Pentax announces forthcoming 85mm F1.4 lens for its premium FA* full-frame lens lineup
(Digital Photography Review)

Ricoh has announced it will release a new wide-aperture portrait lens for its full-frame cameras late this year, and that it will use the company´s Supersonic Direct-drive Motor to power the focusing system. The HD Pentax -D FA* 85mm F1.4 SDM AW with join the existing HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW and HD PENTAX-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8ED DC AW in a line-up of three models in the FA* range. Like the DA* lenses designed for APS-C cameras, these FA* models are intended to be premium quality and to represent a step-up from the standard lens series. Pentax says that the new portrait lens uses three Super ED lenses to suppress chromatic errors while boosting contrast, and a single aspherical element to retain high resolution and focus across the frame. The aperture will be made from nine blades and the closest focusing distance will be 2.8ft. Although designed for the full-frame K-1 cameras, the KAF4 lens will also work on the company´s APS-C sensor cameras - due to the smaller sensor area it will offer the view that a 130mm focal length would on a full-frame model. Pentax has yet to release the pricing of this new lens, but to give you an idea, the 50mm F1.4 FA* lens costs $1100/£1050 compared to $350/£400 for the standard SMC FA version. For more information see the Pentax website. Press release Development of the new-generation D FA* high-performance single focus lens for digital SLR cameras HD PENTAX-D FA* 85mmF1.4 SDM AW RICOH COMPANY, LTD. and RICOH IMAGING EUROPE, SAS. are pleased to announce the development of the new-generation high-performance Star-series lens, the HD PENTAX-D FA* 85mmF1.4 SDM AW. This product is the second `new generation D FA*` single focus lens following the `HD PENTAX-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW` which we presented as the first lens with a fixed focal length of the `New Generation D FA*`. This series is known for the perfect image quality and the lenses are characterized by the following parameters: Best ...