Pentax DA lenses question

[stephentaylor]

Hi,
Could anyone tell me, hypothetically, if the current Pentax DA lenses would be suitable for a full-frame Pentax/Samsung body, should they ever release one?

Why? Well, if I bought a DA lens, maybe 2, then in the near future a full frame was released - and they come down in price very quickly, allowing me to get one - but the DA lens wasn't suitable for full frame, then what a waste of money that would be..!

Currently have a 10D. Mulling over a decent FA or DA lens...

Thanks
Stephen

[frank1]

The thing you have to ask is are Pentax planning to bring out a full frame model. If so when and how much will it cost 2 grand there abouts. Can you afford that and how long are you prepared to wait. Doesn't answer your question I know but a better answer will come along soon

[AlexMonro]

I believe that the DA lenses are designed to only cover the cropped sensor of the current digital models, which allows them to be smaller and lighter than wouuld be required to cover a full 24x36mm frame. It's possible that some of the zooms may cover full frame over part of the focal length range.

However, Pentax have more or less said that they're not currently looking at doing a full frame camera, so even in the unlikely event that they change their minds tomorrow, it would be at least 5 years before you'd need to worry about lenses for it!

Just stop worrying about what might / might not happen in the future, get the lens for your K10D now, and go out and take some pictures!

[john_g]

There's currently a lot of internet speculation with people saying that Pentax will announce their next dSLR (designated K-7, apparently) within the next month. Opinions are divided regarding the specification, but everybody seems to be certain that it's going to feature an APS-C sized sensor.

[Zou]

Some DA lenses cover the 135 format, others (most) don't. I was going to link to a thread over at the Pentax forums with a database of how they each perform, but I couldn't find it.

[ojb28]

Why? Well, if I bought a DA lens, maybe 2, then in the near future a full frame was released - and they come down in price very quickly, allowing me to get one - but the DA lens wasn't suitable for full frame, then what a waste of money that would be..!

Currently have a 10D. Mulling over a decent FA or DA lens...

The DA* 200/2.8 and 300/4 cover full frame I believe... but there are plently of FA lenses you could choose from, and some very fine lenses too. And there are plenty of full frame compatible lenses from independent lens makers too. It rather sepends on what kind of lens you're after. I have a K10D but don't have any crop frame lenses.

[Done_rundleCams]

Hi Stephen,

FWIW, I have tried my DA 12-24/4 on my PZ-1 and it vignetted a bit from 12 to 14 or so and, after
that, it was fine But, oddly enough, I am curious how the (wide-angle) DA lenses would work with
a FF sensor should that event ever occur .............. in my lifetime

Cheers,

Jack

[stephentaylor]

Yes, hi Jack, thanks, and to all,
Well the background to my question was really my pursuit of optimum image quality. I want to produce some fairly large prints - say 20" x 16" with great detail, and I'm trying to work out if the K10D will do that for me (in which case I spend money on glass) or if I should try to pick up a K20D and keep my existing glass.

keep going around in circles...

[ojb28]

That rather depends on what your existing glass is!

I have a K10 and have never found resolution a limiting factor, you'd have to have very good glass (and a very decent A1 plotter!) to see the difference btween 10 and 14MP I imagine.