DA★ 11-18mm and D FA★ 50mm Reference Exhibits

New lenses to be launched in 2018

By PF Staff in Pentax Announcements on Oct 27, 2017

Ricoh Imaging has officially unveiled two upcoming Pentax K-mount lenses. These will be on display at PhotoPlus and Salon de la Photo 2017 tradeshows— stay tuned for first-hand coverage directly from the floor.

The DA* 11-18mm F2.8 is slated for launch in the summer of 2018 as a professional ultra-wide APS-C lens. The D FA* 50mm F1.4 is scheduled for launch in the spring as a professional wide-aperture normal prime for full frame (this represents a slight delay over the original fall, 2017 launch estimate).

While exact specifications of these lenses won't be revealed until they are finalized and launched, we're pleased to hear that the new D FA* will be upgraded with an all-new focusing system featuring a ring motor. Details follow in the official press release.

Side note: the unreliable "SDM" found on early Pentax DA* lenses has not been used in any new lenses since the late 2000's. In-lens DC motors replaced the original SDM and proved to be highly reliable, but not as fast as a ring motor could be. The latest PLM motor found in the new 55-300mm set a new record for focusing speed, but this technology is not suitable for larger lenses. We therefore welcome continued developments in this area and are looking forward to testing the 50mm.

The SDM label is bound to cause confusion, since it is used to refer to the original focusing system in early DA* lenses, the focusing system in Tamron lens clones for Pentax, and now Pentax's new ring motor focusing system.

D FA* 50mm F1.4

DA* 11-18mm F2.8

(Click to enlarge)

Discuss the Pentax 11-18mm F2.8 and 50mm F1.4 on the forum

Press Release

RICOH develops new-generation, high-performance
Star-series lenses for digital SLR cameras,
to be exhibited at Photo Plus Expo 2017 and Salon de la PHOTO 2017

October 27, 2017

RICOH COMPANY, LTD. and RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. are pleased to announce the development of new-generation, high-performance Star-series lenses designed for the tomorrow's super-high-megapixel, super-high-resolution digital photography. These products will be exhibited as reference products at two upcoming camera events: Photo Plus Expo 2017 to be held from October 26 to 28 in New York; SALON de la PHOTO 2017 to be held from November 9 to 13 in Paris.

Star-series lenses have enjoyed enthusiastic support from many PENTAX SLR camera users since the days of film-format SLR photography, because this series represents the top performance and premium quality of all PENTAX SLR interchangeable lens series. In addition to the initial design concepts of "best image quality" and "large aperture," the series has also adopted the new concepts of "exceptional toughness" and "outstanding operability," achieved through the development of a dustproof, weather-resistant camera body. The result is superior dependability in all shooting conditions, and the emergence of a perfect partner for PENTAX SLR camera bodies.

To be exhibited as reference products, these lenses will become the first two models of the new-generation Star series. While retaining existing design concepts, the series underwent a drastic review of in-house standards, especially on resolving power. Because of this, these new lenses have been designed to provide excellent imaging performance when used in combination with a PENTAX digital SLR camera, making them ideal for the coming age of super-high-performance, super-high-resolution digital photography. Product data will be officially released at a later date.

Interchangeable lenses for PENTAX K-mount digital SLR cameras:

Model name: HD PENTAX-D FA^★ 50mm F1.4 SDM AW (tentative name)*

PENTAX K-mount covering the image circle of a 35mm-format full-frame image sensor
Newly developed ring-shaped SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor) for faster, quieter AF operation
AW (All-Weather) structure to prevent intrusion of dust and rain for use in demanding shooting conditions
Minimum shooting distance of 0.4 meters
Market launch: Scheduled for the spring of 2018

* An updated version of the reference product exhibited at CP⁺ 2017 (held from February 23 to 26, 2017, in Japan).

Model name: HD PENTAX-DA^★ 11-18mm F2.8 (tentative name)

PENTAX K-mount covering the image circle of an APS-C-format image sensor
High-performance Star-series model providing excellent resolution even at open aperture
Large-aperture, ultra-wide-angle zoom lens with a maximum aperture of F2.8 (fixed) and an angle of view between 17mm and 27.5mm (in the 35mm format)
Market launch: Scheduled for the summer of 2018

Note: Model names, designs and specifications of the above-mentioned products are all tentative and subject to change without notice. Prices will be announced at a later date.

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