A macro lens featuring a high-grade aluminum lens barrel and dustproof, weather-resistant AW (All Weather) construction.
This macro lens captures life-size images at a distance of 13 centimeters from the front end to the subject. A newly designed optical system featuring one ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical element and two Anolamous Dispersion glass optical elements has been incorporated to minimize the generation of the unwanted purple fringe effect. Coupled with the high-grade HD (High Definition) Coating, it effectively reduces flare and ghost images over the entire focus range to deliver sharp, high-contrast, well-defined images. Its circular diaphragm also produces a beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect in the background. The compact, lightweight body features airtight AW (All Weather) construction to prevent the intrusion of dust and moisture into its interior.
* As the lens does not have aperture ring, it cannot be used with film SLR.
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Dustproof, weather-resistant AW construction for exceptional outdoor shooting reliability
This is the first macro lens to feature dustproof, weather-resistant AW (All Weather) construction to prevent the intrusion of dust and moisture into its interior, using six sealing parts to optimize the airtight performance. When mounted on a dustproof, weather-resistant PENTAX digital SLR camera body, it creates a highly dependable, durable imaging system that performs superbly in demanding shooting settings – even in rain or mist, or at locations prone to splashing or spraying water.
Exceptional imaging performance
The lens features one ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical element and two Anomalous Dispersion glass optical elements to minimize the generation of the unwanted purple fringe effect. Coupled with the high-grade HD (High Definition) Coating and the FREE (Fixed Rear Element Extension) focusing system, it effectively reduces the generation of flare and ghost images over the entire focus range – from minimum focusing distance to infinity – and delivers clear, crisp, high-quality images. It also provides life-size images in close-range shooting. Because it assures a greater working distance than a 50mm macro lens, it is very effective in the shooting of unapproachable subjects.
HD Coating to enhance imaging performance
The lens incorporates the PENTAX-developed, multi-layer HD (High Definition) Coating. Compared with conventional multi-layer coatings, it improves light transmittance while reducing average reflectance in the visible ray spectrum. This means that it can deliver clear, well-defined images with minimal flare and ghost images, under demanding lighting conditions such as backlighting.
Rounded diaphragm to produce a beautiful bokeh effect
Featuring a rounded diaphragm from open aperture to F5.6, the lens produces a natural, beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect while minimizing the streaking effect of point light sources.
High-grade aluminum lens barrel and outstanding operability
The lens is stylishly designed, with a lens barrel meticulously machined from high-grade aluminum*. It also provides a smooth, comfortable focusing action during manual-focus shooting.
*The lens hood is made of plastic
SP Coating
The front optical element has been treated with SP (Super Protect) Coating to keep the front surface free of dust or stains, improving imaging performance and reliability in outdoor settings.
Quick-Shift Focus System
The innovative focus system allows the photographer to instantly shift the focus mode from auto to manual: all that is needed is a single rotation of the focus ring after the subject has been captured in focus by the camera’s autofocus system. This single-action operation eliminates the need for a troublesome, multi-step focus-mode switching maneuver during fast-action outdoor shooting.
[MTF Chart]
Geometric optics MTF (MTF calculated without referencing the effects of light diffraction phenomenon)
Wave optical MTF (MTF calculated referencing the effects of light diffraction phenomenon)
Since it is impossible to avoid light diffraction phenomenon on the actual lens, wave optical MTF is more realistic. However, geometric MTF is appropriate if you want to compare only the effects of geometric aberration correction on MTF.
