Hallo Peter, thanks for the information about the FAJ 18-35 that is the same as in Dario picture at http://digilander.libero.it/aohc/pshw2003/monte.htm (last picture on the page). It is a surprise that is has a diaphragm simular which is additional to the FAJ 28-80 and 70-300.
Have you testet if the diaphragm simulator will move a bit if you zoom from 18 to 35. If yes, than the 18-35 will be partial compatible to MF Kameras with K-mount (ME, LX, ..) The new *ist and *istD have no counterpart to the diaphragm simulator. Therefore it is useless with for the new *ist cameras. The others FAJ lenses do not have the simulator. So, the 18-35 is a FAJ+ lens, because the diaphragm change from the change of the focal length from 4 to 5.6 is transmited to the body by this mechanical coupling. This is important for the old cameras. With it, you can use the lens wide open with the aperture correction from 4 to 5.6 on K-mount cameras and perhaps this is also important for the MZ-5n and MZ-S. But only wide open. Is there something said in the FA-lens handout which comes with the lens? So, we have now four type of FA-lenses: the FAJ lenses, FAJ +, normal FA lenses and FA lenses with power zoom contacts. It is getting confusing. Pentax should have made a silver FAJ version without simulator and a black FA version which is 50 euro more expensive and had the aperature ring and not only the diaphragm simulator. regards Rüdiger >From : [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Dario's pic is accurate. The lens appears identical. > >A couple of other points. > >When you open the box, you are confronted with a carefully placed flyer for >the 'National Organ Donor' scheme. Whaaaat? > >Are they trying to tell us something? > >The lens is assembled in Vietnam. I knew they had moved production for a lot >of the bulk consumer products out of Japan but this one was news to me. > >The price on the site is GBP199 - I will let you guys have as many as you >like at GBP180 apiece inc the VAT. Outside EEC divide by 1.175 to get the ex-VAT >price. > >Toodle pip! > >Peter >
