Ricoh Announced HD Pentax-D FA 645 35mm f/3.5 AL IF Medium Format Lens

Pentax brand owner Ricoh Imaging announced a new HD Pentax-D FA 645 35mm f/3.5 AL IF lens for Pentax 645Z or 645D medium-format camera system.

The new HD Pentax-D FA 645 35mm f/3.5 AL IF Medium Format Lens is designed to deliver the 35mm equivalent of a 27.5mm lens when mounted on a 645Z or 645D  body. The UK Price is £1,549.99 (US price not yet released) and it will be released in mid December 2015.

Press release
HD PENTAX-D FA645 35mm f/3.5 AL [IF]
An interchangeable wideangle lens for use with medium-format DSLR cameras, for the delivery of sharp, high-resolution images

RICOH IMAGING EUROPE SAS is pleased to announce a new addition to the PENTAX 645 medium-format DSLR camera system, with the launch of the HD PENTAX-D FA645 35mm f/3.5 AL [IF] wideangle lens.

This newly designed lens is based on the smc PENTAX-FA645 35mm f/3.5 AL [IF], renowned for producing crisp images. Thanks to the incorporation of newly designed high-grade aspherical optical elements, this lens has been optimised for digital imaging by minimising a number of aberrations. Treated with the PENTAX-original HD Coating, the HD PENTAX-D FA645 35mm f/3.5 AL [IF] delivers high-contrast, high-resolution images even in demanding lighting situations, making it ideal for scenic photography.

Main features:

1. Optical design supporting super-high-resolution images captured with medium-format DSLR cameras
Combining a newly designed, high-grade glass-moulded aspherical element with a high refractive index low dispersion glass element and a hybrid aspherical element in its optics, this lens effectively compensates for chromatic and spherical aberrations. It also assures a sufficient peripheral brightness level, while enhancing image resolution and crisp image description at edges of the image field. The lens coating and reflective material used for the interior of the lens barrel are optimised for the distinctive characteristics of digital imaging. This allows it to draw out the optimum performance of PENTAX medium-format DSLR cameras, while minimising flare and ghost images.

2. Wideangle perspective – perfect for scenic photography
This lens provides a focal length of 27.5mm (in the 35mm format; when mounted on a 645Z or 645D camera body) to capture wideangle landscape and architectural images. With a minimum focusing distance of 0.3 metres and a maximum magnification of 0.25 times, it can also be used for close-up photography, allowing the photographer to capture subjects, like flowers, while retaining the scenery in the background to emphasise the sense of depth. Its inner-focus mechanism keeps its total length unchanged during focusing, and allows the user to maintain the ideal balance during handheld shooting.

3. HD Coating for high-resolution images
This lens is treated with the PENTAX-original, high-grade HD Coating.* Compared with conventional multi-layer coatings, this innovative coating assures higher light transmittance and lower reflection to deliver bright, high-contrast images free of flare and ghost images, even in demanding lighting situations
* HD stands for High Definition.

4. Rounded diaphragm for a beautiful bokeh effect
This lens features a nine-blade, rounded diaphragm to produce a smooth, beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect, while minimising the streaking effect of point light sources.

5. Other features
・Image circle covering the entire image size of 645-series film-format SLR cameras
・SP (Super Protect) Coating applied to the front surface of the lens to effectively repel water and grease
・Attachment of various filters, such as a C-PL (circular polarising) filter, to the front end of the lens
・PL filter window for easy control of a polarising filter without requiring the removal of the lens hood

Note: Designs and specifications are subject to change without notice

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY:
RRP: £1,549.99

Specifications

Focal Length	35mm
(Equivalent in 35mm format )	27.5mm (with 645D/Z body) 21.5mm (with film 645 body)
Maximum Aperture	F3.5
Minimum Aperture	F32
Lens Construction	10 elements in 7 groups
Angle of View	76°(with 645D/Z body) 90°(with film 645 body)
Lens Mount	645AF
Minimum Focusing Distance	0.3m (1.0 ft)
Maximum Magnification	0.25x
Filter Diameter	82mm
Diaphragm Control	Fully automatic
Number of Diaphragm Blades	9
	Rounded aperture （F3.5-7.1）
Lens Hood	PH-RBE82
Lens Cap	O-LC82
Lens Case	S120-150
Maximum Diameter x Length	Approx. 88mm x 90mm (3.5 inch x 3.5 inch)
Weight	Approx. 570g / 20.1 oz. (with hood Approx. 610g / 21.5 oz.)
Bundle	Case, Hood, Lens cap, Lens Mount cap