Pentax & Ricoh Rumors

Updated Pentax K-mount lens roadmaps

By admin | Published: February 26, 2018

Ricoh published two updated Pentax K-mount lens roadmaps – click for larger view (645 and Q roadmaps were not updated yet).

There is a new lens on the roadmap: the HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm f/4. Here is the launch order:

1. HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW: Spring 2018
2. HD Pentax-DA★ 11-18mm f/2.8ED DC AW: Summer 2018
3. HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm f/4: Spring 2019
4. HD Pentax-D FA★ 85mm f/1.4: 2019

then, in no particular order (with a “2019 or Later” tentative release date):

Large Aperture Wide-Angle Single Focus Lens
Ultra Wide-Angle Single Focus Lens
Fish-Eye Zoom Lens
Telephoto Zoom Lens

The new HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm f/4 lens will probably be based on the current Tokina AT-X 70-200mm f/4 PRO FX VCM-S.

Here is the full frame Pentax K-mount lens roadmap:

Posted in Pentax lenses | Tagged HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm f/4, Pentax lens roadmap, Pentax roadmaps | Leave a comment

Ricoh’s press release for the HD PENTAX-D FA ★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW and 11-18mm f/2.8 lenses

By admin | Published: February 26, 2018

Ricoh issued another press release with some additional information on the new HD PENTAX-D FA ★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW and HD PENTAX-DA ★ 11-18mm f/2.8 lenses (both will be on display at the 2018 CP+ show in Japan that starts this Thursday):

Posted in Pentax lenses, Press releases | Tagged HD PENTAX-D FA ★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW lens, HD PENTAX-DA ★ 11-18mm f/2.8 lens, Pentax DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 | Leave a comment

The new HD Pentax D FA ★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW lens rumored to be priced around $1,300

By admin | Published: February 26, 2018

The HD Pentax D FA ★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW lens is rumored to be priced around $1,300. My guess is that the official announcement will be on February 28 – one day before the start of the 2018 CP+ show and the same day when Tokina is rumored to announce their new Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF full frame DSLR lens.

Posted in Pentax lenses | Tagged HD PENTAX-D FA ★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW lens | Leave a comment

Phottix announces Odin II TTL trigger for Pentax

By admin | Published: February 26, 2018

Phottix announces Odin II TTL trigger for Pentax cameras. Here are the details (US pricing not yet available):

Technical Specifications

Frequency: 2.4 GHz
Range: 328ft (100m)
Channels: 32
Groups: 5 (A/B/C/D/E)
High Speed Sync: Supported – up to 1/8000s on compatible cameras
Exposure Control System: TTL and manual (1/1-1/128,1/3 stop increment)
Digital ID: 0000-9999
Flash Ratio Control: 8:1-1:1-1:8
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3.0 to +3.0, 1/3 stop increment
Power Source: 2 x AA alkaline batteries or AA NI-MH batteries
AF Assist Light: Yes on compatible cameras
Second Curtain Sync: Yes
Firmware Upgradeable: Yes via USB
Compatible Cameras: K-1, K-5, K-7,645Z
Compatible Phottix Stobes: Indra 500 TTL*, Juno Flash
Compatible Phottix Receivers: Odin, Strato II, Atlas II and Ares I (Channels 1-4 Manual only)