Lens glossary - knowing more about Pentax lenses
Product
Lenses are an important part of the PENTAX system.
There are cameras with different sensor sizes, which require different lenses according to the size.
In this blog article we will go into more detail about lens compatibility and lens characteristics.
Cameras of the K-1 series are equipped with a so-called 35 mm full format sensor. Due to the sensor size, corresponding lenses are required here. In the current Pentax system, these are identified by the designation "DFA". Since the sensor of these cameras is exactly the same size as the 24x36 mm 35 mm film, the lenses that were used in analogue photography can also be used. These are lenses of the FA series, for example. Other series can also be used, but with restrictions.
In all digital cameras other than the PENTAX K-1 series, such as the K-3 series or K-70, KF and many other models, there is a smaller sensor in APS-C format (23.6 x 15.8 mm). Because of the smaller sensor size, lenses are used that illuminate a smaller area. This is done with the lenses of the DA series.
The focal length specification of all lenses always refers to a focal length specification with reference to the 35 mm full-frame sensor. On a camera with an APS-C sensor, the image section of the identical focal length is 1.5x larger. To find out the correct focal length value for cameras with an APS-C sensor, this must be multiplied by the cropfactor 1.5x.
A lens with a focal length value of e.g. 16-50 mm, corresponds to a focal length effect (image detail) of 24 - 75 mm on the APS-C sensor, or a lens with a focal length value of 70-200 mm works like a lens with a focal length value of 105 - 300 mm on a camera with an APS-C sensor.
There are many features of lenses that influence their usability and quality.
With this glossary we explain which abbreviations are used in the lens designations and what they stand for in addition to the focal length and the maximum aperture.
Lens categories
| D FA |
D-FA lenses are designed based on the K-AF2, K-AF3 and K-AF4 mount (depending on the AF function of the lens) and optimized for the usage with digital cameras. They are usable also with 35mm SLR cameras.
This lens type is compatible with all cameras. Focus and also apperture setting could be operated on the lens. They could be used with:
K Mount
K-A Mount
K-AF Mount
K-AF2 Mount
K-AF3 Mount
K-AF4 Mount
Covering 35 mm film size which is including also smaler sensor size APS-C.
This lens type is the recommended for the usage with 35 mm Fullframe cameras, e.g. PENTAX K-1, K-1 Mark II
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| DA |
Pentax Digital cameras with a APS-C sized sensor do not need the bigger lenses which are covering the full image circle of 35 mm lenses (35 mm full franme).
This is a compact, lightweight lens series designed for APS-C-format digital SLR cameras. The series is optimized for digital imaging, and provides a wide selection of models.
They are not compatible with 35mm film SLRs, and are limited on the sensor size to APS-C format and could be used for cameras with following mounts:
K-AF2 Mount
K-AF3 Mount
K-AF4 Mount
Covering APS-C sensor size only.
This lens type is the recommended for the usage with APS-C e.g. PENTAX K-3 an K-5 Series, K-70, K-50, K-30, K-p
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| DA L |
A lightweight version of the DA series with a plastic mount, available only as a part of camera kits and not sold independently.
They are not compatible with 35mm film SLRs, and are limited on the sensor size to APS-C format and could be used for cameras with following mounts:
K-AF2 Mount
K-AF3 Mount
K-AF4 Mount
Covering APS-C sensor size only.
This lens type is the recommended for the usage with APS-C e.g. PENTAX K-3 an K-5 Series, K-70, K-50, K-30, K-p
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| FA J |
This K-AF2 series lenses have some limititation, it is designed as a compact, lightweight lens series developed by removing an aperture ring from the FA-series models.
It was an offer for buyers of the new genration of automatic cameras, don't need comaptibility to older products.
FA J-Type lenses are mainly designed for the MZ-Series cameras, e.g. MZ-50. Supporting automatic function only and autofocus.
They could be used with:
K-AF Mount
K-AF2 Mount
K-AF3 Mount
K-AF4 Mount
Covering 35 mm film size which is including also smaler sensor size APS-C.
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| FA |
A lens series designed for 35mm film-format SLR cameras with K-AF2 mount, which are designed for the use with automatic apperture, Autofocus function and some advanced lens functions like Autozoom. This long-selling series has been highly acclaimed by professionals because of its exceptional color reproduction.
FA-Type lenses are designed for the Z-Series cameras, e.g. Z-1, Z-70. Supporting all automatic function including all shooting modes and autofocus.
They could be used with:
K Mount
K-A Mount
K-AF Mount
K-AF2 Mount
K-AF3 Mount
K-AF4 Mount
Covering 35 mm film size which is including also smaler sensor size APS-C.
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| F |
F-type lenses are designed for 35mm film-format SLR cameras with K-AF mount, which are designed for the use with automatic apperture Autofocus function.
F-ype lenses are designed for the first Pentax autofocus SF-Series cameras, e.g. SFX, SF7. Supporting all automatic function including all shooting modes and autofocus.
They could be used with:
K Mount
K-A Mount
K-AF Mount
K-AF2 Mount
K-AF3 Mount
K-AF4 Mount
Covering 35 mm film size which is including also smaler sensor size APS-C.
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| A |
WIth the KA-series lenses an apperture automatic function is included. With launching this series, apperture and program automatic becomes available. Focus is also manual.
This lenses are designed for the use with full automatic cameras like Super A, Program A and manual focussing.
A-Type lenses could be used with its original function (supporting Tv and Program mode and manual focus operated directly on the lens) on cameras with:
K Mount
K-A Mount
K-AF Mount (limitation see explanation)
K-AF2 Mount (limitation see explanation)
K-AF3 Mount (limitation see explanation)
K-AF4 Mount (limitation see explanation)
Covering 35 mm film size which is including also smaler sensor size APS-C.
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| M |
The first lens series with K-Mount - M-series are fully manual operating, there is no automatic function with this.
This lenses are designed for the use with cameras from M-Serie, like ME, MX, LX.
M-Type lenses could be used with its original function (Full manuall aperture setting and manual focus operated directly on the lens) on cameras with:
K Mount
K-A Mount (limitation see explanation)
K-AF Mount (limitation see explanation)
K-AF2 Mount (limitation see explanation)
K-AF3 Mount (limitation see explanation)
K-AF4 Mount (limitation see explanation)
Covering 35 mm film size which is including also smaler sensor size APS-C
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★ Star
|
A Star lens series produced through
the use of the latest optical technologies. It delivers the ultimate in digital images, and assures optimum image quality, operability and durability.
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| Limited |
“Limited Edition” is the PENTAX lens series that is characterised by extremely high quality standards. Since more expensive materials are used and a complex production process employed, PENTAX manufactures a restricted number of the “Limited Edition” lenses on a daily basis.
Limited Edition lenses delivering a truthful sense of depth and excellent imaging power that can’t be described by mere numerical values. Its machined aluminum-alloy body adds a sense of exclusivity.
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| smc |
Super Multi Coating - This was the first multi coating which is the benchmark of all PENTAX lenses.
smc describes a high quality coating of the lens elements that consists of seven microscopically thin layers. The normal light loss at the lens surface between air and glass is reduced from 4 % to 0 %.
Pentax set as standard - All glass elements of the lens are equipped with this.
The coating is an important factor for image quality and responsible for sharp and clear Pictures.
|
| HD |
This is a new and most advanced New High Definition multi-layer lens coating. Thanks to its higher light transmittance with reduced reflection, to deliver sharp, clear images free of flare and ghost images, even under demanding lighting conditions such as backlight.
All glass-elements of the lens are equipped with this.
|
| SP |
SP (Super Protection) coating is a special coating of the front lens element of particular PENTAX lenses. It is based on a fluoride bonding and prevents the contamination of the lens by waterbased or oily substances. SP coated lenses are much more easily cleaned of finger marks, smears or other matter than may come in contact with the lens.
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| AW |
Water and Dust Protection.
Humidity and dirt are the natural enemies of high performance electronics and precision optics.
AW lenses provide maximum weather-resistant and dustproof performance preventing the intrusion of drizzle and dust into the lens barrel.
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| WR |
Water and Dust Protection.
Humidity and dirt are the natural enemies of high performance electronics and precision optics.
WR lenses come with a simplified weather-resistant construction designed to repel a light splash of water.
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| SDM |
A lens featuring an AF mechanism driven by SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor).
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| DC |
A lens featuring an AF mechanism driven by DC (Direct Current) motor.
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| PLM |
A lens featuring an AF mechanism directly linked to a lead screw and driven by PLM (Pulse Motor).
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| IF |
Inner Focusing
Each lens is composed of several groups of lens elements. With an Inner Focusing design only one of these groups is moved. Inner Focusing brings a number of advantages compared to a conventional focusing design where all the lens groups are moved: it works faster and the overall length of the lens remains unchanged so the centre of balance remains constant. additionally, since the front lens element doesn’t rotate, filters do not have to be readjusted every time the focus point changes.
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| AL |
Aspherical Lenses
Contrary to spherical, aspherical lenses do not have a uniformly curved spherical shape. The form of an aspherical lens is adapted to a specific task and the curvature of each is individually computed. The production of these lenses is accordingly complex. The greatest advantage of aspherical lenses: several types of optical aberrations can be corrected at one time. They are used particularly in highquality lenses allowing for the use of fewer lens elements so that a high luminous intensity is attained.
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| ED |
Extra-low dispersion ED lens elements
Normal glass lenses tend to divide the incident light into its various colour components, as a prism would do. This happens particularly at the edges, adding unwanted colour fringing to the photo. The longer the focal length of the lens the more apparent is the fringing effect. ED glass is an exceptionally highquality special glass that prevents this socalled chromatic aberration to a very great extent.
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| RE |
A lens featuring a retractable mechanism.
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| SR |
Standing for In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS).
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| Quick Shift focus system |
It allows instant switching between Auto Focus and Manual Focus simply by turning the focussing ring on the lens.
A clever clutch mechanism takes care of the rest.
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Round-shaped diaphragm
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This diaphragm produces a natural, beautiful bokeh (out-of-focus) effect, while minimizing the streaking effect of point light sources.
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| Macro |
A lens providing magnification in macro photography.
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| Lens Hood |
MH - Metal Hood
PH - Plastic Hood
RH - Rubber Hood
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- Note:
In some lenses, function titles may be omitted from their names, even if they feature such functions.
Pentax APS-C lenses please find here ...
Pentax Full frame lenses, please find here...
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