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Posts Tagged ‘Kmount’

MonsterAdapter’s new LA-KE1 adapter brings autofocus, aperture control to Pentax K-mount lenses on Sony E-mount cameras

25 Nov

MonsterAdapter, a relatively new player in the lens adapter game, has revealed the details of the LA-KE1, a new adapter that will make it possible to mount Pentax K-mount glass to Sony E-mount mirrorless camera systems.

There isn’t much information available about MonsterAdapter. The company’s Facebook page, which appears to be its only online presence, was created on May 20, 2020, when the company announced the development of the LA-EA4r, a modified version of Sony’s LA-EA4 adapter that expanded functionality and support. MonsterAdapters has since released another adapter, the LA-VE1, which makes it possible to adapt Minolta Vectis V-mount lenses to Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras.

Now, the company is promoting its forthcoming LA-KE1, which it claims is the ‘first of its kind in the world.’ The adapter offers full autofocus, aperture control and EXIF data transfer for Pentax K-mount lenses (KAF, KAF2, KAF3 and KAF4) to Sony E-mount cameras. The adapter uses a pair of motors for turning the screw-drive autofocus in older K-mount lenses.

This not only brings the ability to shoot with Pentax lenses to Sony E-mount cameras, but also enables many of Sony’s AI-assisted focusing modes to be used with the Pentax lenses, new and old. MonsterAdapter says the exact functionality will vary depending on what camera you’re using — noting a more powerful camera likely means more features — but both Human and Animal Eye-AF focus modes should be able to work on adapted glass.

MonsterAdapter also notes that due to the limits of screw-drive lenses, this adapter is best suited for still photographs—not video. In addition to the images of the prototype adapter in this article, SonyAlphaRumors has also shared a hands-on video demonstration of it in action:

No price is given for the LA-KE1 adapter, but it is set to ‘hit the market within this year,’ according to the company’s announcement post. You can keep up with the latest news on MonsterAdapter’s Facebook page.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Ricoh announces Pentax 35mm F2 and 11-18mm F2.8 K-mount lenses

31 Jan

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Ricoh has announced a pair of Pentax K-mount lenses: the HD PENTAX-FA 35mm F2 and HD PENTAX-DA* 11-18mm F2.8 ED DC AW.

The full-frame 35mm F2 is based on the smc PENTAX-FA 35mm F2 AL from the film era and features HD and SP coatings, with the former reducing reflections and the latter repelling water from the front element. The lens has six elements in five groups and a six-blade aperture. It’s remarkably compact, despite having both an aperture ring and distance scale, and weighs in at just 193 grams. The lens will be available in February for £399.

The PENTAX-DA* 11-18mm F2.8 ED DC AW was introduced way back in the Fall of 2017 and was supposed to ship the following summer. After a bit of a delay, this APS-C lens is finally read to ship next month. The weather-resistant 11-18mm F2.8, equivalent to 16.5-27mm when mounted on an APS-C body, has 16 elements, a nine-blade aperture and an HD coating. There’s also a clamp to lock focus at a desired point and the ‘ability to accommodate the addition of a dew heating strip to prevent condensation without affecting focus-ring operation.’ The lens will be priced at £1399.

Pentax-FA 35mm F2 official sample photos

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Pentax-DA* 11-18mm F2.8 official sample photos

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Press Releases:

HD PENTAX-FA 35mm F2

A single-focus, wide-angle lens for use with K-mount digital SLR cameras, featuring latest lens coatings to further upgrade image quality

London, 30 January 2019 ?RICOH COMPANY, LTD. and RICOH IMAGING EUROPE S.A.S. are pleased to announce the launch of the HD PENTAX-FA 35mmF2. Despite its compact dimensions, this high-performance wide-angle lens covers the full-frame image circle of PENTAX K-mount digital SLR cameras.

This new lens is based on the smc PENTAX-FA 35mmF2 AL — a very popular multi-purpose, wide-angle lens used on film-format SLR cameras and is introduced following a thorough review of lens coatings. The high-grade, multi-layer HD Coating applied to the optical elements produces high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness, free of flare and ghost images. Whilst, the highly stain-repellent SP Coating applied to the front surface improves the lens’ usability outdoors. The redesigned exterior matches the design of latest PENTAX K-mount digital SLR models, while its compact, portable body makes it perfect for everyday use.

Price & Availability

HD PENTAX-FA35mmF2 ? RRP: £399.99
Available: February 2019

HD PENTAX-DA* 11-18mm F2.8 ED DC AW

An ultra-wide-angle, Star-series zoom lens for use with K-mount digital SLR cameras, with a large F2.8 aperture over the entire zoom range providing exceptional optical performance

LONDON, 30 January, 2019 ?RICOH COMPANY, LTD. and RICOH IMAGING EUROPE S.A.S. are pleased to announce the launch of the HD PENTAX-DA* 11-18mm F2.8 ED DC AW. This high-performance, ultra-wide-angle, Star-series lens features a large F2.8 maximum aperture over the entire zoom range to deliver exceptional optical performance.

The HD PENTAX-DA*11-18mm F2.8 ED DC AW ultra-wide-angle zoom lens is the latest model in the new-generation Star (*) series — a lens that provides exceptional image quality to be able to accommodate the super-high-performance digital cameras of the future. It delivers high-resolution, high-contrast images without blurring at the edges, and guarantees excellent imaging performance in high-grade digital photography. With the introduction of this lens, the high quality, high-performance Star series now provides a wide angle-of-view coverage —from ultra-wide angle to telephoto compact models featuring a large F2.8 maximum aperture, exclusively designed for use with PENTAX APS-C-format digital SLR cameras.

In addition to an outstanding dustproof, weather-resistant construction, the lens provides a Focus Clamp Mechanism to lock focus at the desired focal point. It also provides useful features to improve performance and dependability in challenging outdoor conditions. These include a space specifically designed for holding a heating device to prevent condensation, and a metallic frame structure, which more effectively transmits the heat of the device to the lens. These greatly improve the lens’ operability when shooting in outdoor situations including star-lit skies.

Price & Availability

HD PENTAX-DA* 11-18mm F2.8 ED DC AW Lens

RRP: £1,399.99
Available: February 2019

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Pentax announces development of 50mm F1.4, adds lenses to K-mount roadmap

23 Feb

Pentax is displaying a prototype version of a new 50mm F1.4 for K-mount at CP+ 2017, and has also added an 85mm F1.4 and an unspecified telephoto zoom to their roadmap.

Press Release

RICOH to Exhibit One Reference Product at CP? 2017 Camera and Imaging Show

TOKYO, February 22, 2017 ?RICOH COMPANY, LTD and RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. is pleased to inform the exhibition of one reference product — interchangeable lens currently under development — at CP + 2017 , one of the largest and most comprehensive camera and imaging show in Asia. This annual event will be held from February 23rd to February 26th at the PACIFICO YOKOHAMA convention center in Japan.

Reference of Products
Interchangeable lens for PENTAX K mount digital cameras
Model name: D FA?50mmF1.4(tentative)
Product information:
?An image circle accommodating the image size of 35mm full-frame digital cameras
?High-performance Star (?)-series lens with high-resolution , high-contrast images and beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect
?Price: Not decided
?Market launch: Not decided
Notes:
Model name, design, specification are all tentative and subject to change without notice. Price and marketing launch date will be announced at later date.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Ricoh’s newest lens roadmaps show four upcoming K-mount lenses

13 Feb

Ricoh has released its lens roadmaps for the new year (and potentially beyond), and in the works are seven lenses spanning a wide range of types and focal lengths. The highest number of additions will come in the Pentax K-Mount lineup, which is set to get four new lenses this year or next. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Pentax Ricoh discontinues K-01 K-mount mirrorless camera

26 Feb

pentax_k01.png

Pentax Ricoh has moved its K-01 K-mount mirrorless camera to the ‘discontinued’ section of its website after just 12 months on the market. The unconventional-looking K-01 used a full-depth Pentax K lens mount but relied on contrast-detection AF, rather than the phase-detection systems for which all autofocus K-mount lenses have been primarily designed. Designed by Marc Newson, the K-01 was one of the most unusual-looking cameras we’ve ever tested. Click through for more details. 

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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