New Lens Patent 70-300 F4.5-5.6 with In-lens SR

https://ipforce.jp/patent-jp-A-2020-86357
(in Japanese)

A few key highlights are as follows (Google Translated):

[Name or name] Ricoh Co., Ltd.

[0008]
However, in the zoom lens system of Patent Document 1, since the second lens group 2b, which is the image blur correction lens group, is close to the stop on the long focal length end side (tele end side), the long focal length end side (tele end is set at the time of image blur correction). The eccentric coma aberration generated on the side) tends to be large. Therefore, the second b group, which is the image blur correction lens group, is composed of three or more lenses, and there remains a problem in weight reduction of the image blur correction lens group.

(Table 5)
Short focal length end Medium focal length Long focal length end
Focal length 72.2 135.0 293.2

F number 4.43 4.88 5.34

(Table 8)
Short focal length end Medium focal length Long focal length end
Focal length 72.0 135.1 293.6

F number 4.59 4.96 5.52

A list of variants of the same design gene are patented. While the focal ranges are almost the same, the maximum apertures could vary a bit but the variations are insignificant.

FA*85 Vs D FA*85 Size Comparison

Possible New Optical Designs of the DA*16-50 F2.8 PLM

I recall the old post by the Pentax Rumors about the various new DA 16-50/2.8 lens designs and patent(s) for improved performance, one of which (amongst 10 nos.) would be selected by Pentax for this new lens. Which will they use finally? 16 elements in 13 groups (5 designs), 17 elements in 13 groups (3 designs), 15 elements in 12 groups (two designs)? We shall know by the next year of 2021. :-)

Review of 21mm Full Frame Lens Optical Designs

 

Pentax DA 21mm F3.2 (APS-C)

Norton 21mm F1.4

 

Skopar 21mm F4

 

 Ultron 21mm F1.8

Voigtlander 21mm F1.4

Carl Zeiss 21mm F2.8

Prediction: What New Features of the K-New Would Have?

Presuming that they have the same APS-C sensor, and then going through the specs of that Sony sensor and then the set of features of the X-T4. Here we go, for the possible new features that had never been offered by Pentax before, in their upcoming new flagship:

- 26MP BSI CMOS sensor (for its high ISO performance, this sample at ISO 10000 may shed some light)

- 18.82 fps maximum frame rate with 12-bit RAW (which will be converted to 8-bit JPEG anyway, limit of the sensor for the read-out bit-depth and rate combinations)

- If 14-bit RAW is implemented (KP and K-1/II have 14-bit RAW), the frame rate for continuous shooting still picture will be in between 6.84 (for highest 16-bit readout of the whole picture) and 18.82 (as mentioned above) - the above brief marketing sheet of the sensor does not mention about the 14-bit readout modes and rates

- 10 fps is possible (considering that the XT-4 offers 15 fps continuous shooting with mechanical shutter, unless Pentax's latest mechanical engineering plus image processing speed are yet not up to there. And, the Pentax has a mirror but the Fuji does not. )

- 425 point on-sensor phase-matching AF in Live View mode, which the X-T4 has

- 10-bit full-frame 4k video in 30p (limit of sensor) or 12-bit 2k video at high frame rates (55 to 111 fps which is the limits of the sensor); Or 10-bit 4k video at 60 fps is possible with the 1.18x crop factor of the centre

- 4:2:0 colour sub-sampling for H.264 codec (which is a bit too much for the dropping of the colour data) and 4:2:2 for H.265 (Pentax may have a different codec and implementation, though)

But since that the K-new will not have any articulated screen / flipped monitor, the video capability of it will not be too strong anyway?

Other sample images of the production X-T4 in DPR's latest full review of the camera can be found here. Also, a quick glance with the comparometer at the DPR, it seems that the ISO performance will be improved from the KP's by one to two stop(s), and which will undoubtedly exceed the IQ of the K-1 II.

Yaotomi's YouTube Tests of the D FA* 85

Comparing the Optics of the Contemporary Giant 85mm Lenses

1. Pentax DFA 85/1.4: 12 elements in 10 groups, 1255g (without hood), 82mm filter thread

2. Canon RF 85/1.2: 12 elements in 10 groups, 1195g, 82mm thread

3. Sigma Art 85/1.4: 14 elements in 12 groups, 1130g, 86mm thread

4. Zeiss Otus 85/1..4: 11 elements in 9 groups, 1200g, 86mm thread 

Well, whilst the new Pentax is similar to the Zeiss in design (but with one additional element), it wins in weight amongst the four, which is actually the heaviest 85mm prime ever made on Earth. Good! ;-P

D FA* 85 Official Special Site

Development Story: http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/star_lens/special/sp_dfa85-14/interview/

Practical examples by three Japanese professional photographers:

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/star_lens/special/sp_dfa85-14/impression/

Enjoy!

Trick: Installing Pentax Digital Camera Utility Without the Software CD

Step 1: Find an USB drive;

Step 2: Download the Digital Camera Utility "software updater" from the below official link:

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/dc_utility5_win.html

Step 3: Copy and save the file to the root of the USB drive;

Step 4: Rename the Label of the USB drive to S-SW140;

Step 5: Click and open the Zip file, choose the 32-bit or 64-bit folder and execute the Setup;

Step 6: Install the program as if it is just a normal Setup ad complete the installation in a moment.

I hope this trick helps and could be useful to any Pentax user just in case.

D FA* 85 Weight and Price

According to the latest post by Nokishita @ Twitter, the new lens weighs 1255g and will be sold at a price of 248,000 Japanese Yens including 10% tax. Hence, it would be at around US$2,075 without tax.

Furthermore, it is stated that the official launch (marketing) date of the new lens will be on June 26.