Originally posted by ogl I would prefer two lines of FF lenses - DFA* - very expensive, big, fast and all weather lenses.
And simple line of plastic very compact WR lenses - DFA24/3.5, DFA35/2 (the same FA with 7-9 blades aperture), DFA50/2, DFA85/2, DFA135/3.5 - DC or PLM - not important.
But I'm afraid Ricoh is too weak to develop two lines. They plan to produce 1 expensive, big FF lens per year and it's really sad to hear...
The first tier should be high end D-FA*. The second tier FF lenses should be revamped D-FA 31,43,77 LTD's. They could consolidate some DA LTD's with new D-FA WR lenses such as a D-FA 28mm 2 WR and a D-FA 21 3.2 WR.
On the telephoto end a nice compromise is 120mm. I have an M 120mm 2.8. The 180mm FOV on APS-C works well and has been used on FF in the past. The M 120mm 2.8 is a very compact telephoto lenses which has been part of the DA LTD philosophy. D-FA 120mm 2.8 could be another APS-C/FF crossover.
Something Ricoh/Pentax should consider seriously is bringing back revamped manual A-series lenses. Nikon still sells legacy glass like that because people still buy them. dI don't rely on autofocus really at all. Any critical focus I am doing manually. Even when using autofocus which is rare which makes quick-shift focus important for me. People would buy well damped manual focus lenses that just keep it simple no motors etc less power consumption. Who wouldn't consider a modern A-series 50mm 1.2 WR. The design simplicity could keep the cost to say $650 US. Nikon sells their manual 50mm 1.2 for around that price.
Here's to dreaming.