The two lenses Ricoh has announced today are part of the company's Star-series line of high-performance lenses, being designed from the ground up for use with higher megapixel DSLR camera bodies.
Let's start with the HD Pentax-DA* 11-18mm F2. 8. Designed for crop-sensor cameras such as the Pentax KP, K70 and K-3 II, it offers an equivalent focal range of 17-27. 5mm with a constant F2. 8 aperture. Pricing has yet to be disclosed, and you have a bit of a wait if you're interested in this lens; availability is scheduled for the summer of 2018.
Up next will be of particular interest to Pentax K-1 users. The HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1. 4 SDM AW is designed for full-frame image sensors, and is the first new prime lens Ricoh's announced for the K-1 since that camera was released. To go with the K-1's rugged design, the FA* 50mm F1. 4 comes with all-weather construction, and also a newly developed supersonic direct-drive autofocus motor for both faster and quieter AF operation. The FA* 50mm F1. 4's pricing is also unavailable, though it's scheduled to be released a little sooner in the spring of 2018.
Press Release
RICOH ANNOUNCES NEXT-GENERATION, HIGH-PERFORMANCE PENTAX STAR-SERIES LENS LINE
Optimized for super-high-resolution photography with high-megapixel digital SLRs, new Star-series lenses on display at Photo Plus Expo 2017 and Salon de la PHOTO 2017
NEW YORK (Photo Plus Expo 2017, Booth #845), October 26, 2017 — Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced a new generation of high-performance Star-series lenses optimized for super high-resolution photography and high megapixel digital single-lens reflex (D-SLR) cameras. The first two lenses developed for the new-generation of Star-series quality—the HD PENTAX-D FA 50mm F1. 4 SDM AW and the HD PENTAX-DA 11-18mm F2. 8—will be on display as reference products at Photo Plus Expo 2017 at the Javits Convention Center in New York (October 26-28) and SALON de la PHOTO 2017 in Paris (November 9-13).
Premium-quality Star-series lenses deliver the highest performance among the PENTAX K-mount interchangeable lens series, and have been highly regarded by PENTAX K-Mount users since the days of film. In addition to the initial design concepts of optimum image quality and large apertures for maximum light transmission, the series has embraced the additional concepts of exceptional toughness and outstanding operability, achieved through the development of a dustproof, weather-resistant construction. The resulting lenses provide superior dependability in a wide range of shooting conditions, and are the perfect companion to PENTAX SLR camera bodies.
Although final names, specs and pricing will not be released until 2018, here are preliminary key features of the two lenses:
HD PENTAX-D FA 50mm F1. 4 SDM AW
PENTAX K-mount covering the image circle of a 35mm-format full-frame image sensor
Newly developed ring-shaped SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor) for faster, quieter AF operation
AW (All-Weather) construction to prevent intrusion of dust and rain and ideal for use in demanding shooting conditions
Minimum shooting distance of 0. 4 meters
Note: this is an updated version of the reference product shown at CP+ 2017
Availability: Scheduled for the spring of 2018
HD PENTAX-DA 11-18mm F2. 8
PENTAX K-mount covering the image circle of an APS-C-format image sensor
High-performance Star-series model providing excellent resolution even at open aperture
Large-aperture, ultra-wide-angle zoom lens with a maximum aperture of F2. 8 (fixed) and an angle of view between 17mm and 27. 5mm (in the 35mm format)
Availability: Scheduled for the summer of 2018
| About Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation|
Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd. , a global technology company specializing in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in about 200 countries and regions.
The company now known as Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation was originally founded in 1919, under the name Asahi Optical Joint Stock Co. and launched its first SLR camera in the 1950s under the PENTAX name. Today, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation continues to produce the heritage-rich, award-winning line of PENTAX DSLR cameras, lenses and sport optics equipment as well as Ricoh’s offering of stylish and compact digital cameras, known for their wide-ranging, rich set of features.
For further information, please visit www. us. ricoh-imaging. com
2017-10-27 22:39
