An interchangeable wide-angle lens for use with medium-format DSLR cameras, for the delivery of sharp, high-resolution images

Ricoh has announced a new wide-angle lens for the Pentax medium-format DSLR camera system. The 27.5mm-equivalent HD PENTAX-D FA645 35mm F3.5 AL [IF] combines a newly designed, high-grade glass-moulded aspherical element with a high refractive index low dispersion glass element and a hybrid aspherical element to effectively compensate for chromatic and spherical aberrations. The lens coating and reflective material used for the interior of the lens barrel are optimised for the distinctive characteristics of digital imaging, and promise to minimise flare and ghosting. This lens features a nine-blade, rounded diaphragm to produce a smooth, beautiful bokeh effect. Available from mid-December.

RICOH IMAGING 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 F3.5 AL [IF] wide-angle lens.

This newly designed lens is based on the smc PENTAX-FA 645 35mm F3.5AL [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 F3.5 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. Wide-angle 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 wide-angle 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.