I just received this rumor from Asia - Pentax will be announcing a new lens for its digital medium format 645D camera: Pentax D FA 645 25mm f/4. The Google translation is not very clear, but here are some of the mentioned specs:
- built-in hood lens
- built-in filter holder
- weather proof
- some kind of a special coating/lens element
- aperture range: f/4 - f/32
- 12 lens elements in 8 groups
- minimum focusing distance will be less than 0.5m
- internal focus
- 96° angle of view
- 25mm in medium format is actually very wide - aprox. 20mm in 35mm equivalent.
I was told that this lens will be announced for the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show in Japan (February 9-12, 2011). Pentax is listed in the list of exhibitors for that show. A new compact camera is also expected (it could be more than one new model). The rumored Pentax NC-1 EVIL camera will not be announced in February.
I have been following closely the latest developments around the Pentax 645D since this is the most affordable medium format digital camera (I also saw some amazing large prints at the PDN Expo). The camera was recently selected as "AP Reader Product of the Year" at the Amateur Photographer Awards 2011.
The Pentax 645D costs 10,000 and out of the four official retailers, currently only Adorama and AcePhoto has them in stock.
And finally some Pentax 645D images from flickr:
