New FA Limited lenses on the way

Ricoh official told publicly about the "revamping" of the three FA Limited lenses, with details as follows:
- The "update" will happen soon,
- The Japanese style green "pearl" of the lens-changing mark on the existing Pentax 31 and 77 Limited lenses will be removed,
- The new lens will still be screw-driven for the AF, i.e., no SDM nor DC nor whatsoever in-lens AF motor,
- New HD lens coating will replace the old SMC one for better performance,
- Ricoh red ring will be added

Yet more Pentax I cannot afford....

I would not pay for the removal of the green pearl, the addition of a red ring or for keeping the screwdrive the same. I wonder how much changing the coatings will cost. Unless it is marginal I can't see how the update can be positively marketed to the initiated. On the positive side there is no absolutely no point updating the lenses unless there is ff coming.

Ricehigh had this story on Xmas day. Hard to understand the translation, but he did seem to confirm that a FF was still being developed and the SR was a one area they had to sort out. Also some concern over the cost of a FF..... the worth of the digital single lens reflex camera of us must be made practical.

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What would be interesting to know is whether the planners at Ricoh / Pentax think they need to develop a new 'standard' zoom for a 'FF' model release, ie something like a 24-85mm, along with a new 'FF' telephoto zoom (eg: 70-300), presumably with the new coatings and revamped AF system.

This would indicate whether or not they see the FF future as something to market in a similar way to APS-C as a kit option, an option for starters - this would reflect the upwards trend in quality spoken of earlier, even for novice photographers.

Or, with no 'kit' style lenses, body only, (but probably with revamped primes available alongside, as referred to here), more as a premium upgrade for the established Pentax enthusiest or Pro.

Sounds like an update similar to the DA lenses in 2013 could result in the old glass being cleared cheaply....

Also heard there is going to be a whole new range of lenses that Pentax have invested heavily in for 2014 and will be turning the competition on its head, they will be;

The 12-24mm HD, 16-45mm HD, 17-70mm HD, 18-135mm HD, etc etc etc.....

Isn't all this a bit like taking your 30 year old Ford Fiesta for a re spray and then advertising it as a new car on Auto trader.

What NO Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7 HD

No as it would be FF compatible.

Well this obviously means the old lenses are now close to worthless so if anyone wants to sell me their holy trinity for a couple of hundred quid each please form an orderly queue....

Of course, Jon. Let me just package them up...

... oh wait! With a bit of work from a small chisel (to remove the pearl) and some red paint I can upgrade them to the new models! They will be minus the new coatings, but they seem to resolve fairly well to me at the moment ;D

Ricoh are obviously reading these forums and have noticed
that Pentax users really do like to buy loads of lenses!

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I am curious how much more, the already overly expensive FA31, would cost with the addition of a red plastic ring and HD coating?

So are we going to see:

FA 31mm WR HD limited
FA 43mm WR HD limited
FA 77mm WR HD limited



An FA 43mm with WR... thats a lot of punch in a small package

Well they could have quick-shift focus like the DA Limiteds, and the improved digital coatings will help with the purple fringing that the FA77 in particular is prone to.

hmm is this where it came from?

http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/2013/12/new-rumour-three-fa-limiteds-will-be.html