[Uluru]

More info here.

Interestingly, this is 2nd patent for a lens around the 23mm. The previous one was 2.5/23mm.

(In 135 format terms, those are 36mm and 35mm respectively)

Now Ricoh has patents of the 135 format equivalents of 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 36mm and 40mm (for the APS-C mirrorless).

[mee]

A 2mm f/24?? interesting lens.

[Daikokuya]

I think this is for GR.

[DSims]

A 2mm f/24?? interesting lens.

That's the way Zeiss likes to put it.

[mikemike]

For APS-C mirrorless, are you saying that the registration distance for these is less than the distance for K-mount?

Might be GR or compact APS-C lenses.

[mee]

That's the way Zeiss likes to put it.

They are special like that.

In any case, this isn't a Zeiss.. and I'd still like to see a 2mm f/24 lens.

[DSims]

In any case, this isn't a Zeiss.. and I'd still like to see a 2mm f/24 lens.

I think you have - it's called a cell phone lens

[mee]

...but we're talking about an APS-C lens...

[eurostar]

After the 50/1,8 and 35/2,4 a 24 fastish lens is what Pentax lacks for a triad of entry level primes. Maybe the 23/2,5 would be more suited...

[ma-ledezma]

NEw lens patent — Ricoh 2/24 for APS-C mirrorless

Does this means that we are going to see a K01 replacement?

[VisualDarkness]

Sounds like a GR lens for sure.

[JimmyDranox]

Sorry, but is a 24mm f2 lens. Not a 2mm f24.

[JPT]

Certainly looks like a GR lens to me. A Ricoh representative (forget who) did mention in an interview that they were planning to expand the GR range with different focal lengths, so it seems more likely than a new mirrorless system. Focussing on quality compacts rather than mirrorless ILCs would be a good strategy in my opinion. I just hope they can bring the cost down to a level where the average customer will buy it over a Pen or NEX or whatever.

For a compact camera to make sense for me it has to . . .
- be small enough to easily fit in a pocket and require no lens cap (like the GR, not as big as the Fuji X100 or a MILC)
- take pictures that anyone can see are better than a camera phone (like the GR)
- be cheaper than a DSLR (unfortunately the GR is pricy because of its design)

Given the prices of APS-C mirrorless cameras, I can't see any reason why a plastic-bodied GR variant with simplified controls couldn't be sold for $499 dollars at launch ($400 at EOL) and aimed at more of a mass market. There are a lot of users who steer away from interchangeable lens cameras because they see it as a pain rather than a virtue. It doesn't mean they are happy with camera phone pictures or that they won't spend money on a dedicated camera if the quality is there.

What got me started on this line of thinking is that the patent looks like the perfect lens for such a camera, but Ricoh has traditionally focused on a high-end niche, so I think a camera very similar to the current GR is more likely.

[Uluru]

It is, colloquially named, 'Zeiss description', in which the aperture is written first, then the focal length. The choice which — for the information of the honourable assembly — Ricoh Imaging has adopted, and is using on its Pentax lenses.
See below the example of the HD DA 20-40.

[thibs]

Certainly looks like a GR lens to me. A Ricoh representative (forget who) did mention in an interview that they were planning to expand the GR range with different focal lengths, so it seems more likely than a new mirrorless system. Focussing on quality compacts rather than mirrorless ILCs would be a good strategy in my opinion. I just hope they can bring the cost down to a level where the average customer will buy it over a Pen or NEX or whatever.

For a compact camera to make sense for me it has to . . .
- be small enough to easily fit in a pocket and require no lens cap (like the GR, not as big as the Fuji X100 or a MILC)
- take pictures that anyone can see are better than a camera phone (like the GR)
- be cheaper than a DSLR (unfortunately the GR is pricy because of its design)

Given the prices of APS-C mirrorless cameras, I can't see any reason why a plastic-bodied GR variant with simplified controls couldn't be sold for $499 dollars at launch ($400 at EOL) and aimed at more of a mass market. There are a lot of users who steer away from interchangeable lens cameras because they see it as a pain rather than a virtue. It doesn't mean they are happy with camera phone pictures or that they won't spend money on a dedicated camera if the quality is there.

What got me started on this line of thinking is that the patent looks like the perfect lens for such a camera, but Ricoh has traditionally focused on a high-end niche, so I think a camera very similar to the current GR is more likely.

Interesting idea but only if lens is somewhat downgraded too otherwise, most people would buy the lot less pricey camera with the gem lens, and the GR wouldn't sell anymore.

But doing something like Rolleiflex/Rolleicord or Mamiya C330/220.
The essential is the same but lenses are not and a couple other refinements but the all thing as to make both proposals desirable.