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**Digitalis** · 11-12-2015, 02:46 AM

The third sample image is revealing, taken at f/9 - there is a prominent increase in central sharpness, the extreme edges show good optical quality, though there is astigmatsim present along with evident field curvature.

ogl · 11-12-2015, 04:00 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

I can't say it...To use F14 and F18 are out of my mind.
The full frame medium format's lenses were the best at f8-f11 (and even at f5.6 in the center),
Pentax 645 FA 35mm Review

some of zooms - at f16. The best apertures for digital MF sensor I think not higher than f9-11.

I think new DFA35 at 645Z will show the best results from f4.5 till f11.

That's why the best sample is made at f9. IMO.

Anyway, it's not lower ISO (ISO100 with f18!!!) - two photos at ISO400 and JPEG.
Converted RAW at ISO100 at f8 would be much better.

Zygonyx · 11-12-2015, 04:03 AM

Originally posted by Mistral75

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

http://www.focus-numerique.com/hd-pentax-fa645-35mm-f3-5al-if-haute-definiti...news-8270.html

Better than that, it should be € 1799,00 in France, as from mi-december 2015.

Mistral75 · 11-12-2015, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by Zygonyx

HD Pentax-D FA645 35mm f3,5AL[IF]

Better than that, it should be € 1799,00 in France, as from mi-december 2015.

Indeed, I have seen that since my former message. €1,799 is also the RRP of the older smc Pentax FA 645 35mm f/3.5 AL [IF]:

http://shop-fr.ricoh-imaging.eu/photo-objectifs/optiques-645/smc-fa-645-35-mm-f-3-5-al-if.html

---------- Post added 11-12-2015 at 02:41 PM ----------

By the way, the RRP of the older FA and that of the just announced D FA being the same in Europe is a bit odd since, in Japan, the RRP of the D FA is ¥250,000 whilst that of the FA was ¥136,060 until yesterday.

**bobbotron** · 11-12-2015, 06:53 AM

Not sure when I'll have budget for this, but I'm super excited about getting this lens, I think it will be a real gem.

RonHendriks1966 · 11-12-2015, 06:54 AM

Sales are improved over the past year. Nearly all lenses in stock. They have a shop in The Netherlands and Belgium and a European internet shop.

Objectief kopen? Ruim aanbod objectieven!

**Fontan** · 11-12-2015, 08:46 PM

I think I am gonna get this one for sure.

Ristretto · 11-13-2015, 01:25 AM

Pre-ordered yesterday

Chris Giles · 11-13-2015, 03:42 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by thibs

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?

I don't own a digital 645. I sold my 645z just before the price drop after investing in a dual 5DSr setup.

But I've shot Phase and Hasselblad digital as well as pretty much every pro Canon lens and body combo as well as the Sigma foveon, Olympus and Fuji offerings.

Despite selling my 645z I kept my 35FA, 55mm D-FA, 75mm and 150mm with a view to buy back in when ready (i.e. at the advent of an even larger sensor). My cause for concern is that there's been a few things recently that worry me about the direction Ricoh is going in. It seems like some things are done to be 'just good enough'. The Tamron FF 24-70 and it's pricing being one. The other this half job 35mm.

I don't understand what logical reason there would be behind only updating the coatings and sticking a bit of colour on it would achieve. Ricoh called it a new lens but it's not. It's a refresh. I'm certainly not a lens designer so I won't belittle the people who put this together but it makes no sense whatsoever to not update the weather sealing or the AF motor. 2 out of the 3 most integral parts of a lens.

I also complain a lot about the Sony A7's and their lack of dual card slots. So shoot me.

Maybe after Pentax being under financial stress for so long in the past has forced Ricoh to be strict with dev budgets. That would make sense but it doesn't translate well to the consumers who know anything about cameras.

Kunzite · 11-13-2015, 05:58 AM

Originally posted by Chris Giles

I don't understand what logical reason there would be behind only updating the coatings and sticking a bit of colour on it would achieve. Ricoh called it a new lens but it's not. It's a refresh. I'm certainly not a lens designer so I won't belittle the people who put this together but it makes no sense whatsoever to not update the weather sealing or the AF motor. 2 out of the 3 most integral parts of a lens.

I said in post #50: "DC motors and weather sealing means a new barrel i.e. a costly redesign."; and other people also discussed this subject. Cost makes for a very logical reason.
And it's not "Pentax being under financial stress", but being able to offer an inexpensive (by medium format standard) wide angle lens.

**bobbotron** · 11-13-2015, 08:36 AM - **1 Like**

I imagine it's probably way easier for them to basically crank out the same product from an existing factory, but updated slightly with the latest chemistry, given there's a lot of demand for the lens still. Makes sense to me.

thibs · 11-13-2015, 08:50 AM - **1 Like**

If the intend is to offer an affordable WA then this is completely logical.
DA 50/1.8 is nothing else IMO (not a WA of course but you get the point).

Now, offering best high end lens it would be suicide but seing the cost, in the medium format, this is indeed an "almost DA-L" of something along those lines.

2351HD · 11-13-2015, 01:00 PM - **2 Likes**

Chris, really, you sold your Z because you have cause for concern about the direction of Ricoh.

Jeez.

Not only did they launch the Z, re-release all FA lenses into all markets for sale, released a 90 DFA portrait lens, a 28-45 weather sealed landscape lens, have a roadmap for replacing the 45-85 and 80-160 zooms, they dropped the price of the body to $6999, they released a pro support program, they worked directly with a 3rd party company to release a fast flash sync product to the market, now they did a cheap refresh of a FA lens amongst everything else they are working on.

Cause for concern, that's a bit of a cheap shot in my view. What more do people want, MF is a small user base and is treated accordingly.

2351HD · 11-13-2015, 03:56 PM

Originally posted by Ristretto

Pre-ordered yesterday

Ristretto, at what price can I ask?

I just saw this on the Pentax US website, its apparently US $1099!!!! Thats a bargain.

HD PENTAX-D FA645 35mm Lens | Ricoh Imaging

Ristretto · 11-14-2015, 01:43 AM

Originally posted by 2351HD

Ristretto, at what price can I ask?

I just saw this on the Pentax US website, its apparently US $1099!!!! Thats a bargain.

HD PENTAX-D FA645 35mm Lens | Ricoh Imaging

Uups, thats a real bargain. Too good to be true...

Must be a mistake in my opinion. I pre-ordered mine by on official Pentax-Dealer to the announced price. But if I lived in the US I would try to order some for $1099...

11-12-2015, 04:00 AM	#62
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	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 I can't say it...To use F14 and F18 are out of my mind. The full frame medium format's lenses were the best at f8-f11 (and even at f5.6 in the center), Pentax 645 FA 35mm Review some of zooms - at f16. The best apertures for digital MF sensor I think not higher than f9-11. I think new DFA35 at 645Z will show the best results from f4.5 till f11. That's why the best sample is made at f9. IMO. Anyway, it's not lower ISO (ISO100 with f18!!!) - two photos at ISO400 and JPEG. Converted RAW at ISO100 at f8 would be much better. Last edited by ogl; 11-12-2015 at 04:05 AM.

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11-12-2015, 02:46 AM	#61
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,695	The third sample image is revealing, taken at f/9 - there is a prominent increase in central sharpness, the extreme edges show good optical quality, though there is astigmatsim present along with evident field curvature.

11-12-2015, 04:03 AM	#63
Zygonyx Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ile de France Posts: 4,033	Originally posted by Mistral75 RRP in the UK: £1,549,99. If the exchange parity is respected, it should be €2,199 and $1,999 (or $1,949). http://www.focus-numerique.com/hd-pentax-fa645-35mm-f3-5al-if-haute-definiti...news-8270.html Better than that, it should be € 1799,00 in France, as from mi-december 2015.

11-12-2015, 06:28 AM	#64
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Originally posted by Zygonyx HD Pentax-D FA645 35mm f3,5AL[IF] Better than that, it should be € 1799,00 in France, as from mi-december 2015. Indeed, I have seen that since my former message. €1,799 is also the RRP of the older smc Pentax FA 645 35mm f/3.5 AL [IF]: http://shop-fr.ricoh-imaging.eu/photo-objectifs/optiques-645/smc-fa-645-35-mm-f-3-5-al-if.html ---------- Post added 11-12-2015 at 02:41 PM ---------- By the way, the RRP of the older FA and that of the just announced D FA being the same in Europe is a bit odd since, in Japan, the RRP of the D FA is ¥250,000 whilst that of the FA was ¥136,060 until yesterday.

11-12-2015, 06:53 AM	#65
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349	Not sure when I'll have budget for this, but I'm super excited about getting this lens, I think it will be a real gem.

11-12-2015, 06:54 AM	#66
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Sales are improved over the past year. Nearly all lenses in stock. They have a shop in The Netherlands and Belgium and a European internet shop. Objectief kopen? Ruim aanbod objectieven!

11-12-2015, 08:46 PM	#67
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	I think I am gonna get this one for sure.

11-13-2015, 01:25 AM	#68
Ristretto Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 159	Pre-ordered yesterday

11-13-2015, 03:42 AM - 1 Like	#69
Chris Giles Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 45	Originally posted by thibs 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? I don't own a digital 645. I sold my 645z just before the price drop after investing in a dual 5DSr setup. But I've shot Phase and Hasselblad digital as well as pretty much every pro Canon lens and body combo as well as the Sigma foveon, Olympus and Fuji offerings. Despite selling my 645z I kept my 35FA, 55mm D-FA, 75mm and 150mm with a view to buy back in when ready (i.e. at the advent of an even larger sensor). My cause for concern is that there's been a few things recently that worry me about the direction Ricoh is going in. It seems like some things are done to be 'just good enough'. The Tamron FF 24-70 and it's pricing being one. The other this half job 35mm. I don't understand what logical reason there would be behind only updating the coatings and sticking a bit of colour on it would achieve. Ricoh called it a new lens but it's not. It's a refresh. I'm certainly not a lens designer so I won't belittle the people who put this together but it makes no sense whatsoever to not update the weather sealing or the AF motor. 2 out of the 3 most integral parts of a lens. I also complain a lot about the Sony A7's and their lack of dual card slots. So shoot me. Maybe after Pentax being under financial stress for so long in the past has forced Ricoh to be strict with dev budgets. That would make sense but it doesn't translate well to the consumers who know anything about cameras.

11-13-2015, 05:58 AM	#70
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by Chris Giles I don't understand what logical reason there would be behind only updating the coatings and sticking a bit of colour on it would achieve. Ricoh called it a new lens but it's not. It's a refresh. I'm certainly not a lens designer so I won't belittle the people who put this together but it makes no sense whatsoever to not update the weather sealing or the AF motor. 2 out of the 3 most integral parts of a lens. I said in post #50: "DC motors and weather sealing means a new barrel i.e. a costly redesign."; and other people also discussed this subject. Cost makes for a very logical reason. And it's not "Pentax being under financial stress", but being able to offer an inexpensive (by medium format standard) wide angle lens.

11-13-2015, 08:36 AM - 1 Like	#71
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349	I imagine it's probably way easier for them to basically crank out the same product from an existing factory, but updated slightly with the latest chemistry, given there's a lot of demand for the lens still. Makes sense to me.

11-13-2015, 08:50 AM - 1 Like	#72
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	If the intend is to offer an affordable WA then this is completely logical. DA 50/1.8 is nothing else IMO (not a WA of course but you get the point). Now, offering best high end lens it would be suicide but seing the cost, in the medium format, this is indeed an "almost DA-L" of something along those lines.

11-13-2015, 01:00 PM - 2 Likes	#73
2351HD Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 750	Chris, really, you sold your Z because you have cause for concern about the direction of Ricoh. Jeez. Not only did they launch the Z, re-release all FA lenses into all markets for sale, released a 90 DFA portrait lens, a 28-45 weather sealed landscape lens, have a roadmap for replacing the 45-85 and 80-160 zooms, they dropped the price of the body to $6999, they released a pro support program, they worked directly with a 3rd party company to release a fast flash sync product to the market, now they did a cheap refresh of a FA lens amongst everything else they are working on. Cause for concern, that's a bit of a cheap shot in my view. What more do people want, MF is a small user base and is treated accordingly.

11-13-2015, 03:56 PM	#74
2351HD Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 750	Originally posted by Ristretto Pre-ordered yesterday Ristretto, at what price can I ask? I just saw this on the Pentax US website, its apparently US $1099!!!! Thats a bargain. HD PENTAX-D FA645 35mm Lens \| Ricoh Imaging

11-14-2015, 01:43 AM	#75
Ristretto Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 159	Originally posted by 2351HD Ristretto, at what price can I ask? I just saw this on the Pentax US website, its apparently US $1099!!!! Thats a bargain. HD PENTAX-D FA645 35mm Lens \| Ricoh Imaging Uups, thats a real bargain. Too good to be true... Must be a mistake in my opinion. I pre-ordered mine by on official Pentax-Dealer to the announced price. But if I lived in the US I would try to order some for $1099...

DFA 645 35mm f3.5 released soon

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!