A large-aperture single-focus lens for use with K-mount digital SLR cameras; a new-generation, high-performance Star-series lens accommodating next-generation camera bodies

1. New-generation, high-performance Star-series lens with large F1.4 maximum aperture

This lens has been developed as a new-generation member of the high-performance Star series -- a lineup designed to deliver extra-clear, high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness by compensating various aberrations to a minimum. After conducting an extensive review of the Star-series standards, PENTAX has designed this lens to assure greatly improved resolving power, looking ahead to its use with more advanced, next-generation camera bodies. It provides exceptionally high imaging performance even at open aperture, in addition to a beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect and an outstanding image rendition at close ranges. Developed as the first model of the new-generation Star-series lenses, this large-aperture standard lens boasts an extra-large F1.4 maximum aperture, useful with many different subjects in a range of applications, including portraiture with an effectively defocused background, and handheld shooting of indoor scenes.

2. State-of-the-art optical technology

The lens is treated with PENTAX-developed Aero Bright Coating II* -- a lens-coating nanotechnology employing a super-low refractive film fabrication process. By coupling this advanced lens coating with the high-grade, multi-layer HD Coating** -- which reduces average reflectance in the visible ray spectrum to less than 50% of conventional multi-layer coatings -- this lens effectively reduces flare and ghost images to a minimum even in demanding lighting conditions such as backlighting. By incorporating three super-low dispersion glass elements and one aspherical element in its optics, it effectively compensates chromatic and spherical aberrations, and produces brilliant, high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness. Since it minimizes distortion even at a focusing distance of approximately one meter, it produces crisp, distortion-free images over the entire focusing range, from the minimum focusing distance to infinity.

* A state-of-the-art, PENTAX-original lens coating technology developed from nanotechnology. It applies a silica aerogel layer with a uniform porous structure over a regular multi-coating layer to reduce surface reflections across a wide wavelength range and produce crisp, high-quality images.

**HD stands for High Definition.

3. Dustproof, weather-resistant construction

Developed as an AW (All Weather) model, this lens features a dependable dustproof, weather-resistant structure with eight special seals to prevent the intrusion of water and dust into the lens interior. When paired with a PENTAX weather-resistant digital SLR camera body, it forms a durable, reliable digital imaging system that performs superbly in demanding shooting settings -- even in rain or mist, or at locations prone to water splashes or spray.

4. Newly developed ring-type SDM

This lens features a newly developed ring-type SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor), which generates as much as 7.5 times the torque of the conventional SDM installed in existing lenses. Thanks to this enormous driving power, the lens assures a smooth, high-speed shift of the heavy, multi-element rear lens group during focusing operation.

5. Other features

• Nine-blade, round-shaped diaphragm to produce a natural, beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect up to F2.8 aperture setting, while minimizing the streaking effect of point light sources
• A minimum focusing distance of 40 centimeters, effective in capturing images with a defocus effect
• Electromagnetic diaphragm-control mechanism,* for flawless, high-precision exposure control during movie recording
• SP (Super Protect) coating to keep the front surface free of dust and spots

* This mechanism is available when the lens is mounted on a K-1 Mark II, K-1, K-3 II, K-3, KP, K-70, K-50, K-S2 or K-S1 camera body.

Specification