Let's try nevertheless. The main milestones concerning the HD Pentax-D FA
★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW are the following:
1/ 25 February 2016 (CP
+ 2016): New "
Pentax K-Mount D FA Lens Roadmap" including the "
Large Aperture Standard Single Focus Lens" The same roadmap is also shown at Photokina 2016 in September.
2/ 22 February 2017 (CP
+ 2017): First mention of the D FA
★ 50mm f/1.4, formerly known as Large Aperture Standard Single Focus Lens, in a press release. Mock-up showcased under glass.
Originally posted by Ricoh Imaging: ・Market launch: Not decided
Source:
Reference Exhibit at CP+ 2017|RICOH IMAGING 3/ 27 October 2017 (Photo Plus Expo 2017 and Salon de la Photo 2017): Prototype showcased under glass. Happy few people (e.g. Yaotomi staff) are allowed to photograph the lens and play a bit with it. Second mention of the lens in a press release, this time with a more complete name "
HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW" and first mention of the tentative launch date.
Originally posted by Ricoh Imaging: ・Market launch: Scheduled for the spring of 2018
Source:
RICOH develops new-generation, high-performance Star-series lenses for digital SLR cameras|RICOH IMAGING 4/ 30 November 2017: First picture taken with a prototype lens posted on Facebook by Ricoh Imaging
5/ 24 February 2018: Four full resolution official pictures taken with a prototype lens are published by Ricoh Imaging.
6/ 27 February 2018 (pre CP
+ 2018): Third mention of the lens in a press release and second mention of the tentative launch date.
Originally posted by Ricoh Imaging: ・Market launch: Scheduled for the spring of 2018
Source:
RICOH to Exhibit One Reference Product at CP+ 2018 Camera and Imaging Show|RICOH IMAGING 7/ 1-4 March 2018 (CP
+ 2018): Pre-series lens showcased. People may play with it and take pictures but may not keep the files.
8/ 13 April 2018: Fourth mention of the lens in a press release. The commercial launch is delayed until summer 2018.
Originally posted by Ricoh Imaging: in order to finalize the quality control stage and shift to mass production, we have changed the launch date from the previously announced, spring of 2018 to the summer of 2018.
Source:
Development update regarding the HD PENTAX-D FA★ 50mm F1.4 SDM AW (Tentative name)|RICOH IMAGING