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possible A12 50mm update on the way?

Just in case you missed the post at DPreview forum, Ricoh seems patented new lens that appears to be an updated version of A12 50mm lens. The major difference is that the biggest aperture is now f1.8! Internal lens elements were also redesigned with 11 elements in 10 groups (previously 9 lens in 8 groups).

Original post about new patent is here:
http://egami.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2010-08-20-english

In my opinion, the new lens will not appear anytime soon, because the existing A12 is not even a year old. My only worry would be about the weight of this new lens and so the speed of AF. As we all know, the existing A12 50mm is not a speed daemon and more lens elements = heavier lens = possibly slower focus.

In any case, this news is very interesting. I personally hope that there will be some more APSC lenses introduced before this redesigned 50/1.8. What we need now is not yet another slow and somewhat big macro but rather fast and slim (non-macro) lenses like 40/2 or 90/2 (35mm eq.). Pentax pancakes are very good examples what we want ;)
 
In any case, this news is very interesting. I personally hope that there will be some more APSC lenses introduced before this redesigned 50/1.8. What we need now is not yet another slow and somewhat big macro but rather fast and slim (non-macro) lenses like 40/2 or 90/2 (35mm eq.). Pentax pancakes are very good examples what we want ;)

..., i'm in your boat - totally!
 
Yeah, I'm jealous of the Pentax owners mostly for the vast range of Pancakes.

GXR APS-C module with K-mount wouldn't that be a brilliant move?

Remko
 
It's great that they appear to be continuing to evolve the GXR family, but by all means please release more A12s before another 50mm! Like that 28mm (can't wait!) and maybe one more (21 or 100mm macro - a wide or a macro-enabled tele).
 
I want to ... where to go for it ... ha, ha, ha

Seriously: I sincerely believe that with GXR Ricoh and its module system has made "obsolete" to those camera manufacturers who have opted for the camera 4 / 3 of interchangeable lenses as an alternative to SLR (Olympus, Lumix, Panasonic, Leica , Sony ...). I think from autofocus and the subsequent arrival of digital photography nobody raised a breakthrough as important as Ricoh's bid.

So it is not so important, in my opinion, speculation on new targets for future modules GRX or to join them or Hassemblat Leica lenses (What nonsense, I have the feeling that Ricoh announced the news to play dismissal). What is really important for me is that Ricoh is faithful to its commitment and their clients and work on the design of modules combining quality lenses with the technology applied to the new needs of the photograph. It would be good, for example, a line of modules with integrated GPS system to label the images the exact locations where photograph... or a module that allows sending images directly to a mobile phone or the Internet without the need for a computer.

But Ricoh posts to ask I would ask:
1.A module with a wide-angle lens (16 mm) of the highest quality without distortion
2.A module with an average target (100 mm) with macro
3.A module tele lens (500mm) and anti-shake light
4.A new body GRX "pro" which improve several things:
- Improved access to manual focus control.
-Incorporate a shutter button for direct access to the video (play)
-Manual Controls for Scene modes including video choice
-Adding a Viewer
-To improve battery performance and the possibility of working with the camera connected to a plug

In short, I think Ricoh knows that you are holding a camera of worship and I do not miss the opportunity for other manufacturers will "eat" the future.




Sinceramente creo que Ricoh con la GXR y su sistema de módulos ha dejado “anticuados” a todos aquellos fabricantes de cámaras que han apostado por las cámaras de 4/3 de objetivos intercambiables como una alternativa a las reflex (Olympus, Lumix, Panasonic, Leica, Sony...). Creo que desde el autofocus y la posterior llegada de la fotografía digital nadie a planteado un avance tan importante como la apuesta de Ricoh.

Por eso no es tan importante, en mi opinión, las especulaciones sobre los nuevos objetivos para la GRX o sus futuros módulos para poder ensamblar en ellos lentes de Leica o Hassemblat (Que disparate, tengo la sensación de que Ricoh comunica estas noticias para jugar al despiste). Lo verdaderamente importante para mi es que Ricoh sea fiel a su apuesta y a sus clientes y trabaje en el diseño de módulos de calidad conjugando objetivos precisos con la técnología aplicada a las nuevas necesidades de la fotografía. Que bueno sería, por ejemplo, una línea de módulos con sistema GPS integrado para etiquetar en las imágenes los lugares exactos dónde fotografiamos... o un módulo que permita el envío de imágenes directamente a un teléfono móvil o a la red Internet sin la necesidad de un ordenador.

Pero puestos a pedir a Ricoh yo le pediría:
1.Un módulo con un objetivo gran angular (16 mm) de máxima calidad sin deformación
2.Un módulo con un objetivo medio (100 mm) con macro
3.Un módulo con tele objetivo (500mm) luminoso y anti vibraciones
4.Un nuevo cuerpo GRX “pro” donde se mejoren varias cosas:
-El acceso al control manual de enfoque
-Incorporar un botón disparador de acceso directo al vídeo (play)
-Controles Manuales para los modos SCENE incluido la opción vídeo
- Un Visor
-Mejorar el rendimiento de la batería y la posibilidad de trabajar con la cámara conectada a la red eléctrica...

En definitiva, creo que Ricoh sabe que tiene entre sus manos una cámara de culto y no creo que pierda la oportunidad de que otros fabricantes le “coman” el futuro.
 
the possibility of working with the camera connected to a plug

That possibility is already built in, they just haven't released the adapter yet. If you look on the bottom at the side of the battery door you will find a removable rubber bung, that's where the power cable will come out.

In a similar vein behind the battery door is another rubber bung that covers a mysterious connector.

For my part I'd like to see an 85mm APS-C lens.

And in the body department I'd like a dumb slave body that has no connections, controls or screen, just a USB jack. This would connect to a computer program that controlled all the camera functions.
 
count me if 50mm 1.8 w/o macro ( or can af be faster w macro :D ) is real. God, I won't read any more camera review, just shoot :mrgreen:
 
i think it's very possibly they're going to go for a 33mm (apsc= 50mm) f/1.8 designed like a pancake without macro. panasonic did it, i think it's possible (20mm f/1.7 = 40mm f/1.7), but only time will tell...
 
I don't think this new lens will be a non-macro, not even pancake. There is just too much lens elements for a pancake lens. So I think it's safe to say it's improved Macro lens. But I doubt we will see it anytime soon.
 
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