[ffking]

Just out of interest - can't keep up with everything - have we seen the second switch on the barrel of the 11-18 before?

[MatKus]

I'm trying to understant what might be the reason to release FA 35 lens. It's FA, not DFA, it has manual aparture setting and screwdrive...
And i have only 3 possible answers.
1) It's joke
2) It's some crazy marketting decision that i don't understand (but i'm not good in marketting, so who knows)
3) Ricoh is planning to release some ancient camera, maybe something for those analog lovers, there's more and more of them lately.

[RonHendriks1966]

Do mirrorless systems (often touted for their portability) have such a small and lightweight 35mm option?

With Nikon Z you can use the 28-70mm/f2 lens. This cover the 35mm part. That particular 35mm part isn't so heavy.........Only the other focal lengths bring in the heavy meat

[Reed]

Just out of interest - can't keep up with everything - have we seen the second switch on the barrel of the 11-18 before?

Yeah, it was black taped first, then shown marked as Clamp switch some few months before.

---------- Post added 01-30-19 at 09:01 AM ----------

I'm trying to understant what might be the reason to release FA 35 lens. It's FA, not DFA, it has manual aparture setting and screwdrive...
And i have only 3 possible answers.
1) It's joke
2) It's some crazy marketting decision that i don't understand (but i'm not good in marketting, so who knows)
3) Ricoh is planning to release some ancient camera, maybe something for those analog lovers, there's more and more of them lately.

4) They want to run a new batch, and got out of older glass blanks and chassis parts. Good time to make some tweaks.

[repaap]

Yeah, it was black taped first, then shown marked as Clamp switch some few months before.

---------- Post added 01-30-19 at 09:01 AM ----------



4) They want to run a new batch, and got out of older glass blanks and chassis parts. Good time to make some tweaks.

5) 100th anniversary yr of Pentax, they will release some classic lenses along with anniversary model FF camera. Little revamped HD FA might overcome shotcoming of the original FA. How about that.

[Reed]

5) 100th anniversary yr of Pentax, they will release some classic lenses along with anniversary model FF camera. Little revamped HD FA might overcome shotcoming of the original FA. How about that.

Good one I would go for revamped FA*24/2 lens formula in current "exterior design" and new coating tech same day it hits the shelves.

[robiles]

What if their plan is to release 2 products each month; a premium product paired with a consumer/budget product? They might have postponed a few releases to be able to do that.

If you think about it, it is not that far fetched, the rumours are (and roadmaped): 2 teleconverters, 6 new FF lenses, and possibly a few new bodies. Add a few revamped lenses like the 35/2 (i'm looking at you DA*'s) and the numbers all add up.

[ffking]

What if their plan is to release 2 products each month; a premium product paired with a consumer/budget product? They might have postponed a few releases to be able to do that.

If you think about it, it is not that far fetched, the rumours are (and roadmaped): 2 teleconverters, 6 new FF lenses, and possibly a few new bodies. Add a few revamped lenses like the 35/2 (i'm looking at you DA*'s) and the numbers all add up.

I think that's a little optimistic - however, they do need to turn their attention to attracting new customers now, not satisfying old ones (easy with many, impossible with a few )

[Mistral75]

Do mirrorless systems (often touted for their portability) have such a small and lightweight 35mm option?

The Sony E mirrorless system does but with an f/2.8 aperture, not f/2.

- Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA: 62mm x 37mm, 120g
- Samyang AF 35mm f/2.8 FE: 62mm x 33mm, 85g

to be compared to:

- smc Pentax-FA 35mm f/2 AL: 64mm x 45mm, 195g

[Mistral75]

Some additional pieces of information from Nokishita Camera concerning the HD Pentax-FA 35mm f/2:

【噂】リコーが「HD PENTAX-DA★11-18mmF2.8ED DC AW」と「HD PENTAX-FA 35mmF2」を1月31日に発表|軒下デジカメ情報局

- release date: 22 February (and not 31 January as initially written)
- 'mass retailer price': ¥48,600.

This price could correspond to a RRP of $/€399.

[clackers]

The Sony E mirrorless system does but with an f/2.8 aperture, not f/2.



- Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA: 62mm x 37mm, 120g

- Samyang AF 35mm f/2.8 FE: 62mm x 33mm, 85g



to be compared to:



- smc Pentax-FA 35mm f/2 AL: 64mm x 45mm, 195g

But that's a full stop ... f2.8 is half the light gathering ability.

[Jonathan Mac]

If Pentax are putting more effort into re-vamping their older FA series lenses then it's high time. It's the simplest way to re-invigorate the lens line-up.

My guess would be HD coatings and a newer design of body, nothing else. Maybe an in-lens focus motor but I doubt it.

Just saw the pics in that last link and they'd appear to confirm the above - the design has changed very little from the current SMC 35mm. I would argue that it's too similar and the lens doesn't look modern enough.

[BarneyL]

This price could correspond to a RRP of $/€399.

Current price of the FA 35/2 in my country is more or less 580 EUR. So that would be welcome.

[nass_43]

I think this re-release of the FA-35/2 is a good think.
It adds 1 "modern" lens to the lineup, without impacting much the Ricoh's capacity to develop new lenses. It really looks like only the exterior body had been updated.

As for the lens itself : the FA 35/2 AL is my go-to lens with the K-1 : sharp, fast, small and light. And my favorite focal length. Now, we could assume this new production run will be made with even higher precision / quality, so it's a win-win.

And if this could point to a soon-to-be-released Pentax film camera (hence the FA, and not D-FA name...)... But let's stop dreaming

[alpheios]

I don't get all the hate. I think it's really important for a camera company to have a set of entry to mid level lenses and a set of pro lenses. More people will be buying into the brand/system if they offer more affordable glass. Not everyone can or wants to spend $1000+ on prime lenses when they first buy into a new full frame system. Actually it's a pretty clever move for a company that has limited resources. The FA primes are good and can be made even better with very little money spent on development. Just have a look at what the other big companies offer on the entry level. That's often lens designs that date back to the nineties with a few tweaks and upgrades. My guess and hope is that Ricoh will do the same with the FA 50 F1.7 and maybe other lenses (20/2.8, 135/2.8?).