[JPT]

I noticed that this patent is credited to Ohashi-san, who has worked on GR lenses since the GR1 film camera. He is bottom left in the image below.



Image from this Japanese language DC Watch interview with the GR III designers.
RICOH GR III???? - ???? Watch

I think it's worth mentioning that this kind of patent has been filed before by Ricoh in the past - maybe 5 years ago. I mean patents for APS-C crop lenses for compact cameras longer than 28mm. It would take me ages to find them again, so I won't try. In that case it was not entirely clear whether they were for a GR or GXR modules that were left on the drawing board. Anyway, it never came to anything that time.

However, I do think there is a strong case for another GR model now. The GR III has been one of the few genuine hits in the whole camera industry recently, so the case for another model must be very strong.

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Last edited by JPT; 09-11-2020 at 05:52 PM.

[rawr]

a diagram of the intended device.

No flippy screen ...

[reh321]

No flippy screen ...

That would make it thicker.
Being as small as possible is one of the design criteria.

[Fontan]

I would kill for FF GR monochrome.

[totsmuyco]

Ricoh 23mm and 26mm f/2.8 APS-C lens patent for a compact camera
Ricoh has a new patent for a 23mm and 28mm f/2.8 APS-C lenses designed for a compact camera

Embodiment 1:

f = 25.99 mm,F = 2.86,�‰ = 28.3

Embodiment 7:

f = 23.42 mm,F = 2.88,�‰ = 30.9

Other Embodiments:

2: f = 26.05,F = 2.87,�‰ = 28.3

3: f = 26.05,F = 2.87,�‰ = 28.3

4: f = 28.00,F = 2.88,�‰ = 26.6

5: f = 26.05,F = 2.88,�‰ = 28.3

6: f = 24.68,F = 2.88,�‰ = 29.6

8: f = 26.04,F = 2.88,�‰ = 28.3

9: f = 26.06,F = 2.88,�‰ = 28.3

10: f = 26.05,F = 2.88,�‰ = 28.3

26mm and 23mm F2.8 for APS-C compact cameras from RICOH?An image on a sensor?SS???

The way the drawing looks, it may be a 23-26 mm camera. Maybe made for street photography. Lovely camera if it happens.

[D1N0]

This lens is designed to be placed 45.46mm

Then it is not for compact or GR but for K-mount. A new limited with a 35 to 40mm equivalent FOV. But I can't find anything about flange focal distance in the patent or 45.46. Also the image shown is not of an ilc.

[Flubber]

Stupid question (having zero technical knowledge): could it be an interchangeable lens version of the GR? Or, in other words: a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.

[Mistral75]

Then it is not for compact or GR but for K-mount. A new limited with a 35 to 40mm equivalent FOV. But I can't find anything about flange focal distance in the patent or 45.46. Also the image shown is not of an ilc.

I was answering to @ne! who asked 'why the DA 40mm 2.8 couldn't be used on a compact GR-style camera, as opposed to a newly patented design?'

[Serkevan]

Stupid question (having zero technical knowledge): could it be an interchangeable lens version of the GR? Or, in other words: a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.

From the drawings, it looks very much fixed lens, I'd say...

[Flubber]

Okay. I was just asking out of ignorance anyway. To me, as an average consumer, it just seems to make more sense to have a mirrorless ILC rather than another fixed lens camera - but I don't have the proper schooling to read patent applications, so I'm just guessing. Having a fixed lens would stop me from buying a digital camera - but it seems like there are many who are perfectly happy with a fixed lens digital camera.

[house]

Perhaps they are just making what people asked for. Longer fl GR style camera with some kind of viewfinder and a flash. Seems a bit meh but it has been asked for.

[reh321]

Longer fl GR style camera with some kind of viewfinder and a flash. Seems a bit meh but it has been asked for.

Not at all "too long". The 45mm rangefinders I had for ten years were just a tad short if one insists on using just one focal length. I originally switched to SLR {and Pentax} because I occasionally need just a little more flexibility.

[deus ursus]

thanks for posting this, was curious to see what "33" was in this particular diagram, but it clearly says “FINDER" in katakana (and separate from the "MONITOR" too)

Viewfinder on the right side? That's ... unusual ...

[thibs]

Viewfinder on the right side? That's ... unusual ...

Juste a picture.
For years they used istD body in patents that were used for KxxD then K-x.
There's nothing to derive from these.

[deus ursus]

I hope you're wrong. ;-)