Ricoh launches the RICOH GR III HDF and RICOH GR IIIx HDF
Highlight Diffusion Filter softens light for more expressive images
By cjfeola in Pentax Announcements on Mar 28, 2024
Ricoh is introducing two new GRs with its newly developed Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF), which diffuses highlights for softer light, creating more expressive images with a sense of depth and emotion. The HDF, which can be turned on and off in a single action, allows users to add a totally different kind of visual expression to their images.
The RICOH GR III HDF and RICOH GR IIIx HDF will be available in April at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com, as well as at Ricoh Imaging-authorized retail outlets. The suggested retail prices are $1,069.95 for the RICOH GR III HDF and $1,149.95 for the RICOH GR IIIx HDF.
Ricoh developed HDF through the years-long cultivation of its advanced inkjet technology. HDR is a special-effect filter that diffuses highlight areas and creates a blurred effect along the image’s edges, producing images resembling those captured in film photography or vintage movies.
HDF can be instantly switched on and off with a single action, allowing effortless switching between the clear, sharply focused images characteristic of the RICOH GR series, and the softer HDF images. HDR replaces the Neutral Density filter, which is not available in the new models.
“The RICOH GR III HDF and RICOH GR IIIx HDF inherit the fundamental merits of our GR series–exceptional image quality, flawless point-and-shoot operation and outstanding portability,” said Ken Curry, president, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation. “The new GR HDF models give users a new creative option that expands the visual boundaries of snapshot photography.”
Pentax Announces 35mm Half-frame Film Camera
Coming in summer with manual film winding and a lens based on the Espio Mini
By cjfeola in Pentax Announcements on Mar 1, 2024
The first half-frame camera in Pentax's storied film history will ship this summer, according to Film Project Designer Takeo "TKO" Suzuki. The camera will feature manual film winding and rewinding, an electronic shutter, automatic exposure control, and a lens with the same 25mm field of view of the Ricoh Auto Half, with the optical design based on the Pentax Espio Mini.
TKO made the announcement in a new video dropped on the Pentax Film Project web page early March 1 (Tokyo time).
As in previous videos, TKO started by thanking everyone for the outpouring of worldwide support for The Pentax Film Project. He said the project has a working prototype, and he'd been out shooting with it. "
Pentax high-performance spotting scope coming in February
The PF-85EDA has dust, water-proofing
By PF Staff in Pentax Announcements on Jan 26, 2024
Ricoh has announced the Pentax PF-85EDA, a compact waterproof spotting scope that will be available in February for a Manufacturer’s Suggested List Price of $1,299.95.
The PF-85EDA has a large-aperture 85mm objective lens, and utilizes Extra-low Dispersion optical elements and the latest multi-layer coatings. The roof prism optical design keeps things compact.
The scope uses a dust-proof glass element, and has waterproofing equivalent to JIS Class 7, with water resistance to a depth of 3.2 feet, making it a dependable companion even in mist or rain. (Ricoh specifies, however, that the Pentax PF-85EDA cannot be used underwater.) The scope is filled with nitrogen gas to prevent fogging, ensuring a clear view even in challenging conditions.
The scope will also be available in a kit with the Pentax Zoom 8-24mm Eyepiece for an MSRP or $1,599.95. The eyepiece mount features an American-standard 31.7mm/1.25 inch sleeve, making the scope compatible with a range of eyepieces, including the XF series for Pentax spotting scopes, and the XW series for astronomical observations.
You can preorder the Pentax PF-85EDA by itself or in the kit with the 8-24mm Eyepiece on the Ricoh website here. Both will be available for purchase next month on the Ricoh Imaging website and at authorized Ricoh retailers.
Pentax WG-90 point and shoot camera announced
New rugged and waterproof adventure camera in the WG series
By PF Staff in Pentax Announcements on Nov 19, 2023
On November 15, 2023, RICOH announced a new incarnation of the WG series of rugged point and shoot cameras, the Pentax WG-90.
The technical specifications are identical to its predecessor, the Ricoh WG-80. The only difference appears to be the branding. The WG-90 is branded Pentax as were the initial cameras in the WG series up until and including the WG-3 and WG-10.
The WG-90 is available in blue and in black. It is water proof down to 14 meters (45 feet), and drop, dust and crush proof within limits. Besides the built-in flash it features a built-in macro ring light for macro shooting like its predecessors.
The camera has a 16 mega pixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor paired with a 5-25mm zoom lens (approximately 28-140mm in 35mm format equivalent). The lens is also capable of extreme close focusing, with a macro mode getting as close as 1cm, and 10cm across the entire zoom range.
The camera interface is designed to be both easy to use as well as very versatile, with 25 shooting modes and many creative digital filters. There are specific underwater still and movie modes designed to get pleasing color and contrast in underwater captures. There are also various features to assist with portraits and selfies; such as smile capture, which automatically releases the shutter when the subject smiles, blink detection, which helps prevent shots with the subject's eyes closed, and a self portrait assist mode that illuminates one or more of the six front LEDs to indicate where in the frame a face or faces are located.
As of the time of writing the launch price is unknown.
Pentax KF Price Permanently Reduced
$150 price drop in the US and Canada
By PF Staff in Pentax Announcements on Nov 3, 2023
Ricoh Imaging Americas has implemented a permanent $150 price drop on the Pentax KF, the entry-level DSLR offering that replaced the Pentax K-70 from November 2022.
The updated pricing is $699 USD for the body only (down from $849), and $799 for the 18-55mm WR kit (down from $949). In Canada, a similar price drop will take effect: the price of the body is dropping from $1099 CAD to $929 CAD.
According to our deal finder, the updated pricing is already reflected across major US merchants.
Despite its recent release, the Pentax KF is largely identical to the K-70. Notable differences in the KF include a higher-resolution LCD screen, expanded firmware features (including all of Pentax's special custom image modes), and a USB-powered battery charger. It is also believed that the KF resolves the infamous "aperture block" issue that affected some K-70 bodies.
The new pricing brings the KF much closer to the historical pricing of the K-70, and below the cost of many old stock offerings. It will thus help maintain the KF as a compelling, affordable option within the Pentax lineup. Flagship models such as the Pentax K-3 III retail for approximately $1000 more.
For more details on the KF, please refer to the press release or our K-70 review. We plan to release a hands-on review of the KF in the near future, alongside a supplement to the existing K-70 eBook.
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