Ricoh Imaging now an official Kenko distributor for the US

Ricoh signs deal with Kenko Tokina Co., Ltd.

By cjfeola in Pentax Announcements on Oct 13, 2023

Ricoh Imaging is now an official US distributor for Kenko lens filters and photo accessories, according to a Ricoh press release. “KENKO is a top Japanese brand of lens filters and photo accessories and we’re excited for the opportunity to collaborate with them to bring their exceptional offerings to the U.S.” the press release said. The move took effect Oct. 1.

The move is interesting for several reasons. First, Ricoh has made it a point in recent earnings reports to single out photography as a profitable performance vertical. This move expands Ricoh’s photography portfolio.

Second, the Kenko corporation merged with Tokina in 2011. The merged Kenko Tokina Co., Ltd owns Cokin filters and Slik tripods, and is also, ironically for Pentaxians, the worldwide distributor for Hoya filters, as well as its namesake Kenko filters and Tokina lenses. The natural question this deal raises is whether it is the harbinger for further cooperation between the companies, such as new Tokina K Mount lenses.

Below is the initial list of Kenko products distributed by Ricoh:

• ZXII PROTECTOR
• ZXII UVL41
• BLACK MIST No.05
• BLACK MIST No.1
• PRO1D SMART MC UV
• PRO1D SMART C-PL
• PRO1D SMART Variable NDX 3-450
• PRO1D+ INSTANT ACTION PROTECTOR
• PRO1D+ INSTANT ACTION PROTECTOR SET
• PRO1D+ INSTANT ACTION UVL41
• PRO1D+ INSTANT ACTION UVL41 SET
• PRO1D+ INSTANT ACTION C-PL
• PRO1D+ INSTANT ACTION C-PL SET
• PRO1D+ INSTANT ACTION ADAPTER
• PRO1D+ INSTANT ACTION VARIABLE NDX3-450+ C-PL
• PRO1D+ INSTANT ACTION VARIABLE NDX3-450+ C-PL SET
• PRO1D+ INSTANT ACTION CONVERSION RING
• PRO1D+ INSTANT ACTION C-UP LENS No.1
• PRO1D+ INSTANT ACTION C-UP LENS No.2
• PRO1D+ INSTANT ACTION C-UP LENS No.3
• PRO1D+ INSTANT ACTION C-UP LENS No.4
• INSTANT ACT C-UP No. 1&3 SET
• PROND100000