Hi,

This may have been raised before, but if so, I missed it. I have long been puzzled over the naming. What is Limited about them?

They are not a limited edition, they are not limited in quality or price.

Funny choice along the lines of the *ist fiasco.

Any suggestions?

 

At least "Limited" is easier to enter into a search engine than "*ist"!

I've heard of an association with "Limited Edition", but this doesn't really make sense.

 

Limited to the amount of people who can actually afford them probably

 

Limited production quantities perhaps?

 

I always thought it was because they were 'limited' to produce the best image quality.

Like instead of being an f1.8 and being soft wide open, it's limited to f2.8 or f3.1 (or whatever that odd one is) to ensure optimum quality all the way through the range, even wide open...?

 

That sounds like a good explanation and it fits the line up. Similarly some of the film lenses were limited to f/4, probably for the same reason, especially for a zoom lens.

 

According to Ricoh US in various places here:
http://www.us.ricoh-imaging.com/camera-lenses

or

or

 

Regarding the origins of the Limited, David, since their inception, I've always had a "who gives a rats.." but, they are of limited size but, IMO, unlimited optical performance

Cheers,

Jack

 

The common trait with the Ltds as opposed to the * lenses (which are also optically excellent and of top notch build) is the compactness. I think speed is sacrificed in certain cases to maintain that.

Whilst the DALtds are fine lenses I think the holy trinity of FALtds are just special lenses - right up there with the very finest lenses around. The prospect of a full frame to explore their native focal lengths is very enticing indeed.

And of course the Ltd mentality existed way before the Ltd denomination. Look at the orignal K mount lenses - the 'K' series of lenses. You have:

K28mm f3.5
K28mm f2
K30mm f2.8

It seems they made lenses then for the fun of making lenses. Each of these is stellar too and a joy to use. And that's why I shoot Pentax. My lenses will outlast me - look after them properly and they will last for many lifetimes.

 

Well stated, F_F, and I seen/heard of the K30/2.8 for a while …. cracking lens

Cheers,

Jack

 

Thanks for all of your comments, very interesting. I see in the interview on Pentax Forums website with the Guys from Ricoh, there was a hint that a FF may be on the drawing board. Somewhere between the K-3 and the Medium Format body size wise. or was I just dreaming.

You know, when I do the lottery, it is uncanny that I pick a number that is next door to the ones that come up. What are the odds that now I have a K-3, they will announce the K-1 FF? Ha Ha Ha. But it may well be financially beyond reach, so I can relax.

Regards.....

 

I heard a similar rumbling and that they have two full frame lens prototypes in the works too... But then his is coming from Pentax who took 5 years to bring out a medium format digital camera... When they did, they got it right. But it took five years.

 

Was that more to do with Hoya and tight money?

 

mmm, that does sound likely, but then the new owners have a good excuse to take their time

 

Re: Limited Lenses .. FF news..

Here ya go, Pentax's FF designate at Photokina ….

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/1038153477/photokina4

albeit, in the year 2000

Cheers,

Jack

 

6Mp, 2" rear screen.....wow and only 7000 dollars.