HD DA*11-18/2.8 patent was filed by Ricoh in Japan.

**ffking** · 06-21-2018, 02:50 PM

You'd almost think they were trying to make it more difficult for other people to design a rival 11-18mm APS-C

SSGGeezer · 06-21-2018, 03:02 PM

Originally posted by ffking

You'd almost think they were trying to make it more difficult for other people to design a rival 11-18mm APS-C

Seems that way, doesn't it! And having multiple example means whichever way you go to try to copy this one, you are going to get hit with a patent infringement suit! Looks complicated as heck though. Hope the QC is up to it!

house · 06-21-2018, 03:07 PM

Come on Pentax just get it out already!

;-)

reh321 · 06-21-2018, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by Mistral75

There are seven examples in the patent request.

Minimum focal length is between 11.25mm an 11.29 mm. Maximum focal length is between 17.6mm and 17.7mm.

Maximum aperture is either f/2.8 (four examples) or f/2.9 (three examples).

There are basically two optical formulas with variants:

- three examples include 15 elements in 11 groups; their length at 11mm is around 8.9cm and they extend by 1.7mm to 4.7mm at 18mm.
- four examples include 16 elements in 11 groups; their length is around 9.8cm at 11mm and changes only very slightly at 18mm.

All examples include three aspheric elements: one or two (depending on whether 16/11 or 15/11) in the first element group, named G1, and two or one in the fourth element group, named G4.

G1 moves a bit when zooming in from 11mm to 18mm: towards the subject for six examples out of seven, towards the image in one example. The second element group, named G2, also moves when zooming in, towards the subject. The third element group, named G3, also moves when zooming but its movement is more complex and varies from an example to another. G4 moves towards the subject when zooming in.

Focus is apparently done by moving some elements within G2.

Below is the optical diagram of an example with 16 elements in 11 groups.

The good news is that the G2 units look relatively small to me, so this might be another lens which helps improve Pentax's AF reputation record / reputation

Paul the Sunman · 06-21-2018, 07:54 PM - **1 Like**

I just got a notice that the DA 12-24 is on sale at the Australian Pentax web store for half price! I wonder if that's an indication that the 11-18 is imminent.

JPT · 06-21-2018, 08:26 PM

I think it would be hard to justify keeping the DA14mm f2.8 in production, especially if the new zoom is sharper. The DA 12-25 f4, on the other hand, could still have a place with a price cut.

Not a Number · 06-21-2018, 09:01 PM

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

I just got a notice that the DA 12-24 is on sale at the Australian Pentax web store for half price! I wonder if that's an indication that the 11-18 is imminent.

The lens roadmap shows the HD PENTAX-DA* 11-18mm F2.8 ED DC AW due out Summer 2018

**pentaxus** · 06-21-2018, 10:13 PM - **1 Like**

Since it is a 2.8 lens it will be heavier and more expensive. I have the Tamron 10-24. It is lighter and cost me $260. ( But I still would like bigger and more expensive ).

DeadJohn · 06-21-2018, 10:24 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Kunzite

If someone was intimidated by the Japanese ...

I had to read that a second time to realize you were talking about the Japanese language

Kunzite · 06-21-2018, 11:42 PM - **1 Like**

Sorry. I thought it was obvious, as the Japanese ninja are all busy watching Kenspo

**clackers** · 06-21-2018, 11:54 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Kunzite

Sorry. I thought it was obvious, as the Japanese ninja are all busy watching Kenspo

Yeah, he's about one leak away from being ritually disemboweled!

x4rd · 06-22-2018, 01:13 AM

If 11-18/2.8 would be also released on 29th of June, I would be so happy

OoKU · 06-22-2018, 01:23 AM

Originally posted by x4rd

If 11-18/2.8 would be also released on 29th of June, I would be so happy

But,not.

**clickclick** · 06-22-2018, 06:03 AM

What has typically been the history of the date of the patent request filing in relation to release dates? I would think that the patent request would come long before production, but is it the other way around so as not to tip your hand to the competition?

LensBeginner · 06-22-2018, 06:09 AM

Originally posted by clickclick

What has typically been the history of the date of the patent request filing in relation to release dates? I would think that the patent request would come long before production, but is it the other way around so as not to tip your hand to the competition?

It has been previously said in the other thread I think... somewhere in the middle of the cycle, when other companies start to get involved. So not at the very beginning. I'll try to find the post.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
HD Pentax-DA 645 90-180mm or 80-160mm f/4.5ED AW SR lens patent filed in Japan	sculptor666	Pentax News and Rumors	28	08-16-2018 01:09 PM
New DA*16-50/2.8 patent filed in Japan	OoKU	Pentax News and Rumors	103	04-01-2018 02:45 AM
Ricoh has a new patent for an improved smc Pentax DA 16-50mm	maw	Pentax News and Rumors	3	03-23-2018 02:49 PM
Happy 11.11.11 11:11:11	m8o	General Talk	10	11-12-2011 08:17 PM
new 26 - 340 f3.3 -5.6 zoom patent filed	ukwoody	Pentax News and Rumors	8	05-15-2011 12:45 AM

06-21-2018, 02:50 PM	#16
ffking Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Old South Wales Posts: 6,038	You'd almost think they were trying to make it more difficult for other people to design a rival 11-18mm APS-C

06-21-2018, 03:02 PM	#17
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by ffking You'd almost think they were trying to make it more difficult for other people to design a rival 11-18mm APS-C Seems that way, doesn't it! And having multiple example means whichever way you go to try to copy this one, you are going to get hit with a patent infringement suit! Looks complicated as heck though. Hope the QC is up to it!

06-21-2018, 03:07 PM	#18
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Come on Pentax just get it out already! ;-)

06-21-2018, 03:09 PM	#19
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,175	Originally posted by Mistral75 There are seven examples in the patent request. Minimum focal length is between 11.25mm an 11.29 mm. Maximum focal length is between 17.6mm and 17.7mm. Maximum aperture is either f/2.8 (four examples) or f/2.9 (three examples). There are basically two optical formulas with variants: - three examples include 15 elements in 11 groups; their length at 11mm is around 8.9cm and they extend by 1.7mm to 4.7mm at 18mm. - four examples include 16 elements in 11 groups; their length is around 9.8cm at 11mm and changes only very slightly at 18mm. All examples include three aspheric elements: one or two (depending on whether 16/11 or 15/11) in the first element group, named G1, and two or one in the fourth element group, named G4. G1 moves a bit when zooming in from 11mm to 18mm: towards the subject for six examples out of seven, towards the image in one example. The second element group, named G2, also moves when zooming in, towards the subject. The third element group, named G3, also moves when zooming but its movement is more complex and varies from an example to another. G4 moves towards the subject when zooming in. Focus is apparently done by moving some elements within G2. Below is the optical diagram of an example with 16 elements in 11 groups. The good news is that the G2 units look relatively small to me, so this might be another lens which helps improve Pentax's AF reputation record / reputation

06-21-2018, 07:54 PM - 1 Like	#20
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,842	I just got a notice that the DA 12-24 is on sale at the Australian Pentax web store for half price! I wonder if that's an indication that the 11-18 is imminent.

06-21-2018, 08:26 PM	#21
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	I think it would be hard to justify keeping the DA14mm f2.8 in production, especially if the new zoom is sharper. The DA 12-25 f4, on the other hand, could still have a place with a price cut.

06-21-2018, 09:01 PM	#22
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,525	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman I just got a notice that the DA 12-24 is on sale at the Australian Pentax web store for half price! I wonder if that's an indication that the 11-18 is imminent. The lens roadmap shows the HD PENTAX-DA* 11-18mm F2.8 ED DC AW due out Summer 2018

06-21-2018, 10:13 PM - 1 Like	#23
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,312	Since it is a 2.8 lens it will be heavier and more expensive. I have the Tamron 10-24. It is lighter and cost me $260. ( But I still would like bigger and more expensive ).

06-21-2018, 10:24 PM - 1 Like	#24
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	Originally posted by Kunzite If someone was intimidated by the Japanese ... I had to read that a second time to realize you were talking about the Japanese language

06-21-2018, 11:42 PM - 1 Like	#25
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Sorry. I thought it was obvious, as the Japanese ninja are all busy watching Kenspo

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

06-21-2018, 11:54 PM - 2 Likes	#26
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Kunzite Sorry. I thought it was obvious, as the Japanese ninja are all busy watching Kenspo Yeah, he's about one leak away from being ritually disemboweled!

06-22-2018, 01:13 AM	#27
x4rd Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 241	If 11-18/2.8 would be also released on 29th of June, I would be so happy

06-22-2018, 01:23 AM	#28
OoKU Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 740 Original Poster	Originally posted by x4rd If 11-18/2.8 would be also released on 29th of June, I would be so happy But,not.

06-22-2018, 06:03 AM	#29
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	What has typically been the history of the date of the patent request filing in relation to release dates? I would think that the patent request would come long before production, but is it the other way around so as not to tip your hand to the competition?

06-22-2018, 06:09 AM	#30
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by clickclick What has typically been the history of the date of the patent request filing in relation to release dates? I would think that the patent request would come long before production, but is it the other way around so as not to tip your hand to the competition? It has been previously said in the other thread I think... somewhere in the middle of the cycle, when other companies start to get involved. So not at the very beginning. I'll try to find the post.