DFA 645 35mm f3.5 released soon

**mattb123** · 11-11-2015, 11:18 AM

I'd love a 645 35mm but they seem awfully expensive compared to other lengths, even in the A version. I'm hoping this will make the old ones cheaper.

D1N0 · 11-11-2015, 03:21 PM

announced: Ricoh introduces designed-for-digital HD Pentax-D FA645 35mm F3.5 prime: Digital Photography Review

Mistral75 · 11-11-2015, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by D1N0

announced: Ricoh introduces designed-for-digital HD Pentax-D FA645 35mm F3.5 prime: Digital Photography Review

RRP in the UK: £1,549,99. If the exchange parity is respected, it should be €2,199 and $1,999 (or $1,949).

RonHendriks1966 · 11-11-2015, 04:30 PM

No DC motor and not wheaterseald!

I don't understand how this Happens. The lens is expensive. It is 2015. The camera's are seald. Is there no one at Ricoh designing a plan for future development?

Kunzite · 11-11-2015, 05:39 PM

Expensive? For a medium format lens?

DC motors and weather sealing means a new barrel i.e. a costly redesign. This lens is their inexpensive (for a medium format lens) wide.

Mistral, exchange parity with the Rip-off Britain?

-Linus- · 11-11-2015, 05:51 PM

# Ron,
I do understand... the 645 FA 35mm is sold out. Demand is still there, Why not produce a newish batch?
Actual coating and design elements are used. Wonder if the pull-back AF-clutch is still there.

Another thing that should be done: Design new sunshades for old FA's optimized for 645D & Z.

-Linus-

sunshine7913 · 11-11-2015, 08:30 PM

Really? What's the point to make that lens without any changing? I want to see results and compare with the old version. They should've add AW and DC motor tho.

**filoxophy** · 11-11-2015, 09:42 PM

Originally posted by Kunzite

Expensive? For a medium format lens?

DC motors and weather sealing means a new barrel i.e. a costly redesign. This lens is their inexpensive (for a medium format lens) wide.

Exactly. I think this release would make a little more sense in terms of positioning if the 25mm were still on the market. But it's not, for reasons which have been speculated elsewhere.

Regardless of all that, it's clear that they took an old design and applied a moderate refresh. Newly designed 645 lenses are selling for ~$5,000. They have DC, AW, and SR in some cases--all the goodies. Can't we just say that it's nice to have other cheaper options?

**Digitalis** · 11-12-2015, 12:26 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

The lens is expensive

I'm calling BS on this right here and now...considering the competition, this lens is cheap.

The Leica Summarit-S 35mm f/2.5 ASPH - which features internal focusing and similar optical construction including two aspherical elements to the Pentax 35mm and is equipped with weather sealing* and silent drive AF** costs over $6000.

*i'm uncertain of the degree of sealing Leica lenses offer compared to other manufacturers, the standards Leica have will be different from others. As of yet, I have had no issues with getting my S2 and Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 ASPH completely drenched.

** Leica doesn't really go into detail over their in Lens AF motors, I have had to get a few of them replaced over the past two years which is a rather high failure rate IMO.

thibs · 11-12-2015, 01:11 AM

LOL, all those moaning about this lens aren't even concerned since they don't even own a digital 645.
Is this BS time or something?

RonHendriks1966 · 11-12-2015, 01:15 AM

Expensive was mean in the way that the 15 buck DC motor could be in it and the seals isn't Rocket engenering either.

Ofcourse this is cheap compared to others.

Jonathan Mac · 11-12-2015, 01:34 AM

I think having a relatively cheap wide angle is a good move and I think they made broadly the right choices in what was cut. Weather sealing would be far more useful for landscape than a focusing motor.

I'm glad, and a bit bemused, to see an aperture ring. New lenses for the K-mount don't have them despite the continued use of 135 format K-mount film cameras. I'd like to see new lenses with aperture rings for the K-mount.

**Digitalis** · 11-12-2015, 02:04 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

Expensive was mean in the way that the 15 buck DC motor could be in it and the seals isn't Rocket engineering either.

DC motor on its own is useless without the associated AF electronics, and that takes up space too. Sealing an internally focusing lens is more complex than you think - there are high mechanical tolerances involved and optical elements moving internally inside the lens, and when the elements move air is displaced - that air has to go somewhere, without compromising the sealing.

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

I'd like to see new lenses with aperture rings for the K-mount.

Though Pentax would have to give a user activated option for clickless operation to keep the video-centric crowd happy.

davidsladek · 11-12-2015, 02:15 AM

Samples, if not posted already:
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/645/wide/hdpentax-dfa645-35/img/ex-pic01.jpg
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/645/wide/hdpentax-dfa645-35/img/ex-pic02.jpg
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/645/wide/hdpentax-dfa645-35/img/ex-pic03.jpg

supersharp

RonHendriks1966 · 11-12-2015, 02:46 AM

Originally posted by davidsladek

Samples, if not posted already:
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/645/wide/hdpentax-dfa645-35/img/ex-pic01.jpg
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/645/wide/hdpentax-dfa645-35/img/ex-pic02.jpg
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/645/wide/hdpentax-dfa645-35/img/ex-pic03.jpg

supersharp

They can sell #3 as IKEA art. Large print for all home in Europe.

11-12-2015, 12:26 AM	#54
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 The lens is expensive I'm calling BS on this right here and now...considering the competition, this lens is cheap. The Leica Summarit-S 35mm f/2.5 ASPH - which features internal focusing and similar optical construction including two aspherical elements to the Pentax 35mm and is equipped with weather sealing* and silent drive AF** costs over $6000. i'm uncertain of the degree of sealing Leica lenses offer compared to other manufacturers, the standards Leica have will be different from others. As of yet, I have had no issues with getting my S2 and Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 ASPH completely drenched. * Leica doesn't really go into detail over their in Lens AF motors, I have had to get a few of them replaced over the past two years which is a rather high failure rate IMO. Last edited by Digitalis; 11-12-2015 at 12:36 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
SMC Pentax-FA 645 35mm F3.5 AL [IF]	jonojono	Pentax Medium Format	21	05-24-2014 06:54 PM
For Sale - Sold: SMC Pentax-A 645 35mm F3.5	mrclark321	Sold Items	4	06-15-2012 06:30 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax 645 & 35mm F3.5	lbenac	Sold Items	3	04-18-2011 08:20 AM
Is DFA 200 or 300 soon to be released?	roentarre	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	2	10-26-2006 05:06 AM

11-11-2015, 11:18 AM	#46
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,873	I'd love a 645 35mm but they seem awfully expensive compared to other lengths, even in the A version. I'm hoping this will make the old ones cheaper.

11-11-2015, 03:21 PM	#47
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	announced: Ricoh introduces designed-for-digital HD Pentax-D FA645 35mm F3.5 prime: Digital Photography Review

11-11-2015, 04:21 PM	#48
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Originally posted by D1N0 announced: Ricoh introduces designed-for-digital HD Pentax-D FA645 35mm F3.5 prime: Digital Photography Review RRP in the UK: £1,549,99. If the exchange parity is respected, it should be €2,199 and $1,999 (or $1,949).

11-11-2015, 04:30 PM	#49
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	No DC motor and not wheaterseald! I don't understand how this Happens. The lens is expensive. It is 2015. The camera's are seald. Is there no one at Ricoh designing a plan for future development?

11-11-2015, 05:39 PM	#50
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Expensive? For a medium format lens? DC motors and weather sealing means a new barrel i.e. a costly redesign. This lens is their inexpensive (for a medium format lens) wide. Mistral, exchange parity with the Rip-off Britain?

11-11-2015, 05:51 PM	#51
-Linus- Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Münsterland Posts: 139	# Ron, I do understand... the 645 FA 35mm is sold out. Demand is still there, Why not produce a newish batch? Actual coating and design elements are used. Wonder if the pull-back AF-clutch is still there. Another thing that should be done: Design new sunshades for old FA's optimized for 645D & Z. -Linus-

11-11-2015, 08:30 PM	#52
sunshine7913 Guest	Really? What's the point to make that lens without any changing? I want to see results and compare with the old version. They should've add AW and DC motor tho.

11-11-2015, 09:42 PM	#53
filoxophy Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 1,133	Originally posted by Kunzite Expensive? For a medium format lens? DC motors and weather sealing means a new barrel i.e. a costly redesign. This lens is their inexpensive (for a medium format lens) wide. Exactly. I think this release would make a little more sense in terms of positioning if the 25mm were still on the market. But it's not, for reasons which have been speculated elsewhere. Regardless of all that, it's clear that they took an old design and applied a moderate refresh. Newly designed 645 lenses are selling for ~$5,000. They have DC, AW, and SR in some cases--all the goodies. Can't we just say that it's nice to have other cheaper options?

11-12-2015, 01:11 AM	#55
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	LOL, all those moaning about this lens aren't even concerned since they don't even own a digital 645. Is this BS time or something?

11-12-2015, 01:15 AM	#56
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Expensive was mean in the way that the 15 buck DC motor could be in it and the seals isn't Rocket engenering either. Ofcourse this is cheap compared to others.

11-12-2015, 01:34 AM	#57
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,911	I think having a relatively cheap wide angle is a good move and I think they made broadly the right choices in what was cut. Weather sealing would be far more useful for landscape than a focusing motor. I'm glad, and a bit bemused, to see an aperture ring. New lenses for the K-mount don't have them despite the continued use of 135 format K-mount film cameras. I'd like to see new lenses with aperture rings for the K-mount.

11-12-2015, 02:04 AM	#58
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 Expensive was mean in the way that the 15 buck DC motor could be in it and the seals isn't Rocket engineering either. DC motor on its own is useless without the associated AF electronics, and that takes up space too. Sealing an internally focusing lens is more complex than you think - there are high mechanical tolerances involved and optical elements moving internally inside the lens, and when the elements move air is displaced - that air has to go somewhere, without compromising the sealing. Originally posted by Jonathan Mac I'd like to see new lenses with aperture rings for the K-mount. Though Pentax would have to give a user activated option for clickless operation to keep the video-centric crowd happy.

11-12-2015, 02:15 AM	#59
davidsladek Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Surrey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 346	Samples, if not posted already: http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/645/wide/hdpentax-dfa645-35/img/ex-pic01.jpg http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/645/wide/hdpentax-dfa645-35/img/ex-pic02.jpg http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/645/wide/hdpentax-dfa645-35/img/ex-pic03.jpg supersharp

11-12-2015, 02:46 AM	#60
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by davidsladek Samples, if not posted already: http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/645/wide/hdpentax-dfa645-35/img/ex-pic01.jpg http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/645/wide/hdpentax-dfa645-35/img/ex-pic02.jpg http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/645/wide/hdpentax-dfa645-35/img/ex-pic03.jpg supersharp They can sell #3 as IKEA art. Large print for all home in Europe.