Pentax 560mm f/5.6 ED AW HD DA

(From Pentax lens literature) The new HD Pentax DA 560mm F5.6 ED AW interchangeable super-telephoto lens, featuring Pentax’s exclusive HD Coating – a newly developed high grade multi-layer lens coating – and telescope-type optics, delivers clear, well-defined images of distant subjects.

HD Pentax DA 560mm F5.6 ED Features

Outstanding image rendition of distant subjects
When mounted on a Pentax K-mount digital camera body, this super-telephoto lens offers a focal length of approximately 859mm (equivalent 35mm format). Since its unique telescope-type optics require fewer optical elements than conventional lens optics, it assures sharp, well-defined images, particularly with distant subjects.

New, high grade HD Coating
This lens is treated with the HD Coating, ** a high grade multi-layer lens coating recently developed by Pentax. Compared with conventional multi-layer coatings, this new coating provides higher light transmittance with reduced reflection, to deliver sharp, clear images free of flare and ghosting, even under demanding lighting conditions such as backlight.

** HD stands for High Definition, and signifies the lens’s capacity to reproduce images that excel in transparency, definition, resolution and rendition.

Dustproof, weather-resistant construction
As a new model of the AW (All Weather) series, this lens features a dependable dustproof, weather-resistant construction with 29 special seals to effectively prevent the intrusion of dust and water into the lens interior. By coupling this lens with a dustproof, weather-resistant Pentax interchangeable lens digital camera body such as the Pentax K-5 II or Pentax K-30, the user is assured a durable, reliable imaging system that performs superbly in demanding outdoor settings such as rain or mist, or in locations prone to water splashes or spray.

Easy control of circular polarizing filter
This lens comes with a built-in, removable filter holder in the barrel. By mounting the C-PL (circular polarizing) filter (40.5mm in diameter; included as an exclusive accessory) to the holder, the user can easily obtain the desired polarizing effect simply by rotating the filter using its control ring.

New exterior design signifying HD series
The lens exterior has been painted an elegant white to minimize heat haze generated inside the lens barrel due to long exposure to the sun. Featured in the middle of the lens barrel, a red anodized ring serves as a distinct, radiant symbol of the new HD Pentax lens series. Strap lugs are made from machined aluminum to enhance its exclusive appearance.

Other features

• Smooth autofocus operation using an AF driving motor (DC motor) installed in the lens barrel***
• Quick-Shift Focus system for instant switching to manual focus operation after the subject is captured in focus by the camera’s AF system
• SP (Super Protect) coating applied to the front surface of the lens to effectively repel water and grease and easily wipe off dust and stain
• Rounded diaphragm blades deliver precise control while producing a smooth, beautiful bokeh (out-of-focus rendition), minimizing the streaking effect of point light sources

*** This lens is compatible with the Pentax K-5 II, K-5 IIs, K-30, K-01, K-5, K-r, K-7, K-x, K-m, K20D, K200D, K100D Super and K10D camera bodies (with Ver. 1.30 or later firmware installed). When mounted on other camera bodies, the focus mode is automatically switched to manual.

Pricing and Availability
The new HD Pentax DA 560mm F5.6 ED AW will be available at retail outlets nationwide and online in December 2012 with a suggested retail price of $6,999.95.