Web Analytics RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: Pentax Ricoh Discloses Lenses in Development for K, Q and 645 at CP+

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Pentax Ricoh Discloses Lenses in Development for K, Q and 645 at CP+

See what DPR reports:-

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/02/07/Pentax_In-development_lenses

No live photo at the exhibition is posted as it is just a pure-text press release. It seems to be a paperware "show-off" by the way!

And, Pentax Germany has also published the press release by themselves:-

http://www.pentax.de/de/news/1636/foto-news.php

Indeed, there is no clearer information provided for the new lenses in development for the Q. But as for that DA 560mm/5.6 super-tele photo lens, it seems rather strange that it is yet not a Star lens, against what all super-tele photo lenses of Pentax in the past and indeed for all other makers of these should belong to the "luxury" series of their lines. And, why such a strange focal? Is it just too long on APS-C? As Pentax has nothing above 300mm in K-mount right now, why not make first a 400mm/5.6 lens or a 500mm/5.6 lens first??
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Mage's avatar

Mage · 686 weeks ago

Some strange priorities and decisions on designs or focal lengths for the K-mount lenses, while more obvious gaps in the lineup are ignored, like a 24mm prime or a 400mm tele, and nothing about a replacement for the K-r or another DSLR besides the flagship K-3. It is good however to see some life in Pentax, which means Ricoh must have decided to keep it going. I can hear a big sigh of relief from many Pentax owners with many lenses. However, you have to wonder how much is left in the Pentax when Ricoh took over from Hoya, whether there was still any new camera design in the pipeline, and whether they still have/own many lens patents to be able make more normal lenses or they have sold them to others.
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Ying's avatar

Ying · 686 weeks ago

The 560/f5.6 was originally based on an astronomy telescope optical design. hence the weird focal.

But this being Pentax, you should have gotten used to weird focal now, 31, 43, 77, 60-250, etc etc.
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Rob's avatar - Go to profile

Rob · 686 weeks ago

If having it be a DA instead of a DA* means it cost less, I am ok with that. And I have NO problem with other than "normal" focal lengths. 560mm = 840mm full frame equivalent. WOW!!! Give me this on a K-5 that can shoot ISO 6,400 low noise and look out sports shooters!! Add the 1.4 TC and I have an 1176mm monster that can "shoot the moon"!
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Mage's avatar

Mage · 685 weeks ago

Pentax and Olympus are both camera companies with huge financial troubles and problems surviving. One difference is that Olympus seems to be able to get its priorities right. They know where they are going (giving up on DSLR and going all out to M4/3) and they continue to release more lenses, lenses in focal lengths that people want. And also cameras that are more in line with customers' needs and expectations. For example, Pentax seems to be clutching straws with wild ideas in so many different directions, a 645D here, then a tiny Q, a new brick shaped mirrorless with no viewfinder in the K01, while its DSLRs get neglected and we don't know when another DSLR is coming to join the only model still not discontinued. They now have to make lenses for 645D, Q, K01 as well as DSLRs.
2 replies · active 685 weeks ago
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RiceHigh's avatar - Go to profile

RiceHigh 110p · 685 weeks ago

No problem at all as Ricoh has plenty of money to spend, before one day they would find too much red items in their periodic financial sheets before they finally have to decide to cut budget! :-o ;-)
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Rob · 685 weeks ago

Um, I read Hoya financials prior to Ricoh buying Pentax. Pentax was showing a profit for Hoya. And that was the camera division of Pentax, not just the medical division. Hoya broke the two out in its financials. Not a huge profit, but a profit none the less. Olympus on the other hand loses money on its camera division. This on top of unknown losses as part of their accounting scandal.

One of the biggest knocks on Pentax has been the lack of new lenses. I think that issue is settled. Your argument that they are making too many lenses doesn't hold water - they have been here before. The 645 is not a "new" product. The 645D is. And the Q is a modern version of the Auto 110. Making K mount, 645 and Q lenses all at the same time is something they have done before.

Funny, before the knock on Pentax was they were falling behind because they were not in the mirrorless space that was the "future." Now Pentax is the most forward with the smallest interchangeable lens mirrorless and the ONLY mirrorless using an established mount.

I am not sure what your issue with Pentax is but you do seem to like Olympus. Good on you. I do like Pentax and I like the lenses they produce. My DA 35 is on my camera 75% of the time. I love putting my DA50-200 WR on my K200D and shooting in weather that send my friends to their cars. And the DA 55-300 holds f/4 so long its like getting a fixed aperture lens on the cheap. I have an FA 50 1.4 but I still want the new DA 50 1.8 just so I can have a match for my DA 35. Im hoping a DA 20 and a DA 70 follow. Talk about a cool boxed set - K300 with DA 20, 35, 50 and 70mm lenses.
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Mage's avatar

Mage · 685 weeks ago

Why didn't Pentax make something like this, with a K-5 sensor, instead of the K01?
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Ying's avatar

Ying · 685 weeks ago

That OM-D is beautiful and classy AND it has and EVF, AND it has an articulated LCD AND it is weather sealed.

Apart from the sensor disadvantage, this is exactly what I want in an ILDC.
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kff's avatar - Go to profile

kff · 685 weeks ago

I think that Ricoh has to keep an idea of his GXR modular system
and to work in its extension with 645D, Q, K, m43 lines (maybe Lytro line, too :),
but Richoh has to think about its flash systems etc., so it isn't so simply ...

Ricoh has to think also about smartophnes/tablets using in his GXR modular systems ...

The time is now ...

Fuji, Sony, Sigma, Nikon, Oly, Canon have their sensor
... it isn't simply for Pentax Ricoh and his prices flexibility
( actualy 645D versus Nikon D800E versus Sigma SD1)

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