smcforme [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
What's the story with the Rikenon 55mm f1.2? Does Ricoh still make K-mount
lenses? Are they sold in the US? Pricey? I can't find any information on
the net.
ANSWER:
It was introduced sometime before 1995. It was probably discontinued by
2000. It has a P setting to work in Program mode on Ricoh XR
program-capable bodies (XR-P, XR-M / XR-X, XR-3P)
Good luck finding this one; it's harder to find used, or new, than the
Pentax 85/1.8K, 85/1.4A, 135/1.8A, 120/2.8K, and 18/3.5K.
Yoshi has written that he prefers it to any Pentax 50 or 55. Others believe
that Ricoh's 50/2 (P and non-P) and 50/1.4P perform better, the 1.4P
beating Contax in a major test.
I suggest you be happy with one of Pentax's fine 50s or Ricoh's 50/2. I
tried the Vivitar 55/1.2K and found its view no brighter than the view
through a Pentax 50/1.4A. Mark Cassino or Mark Gosdin has reported that the
Rikenon 55/1.2K delivers slower f/stops, aperture for aperture, than a
Pentax 50/1.4A. So the speed advantage is probably nil, although focusing
would still be a bit snappier because of the more limited depth of field.
Three shops in Europe were advertising it a while back; I wrote to two and
got no reply:
Czech, 8490 units ($235) I think this is new, meaning they have several.
http://members.tripod.com/I_P_F/ March 29 2002
RICOH Obj. Rikenon 55mm F1,2 8 079,- Kc at
http://www.fotomorava.cz/zbozi.asp?kat=34vyr=47 21 March 2001
275/142 Euro ($125), 22JAN 01 in italy http://www.nicam.it/obiettivi.asp
Anyway, here's what I have on it:
7 elements in 6 groups, 9-blade aperture, 58mm filter, 2.5 in. wide, 1.8
in. long, 11 oz. (64mm x 46 mm x 312 g) Close focus: 2 feet (1:8.9X)
When using an f/1.2 with an electronic shutter, use aperture priority so
you're assured of the 1.2 aperture and any matching shutter speed.The
Pentax 1.2 can stop down to f/22. Stefan Zandburg: Camera Magazine tested
it with the Nikon 50mm f/1.2 and claimed it was quite on par, only slightly
lower in quality; at full opening, sharpness and contrast were slightly
less but it had less vignetting than Nikon. Popular Photography test, July
95: Exposure at film plane is very accurate from f/2 to f/11. At f/16,
slightly underexposed (0.2 stop at infinity, 0.5 at close) but still within
tolerance. Underexposure at max aperture was due to light falloff.
Distortion, 1.1%, barrel. Lateral color: Dominant, will affect picture
quality. Full click stops on aperture ring from f/1.2 to f/16. Hands on:
Beautifully assembled and finished metal-barreled lens is heavy for a
normal lens but balances well on larger cameras like the XRX-3PF.aperture
ring clicks into stops smartly, but is slightly slippery. In the lab,
overall SQF was good, the result of lower readings at f/1.2 and f/2 but
dramatically higher in the f/4 to f/16 range. Field curvature was normal;
there was noticeable barrel distortion. In the field: Test slides confirmed
SQF findings: Slides were soft and lacked contrast at f/1.2, improved
steadily through f/4, then produced very crisp slides with very good
contrast through f/16. Substantial flare at f/1.2 through f/2.8, gone by
f/4, but very obvious ghost images in backlit shots at all apertures. Light
falloff was gone by f/2.8. Conclusion: For the available-light enthusiast,
a very attractive optic at a very good price that will produce quite
acceptable results wide open up to 8x10. Very fine optic at middle to small
apertures, but beware of ghost images in strong backlight.
Yoshihiko Takinami, 1997: I agree that the SMC 50/1.2 is not a very good
choice. But I prefer Ricoh's Riken 55mm f/1.2 to any Pentax 50mm lens. It's
really a great lens, I think. I use with my Z-1 and ME Super. Yoshi, 29
Nov. 97: I use the Rikenon 55mm f/1.2 with my PZ-1 and my Ricoh XR-8
super. I believe it is one of the best value-for-the-money lenses for
Pentax cameras. Its build quality is very good and just heavy. A bit soft
wide open, but it is quite sharp and contrasty at one stop down, though it
is sensitive for focus and light conditions. (?) I love this lens.
Gregory (The Who): there are a lot of turns allowed on MF ricoh 55/1.2
lens. i mean a lot! that little minute fine turning is make history of
being great or average for a critical macro focus usually.
Mark Cassino, July 09, 2000: I like the 55/1.2. The Rikenon 50 and 55,
Kiron 105, and A200 macro are my mainstays for normal to moderate telephoto
work, and I'd highly recommend any.
Yoshi's lens tests: Center resolution, 49 lpm at f/1.2 and f/2; 55 lpm at
f/2.8 and f/4 and f/4; 62 lpm at f/5.6 and f/8; 55 lpm at f/11; 55 lpm at
f/16. Corners: 35 lpm at f/1.2; 44 lpm at f/2; 49 lpm at 2.8 through f/5.6;
62 lpm ag f/8 and f/11; 55 lpm at f/16.
Yoshi: I also tested some Ricoh K-mount lenses besides the Pentax's Here's
the results. # Check aother post of mine about equipments, notes, etc.
***CENTER RESOLUTION***
Lens Type 1.2 1.4 1.7 1.8 2 2.4 2.8
