HD PENTAX-D FA ★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW lens additional info (sharper than the Sigma Art version)
Some more interesting comments from asahi man – first regarding the HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW lens and its cousin the Tokina Opera (he also provided the optical design of the new Pentax 50mm lens – 15 elements in 9 groups):
- Very special focus group
- Very heavy because of the new ultrasonic drive
- The goal of this new line is to be comparable to the current Zeiss line and it looks very good
- This 50 is sharper from corner to corner than Sigma Art
- Everything of this lens is developed and patented by Pentax and Pentax produced (source)
- The Tokina is made by Tokina but uses the Pentax patent and different coatings (source)
Concerning the revamping of some of the current, but aging DA★ lenses:
- Next also old DA* lenses with new motor and electronics (maybe 16-50 + 50-135 will be first)
- Maybe official information will be released in September (source)