Photography news, before it happens

The previously rumored HD Pentax-DA Fisheye 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED lens is now officially announced and available for pre-order:

• B&H Photo
• Amazon
• Park Camera
• WEX

What’s improved:

“The development of this new zoom lens was based on smc PENTAX-DA FISH-EYE10-17mmF3.5-4.5ED, while conducting a thorough review of lens coatings. The high-grade, multi-layer HD Coating has been applied to the optical elements for high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness and free of flare and ghost images. The exterior has been totally redesigned to match the design of the latest PENTAX K-mount digital SLR models, and also to make its lens hood removable. When mounted on a PENTAX K-1 or PENTAX K-1 Mark II camera body, the photographer can remove the lens hood to produce nearly circular fish-eye images.”

Sample photos can be found here. Technical specifications:

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Ricoh is rumored to announce a new HD Pentax-DA Fisheye 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED lens (pictured above) on July 26th. The Japanese price will be ¥ 67,500 including tax (or around $600). For comparisons, here is the current Pentax Fisheye SMCP-DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED (IF) model (priced at $446.95):

Update – the lens is now officially announced:

HD Pentax-DA Fisheye 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED lens officially announced

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