Pentax F 17-28mm lens

The smc Pentax-F 17–28mm Fish-eye f/3.5–4.5 is the first fisheye zoom lens, manufactured by Pentax for single-lens reflex cameras (SLRs) with a K lens mount. At its widest setting of 17mm, it affords a 180° diagonal angle of view images for all K-mount full-frame SLR cameras; at 28mm, the diagonal angle of view is reduced to 90° on the diagonal. Typical fisheye barrel distortion is evident at all focal lengths. A successor model, the Pentax DA 10-17mm lens, was introduced with the same view angles and closer focusing capability for APS-C cameras in 2006.

smc PENTAX-F FISH-EYE ZOOM 17mm–28mm F3.5-4.5

Maker	Pentax
Technical data
Type	Zoom
Focus drive	screw
Focal length	17–28mm
Crop factor	1
Aperture (max/min)	f/3.5-4.5
Close focus distance	0.45 m (1 ft 6 in)[1]
Max. magnification	0.07[1]
Construction	9 elements in 7 groups
Features
Lens-based stabilization	No
Macro capable	No
Unique features	Fisheye
Application	Special Effect
Physical
Max. length	61 mm (2.4 in)[1]
Diameter	65 mm (2.6 in)[1]
Weight	255 g (9.0 oz)[1]
Filter diameter	N/A
Accessories
Lens hood	built-in
Angle of view
Diagonal	180°–90°[1]

History and design

The lens was designed by Jun Hirakawa and a patent was applied for the design in 1994, granted in 1998.^[2]

Longtime photography writer Herbert Keppler was a noted fan of the lens, as its unique zoom capabilities allow the user to minimize the appearance of barrel distortion.^[3] Keppler wrote in an informal review "You don't use this lens to make your best girl- or boyfriend look pretty or handsome, but it does produce some fantastically fascinating effects. [...] there still are many moments when its coverage just fits the coverage of my mind."^[4]

Gallery

• 
  Rogers Centre, 17mm (2016).
• 
  Inside Rogers Centre, 28mm (2016).
• 
  Distortion minimized by subject matter and placement, 28mm (2016).
• 
  Lines not passing through center are distorted, 17mm (2016).
• 
  Distortion at full-frame view, 17mm (2016).

References

1. "F-ZOOM Lenses". Pentax. 1999. Archived from the original on 24 August 1999. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
2. US patent 5724193A, Hirakawa, Jun, "Super wide angle zoom lens", published 1998-03-03, issued 1998-03-03, assigned to Pentax Corp
3. Keppler, Herbert (August 2006). "SLR: World-Class Glass". Popular Photography. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
4. Keppler, Herbert (September 1996). "17mm fisheye to 28mm wide-angle zoom: What a wacky idea, or is it?". Popular Photography. Retrieved 5 November 2017.

External links

• Hirakawa, Jun (1997). "魚眼ズームレンズの開発" [Development of Fish-eye Zoom Lens]. 日本写真学会誌 [Journal of the Japan Photographic Society]: 94–97. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
• "smc PENTAX-F FISH-EYE 17-28mm F3.5-4.5". flickr. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
• Silber, Julia (June 2006). "Fisheye View". Popular Photography. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
• Keppler, Herbert (January 2008). "Lens First". Popular Photography. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
• "smc PENTAX-F 17-28mm f/3.5-4.5 Fish-Eye". shutter releasing [blog]. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
• The 17-28mm smc PENTAX-F "on the fisheye list"/

Specifications

• "Lenses: 35mm: F-ZOOM". Pentax USA. Archived from the original on 18 June 2004. Retrieved 5 November 2017.