What is Hirakawa Jun doing today?

cxdoo · 02-11-2015, 04:36 AM

I wonder what Ricoh did on the R&D personnel front since taking over. Didn't Hoya practically throw out optical designers?

**Pål Jensen** · 02-11-2015, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by clackers

Ooh ... he's never done a macro lens before!

He did the SMC Pentax FA 90/3.5 Macro Limited. It was never released.....

aurele · 02-11-2015, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

He did the SMC Pentax FA 90/3.5 Macro Limited. It was never released.....

Was it supposed to be small and compact ?

goodnight · 02-11-2015, 01:31 PM - **1 Like**

I like jsherman999's picture of Jun from this 2010 thread:

Originally posted by jsherman999

I imagine him living quietly in a secluded, heavily wooded hilltop villa in view of Mt Fuji. He bides his time reading philosophy and novels, feeding his goats, and occasionally - entertaining questions from young Pentaxians and lens designers who are persistent enough to locate him, and to hike up to where he lives, to get close to his genius. He serves them tea, and laughingly waves them off with an "Oh, I don't do those things any more. It's a young man's game."

After they leave, he shuffles back to his house, opens up a notebook, pages through brilliant, unrealized diagrams of 26 f/1.6, 50 f/1.2, 135 f/2, 180 f/2.8, and 300 f/4 Limiteds, their design and potential capability peerless.

He closes the notebook, finishes his tea, and sits down in front of the fire with his cat to finish his novel before retiring for the evening.

indy · 02-11-2015, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by aurele

Was it supposed to be small and compact ?

F3.5 and 90mm....yes. It would almost have to be. I have a 90 2.5 macro and it is quite small.

**clackers** · 02-11-2015, 03:22 PM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

He did the SMC Pentax FA 90/3.5 Macro Limited. It was never released.....

An even better story, Pal ... he gets to complete the dream! :-)

**Pål Jensen** · 02-11-2015, 03:27 PM

Originally posted by aurele

Was it supposed to be small and compact ?

No idea but probably. It was going down to 1:2 but would go to 1:1 with an included close-up lens or extension tube (not finalized).

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02-11-2015, 04:36 AM	#16
cxdoo Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Limassol, Cyprus Posts: 1,150	I wonder what Ricoh did on the R&D personnel front since taking over. Didn't Hoya practically throw out optical designers?

02-11-2015, 08:45 AM	#17
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by clackers Ooh ... he's never done a macro lens before! He did the SMC Pentax FA 90/3.5 Macro Limited. It was never released.....

02-11-2015, 11:57 AM	#18
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by Pål Jensen He did the SMC Pentax FA 90/3.5 Macro Limited. It was never released..... Was it supposed to be small and compact ?

02-11-2015, 01:31 PM - 1 Like	#19
goodnight Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 128	I like jsherman999's picture of Jun from this 2010 thread: Originally posted by jsherman999 I imagine him living quietly in a secluded, heavily wooded hilltop villa in view of Mt Fuji. He bides his time reading philosophy and novels, feeding his goats, and occasionally - entertaining questions from young Pentaxians and lens designers who are persistent enough to locate him, and to hike up to where he lives, to get close to his genius. He serves them tea, and laughingly waves them off with an "Oh, I don't do those things any more. It's a young man's game." After they leave, he shuffles back to his house, opens up a notebook, pages through brilliant, unrealized diagrams of 26 f/1.6, 50 f/1.2, 135 f/2, 180 f/2.8, and 300 f/4 Limiteds, their design and potential capability peerless. He closes the notebook, finishes his tea, and sits down in front of the fire with his cat to finish his novel before retiring for the evening.

02-11-2015, 01:41 PM	#20
indy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 274	Originally posted by aurele Was it supposed to be small and compact ? F3.5 and 90mm....yes. It would almost have to be. I have a 90 2.5 macro and it is quite small.

02-11-2015, 03:22 PM	#21
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Pål Jensen He did the SMC Pentax FA 90/3.5 Macro Limited. It was never released..... An even better story, Pal ... he gets to complete the dream! :-)

02-11-2015, 03:27 PM	#22
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by aurele Was it supposed to be small and compact ? No idea but probably. It was going down to 1:2 but would go to 1:1 with an included close-up lens or extension tube (not finalized).