Miscellaneous development at Ricoh Imaging

Kunzite · 10-01-2018, 08:45 AM - **4 Likes**

Browsing through the latest patents, I've found some interesting stuff:

A barrel related patent exemplified with images showing a ring-type SDM equipped lens. This might be the first patent linked to the D FA* 50mm f/1.4 I've seen.
??2018-151507 | ???????IP Force?

Two lens barrel related patents which seems to be for the 11-18mm judging by the clamp:
??2018-151492 | ???????IP Force?
??2018-151500 | ???????IP Force?

A system for dehumidifying a lens:
??2018-151539 | ???????IP Force?

Likely not quite a hybrid viewfinder:
??2018-151588 | ???????IP Force?

It seems that Ricoh still does some camera R&D after all.

biz-engineer · 10-01-2018, 08:54 AM

they can't even file patents without having some of the customers digging into it... info is being posted on the web at the speed of light. Wow. Any bit of info is going to be looked at with a magnifying glass. Scary. If I was working on engineering project for Ricoh Imaging I would hide completely from anyone having a forum account

swanlefitte · 10-01-2018, 10:55 AM - **1 Like**

That dehumidifier was talked about quite a bit on the 11-18 for astro work.

**FozzFoster** · 10-01-2018, 10:59 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

A system for dehumidifying a lens:

Originally posted by swanlefitte

That dehumidifier was talked about quite a bit on the 11-18 for astro work.

Holy moly! That rumour might be true?!?

DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 is to have a defog option for astrophotography? - PentaxForums.com

gm4life · 10-01-2018, 11:04 AM - **1 Like**

Wow interesting. The net hides nothing.

**FozzFoster** · 10-01-2018, 11:17 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Kunzite

Likely not quite a hybrid viewfinder:

Sounds like a hybrid viewfinder to me... how is that 'not quite' a hybrid?

Google translated:

"PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an easy-to-see field-of-view display device (display device in viewfinder). A magnifying glass optical system is provided for enlarging and observing a subject image formed on a focusing screen, and a display unit for displaying predetermined information in a field of view of the loupe optical system so as to overlap or display the object image, Wherein the information input device includes at least a part between an information display section for displaying the information and a predetermined incident point to be made incident into the field of view....

Claim:
A loupe optical system for enlarging and observing a subject image formed on the focusing screen and information for causing predetermined information to enter the field of view of the loupe optical system so as to be superimposed on or displayed in place of the subject image....

On the other hand, it has been known for a long time that superimposed (SI) function for superimposing and displaying a relatively coarse point image such as the distance measuring point position at the time of autofocus on the image of the optical viewfinder. Here, if the subject image by the photographing lens which houses the quick return mirror and formed on the image pickup element can be displayed by the superimposing function, it is possible to make the optical viewfinder function as the electronic viewfinder...."

Kunzite · 10-01-2018, 11:38 AM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by FozzFoster

Sounds like a hybrid viewfinder to me... how is that 'not quite' a hybrid?

Because I don't want to be too optimistic

---------- Post added 01-10-18 at 09:40 PM ----------

Originally posted by biz-engineer

they can't even file patents without having some of the customers digging into it... info is being posted on the web at the speed of light. Wow. Any bit of info is going to be looked at with a magnifying glass. Scary. If I was working on engineering project for Ricoh Imaging I would hide completely from anyone having a forum account

If they won't give us any information, we have ways of getting it ourselves. Patent searching is just the beginning

**FozzFoster** · 10-01-2018, 12:09 PM

Originally posted by Kunzite

Because I don't want to be too optimistic

lolol very well, point taken!

reh321 · 10-01-2018, 12:11 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by biz-engineer

they can't even file patents without having some of the customers digging into it... info is being posted on the web at the speed of light. Wow. Any bit of info is going to be looked at with a magnifying glass. Scary. If I was working on engineering project for Ricoh Imaging I would hide completely from anyone having a forum account

As I have said in other contexts, "Nature abhors a vacuum" .... and Ricoh has created an information vacuum.

Danas_Anis · 10-01-2018, 12:27 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by biz-engineer

they can't even file patents without having some of the customers digging into it... info is being posted on the web at the speed of light. Wow. Any bit of info is going to be looked at with a magnifying glass. Scary. If I was working on engineering project for Ricoh Imaging I would hide completely from anyone having a forum account

That's how it goes when the company tries to be super secretive, if they released controlled rumors, most eyes would be on those rumors, but now curiosity leads to all available information sources everywhere. Meaning every fart is being counted and examined

reh321 · 10-01-2018, 12:42 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Danas_Anis

That's how it goes when the company tries to be super secretive, if they released controlled rumors, most eyes would be on those rumors, but now curiosity leads to all available information sources everywhere. Meaning every fart is being counted and examined

Exactly. Ricoh could have prevented this by simply repeating what they said at CP+

**monochrome** · 10-01-2018, 01:09 PM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by reh321

Exactly. Ricoh could have prevented this by simply repeating what they said at CP+

And thereby give DPR time to cook up a spurious test scenario the product cannot ‘pass’? Better to drop the surprise.

**BigMackCam** · 10-01-2018, 01:18 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by Kunzite

Browsing through the latest patents, I've found some interesting stuff:

...

Likely not quite a hybrid viewfinder:
??2018-151588 | ???????IP Force?

Originally posted by FozzFoster

Sounds like a hybrid viewfinder to me... how is that 'not quite' a hybrid?

Originally posted by Kunzite

Because I don't want to be too optimistic

Yes. Yes please!...

If this is what it appears to be, I'll be delighted. I don't expect to see any products benefiting from it any time soon, but a hybrid viewfinder is my Nirvana.

One would think it suggests the continuation of reflex rather than mirrorless technology, since there's no optical path for an OVF element with mirrorless.

A DSLR with hybrid viewfinder would be an interesting option in a market that's filled to the brim with mirrorless models

Rush2112 · 10-01-2018, 01:25 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by monochrome

And thereby give DPR time to cook up a spurious test scenario the product cannot ‘pass’? Better to drop the surprise.

I second and third this.

---------- Post added 10-01-2018 at 01:28 PM ----------

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Yes. Yes please!...

If this is what it appears to be, I'll be delighted. I don't expect to see any products benefiting from it any time soon, but a hybrid viewfinder is my Nirvana.

One would think it suggests the continuation of reflex rather than mirrorless technology, since there's no optical path for an OVF element with mirrorless.

A DSLR with hybrid viewfinder would be an interesting option in a market that's filled to the brim with mirrorless models

I've suggested such in my ramblings online too. (Hybrid).

I was musing before PK where Pentax should go, one thing I said is that with so many going mirrorless a vacuum is being created in the DSLR realm. But, I mused, you cannot keep doing the same thing as innovation is selling. So to me, a hybrid viewfinder sounds like an excellent solution. Guess we'll find out

.

Oh and btw, I do not think Pentax (cough Ricoh) have the financial backing to start a whole new mirrorless system of cameras and lenses. So this sorta makes sense.

Again speculation.

Carl

house · 10-01-2018, 01:52 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Kunzite

Browsing through the latest patents, I've found some interesting stuff:
...
Likely not quite a hybrid viewfinder:
??2018-151588 | ???????IP Force?
.

That would be the holy grail! They've been slowly preparing us for a mega cantilevering prism hump. It will be a mighty sight!

10-01-2018, 08:45 AM - 4 Likes	#1
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Miscellaneous development at Ricoh Imaging Browsing through the latest patents, I've found some interesting stuff: A barrel related patent exemplified with images showing a ring-type SDM equipped lens. This might be the first patent linked to the D FA* 50mm f/1.4 I've seen. ??2018-151507 \| ???????IP Force? Two lens barrel related patents which seems to be for the 11-18mm judging by the clamp: ??2018-151492 \| ???????IP Force? ??2018-151500 \| ???????IP Force? A system for dehumidifying a lens: ??2018-151539 \| ???????IP Force? Likely not quite a hybrid viewfinder: ??2018-151588 \| ???????IP Force? It seems that Ricoh still does some camera R&D after all.

10-01-2018, 11:17 AM - 1 Like	#6
FozzFoster Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 6,808	Originally posted by Kunzite Likely not quite a hybrid viewfinder: Sounds like a hybrid viewfinder to me... how is that 'not quite' a hybrid? Google translated: "PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an easy-to-see field-of-view display device (display device in viewfinder). A magnifying glass optical system is provided for enlarging and observing a subject image formed on a focusing screen, and a display unit for displaying predetermined information in a field of view of the loupe optical system so as to overlap or display the object image, Wherein the information input device includes at least a part between an information display section for displaying the information and a predetermined incident point to be made incident into the field of view.... Claim: A loupe optical system for enlarging and observing a subject image formed on the focusing screen and information for causing predetermined information to enter the field of view of the loupe optical system so as to be superimposed on or displayed in place of the subject image.... On the other hand, it has been known for a long time that superimposed (SI) function for superimposing and displaying a relatively coarse point image such as the distance measuring point position at the time of autofocus on the image of the optical viewfinder. Here, if the subject image by the photographing lens which houses the quick return mirror and formed on the image pickup element can be displayed by the superimposing function, it is possible to make the optical viewfinder function as the electronic viewfinder...." Last edited by FozzFoster; 10-01-2018 at 11:24 AM.

10-01-2018, 01:25 PM - 1 Like	#14
Rush2112 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: RSM, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 505	Oh man so well said Originally posted by monochrome And thereby give DPR time to cook up a spurious test scenario the product cannot ‘pass’? Better to drop the surprise. I second and third this. ---------- Post added 10-01-2018 at 01:28 PM ---------- Originally posted by BigMackCam Yes. Yes please!... If this is what it appears to be, I'll be delighted. I don't expect to see any products benefiting from it any time soon, but a hybrid viewfinder is my Nirvana. One would think it suggests the continuation of reflex rather than mirrorless technology, since there's no optical path for an OVF element with mirrorless. A DSLR with hybrid viewfinder would be an interesting option in a market that's filled to the brim with mirrorless models I've suggested such in my ramblings online too. (Hybrid). I was musing before PK where Pentax should go, one thing I said is that with so many going mirrorless a vacuum is being created in the DSLR realm. But, I mused, you cannot keep doing the same thing as innovation is selling. So to me, a hybrid viewfinder sounds like an excellent solution. Guess we'll find out . Oh and btw, I do not think Pentax (cough Ricoh) have the financial backing to start a whole new mirrorless system of cameras and lenses. So this sorta makes sense. Again speculation. Carl

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10-01-2018, 08:54 AM	#2
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,246	they can't even file patents without having some of the customers digging into it... info is being posted on the web at the speed of light. Wow. Any bit of info is going to be looked at with a magnifying glass. Scary. If I was working on engineering project for Ricoh Imaging I would hide completely from anyone having a forum account

10-01-2018, 10:55 AM - 1 Like	#3
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	That dehumidifier was talked about quite a bit on the 11-18 for astro work.

10-01-2018, 10:59 AM	#4
FozzFoster Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 6,808	Originally posted by Kunzite A system for dehumidifying a lens: Originally posted by swanlefitte That dehumidifier was talked about quite a bit on the 11-18 for astro work. Holy moly! That rumour might be true?!? DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 is to have a defog option for astrophotography? - PentaxForums.com

10-01-2018, 11:04 AM - 1 Like	#5
gm4life Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 602	Wow interesting. The net hides nothing.

10-01-2018, 11:38 AM - 5 Likes	#7
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132 Original Poster	Originally posted by FozzFoster Sounds like a hybrid viewfinder to me... how is that 'not quite' a hybrid? Because I don't want to be too optimistic ---------- Post added 01-10-18 at 09:40 PM ---------- Originally posted by biz-engineer they can't even file patents without having some of the customers digging into it... info is being posted on the web at the speed of light. Wow. Any bit of info is going to be looked at with a magnifying glass. Scary. If I was working on engineering project for Ricoh Imaging I would hide completely from anyone having a forum account If they won't give us any information, we have ways of getting it ourselves. Patent searching is just the beginning

10-01-2018, 12:09 PM	#8
FozzFoster Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 6,808	Originally posted by Kunzite Because I don't want to be too optimistic lolol very well, point taken!

10-01-2018, 12:11 PM - 3 Likes	#9
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,184	Originally posted by biz-engineer they can't even file patents without having some of the customers digging into it... info is being posted on the web at the speed of light. Wow. Any bit of info is going to be looked at with a magnifying glass. Scary. If I was working on engineering project for Ricoh Imaging I would hide completely from anyone having a forum account As I have said in other contexts, "Nature abhors a vacuum" .... and Ricoh has created an information vacuum.

10-01-2018, 12:27 PM - 2 Likes	#10
Danas_Anis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 198	Originally posted by biz-engineer they can't even file patents without having some of the customers digging into it... info is being posted on the web at the speed of light. Wow. Any bit of info is going to be looked at with a magnifying glass. Scary. If I was working on engineering project for Ricoh Imaging I would hide completely from anyone having a forum account That's how it goes when the company tries to be super secretive, if they released controlled rumors, most eyes would be on those rumors, but now curiosity leads to all available information sources everywhere. Meaning every fart is being counted and examined

10-01-2018, 12:42 PM - 1 Like	#11
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,184	Originally posted by Danas_Anis That's how it goes when the company tries to be super secretive, if they released controlled rumors, most eyes would be on those rumors, but now curiosity leads to all available information sources everywhere. Meaning every fart is being counted and examined Exactly. Ricoh could have prevented this by simply repeating what they said at CP+

10-01-2018, 01:09 PM - 5 Likes	#12
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by reh321 Exactly. Ricoh could have prevented this by simply repeating what they said at CP+ And thereby give DPR time to cook up a spurious test scenario the product cannot ‘pass’? Better to drop the surprise.

10-01-2018, 01:18 PM - 3 Likes	#13
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,690	Originally posted by Kunzite Browsing through the latest patents, I've found some interesting stuff: ... Likely not quite a hybrid viewfinder: ??2018-151588 \| ???????IP Force? Originally posted by FozzFoster Sounds like a hybrid viewfinder to me... how is that 'not quite' a hybrid? Originally posted by Kunzite Because I don't want to be too optimistic Yes. Yes please!... If this is what it appears to be, I'll be delighted. I don't expect to see any products benefiting from it any time soon, but a hybrid viewfinder is my Nirvana. One would think it suggests the continuation of reflex rather than mirrorless technology, since there's no optical path for an OVF element with mirrorless. A DSLR with hybrid viewfinder would be an interesting option in a market that's filled to the brim with mirrorless models

10-01-2018, 01:52 PM - 2 Likes	#15
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Originally posted by Kunzite Browsing through the latest patents, I've found some interesting stuff: ... Likely not quite a hybrid viewfinder: ??2018-151588 \| ???????IP Force? . That would be the holy grail! They've been slowly preparing us for a mega cantilevering prism hump. It will be a mighty sight!