Pentax Unveils Digital Fish-Eye Lens

Pentax has introduced a digital fish-eye lens designed exclusively for use with the company's line of *ist D digital SLRs.

The smc Pentax DA Fish Eye 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 ED [IF] lens captures fish-eye imagery with a 180-degree angle of view and a focal length of 10mm. Its superwide-angle capability allows photographers to make use of dramatic angles-of-view resulting from slight changes in focal length; this capability also can capture images with an expanded perspective (including creative deformation of subjects and sharp pan focus that extends throughout the entire frame).

Additional features of the new lens include: an internal focus system that allows users to focus from as close as 1 in.; a Quick-Shift Focus System for instant shift to manual focus once the subject is captured by AF; chromatic-aberration compensation as a result of its Extra-low Dispersion glass; and water and oil-repellant performance. Weight: 11.3 oz., with built-in lens hood.

Price: $579.95, expected to begin shipping in January 2006.

PENTAX IMAGING
www.pentaximaging.com