[Mistral75]

Ricoh Imaging just published an updated roadmap.

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/images/K_Mount_Lens.pdf

The main differences in comparison to the former roadmap are as follows:

• There is a new lens on the roadmap: 'DA Standard Zoom Lens'
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• The 'Fish-Eye Zoom Lens' has disappeared from the roadmap
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• All road-mapped lenses are now scheduled for '2019 or later'. In the former roadmap, the HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm f/4 was scheduled for '2019 Spring', the HD Pentax-D FA★ 85mm f/1.4 for '2019' and the other lenses for '2019 or later'. There is no such distinction any more.
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• The HD Pentax-D FA★ 85 mm f/1.4 is now above the HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm f/4. It was the opposite in the former roadmap.

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Last edited by Mistral75; 02-27-2019 at 07:02 PM.

[RGlasel]

There is a new lens on the roadmap: DA Standard Zoom LensAll road-mapped lenses are now scheduled for '2019 or later'. In the former roadmap, the HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm f/4 was scheduled for 'Spring 2019', the HD Pentax-D FA★ 85 mm f/1,4 for '2019' and the other lenses for '2019 or later'. There is no such distinction any more.

I read this two ways: one, someone in product development at Ricoh put out information earlier that wasn't concrete to keep out negative impressions of their ability to launch new products, and now that it is almost spring 2019, they had to eat their words; or two, Ricoh Company management is re-applying the brakes to product development and it is no longer a sure bet that the 70-200 f4 and D FA * 85 will ever be released. With another company, one might suggest that there is merely a communication problem, but Pentax roadmaps have been so conservative and restrained that I doubt this third explanation is the right one.


I don't want to read too much into the red line for the updated 16-50 APS-C zoom, I don't expect to see a new kit lens for old APS-C bodies placed on the roadmap, especially in the "or later" category, so if it ever gets released, it could be a * lens, in spite of the red line. Asahiman had rumoured updates for the DA * 16-50 f2.8 and DA * 50-135 f2.8 back in the day, so other than possibly signalling that a prototype is sitting on a shelf somewhere, this new indefinite red line doesn't tell us much.

[Des]

There is a new lens on the roadmap: 'DA Standard Zoom Lens'

The line suggests a focal range of something like 16-50 or 17-55. A refresh of the DA*16-50 f2.8? Or just a slow variable aperture kit lens?

[Mistral75]

The DA Standard Zoom Lens is (1) labelled DA, not DA★ and (2) represented by a red line, not an orange one. It's therefore supposed to be a DA, not a DA★, even though such things can change between now and the actual announcement.

[monochrome]

Shoot with what you have, not with what you’re waiting for.

[JPT]

My guess is that this is a midrange zoom with PLM focusing. My speculation is that it will be released with the new high end APS-C, which will probably have much more competitive continuous AF and video capabilities.

[wed7]

The DA Standard Zoom Lens is (1) labelled DA, not DA★ and (2) represented by a red line, not an orange one. It's therefore supposed to be a DA, not a DA★, even though such things can change between now and the actual announcement.

Red could mean HD coating perhaps

[Larrymc]

My speculation is that it will be released with the new high end APS-C, which will probably have much mordcompetitive continuous AF and video capabilities.

Lets hope so.

[biz-engineer]

Shoot with what you have, not with what you’re waiting for.

This comment is full of wisdom (did you talk to Dalai Lama recently?). Somehow life is like the basic intelligence tests at the military: you are presented a set of circular and rectangle shaped pieces, don't try to fit the circle into the rectangle, it doesn't work

[beholder3]

Red color is unspecific, so it could be a star lens or not.

My guess is that it is a DA*16-50 II with different motor drive or a DA 16-45 II.

[Kunzite]

Disappointing - if the DA* 11-18mm is the only lens for this year. That would be a 3rd slow year in a row.

[Des]

My guess is that it is a DA*16-50 II with different motor drive or a DA 16-45 II.

I wonder how much appeal a revised 16-45 f4 would hold? For those who need f2.8 there's the 16-50; for those who don't there's the 16-85. Yes, a little less bulky, a little faster at the long end and presumably cheaper than the 16-85, but much more limiting focal range for a walkaround lens.

[biz-engineer]

Disappointing - if the DA* 11-18mm is the only lens for this year. That would be a 3rd slow year in a row.

Yes, there is a pessimistic outlook this year. The stealth KP may help to go thru tough times in shelters and use it to photograph memories of the 2019 crisis times in black & white (like the great depression of 1930). I wonder however how to recharge KP batteries when electricity will be gone? Solar? So far, I've anticipated the crisis as I've bought rice and candles for a year , and a backup Pentax K1 II (to make sure I can document the crisis in black&white).

[robjmitchell]

Considering the new patent for the updated 16-50/2.8, it a good sign the K3 replacement is their next camera priority.

[sbh]

Looks good. Once these lenses are out, the line-up will be pretty good. Only a standard FF Star zoom is missing.