Pentax has supposedly just released TWO NEW LENSES. A 100mm f4 macro and a 55-110 f4.5

This info gleaned from usenet, the original source being the Pentax japanese web site.

-- Benson (btw@vnet.net), April 11, 1998

Answers

It's true. I have a press release, dated March 10, 1998, from Pentax USA. The SMC Pentax 67 Zoom 55mm-100mm f/4.5 has 11 elements in 9 groups, weighs 42.7 oz., is 4.7 inches long, and takes 95 mm filters. The SMC Pentax Macro 100mm f/4 has 6 elements in 4 groups. It comes with a 3 element, 3 group front-of-lens converter. It's 21.2 oz. in weight, 3.1 inches long, and takes 77 mm filters. Maximum magnification without the converter is 0.52x; with the converter it's 1.12x. I have no price information, and Pentax did not seem to know the manufacturer's suggested retail price at the time I spoke to them.

-- Michael K. Gardner (gardner@gse.utah.edu), April 12, 1998.

Sounds like the 100 is meant to be a direct replacement for the 135. Thanks for the info!

-- Benson (btw@vnet.net), April 13, 1998.

Talked to Pentax (Denver office) this morning. Quote suggested retail price on 100mm as $1960 and over $2,500 on the 55-100.

-- George Bordner (aerials@minn.net), April 13, 1998.