Imaging-Resource Interview With Ricoh

mecrox · 03-06-2015, 04:41 AM

I enjoyed this interview which was a lot more relaxed and forthcoming than in the past. They are on a roll and it is nice to sense that. I was a bit puzzled by the distinction between the K and K-S lines, though. Most of what is on the K-S2 is mainstream these days - TS screen, wifi, etc. I wonder if the two lines will end up as one. The news about the success of the GR is very encouraging. I would very much like to get one (or a new model if one is coming out soon). Plus, they seem to have lined up their ducks in Asia (China which they say is booming, India and so forth) before the drop in sales in the West started to get really hairy.

mee · 03-06-2015, 07:38 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

Much more then I thought. But I think the 645Z alreeds out sold the 645D in just One years then. It al comes to the price and the New cmos sensor.

Seems price vs size of sensor is a big part of it.. which is why I think the price on the FF body will be very attractive too (within the realm of FF bodies).

stevebrot · 03-06-2015, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by mee

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31629-da-le...ml#post2682671
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31629-da-le...ml#post2508043

I stand by my assertion. I would post the scans, but the scanner has trouble with a blank wall shot like that*. Under direct observation, there appears to be about 1.5 stops vignette at the corner wide open with the 50/1.8 relative to the 50/1.7. The vignette becomes less as the lens is stopped down. That does not mean the lens is not usable on a FF camera, but the vignette is not within historic standards for a lens of that type.

Various claims have been made regarding the DA 50/1.8 including one that it is simply a repackaged FA 50/1.7. I don't believe that is true. The FA 50/1.7 shares optical design with all Pentax 50/1.7 lenses and my DA 50/1.8, while a great lens, has different rendering characteristics than my M 50/1.7 or A 50/1.7.

Steve

* Vignette is evaluated using an evenly lit target and measuring the attenuation to the corners.

vboy · 03-07-2015, 08:20 AM

Originally posted by luftfluss

CP+ 2015 Interview: Ricoh’s investment in Pentax, full-frame strategy, lens plans and more

it is nice to know that the company is doing well...ti makes pentaxians happy as well...bravo and more power!

---------- Post added 03-07-15 at 05:25 PM ----------

yup,i couldnt even find a GR here in (GR) Greece,not even a theta or the WG-M1...

noser · 03-07-2015, 09:17 AM

Originally posted by rawr

I was happy to see in the interview that Ricoh is (at last) taking a serious interest in wedding photography

Me too!

I couldn't do WPPI this year (unavoidable), and I haven't shot my 645N enough to know what I want out of the lens roadmap, but when I looked at the K5 vs 645Z I didn't see any shortcomings of 645Z at all. The lower framerate and thinner DoF suits me fine for most of the days shooting; so it's really down to the glass. And instead of selecting 'equivalent' (duck!) lenses for the entire kit, I'd like to select what will emphasize MF by choosing specific glass.

And then choosing the rest of the kit based on FF

aleonx3 · 03-07-2015, 09:23 AM

@mee, do you have both DA 50f1.8 and M 50f1.7? can you compare the front/rear glass elements of both to see if there is any noticeable size difference? I know it is more to it than that, but that would be something more readily identifiable if not at all.

derekkite · 03-07-2015, 10:02 AM - **1 Like**

Great interview. I like it when these sales folks say the word profit. Not sales numbers, not market share. Profit.

The way I read it, the KS line is the fashion statement, throw against the wall to see what sticks. The K line, the 645 and the coming full frame line are tools for photographers.

I think ogl is right. The demand for their full frame offering will surprise them.

rawr · 03-07-2015, 08:06 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by derekkite

The demand for their full frame offering will surprise them.

Indeed it may. Then they will probably think: why didn't we do this years ago?

mee · 03-07-2015, 08:59 PM

Originally posted by aleonx3

@mee, do you have both DA 50f1.8 and M 50f1.7? can you compare the front/rear glass elements of both to see if there is any noticeable size difference? I know it is more to it than that, but that would be something more readily identifiable if not at all.

That is an interesting idea.

Yes, I own both lenses. I put the rear glass 'back to back' and observed the DA's diameter is slightly less than the M's! Front element appears similar but that one is hard to check since the DA's design blocks checking. If I had a tape measure it would be far more accurate a test, but I do not have one of those (I have a lot of lenses but not a measly tape measure -- where is my priority here hehe).

That would probably answer why stevebrot is seeing vignetting at 1.8

That said I'd practically never use the DA50 f/1.8 lens at 1.8 anyways (even on a crop body) -- that lens shines stopped down to at least 2.8 (and further at 5.6 where it is incredibly incredibly sharp).

timcatn · 03-08-2015, 03:45 AM

Rear element of DA 50/1.8 = 24mm
Rear element of K50/1.4 = 29mm

Tollrance of my measurement is estimated at +-1mm

**monochrome** · 03-08-2015, 04:50 AM

Originally posted by timcatn

Rear element of DA 50/1.8 = 24mm
Rear element of K50/1.4 = 29mm

Tollrance of my measurement is estimated at +-1mm

Question:

Are you certain you measured all the glass or might there be a baffle in the DA50/1.8?

Stavri · 03-08-2015, 04:57 AM

Originally posted by timcatn

Rear element of DA 50/1.8 = 24mm
Rear element of K50/1.4 = 29mm

Tolerance of my measurement is estimated at +-1mm

They lenses with different max apertures, you need to compare the rear elements of the M 50mm f1.7(or the -F/FA 50mm f1.7) with the Da 50mm f1.8.

timcatn · 03-08-2015, 05:58 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

Question:

Are you certain you measured all the glass or might there be a baffle in the DA50/1.8?

I measured the inside of the locking ring.

---------- Post added 03-08-15 at 01:59 PM ----------

Originally posted by Stavri

They lenses with different max apertures, you need to compare the rear elements of the M 50mm f1.7(or the -F/FA 50mm f1.7) with the Da 50mm f1.8.

Im aware of thet, but i don't have a 50/1.7

Should it not be possible to calculate from the relative size difference?

tomtor · 03-08-2015, 06:29 AM

Originally posted by timcatn

I measured the inside of the locking ring.

---------- Post added 03-08-15 at 01:59 PM ----------

Im aware of thet, but i don't have a 50/1.7

Should it not be possible to calculate from the relative size difference?

My m50/1.7 is 25mm

Stavri · 03-08-2015, 06:36 AM

Originally posted by tomtor

My m50/1.7 is 25mm

Show off!!!

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03-06-2015, 04:41 AM	#46
mecrox Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxford, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	I enjoyed this interview which was a lot more relaxed and forthcoming than in the past. They are on a roll and it is nice to sense that. I was a bit puzzled by the distinction between the K and K-S lines, though. Most of what is on the K-S2 is mainstream these days - TS screen, wifi, etc. I wonder if the two lines will end up as one. The news about the success of the GR is very encouraging. I would very much like to get one (or a new model if one is coming out soon). Plus, they seem to have lined up their ducks in Asia (China which they say is booming, India and so forth) before the drop in sales in the West started to get really hairy.

03-06-2015, 07:38 AM	#47
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 Much more then I thought. But I think the 645Z alreeds out sold the 645D in just One years then. It al comes to the price and the New cmos sensor. Seems price vs size of sensor is a big part of it.. which is why I think the price on the FF body will be very attractive too (within the realm of FF bodies).

03-06-2015, 11:30 AM	#48
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by mee https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31629-da-le...ml#post2682671 https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31629-da-le...ml#post2508043 I stand by my assertion. I would post the scans, but the scanner has trouble with a blank wall shot like that. Under direct observation, there appears to be about 1.5 stops vignette at the corner wide open with the 50/1.8 relative to the 50/1.7. The vignette becomes less as the lens is stopped down. That does not mean the lens is not usable on a FF camera, but the vignette is not within historic standards for a lens of that type. Various claims have been made regarding the DA 50/1.8 including one that it is simply a repackaged FA 50/1.7. I don't believe that is true. The FA 50/1.7 shares optical design with all Pentax 50/1.7 lenses and my DA 50/1.8, while a great lens, has different rendering characteristics than my M 50/1.7 or A 50/1.7. Steve Vignette is evaluated using an evenly lit target and measuring the attenuation to the corners.

03-07-2015, 08:20 AM	#49
vboy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 46	Originally posted by luftfluss CP+ 2015 Interview: Ricoh’s investment in Pentax, full-frame strategy, lens plans and more it is nice to know that the company is doing well...ti makes pentaxians happy as well...bravo and more power! ---------- Post added 03-07-15 at 05:25 PM ---------- yup,i couldnt even find a GR here in (GR) Greece,not even a theta or the WG-M1...

03-07-2015, 09:17 AM	#50
noser Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Calgary, AB CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 292	Originally posted by rawr I was happy to see in the interview that Ricoh is (at last) taking a serious interest in wedding photography Me too! I couldn't do WPPI this year (unavoidable), and I haven't shot my 645N enough to know what I want out of the lens roadmap, but when I looked at the K5 vs 645Z I didn't see any shortcomings of 645Z at all. The lower framerate and thinner DoF suits me fine for most of the days shooting; so it's really down to the glass. And instead of selecting 'equivalent' (duck!) lenses for the entire kit, I'd like to select what will emphasize MF by choosing specific glass. And then choosing the rest of the kit based on FF

03-07-2015, 09:23 AM	#51
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	@mee, do you have both DA 50f1.8 and M 50f1.7? can you compare the front/rear glass elements of both to see if there is any noticeable size difference? I know it is more to it than that, but that would be something more readily identifiable if not at all.

03-07-2015, 10:02 AM - 1 Like	#52
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	Great interview. I like it when these sales folks say the word profit. Not sales numbers, not market share. Profit. The way I read it, the KS line is the fashion statement, throw against the wall to see what sticks. The K line, the 645 and the coming full frame line are tools for photographers. I think ogl is right. The demand for their full frame offering will surprise them.

03-07-2015, 08:06 PM - 1 Like	#53
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by derekkite The demand for their full frame offering will surprise them. Indeed it may. Then they will probably think: why didn't we do this years ago?

03-07-2015, 08:59 PM	#54
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by aleonx3 @mee, do you have both DA 50f1.8 and M 50f1.7? can you compare the front/rear glass elements of both to see if there is any noticeable size difference? I know it is more to it than that, but that would be something more readily identifiable if not at all. That is an interesting idea. Yes, I own both lenses. I put the rear glass 'back to back' and observed the DA's diameter is slightly less than the M's! Front element appears similar but that one is hard to check since the DA's design blocks checking. If I had a tape measure it would be far more accurate a test, but I do not have one of those (I have a lot of lenses but not a measly tape measure -- where is my priority here hehe). That would probably answer why stevebrot is seeing vignetting at 1.8 That said I'd practically never use the DA50 f/1.8 lens at 1.8 anyways (even on a crop body) -- that lens shines stopped down to at least 2.8 (and further at 5.6 where it is incredibly incredibly sharp).

03-08-2015, 03:45 AM	#55
timcatn Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Trondheim Posts: 237	Rear element of DA 50/1.8 = 24mm Rear element of K50/1.4 = 29mm Tollrance of my measurement is estimated at +-1mm

03-08-2015, 04:50 AM	#56
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by timcatn Rear element of DA 50/1.8 = 24mm Rear element of K50/1.4 = 29mm Tollrance of my measurement is estimated at +-1mm Question: Are you certain you measured all the glass or might there be a baffle in the DA50/1.8?

03-08-2015, 04:57 AM	#57
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Originally posted by timcatn Rear element of DA 50/1.8 = 24mm Rear element of K50/1.4 = 29mm Tolerance of my measurement is estimated at +-1mm They lenses with different max apertures, you need to compare the rear elements of the M 50mm f1.7(or the -F/FA 50mm f1.7) with the Da 50mm f1.8.

03-08-2015, 05:58 AM	#58
timcatn Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Trondheim Posts: 237	Originally posted by monochrome Question: Are you certain you measured all the glass or might there be a baffle in the DA50/1.8? I measured the inside of the locking ring. ---------- Post added 03-08-15 at 01:59 PM ---------- Originally posted by Stavri They lenses with different max apertures, you need to compare the rear elements of the M 50mm f1.7(or the -F/FA 50mm f1.7) with the Da 50mm f1.8. Im aware of thet, but i don't have a 50/1.7 Should it not be possible to calculate from the relative size difference?

03-08-2015, 06:29 AM	#59
tomtor Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Netherlands Posts: 382	Originally posted by timcatn I measured the inside of the locking ring. ---------- Post added 03-08-15 at 01:59 PM ---------- Im aware of thet, but i don't have a 50/1.7 Should it not be possible to calculate from the relative size difference? My m50/1.7 is 25mm

03-08-2015, 06:36 AM	#60
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Originally posted by tomtor My m50/1.7 is 25mm Show off!!!