[Mistral75]

It doesn't matter. Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, they all have the capacity to make Pentax K lenses.
Well, they would have to somehow obtain the KAF 4 specs - but the giving up part happened a while ago.

(...)

Of course they do. Same with Cosina (Voigtländer SL) and Zeiss (ZK lenses), who gave up a while ago too because of insufficient sales.

[Mistral75]

I expect I will be cremated with this lens in one hand and my FA* 200/4 Macro in the other.

Wasting two very fine lenses that way would be a pity. You aren't Pharaoh or the Chinese emperor, are you?

[ThorSanchez]

Just an FYI: The K mount is an open source mount. Anyone can build K mount lenses without paying royalties.
If the third party manufacturers aren't making K mount lenses it's because they have made a business decision not to, not because Ricoh isn't letting them do it.

AFAIK this only applies to the earliest version of the mount.

I don't think you can go get the interface control document including the data transfer protocols, as you would be able to with a fully open sourced item. They physical, mechanical mount may be open sourced, but not all of KAF2, 3, 4. I know I've seen references to Sigma reverse engineering the protocols for their autofocus K-mount lenses, and speculation that's why lenses like the 18-35mm have some focusing issues.

[monochrome]

I’m happy enough with my Auto-Tak 85/1.8 and K85/1.8 (different formula, same as SMC Tak 85/1.8) but if I could I would buy the A*85/1.4 pristine with hood.

I can get the D FA*85/1.4 pristine with hood and autofocus without dealing with seller risk, but at $2,000 I have to raise cash elsewhere, and it competes with K-new and D FA21/x Limited for scarce funds. Very hard to buy it now. Easier next year, which will push back the 21 Limited.

[Mistral75]

Just announced:

HD PENTAX-D FA★ 85mm F1.4 ED SDM AW

UK price is eventually £1,999.99

[funkythiru]

Germany only $1799
HD PENTAX-D FA?85mmF1.4ED SDM AW

[Mistral75]

Germany only $1799
HD PENTAX-D FA?85mmF1.4ED SDM AW

I'm reading €1,999, not €1,799.

Edit: now it's €1,999 discounted at €1,799.10. What are they doing?

[funkythiru]

I'm reading €1,999, not €1,799.

Edit: now it's €1,999 discounted at €1,799.10. What are they doing?

There is a 10% discount for preorder, same on the french site.

[robbiec]

I'm reading €1,999, not €1,799.

Edit: now it's €1,999 discounted at €1,799.10. What are they doing?

EU site says €1,999, UK site says £1,999 but Germany has a 10% discount for €1,799. US = $1,899

[beachgardener]

£1,999 = $3705 aud

[funkythiru]

EU site says €1,999, UK site says £1,999 but Germany has a 10% discount for €1,799. US = $1,899

Looks like $2k in the states side unless we get a preorder discount.

[thibs]

I don't think you can go get the interface control document including the data transfer protocols, as you would be able to with a fully open sourced item. They physical, mechanical mount may be open sourced, but not all of KAF2, 3, 4. I know I've seen references to Sigma reverse engineering the protocols for their autofocus K-mount lenses, and speculation that's why lenses like the 18-35mm have some focusing issues.

K has always been open. Everything else was not but....
KA patents expired AFAICT so it is effectively free to use.

[Mistral75]

Looks like $2k in the state side unless we get a preorder discount.

$1,899 in the USA:

Ricoh introduces HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm F1.4 lens | Digital Photography Review

Available mid-June they say whereas Nokishita Camera said the 26th of June.

[davidsladek]

just wondering when they plan to publish some official samples...

[Kunzite]

Slightly less expensive than we thought (after Amazon.co.uk's leak).