Pentax shows commitment; previews six lenses, mount adapter (updated)
posted Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 6:42 PM EDT
In a reassuring show of its commitment under new owner Ricoh, Pentax has revealed no less than six new lenses and a mount adapter to be previewed at the upcoming CP+ tradeshow in Japan. Five of the six lenses are scheduled to ship this year, and all three of the company's mount types receive attention.
For the 645D mount, there's a new 90mm f/2.8 prime, tentatively known as the smc PENTAX-D FA 645 90mm F2.8, said to be ideal for portraiture.
For the company's bread-and butter--K-mount shooters--there are two new lenses for 2012 that will be on display. The first is a 50mm f/1.8 prime tentatively known as the smc PENTAX-DA 50mm F1.8; the second is a whopping 560mm f/5.6 telephoto that will likely be known as the smc PENTAX-DA 560mm F5.6.
Finally, for the company's fledgling Q-mount, there are two new 2012 lens models that will be previewed at CP+. The tentatively-named TELEPHOTO ZOOM lens for the 'high performance'-series lens line, and the MOUNT CAP LENS for the 'unique'-series (aka 'toy') lens line. No information is available on focal lengths or apertures for either model. There's also an adapter allowing K-mount lens used on the Pentax Q body, scheduled to ship this spring. The adapter will have a built-in shutter unit, allowing use of a physical rather than electronic shutter, and operation will be manual focus only.
There's also a promise of another super-thin interchangeable lens for the K-mount, and intended specifically for the K-01. No information is known regarding name, aperture, focal length, or availability for this model.
Press Release
PENTAX to Exhibit 7 Reference Products at CP+ 2012 Camera and Imaging Show
PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. is pleased to announce the exhibition of seven reference products — interchangeable lenses and camera accessories currently under development — at CP+ 2012, one of the largest and most comprehensive camera and imaging shows in Asia. This annual event will be held from February 9th to 12th at the PACIFIC YOKOHAMA convention center in Japan.
Reference Products
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Interchangeable lens for medium-format digital SLR camera
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Model name (tentative): smc PENTAX-D FA645 90mm F2.8
Unifocal medium-telephoto lens for use with the PENTAX 645D
Focal length ideal for portraiture and high-quality image reproduction with beautiful bokeh (out-of-focus) effect
Market launch scheduled for 2012
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Interchangeable lenses for K mount digital cameras
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Model name (tentative): smc PENTAX-DA 560mm F5.6
Unifocal super-telephoto lens for use with K mount interchangeable-lens digital cameras
Sharp, well-defined images — particularly with distant subjects — thanks to the adoption of optics used in astronomical telescopes
Market launch scheduled for 2012 -
Model name (tentative): smc PENTAX-DA 50mm F1.8
Unifocal standard lens for use with K mount interchangeable-lens digital cameras
Maximum aperture of F1.8 for high-quality images with a superb rendition of depth and natural bokeh (out-of-focus) effect
Market launch scheduled for 2012
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Interchangeable lenses for Q mount digital camera
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Model name (tentative): TELEPHOTO ZOOM
Telephoto zoom lens (high-performance-lens series) for use with Q mount interchangeable-lens digital camera
Exceptional image rendition for sharp, high-contrast images, even at the edges of the image field, thanks to the state-of-the-art optical design
Market launch scheduled for 2012 -
Model name (tentative): MOUNT CAP LENS
Unifocal standard lens (unique-lens series) for use with Q mount interchangeable-lens digital camera
Eye-catching “body mount cap” design, along with a toy-camera-like visual effect
Market launch scheduled for 2012
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Interchangeable K-mount lens for the PENTAX K-01
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Model name: to be announced later
Super-thin interchangeable lens especially designed for PENTAX K-01
Market launch: to be decided
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Lens adapter
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Model name: Adapter Q for K mount lens
Lens adapter for mounting a K mount lens onto a Q mount interchangeable-lens digital camera body
Built-in shutter unit; manual-focus operation only
Market launch scheduled for spring 2012
Notes:
Model names, designs, specifications and market launch schedules of these products are all tentative and subject to change without notice. Prices of these products will be announced at a later date.