Ricoh officially announced the previously rumored HD PENTAX-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8ED SDM WR lens. The US price of the lens is $1,299.95 (available for pre-order at B&H and Adorama). As some readers already noticed, the new Pentax lens is completely identical to this Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di USD lens and I don't think this is a coincidence - take a look at this GIF file overlaying both lenses:
The MTF charts are slightly different:
Technical specifications and additional information on the HD PENTAX-D FA 24-70mmF2.8ED SDM WR lens:
| Focal Length | 24-70mm |
|---|---|
| (Equivalent in 35mm format ) | 37-107mm |
| Maximum Aperture | F2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | F22 |
| Lens Construction | 17elements in 12groups |
| Angle of View | 61°- 23°(when attached to PENTAX digital SLR cameras) 84°- 34.5°(when attached to PENTAX 35mm SLR cameras) |
| Lens Mount | KAF3 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 0.38m (1.25 ft.) |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.20x |
| Filter Diameter | 82mm |
| Diaphragm Control | Fully automatic |
| Number of Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Rounded aperture （F2.8-5.6） | |
| Lens Hood | PH-RBD82(provided) |
| Lens Cap | O-LC82(provided) |
| Lens Case | S120-150(provided) |
| Maximum Diameter x Length | Approx. 88.5 mm/3.5 in. x 109.5 mm/4.3 in. |
| Weight | Approx.787g / 27.8 oz. (with hood Approx. 812g / 28.6oz. ) |
| Package Contents | Lens hood, Lens cap, Lens mount cap, Lens case |
Press release:
RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. is pleased to announce the launch of the HD PENTAX-D FA 24-70mmF2.8ED SDM WR. This new standard zoom lens is designed to accommodate the image circle of large 35mm full-frame image sensors.
When mounted on a 35mm-format full-frame digital SLR camera body (currently under development), this large-aperture standard zoom lens covers a focal-length range from 24mm ultra-wide-angle to 70mm standard,* and provides a maximum aperture of F2.8 over the entire zoom range. By incorporating three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) optical elements and four aspherical optical elements, it assures sufficient light levels even at the edges of the image field and compensates various aberrations to a minimum to deliver well-depicted, fine-detailed images rich in contrast and resolution. The built-in SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor) provides quiet, high-speed autofocus operation.
* When mounted on a current K-series digital SLR camera body, this zoom lens covers a focal-length range from 37mm to 107mm.
HD PENTAX-D FA 24-70mmF2.8ED SDM WR lens main features:
1. Exceptional imaging power
Consisting of 17 elements in 12 groups, the newly designed optics feature three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) optical elements, one anomalous-dispersion-glass aspherical optical element and three aspherical optical elements to accommodate super-high-resolution image sensors. By assuring sufficient light levels even at the edges of the image field and compensating various aberrations to a minimum, it provides a high MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) and delivers well-illustrated, fine-detailed images that are rich in contrast and resolution across the entire image field. When mounted on a current PENTAX K-series camera body, it uses only the central area of the image circle so that it delivers high-resolution images with uniform image description over the entire image field.
2. Large-aperture standard zoom lens
When mounted on a 35mm-format full-frame digital SLR camera body, this zoom lens offers a zoom ratio of approximately 2.9 times to cover the ultra-wide-angle to standard ranges (24mm to 70mm in focal length). It provides a maximum aperture of F2.8 over the entire zoom range to deliver brilliant images. It not only covers the focal-length range most frequently used for ordinary subjects, but also provides ultra-wide-angle coverage to produce distinctive visual expressions, such as exaggerated perspectives or extra-wide depths of field, making it very useful with subjects such as sweeping landscapes and shallow indoor scenes. When mounted on a current K-series digital SLR camera body, it provides focal lengths from 37mm to 107mm in the 35mm format to cover wide-angle to medium-telephoto ranges. Since its large maximum aperture not only creates an excellent bokeh (defocus) effect on the background for beautiful portraits, but also allows the photographer to handhold the camera for poorly illuminated subjects, such as sunsets and indoor scenes.
3. Built-in SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor)
Thanks to the incorporation of a new-generation SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor), this zoom lens assures quiet, high-speed autofocus operation, allowing the photographer to react swiftly to all types of subjects.
4. Weather-resistant construction
This lens features a dependable weather-resistant construction with special seals to effectively prevent the intrusion of water into the lens interior. By pairing it with a weather-resistant PENTAX digital SLR camera body, it assures a durable, dependable digital imaging system that performs superbly in demanding shooting settings -- even in rain or mist, or in locations prone to water splashing or spray.
5. HD Coating to improve image description
The lens is treated with high-grade, multi-layer HD Coating.* Compared with conventional multi-layer coatings, this PENTAX-original coating assures higher light transmittance and less reflection to deliver bright, high-contrast images free of flare and ghost images, even under demanding lighting conditions such as backlight.
* HD stands for High Definition.
6. Quick-Shift Focus system
The lens comes equipped with the PENTAX-developed Quick-Shift Focus system, which allows the user to instantly switch to manual-focus operation after the subject is captured in focus by the camera's AF system.
7. Other features
・Rounded diaphragm to produce a smooth, beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect, while minimizing the streaking effect of point light sources.
・Zoom lock lever to prevent the accidental extension of the lens barrel when pointed downwards.
Rico also announced a new WG-40 underwater camera (for Japan only).
