CP+ 2018 Pentax Interview

Exclusive insights into the latest Pentax developments

By PF Staff in CP+ 2018 on Mar 6, 2018

We're happy to present our CP+ 2018 interview with Ricoh Imaging representatives about Pentax products and developments.  Most questions are answered in the video clip below, but the more technical questions that follow were answered off-camera.

Stay tuned for further commentary.

CP+ 2018: Insights Into the Future of Pentax

A look at direction and upcoming products

By PF Staff in CP+ 2018 on Mar 16, 2018

Earlier this month, we conducted our annual Pentax interview with Ricoh Imaging representatives at the CP+ 2018 show in Japan.  We were particularly enthusiastic about this year's interview, as it was a great opportunity for the Pentax community to catch up on what Ricoh has been working on following a very quiet 2017 amid an industry that's otherwise moving and changing rapidly.  The representatives we spoke with were equally enthusiastic and spent several hours answering our questions and showing us around the booth and the newly-announced products.

2018 Pentax K-Mount Lens Roadmap

New 70-200mm F4 joins other planned lenses

By JonPB in CP+ 2018 on Mar 1, 2018

Ricoh Imaging has released the updated 2018 roadmap for K-Mount lenses. Eight future lenses for Pentax cameras are listed, including a new addition: a D FA 70-200mm F4 telezoom.

The following lenses are to be released in "2018 or later:"

• HD Pentax-DA★ 11-18mm F2.8ED DC AW (2018 Spring)
• HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm F1.4 SDM AW (2018 Spring)
• HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm F4 (2019 Spring)
• HD Pentax-D FA★ 85mm F1.4 (2019)
• Large Aperture Wide-Angle Single Focus Lens (2019 or later)
• Ultra Wide-Angle Single Focus Lens (2019 or later)
• Fish-Eye Zoom Lens (2019 or later)
• Telephoto Zoom Lens (2019 or later)

This roadmap follows the recent announcement of the DA★ 11-18mm and D FA★ 50mm. The D FA★ 85mm F1.4 is now planned for 2019, and Ricoh Imaging is confirming the ongoing development of the other lenses.

Hands-on with the D FA★ 50mm F1.4

New high-performance full frame prime

By PF Staff in CP+ 2018 on Mar 5, 2018

A new premium full-frame Pentax lens is just around the corner: in the coming months, we'll see the official announcement of the HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm F1.4.  In the mean time, we had the opporunity to test out the lens while at the CP+ show.

Ricoh Imaging Exhibits at CP+ 2018

K-1 II, new roadmaps, upcoming GR relaunch, and more

By PF Staff in CP+ 2018 on Mar 4, 2018

Ricoh Imaging has exhibited the latest in Pentax and Ricoh cameras at the annual CP+ trade show near Tokyo.  This year's booth focused on the recently-launched Pentax K-1 II and the Theta V; there was also an area for presentations and a "touch and try" counter allowing visitors to test the full lineup of Pentax lenses.

We have conducted our annual interview with Ricoh representatives, during which we asked a wide range of Pentax-related products.  We expect to publish the interview in the coming days.

Pentax side of the Ricoh Imaging booth at CP+ 2018

While the booth was smaller overall than in previous years, the simplified layout placed a strong emphasis on Ricoh's core camera offerings and the most recent developments, similar to what we saw at WPPI 2018 just a few days earlier.  Interestingly, though, the 645Z had a very minimal presence at CP+ and was actually more prominent at the WPPI show.  The Q line was available in the touch & try area only.

New roadmaps for the K-mount lens lineup made a debut at the show; see our separate post to learn more the upcoming DA* 11-18mm F2.8, D FA* 50mm F1.4, and D FA 70-200mm F4 lenses.  Roadmaps for the 645Z and Q line remain unchanged.

New roadmaps and upcoming lenses (click to enlarge)

Views of the DA* 11-18mm prototype