Will Fuji spur Ricoh to release an updated 50 1.2?

Gray · 03-21-2014, 08:33 AM

The Fuji X-lens APS-C mount with its fast lenses is intriguing to me as Pentax dSLR photog.

Anyone here think the release and excellent reviews of the Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R lens will goad Ricoh into releasing a 1.2 version of the DA* 55, FA 50 or DA 50?

VisualDarkness · 03-21-2014, 08:40 AM

A re-release of the old design with AF and new coating would probably be enough to satisfy most complainers, I actually have trouble seeing why they wouldn't. Atleast the 55/1.4 is a really nice one already.

oxidized · 03-21-2014, 09:13 AM

Converting a mf lens to af is not as easy as throwing it into a diff helicoid and adding screw drive. A lot of other factors need to be considered.

Adam · 03-21-2014, 09:22 AM

They sort of said in the most recent interview that fast lenses aren't a priority

Adam
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**jatrax** · 03-21-2014, 09:23 AM

Would be nice, and would get attention but I think we are a long way from 50mm f/1.2. They seem to be focused on general market lenses that they can sell in volume. Not to say a 50 f/1.2 might not be in the pipeline but I think it is way, way down the priority list. And in general the design philosophy still seems to be small (and slow) rather than big and fast. I think it more likely we will see a 50 f/1.2 from Sigma before Ricoh makes one.

VisualDarkness · 03-21-2014, 09:25 AM

Originally posted by oxidized

Converting a mf lens to af is not as easy as throwing it into a diff helicoid and adding screw drive. A lot of other factors need to be considered.

I know that, but still they have the capability and base design to make the lens.

Originally posted by Adam

They sort of said in the most recent interview that fast lenses aren't a priority

Yeah, I'm happy with my 55/1.4 but I just know it isn't enough for the ones who complains.

Eyewanders · 03-21-2014, 09:34 AM

Yeah, I just don't see the need personally, it would be nice, but there are many other things I'd like to see come down the pipeline. The 55/1.4 is an excellent lens, and for those who really need/want some (barely) faster, there are a fair number of options out there. But even in those cases, if you're using a fiddy that fast wide open, you're likely going to want/need to rely on critical MF at any rate.

**jpzk** · 03-21-2014, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by Gray

The Fuji X-lens APS-C mount with its fast lenses is intriguing to me as Pentax dSLR photog.

Anyone here think the release and excellent reviews of the Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R lens will goad Ricoh into releasing a 1.2 version of the DA* 55, FA 50 or DA 50?

Quite amazing for a f1.2 lens to be this sharp !
When you compare that with the Canon eq. it is a "good deal" (Canon f1.2 lens is $2000)

Wishful thinking maybe for us using Pentax?

JP

VisualDarkness · 03-21-2014, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by jpzk

Quite amazing for a f1.2 lens to be this sharp !
When you compare that with the Canon eq. it is a "good deal" (Canon f1.2 lens is $2000)

Wishful thinking maybe for us using Pentax?

JP

Canon sells a lot of their F1.2, probably way more than the potential market for Pentax. I wonder what much smaller production number would cost for Pentax.

**Rondec** · 03-21-2014, 10:22 AM

I certainly wouldn't be against a 50mm f1.2 lens from Pentax, but there isn't that much difference between 1.2 and 1.4. The A 50mm f1.2 was a really nice lens -- better bokeh than the DA *55 f1.4 (and the 55 is quite good). At the same time, I would like to see some faster lenses at other focal lengths -- maybe a 135 f1.8 or 20mm f2.

cbope · 03-21-2014, 10:37 AM

What exactly is the benefit of an f1.2 vs. f1.4, I mean really? That's 1/3 stop (or 1/2, depending on which scale you read). Since there is already the DA* 55/1.4, why would they add another 50-ish focal length with only a 1/3 stop more light? I could understand if all we had was the DA 50/1.8, then a fast 50 might make some sense.

Sounds to me like a my d**k is bigger than your d**k competition.

northcoastgreg · 03-21-2014, 10:43 AM

It's not going to happen. Pentax has it's hands full filling out their APS-C line-up and starting up their FF line-up. I suspect zoom lenses will be the priority for the next few years. Speciality primes -- not so much.

Eyewanders · 03-21-2014, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

I certainly wouldn't be against a 50mm f1.2 lens from Pentax, but there isn't that much difference between 1.2 and 1.4. The A 50mm f1.2 was a really nice lens -- better bokeh than the DA *55 f1.4 (and the 55 is quite good). At the same time, I would like to see some faster lenses at other focal lengths -- maybe a 135 f1.8 or 20mm f2.

WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with your last statement! I would snatch those up in a heartbeat.

Doundounba · 03-21-2014, 10:55 AM

Fast 50s exist aplenty in Pentax-land, and F/1.4 vrs F/1.2 isn't a big deal. Where I find Fuji X-mount is developing an edge is fast and wide (and still reasonably small), with lenses like the 35mm F/1.4, the 23mm F/1.4, the 18mm F/2 and the just-announced Samyang 12mm F/2. That's where I wish Pentax-Ricoh would fight back.

6BQ5 · 03-21-2014, 12:02 PM

I think it would be a halo product that would sell in limited numbers compared to their DA 35mm and 50mm. It may be hard to build a business case for this. Fuji makes no secret about marketing toward the higher end market. Pentax makes no secret about making an "every man's" camera. As Adam said, Pentax stated that they would rather make small lenses vs. fast aperture lenses.

I also don't know how well the AF system could handle such a fast lens. The DoF wide open is so thin I wonder if the camera would overshoot the focus point and end up hunting. Something tells me that the body would need a kick upward in computing horsepower.

Personally, I'm plenty fine with my FA 50mm f/1.7.

03-21-2014, 08:33 AM	#1
Gray Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Town Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	Will Fuji spur Ricoh to release an updated 50 1.2? The Fuji X-lens APS-C mount with its fast lenses is intriguing to me as Pentax dSLR photog. Anyone here think the release and excellent reviews of the Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R lens will goad Ricoh into releasing a 1.2 version of the DA* 55, FA 50 or DA 50?

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03-21-2014, 08:40 AM	#2
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	A re-release of the old design with AF and new coating would probably be enough to satisfy most complainers, I actually have trouble seeing why they wouldn't. Atleast the 55/1.4 is a really nice one already.

03-21-2014, 09:13 AM	#3
oxidized Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA - Delaware Photos: Albums Posts: 435	Converting a mf lens to af is not as easy as throwing it into a diff helicoid and adding screw drive. A lot of other factors need to be considered.

03-21-2014, 09:22 AM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	They sort of said in the most recent interview that fast lenses aren't a priority Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

03-21-2014, 09:23 AM	#5
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Would be nice, and would get attention but I think we are a long way from 50mm f/1.2. They seem to be focused on general market lenses that they can sell in volume. Not to say a 50 f/1.2 might not be in the pipeline but I think it is way, way down the priority list. And in general the design philosophy still seems to be small (and slow) rather than big and fast. I think it more likely we will see a 50 f/1.2 from Sigma before Ricoh makes one.

03-21-2014, 09:25 AM	#6
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by oxidized Converting a mf lens to af is not as easy as throwing it into a diff helicoid and adding screw drive. A lot of other factors need to be considered. I know that, but still they have the capability and base design to make the lens. Originally posted by Adam They sort of said in the most recent interview that fast lenses aren't a priority Yeah, I'm happy with my 55/1.4 but I just know it isn't enough for the ones who complains.

03-21-2014, 09:34 AM	#7
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Yeah, I just don't see the need personally, it would be nice, but there are many other things I'd like to see come down the pipeline. The 55/1.4 is an excellent lens, and for those who really need/want some (barely) faster, there are a fair number of options out there. But even in those cases, if you're using a fiddy that fast wide open, you're likely going to want/need to rely on critical MF at any rate.

03-21-2014, 09:43 AM	#8
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by Gray The Fuji X-lens APS-C mount with its fast lenses is intriguing to me as Pentax dSLR photog. Anyone here think the release and excellent reviews of the Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R lens will goad Ricoh into releasing a 1.2 version of the DA* 55, FA 50 or DA 50? Quite amazing for a f1.2 lens to be this sharp ! When you compare that with the Canon eq. it is a "good deal" (Canon f1.2 lens is $2000) Wishful thinking maybe for us using Pentax? JP

03-21-2014, 09:46 AM	#9
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by jpzk Quite amazing for a f1.2 lens to be this sharp ! When you compare that with the Canon eq. it is a "good deal" (Canon f1.2 lens is $2000) Wishful thinking maybe for us using Pentax? JP Canon sells a lot of their F1.2, probably way more than the potential market for Pentax. I wonder what much smaller production number would cost for Pentax.

03-21-2014, 10:22 AM	#10
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,652	I certainly wouldn't be against a 50mm f1.2 lens from Pentax, but there isn't that much difference between 1.2 and 1.4. The A 50mm f1.2 was a really nice lens -- better bokeh than the DA *55 f1.4 (and the 55 is quite good). At the same time, I would like to see some faster lenses at other focal lengths -- maybe a 135 f1.8 or 20mm f2.

03-21-2014, 10:37 AM	#11
cbope Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Helsinki Posts: 664	What exactly is the benefit of an f1.2 vs. f1.4, I mean really? That's 1/3 stop (or 1/2, depending on which scale you read). Since there is already the DA* 55/1.4, why would they add another 50-ish focal length with only a 1/3 stop more light? I could understand if all we had was the DA 50/1.8, then a fast 50 might make some sense. Sounds to me like a my dk is bigger than your dk competition.

03-21-2014, 10:43 AM	#12
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	It's not going to happen. Pentax has it's hands full filling out their APS-C line-up and starting up their FF line-up. I suspect zoom lenses will be the priority for the next few years. Speciality primes -- not so much.

03-21-2014, 10:44 AM	#13
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Originally posted by Rondec I certainly wouldn't be against a 50mm f1.2 lens from Pentax, but there isn't that much difference between 1.2 and 1.4. The A 50mm f1.2 was a really nice lens -- better bokeh than the DA *55 f1.4 (and the 55 is quite good). At the same time, I would like to see some faster lenses at other focal lengths -- maybe a 135 f1.8 or 20mm f2. WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with your last statement! I would snatch those up in a heartbeat.

03-21-2014, 10:55 AM	#14
Doundounba Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montréal QC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,351	Fast 50s exist aplenty in Pentax-land, and F/1.4 vrs F/1.2 isn't a big deal. Where I find Fuji X-mount is developing an edge is fast and wide (and still reasonably small), with lenses like the 35mm F/1.4, the 23mm F/1.4, the 18mm F/2 and the just-announced Samyang 12mm F/2. That's where I wish Pentax-Ricoh would fight back.

03-21-2014, 12:02 PM	#15
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	I think it would be a halo product that would sell in limited numbers compared to their DA 35mm and 50mm. It may be hard to build a business case for this. Fuji makes no secret about marketing toward the higher end market. Pentax makes no secret about making an "every man's" camera. As Adam said, Pentax stated that they would rather make small lenses vs. fast aperture lenses. I also don't know how well the AF system could handle such a fast lens. The DoF wide open is so thin I wonder if the camera would overshoot the focus point and end up hunting. Something tells me that the body would need a kick upward in computing horsepower. Personally, I'm plenty fine with my FA 50mm f/1.7.