New pentax 645 35mm f3.5

[BernardLanguillier]

http://photorumors.com/2015/11/10/this-is-the-new-hd-pentax-d-fa-645-35mm-f3-5-al-if-lens/#more-77039

The lens is designed to cover full 645 format. I guess we now have a confirmation that larger CMOS chips are coming.

Price seems seems reasonable at 270,000 Yen, which is 1/3 of the Schneider equivalent. Weight is half as well. We'll have to see in terms of image quality of course.

Cheers,
Bernard

[E.J. Peiker]

Just wondering how a posting on a rumor site is a "confirmtion" of anything?   

[Joe Towner]

Larger CMOS will happen, but at a significant price premium.  One could also guess of a Dalsa 60/80 chip showing up possibly, using existing technology.

I guess the big thing is that there isn't a reason to not design for full frame 645N users.

[uaiomex]

E.J., it is a confirmation that tonight I'm going to dream of a Pentax true 645 sensor body  Sweet!
 
Eduardo

Just wondering how a posting on a rumor site is a "confirmtion" of anything?   

[BernardLanguillier]

Just wondering how a posting on a rumor site is a "confirmtion" of anything?   

Those rumors sites are mostly not rumor sites, they are "get the word out a few days prior to official announcement" sites. It seems extremely likely that this lens will be announced before the end of this week with exactly the leaked specs.

Why do I consider this a confirmation?

Well, Pentax withdrew from sales their new 25mm 33x44mm coverage wide angle lens last year less than 2 years after release. They now release a full frame covering new 35mm lens.

To me, the only scenario where this makes senses is if they knew that this lens would not be compatible with upcoming larger chip cameras and decided not to lock in their faithful customers in an image circle size that would prevent them from upgrading to their next gen bodies.

I just did the math, it's good enough for me as a confirmation, but you are obviously entitled not to believe in my forecast.

What I can obviously not forecast is when a camera equiped with a larger CMOS would become available and how they would position it relative to the 645Z:
- Replacement?
- Higher end model with a higher price tag?

I would personally bet on the second option.

Cheers,
Bernard

[alatreille]

Just for reference....
The specs are almost identical to the FA 35mm / 3.5

http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-FA-645-35mm-F3.5-Lens.html

The image is obviously fabricated - aperture rings are not existent on any of the DFA series - I wish they were.

[alan_b]

Announced - with aperture ring.  I wonder if it's electronically-controlled?
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/7833866600/ricoh-introduces-designed-for-digital-hd-pentax-d-fa645-35mm-f3-5-prime

Price is reasonable too - will be interesting to see how it compares to its predecessors and the new $$$$ SK.

[BernardLanguillier]

Now the only question left to my eyes is when Sony will be able to ship, what I expect to be, a 70~100 mp 36x48mm CMOS BSI sensor, hopefully featuring EFC.

Since the current 33x44mm 50mp sensor was made available to buyers around 2 years ago (the first back using it was announced on 24-Jan-2014), it would seem reasonable to expect such parts to be made available soonish if they aren't already.

Cheers,
Bernard

[The Doc]

A modest upgrade from the existing lens. Differences include:
-10g heavier;
-one more diaphragm blade;
-a few changes to the external design of the lens (looks more like the 50mm); and
-different coatings on the glass.

Overall not much difference. Perhaps tests will reveal better optics.

Someone asked about the aperture ring, it can be set manually or you turn it to A (Automatic) and the changes are done in camera.

[alatreille]

Awesome.

I stand corrected thinking that it was a real hoax/rumour.

I would love to try this against my FA 35 on the Canon system with full shifts!

Good on you Pentax for leaving the aperture ring. 

I was shooting today with the Z and the 150 using the aperture ring rather than a dial with the ring set on 'A'.  Something really nice about this way of working.

I'm excited.

[The Doc]

The other change is 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"? Does it address the field curvature issue?

[leeonmaui]

Aloha,
I used it briefly, it's very nice.
Supposedly they worked on the CA I guess I can check the files I got from it to see if this is so.
Either the older FA or A or new issue are all very nice.
I shot my old FA to death, it's pretty much retired now but occasionally ends up in my bag.
The new issue is not weather sealed.
I use the outstanding 25mm for wide now. And the 45-85 a lot.
If you have the money get the 28-45 zoom, it's lovely, but big and expensive!