Ricoh has announced the upcoming launch of five HD PENTAX-DA Limited lenses designed for use with K-mou nt interchangeable-lens digital cameras. These new lenses - including the HD Pentax-DA15mm F4ED AL Limited (pictured), the HD Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2AL Limited, the HD Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited, HD Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited and the HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited - inherit the distinctive looks and premium appearance of the earlier Pentax Limited products, while adding state-of-the-art HD coating and a round-shaped diaphragm for a pleasing bokeh. Pricing for the new lenses ranges from £439.99 to £639.99 depending on model. Availability is slated for late September.

Ricoh Press Release

Five HD PENTAX-DA Limited interchangeable lenses for K-mount interchangeable lens digital cameras, featuring high-grade HD coating and round-shaped diaphragm

RICOH IMAGING COMPANY LTD. is pleased to announce the launch of five HD PENTAX-DA Limited interchangeable lenses designed for use with K-mount lens-interchangeable digital cameras. These new lenses inherit the distinctive visual description and a premium appearance of the acclaimed PENTAX Limited Lens series, while adding state-of-the-art HD coating and a round-shaped diaphragm, to deliver even higher digital imaging performance in combination with a K-mount camera body:

HD PENTAX-DA 15mm F4ED AL Limited
HD PENTAX-DA 21mm F3.2AL Limited
HD PENTAX-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited
HD PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited
HD PENTAX-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited

Based on the Limited Lens series , renowned for meticulous finish in every detail, from outstanding image rendition to the high-quality, hand-machined aluminum body — these newly developed lenses deliver even better optical performance than the original Limited Lens-series models. They are treated with HD coating, providing much higher light transmittance than conventional multi-layer coatings to deliver sharp, clear images free of flare and ghost images, even in adverse lighting. They also feature a completely round-shaped diaphragm to produce a natural, beautiful bokeh (out-of-focus) effect in the foreground and background.

Major Features (common to all five models)

1. High-grade HD coating for exceptional image rendition
All lenses are treated with HD coating,* a high-grade multi-layer lens coating that delivers higher light transmittance and lower reflection than conventional multi-layer coatings. As a result, they produce sharp, clear images free of flare and ghost images, even in adverse lighting conditions.

* HD stands for High Definition, and signifies the lens’ capacity to reproduce images that excel in transparency, definition, resolution and rendition.

2. Round-shaped diaphragm for beautiful out-of-focus rendition
All lenses feature a completely round-shaped diaphragm to optimise the performance of their distinctive optics. This diaphragm produces a natural, beautiful bokeh (out-of-focus) effect, while minimising the streaking effect of point light sources.

3. Acclaimed Limited Lens-series quality for distinctive visual description and a premium appearance
Based on the design concept of the Limited Lens series, these lenses have been designed by combining a series of mechanical and numerical evaluations with human assessment of test-shooting samples to assure the ultimate in image reproduction. Their optical design has been optimised for digital photography to deliver sharp, clear images with outstanding contrast, even at the maximum aperture. In addition, their lens barrel, hood and cap are all made of a high-grade aluminium material, hand-machined for perfect proportions and beautiful texture.

4. Other features
• SP (Super Protect) coating (already featured in four other models) has been applied to the HD PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited lens to keep the front surface free of dust and stains.
• All of the lenses are available in black or silver versions.

♦Design and Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Pricing and availability:
RRP:
HD PENTAX-DA 15mm F4ED AL Limited £589.99
HD PENTAX-DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited £589.99
HD PENTAX-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited £639.99
HD PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited £439.99
HD PENTAX-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited £639.99

Available from: end September 2013

Image Gallery

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