automatic compansation of distortion and lateral chromatic abberation (available in combination with the D-FA 645 and FA 645 series lenses). That is reason enough to really want to use FA lenses.
Good luck  
Dave

[ndevlin]

There will definitely be a new wide-angle coming to contend with the slightly cropped sensor size.  I would also expect Pentax to gradually update their existing line-up, and the new lenses will incorporate ultrasonic motors, and be weather-sealed to match the camera.  Nothing has been announced yet. I suspect Pentax has their hands full trying to fill demand fore the bodies.  

- N.

[BenrnhardSperling]

Dear Dave and N

Thanks for your answers.

It seems that noone has information if the old AF lenses producion will be revived.
Maybe a good question for any Journalist to ask Pentax executives for the next interview.

If new lenses will come out gradually (translates into 2-3 years),  

- The Bodfies will be limited to the new 55 for first time buyers.
- And to the "inventory" for old 645 users.

That would explain why the existing 645 AF lenses disappeared from the used market.

I guess we have to wait and see what they come up with at the US/ Rest of world introduction.
There seems to be no forum member in Japan?

[ndevlin]

Bernhard,

There are quite a lot of lenses available on the after-market, but I also don't think that Pentax actually formally discontinued 645AF lens production. The film system remained surprisingly popular in Japan, even if it faded here. My guess is that re-starting production would be relatively easy for Pentax, since it is such a large and well established producer.

Pentax has been very clear that the 'old' lenses work just fine on the 645D, and there will be more of those than bodies for a long time. Buy a 45-85 and wait for a body :-)

That said, some the the lenses were always rare, such as the 100-300 and 33-55. I have both ( :Phe ) after years of trolling ebay, but I expect to see new glass in short order.

- N.

ps. and yes,  these questions will be asked when Pentax starts talking to westerners about the camera. Pentax Canada has been very helpful to me, but I get the sense that the Mothercorp wants to get the launch done in Japan before opening a multi-front campaign. Can't say I blame them. But she's coming, and soon.