Ricoh has officially announced the launch of the HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm f/1.4ED SDM AW lens. The 85mm f/1.4 is the second fixed focus lens in the new generation Pentax Star family.
The US price is $1899.95 and shipping will start in mid-June 2020. You can check the available at B&H, Adorama, Amazon.
“The Star series is the top of the range for PENTAX lenses, so when developing the new generation, Pentax conducted an extensive review of its in-house standards, demanding the highest performance, even for use with future PENTAX DSLRs, which are expected to deliver even higher image quality and better performance than current models.”, say Pentax.
HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm f/1.4ED SDM AW Key Features:
1. A new-generation, high-performance Star-series lens that delivers exceptional image quality
Anticipating the future development of SLR cameras, PENTAX has designed this lens to deliver extra-clear, high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness whilst keeping various aberrations to a minimum and greatly enhancing resolving power – two factors that are absolutely essential for the new generation Star series. It provides exceptionally high imaging performance even at open aperture, a beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect and outstanding image rendition at close range these are all reasons for the high-quality, well-defined images that are produced. It also boasts an extra-large f/1.4 maximum aperture, useful for many different subjects within a range of applications, including portraiture with a beautifully defocused background, handheld shooting of indoor scenes and landscape photography. It produces a clear image in the camera’s viewfinder, one to inspire the photographer’s creativity and imagination.
2. State-of-the-art optical technology
This lens incorporates three Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical elements to effectively minimize chromatic aberration, and a glass-molded aspherical optical element to effectively compensate for spherical and chromatic aberrations and field curvature to deliver extra-clear, high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness, even when the aperture is wide open. It also reduces distortion to nearly zero at a focusing distance of four meters to deliver well-defined, distortion-free images over the entire focusing range, from the minimum focusing distance to infinity. This lens is also treated with high-grade, multi-layer HD* Coating, which reduces average reflectance in the visible ray spectrum to less than 50% of conventional multi-layer coatings, effectively reducing flare and ghost images to a minimum even in demanding lighting conditions such as backlighting.
* HD is the abbreviation of High Definition.
3. Newly designed, large SDM ring
In order to deliver the highest image quality possible over the entire focusing range – from the minimum focusing distance to infinity – this lens features an newly designed, large SDM ring to efficiently drive the focusing mechanism, which consists of a higher number of optical elements than ordinary lenses, and is required to shift heavy rear-optical-element groups in unison. Generating a torque approximately 1.3 times that of the unit installed in the HD PENTAX-D FA★50mm f1.4 SDM AW, this new SDM assures flawless, high-speed autofocus operation.
4. Dustproof, weather-resistant construction
Developed as an AW (All Weather) model, this lens features a dependable dustproof, weather-resistant construction with eight special seals to prevent the intrusion of water into the lens barrel. When paired with a dustproof, weather-resistant PENTAX digital SLR camera body, it assures a durable, reliable digital imaging system that performs superbly in demanding shooting settings – even in rain or mist, or at locations prone to water splashes or spray.
5. Other features
- Nine-blade, round-shaped diaphragm to produce a natural, beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect up to the F2.8 aperture setting, while minimizing the streaking effect from points of light.
- The exterior design facilitates ring focusing when shooting in manual-focus and whilst also enabling a secure grip.
- Electromagnetic diaphragm-control mechanism** for flawless, high-precision exposure control during video recording
- SP (Super Protect) coating to keep the front surface free from dust.
