In developing the new generation of the top-of-the-line Star series, PENTAX conducted an extensive review of its in-house standards, demanding the most satisfying performance even for use with future PENTAX digital SLRs, which are expected to deliver higher image quality and better performance than current models. Developed in pursuit of ideal image quality, this new lens delivers superb imaging power, without relying heavily on the image sensor or image processer. It lets the photographer enjoy the entire picture-taking process by checking the subject in detail and in real time via a sharp, clear image produced by its high-grade optical viewfinder.

In order to assure the exceptional imaging power demanded in the new-generation, high-performance Star series, this new lens incorporates high-grade Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical elements and an aspherical optical element to compensate various aberrations to a minimum — in particular, to effectively minimize axial chromatic aberration to prevent the generation of purple fringing in backlit situations. It also reduces distortion — a serious concern in portrait photography — to nearly zero at a focusing distance of four meters. In addition, PENTAX has developed a new ring-type SDM exclusively for this new lens to realize flawless, high-speed autofocus operation, while adopting an exterior design providing a firm grip to facilitate manual-focus operation. This new lens is designed not only to assure the highest imaging power currently possible, but also to optimize the joy of picture-taking.

New-generation, high-performance Star-series lens to deliver ideal image quality
Anticipating the further advancement of SLR camera bodies in the future, PENTAX has designed this lens to deliver extra-clear, high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness by compensating various aberrations to a minimum, while greatly enhancing resolving power — two factors absolutely essential in the next-generation Star series. It provides exceptionally high imaging performance even at open aperture, a beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect and outstanding image rendition at close ranges — all reasons why it produces high-quality, well-defined images. It also 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, handheld shooting of indoor scenes and scenic photography. It helps the camera to produce a bright, clear viewfinder image that will inspire the photographer’s creativity and imagination.

State-of-the-art optical technology
This lens incorporates three Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical elements to effectively minimize chromatic aberration, and a glass-molded aspherical optical element to effectively compensate for spherical and comatic aberrations and field curvature to deliver extra-clear, high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness, even at open aperture. It also reduces distortion to nearly zero at a focusing distance of four meters to deliver well-defined, distortion-free images over the entire focusing range, from the minimum focusing distance to infinity. This lens is also treated with high-grade, multi-layer HD Coating, which reduces average reflectance in the visible ray spectrum to less than 50% of conventional multi-layer coatings, effectively reducing flare and ghost images to a minimum even in demanding lighting conditions such as backlighting.

Exclusively designed, large ring-type SDM
In order to deliver the highest image quality possible over the entire focusing range — from the minimum focusing distance to infinity — this lens features an exclusively designed, large ring-type SDM to efficiently drive the focusing mechanism, which consists of a larger number of optical elements than ordinary lenses, and is required to shift heavy rear-optical-element groups in unison. Generating a torque approximately 1.3 times that of the unit installed in the HD PENTAX-D FA★ 50mm F1.4 SDM AW, this new SDM assures flawless, high-speed autofocus operation.