New Pentax DA 50-200mm f4-5.6 WR lens at a reasonable $250

To go with the new K7, has announced a duo of WR kit lenses. The new DA 50-200mm f4-5.6 WR is priced at a very reasonable $250, and it is estimated to start shipping in July 2009. After all, the price of their current DA 50-200mm non-WR lens is $207!

The lens's claim to fame is the new Weather-Resistant (WR) feature, and has roughly the equivalent of 77-307mm when mounted on an APS-C DSLR. This lens forms a "duet" with the also just-announced weather-resistant 18-55mm DA WR.

Key Pentax DA 50-200mm WR specs
+ Quick-shift focus
+ ED (extra-dispersion)
+ SP coating (super protect)
+ metal lens mount
+ lens hood with polarizing filter window
+ 11 elements in 10 groups
+ minimum aperture f22 to f32
+ 0.24x max-mag
+ 49mm filter size
+ weighs 10.1 ounces without the hood

Availability
The starting price will be $250 with an estimated July 2009 shipping date. We have not yet found the lens available for pre-ordering yet.

Further reading
+ Pentax Canada
+ PentaxForums discussion
+ K7 announcement coverage