UK PR

Ricoh is pleased to announce the launch of the HD PENTAX-DA FISH-EYE 10-17mmF3.5-4.5ED. Designed for use with PENTAX K-mount digital SLR cameras, this fish-eye zoom lens provides a zoom range covering fish-eye to ultra-wide angles.

The development of this new zoom lens was based on the currently marketed smc PENTAX-DA FISH-EYE 10-17mm F3.5-4.5ED (IF), while conducting a thorough review of lens coatings. The high-grade, multi-layer HD Coating has been applied to the optical elements for high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness and free of flare and ghost images. The exterior has been redesigned with a removable lens hood and matches the latest PENTAX K-mount digital SLR models. When mounted on a PENTAX K-1 or PENTAX K-1 Mark II camera body, the photographer can remove the lens hood to produce nearly circular fish-eye images.

HD Coating to enhance imaging power

After a thorough review of lens coatings, PENTAX applied HD Coating* — PENTAX’ latest multi-layer coating — to the lens. Compared to conventional multi-layer coatings, this high-performance, multi-layer coating reduces average reflectance in the visible light range by more than 50 percent and improves light transmittance, to minimise the adverse effects of flare and ghost images even in demanding lighting situations such as backlighting. This zoom lens also incorporates an Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass element to effectively compensate for chromatic aberration for extra-clear, high-contrast images.

Zoom range covering the fish-eye angle

When mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body, this zoom lens provides a 180-degree diagonal angle of view in the APS-C format at a focal length of 10mm to deliver eye-catching fish-eye images. Since the angle of view shifts dramatically with a slight change of focal length, the photographer can easily create visual expressions typical of an ultra-wide-angle lens, such as exaggerated perspective, distorted subjects and a pan-focus effect to capture the entire image field in focus.

New exterior design to match latest digital SLR models

While retaining the overall size of the original smc PENTAX-DA 10-17mm F3.5-4.5ED(IF), this zoom lens features a totally new exterior design, similar to that of the latest DA and D FA-series lenses. This new appearance also makes it a perfect partner for the newest K-series digital SLR models. Although it is an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, it has been designed to be extremely compact and lightweight. The removable lens hood allows for nearly circular fish-eye images to expand the range of photographic opportunities when mounted on a PENTAX K-1 or PENTAX K-1 Mark II camera body.

SP Coating to repel stains

SP (Super Protect) Coating, highly repellent to water, grease and dirt, applied to the lens’ front surface using a PENTAX-exclusive fluorine deposition process, makes it easy to remove any stains such as fingerprints. This frees the photographer from worry in outdoor photographic situations.

Other features

Quick-Shift Focus System, to provide instant shift to manual-focus operation after locking the subject in focus during AF operation by pressing the shutter release button halfway down; usable at any time during AF operation

A minimum focusing distance of 14 centimeters, allowing the photographer to move in as close as approximately 2.5 centimeters from the front end of the lens to the subject, for ultra-close-up photograph