Any news on lens roadmap?

miriya · 07-30-2009, 08:38 PM

I am very afraid Pentax's future lens plan.

famous lens developer Hirakawa has quit Pentax.

he made several beautiful lenses,,

such as

*80-200 mm, *24 mm, *85 mm, *600 mm
40, 43, 77 Limited
10-17, 14, *55, 50-200, 55-300

jeffkrol · 07-30-2009, 08:43 PM

Maybe that Samsung lens manufacture will pick him up... Maybe he's at retirement age and just wants to go fishing.... maybe he...............
Anyways, usually, everyone is replaceable....
Sad to see him go though. Probably replaced by a Mac...
Maybe he couldn't get that f1 through the beancounters

JonPB · 07-30-2009, 11:06 PM

Seeing that list of lenses, yeah, I'd buy the guy a beer.

But I'd be very surprised if a single engineer can change the roadmap. I'd also be very surprised if there's anything on the roadmap that hasn't been mostly finished. Here's to hoping that he shared his bag of tricks with a few bright apprentices.

nixcamic · 07-30-2009, 11:14 PM

If he's been developing lenses that long wouldn't he be near retirement age?

montecarlo · 07-31-2009, 12:12 AM

I would add to the topic's title: Any CHEAP/MORE AFFORDABLE (let's say, under ~USD 300 ) new PRIME lens roadmap ?

*smc* · 07-31-2009, 12:20 AM

Thanks Miriya.....I think there is good reason to be worried.....lenses (especially the FA ltds) are one item that Pentax can bash Canon / Nikon over the head with. If they loose this....and not drop a pro body out soon...it's trouble. I did notice that the 50-135 is not listed as his.....and in my mind, that lens (or others like it) will keep Pentax going. It is big bucks and big stakes.....new (perhaps old) blood in Pentax/Hoya might be a good thing. They need to break out of the pack.

Jazzyboy · 07-31-2009, 01:26 AM

As the 31mm Ltd isn't listed neither, we can presume that he guy who made it is still there so there may stil bel a hope...

*GLXLR* · 07-31-2009, 01:41 AM

I thought lenses were designed as a group effort?

*smc* · 07-31-2009, 01:48 AM

Originally Posted by GLXLR

I thought lenses were designed as a group effort?

Usually there is someone to look after any team...and in larger projects there are a lot of leads. My guess is he directed the effort from a technical perspective (just a guess)....

Pål Jensen · 07-31-2009, 06:59 AM

I think he was retired ten years ago but still worked for Pentax on a hire basis.....

However, there are other great Pentax lens designers. The 31 Limited was not developed by Hirakawa but it is one of the best wide angles ever made by anyone.
Not sure who designed the FA* 200/4 Macro but it is a truly outstanding lens. Can't see how it possibly could be improved optically.....

*Jonson PL* · 07-31-2009, 07:47 AM

Pentax will always have focus on lenses.
The 70 limited is in some areas better than the 77 limited, though emphasis not put on speed.
The new 15/4 limited is remarkable, in that it is quite unusual for a ultra-wide to have almost zero distortion. The 35 limited macro is Leica worthy.
FA* 300/2.8, and *200/2.8, along with FA 100 macro, and FA 50 macro are superb in every way too.
The * 250-600/5.6 ED [IF] is a remarkable design as well.
Some of the older A* lenses are unique also. So good people have been before him, and good people are already following him.

I'm hoping they're bringing out a DA* 18/2. Or dusting off, and put into production; the 20/1.4 AL

Rondec · 07-31-2009, 11:06 AM

I would like them come out with a longer zoom and maybe weather seal some of their other lenses. There are rumors that Samsung is working on a full frame sensor and if those are true, then pentax will need to be working on lenses to compliment such a camera. At the same time, they can't announce to the world that they are working on those lenses without giving a hint that full frame is coming. Since being taken over by Hoya, there has been a lot more secrecy about future developments -- by the time things are announced, they are close to being ready to release.

Jazzyboy · 07-31-2009, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Jonson PL

I'm hoping they're bringing out a DA* 18/2. Or dusting off, and put into production; the 20/1.4 AL

A DA* 18/2 or even /2.8 would be fantastic.
A 20/1.4 AL... forget it.

philbaum · 07-31-2009, 05:43 PM

I wouldn't be worried over a few retirements. And it isn't like optics is any new field. I worked in a specialized engineering firm for 33 years, went from new engineer to manager, and had sense to retire before i was an "anchor". You need traditions, but you also need new energy and ideas.

You should be more worried if there isn't a balance between new and older workers.

miriya · 07-31-2009, 07:53 PM

He is retired old man, anyway, he is my star

other than nicknames such as L lens, G lens, or star lens,

it is much more pleasant to call "Artisan Harakawa's Lens"