[Pål Jensen]

I wouldn't hold my breath for a prime 135mm lens. They dissapeared years ago as no one bought them anylonger.

[jaad75]

Some retailers list it as "Discontinued"

It's the manufacturer who says if it's discontinued or not, not "some retailers", and Ricoh clearly states (see the roadmap) it still IS in the lineup.

All of the 645 lenses have been in production for years, but only 3 were available in North America until last year.

As far as I know, they were produced in short bathes only.

Since the 31mm has been "on sale" now since Photokina, it seem obvious they are clearing inventory for and updated replacement after the FF launches.

I remember this lens being "on sale" couple of times already. I bought it in 2007 with a $100 mail-in rebate when many people claimed they are going to be discontinued as well.

---------- Post added 03-28-2015 at 09:58 AM ----------

I wouldn't hold my breath for a prime 135mm lens. They dissapeared years ago as no one bought them anylonger.

Just like nobody buys the 85mm for APS-C anymore... I rather prefer shorter focal lengths even for the headshots, but some prefer longer and the 135mm is a classic headshot lens on FF.

[Winder]

It's the manufacturer who says if it's discontinued or not, not "some retailers", and Ricoh clearly states (see the roadmap) it still IS in the lineup.

The last batch was December of 2012. There will be no more. There will probably be a replacement next year with at least new HD coatings, but it maybe a more significant update.

Don't put too much into a road map. The 1.4x Tele-converter appeared on every road map produced for 5-6 years before ever going into production. The D-FA 100mm Macro NEVER appeared on a road map prior to being released.

[monochrome]

I wonder if the 'old' Fa Lims will go up or down in price if they are actually updated.

[normhead]

I wouldn't hold my breath for a prime 135mm lens. They dissapeared years ago as no one bought them anylonger.

I've been watching eBay for quite a while... I'd love an F series type 135. Given that they are 200mm equivalent, it's kind of surprising they aren't used a lot more. If they released a 135 ƒ2, I'd certainly look at it. The DA* 50-135 is ƒ 2.8 so they've kind of screwed themselves for releasing an ƒ 2.8 or slower 85 or 135.

[jaad75]

The last batch was December of 2012. There will be no more.

I wouldn't be so sure. They may update it with the HD coatings of course, but I don't think they will redesign them completely. They would redesign the FA50 and FA35 as well, instead of just moving the production to Vietnam and listing them back in lens lineup, don't you think?

Don't put too much into a road map. The 1.4x Tele-converter appeared on every road map produced for 5-6 years before ever going into production.

But you're talking about the "future lens" section and I mean the "current lineup" section - all three FA Limiteds are still there for sure, so they basically say "they are not discontinued", even if they don't have any bathes "in production" right now.

[Winder]

But you're talking about the "future lens" section and I mean the "current lineup" section - all three FA Limiteds are still there for sure, so they basically say "they are not discontinued", even if they don't have any bathes "in production" right now.

Someone who works for an Asian distributor has said they are "discontinued". He can't get anymore of them. I'm simply going by his comments.

[kenspo]

New 70-200 AF speed and sharpness testing. Zooming while using AF-C. First two pictures at 78mm and last 3 at 70mm. Used TAV; ISO200, 1/1000, F/2.8. Unedited high rez JPG's here; http://we.tl/0GQYPBDCTd

[Winder]

I wonder if the 'old' Fa Lims will go up or down in price if they are actually updated.

I have been wondering the same thing. I think it depends on what Ricoh does with the updates and how good they are.

I'm going to guess that the DA 20-40mm Limited is the "style" that we will see.

Will they still be screw drive?
Will they be weather sealed?
Will they be faster/slower? F/1.4 or F/2?
Will they have built in lens hoods?
Will they keep aperture rings on the lens?

I think Ricoh knows they need glass that makes people go "wow" if they are going to attract the high end enthusiast, so I have high expectations, but I don't know what to expect.

[mee]

Looks good to me!

[jaad75]

Unedited high rez JPG's here; http://we.tl/0GQYPBDCTd

I don't see even one that is focused properly. And those sharpening artefacts... :roll:

[aurele]

New 70-200 AF speed and sharpness testing. Zooming while using AF-C. First two pictures at 78mm and last 3 at 70mm. Used TAV; ISO200, 1/1000, F/2.8. Unedited high rez JPG's here; http://we.tl/0GQYPBDCTd

Looking at the downloaded files : Hum ... the limithing factor seems the body and not the lens You can see the eyelesh of the soccer player !

This lens really seems awesome !

[kenspo]

Yes, its tack sharp and fast as hell! And yes, the body is the limiting factor here. I think both the 70-200 and 150-450 will be even more awesome on a FF!

[jaad75]

the body is the limiting factor here.

Is it calibrated? I mean, all these pictures are more or less front focused... Do you have any shots that are 100% in focus?

[Stavri]

My anti-troll software lit up on this thread ( I'm looking at you jaad75)