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Pentax 35mm F/3.5 Medium Format Lens

Recently, Ricoh dropped the price on its Pentax medium format cameras to an even cheaper level. When it comes to medium format cameras, and now there’s another wide-angle lens option for cameras like the 645D and 645Z in the new HD Pentax-D FA645 35mm F/3.5AL[IF].

Because the sensor is bigger in the 645 cameras than it is in a full-frame camera, the 35mm focal length gives it the same field of view as a 27.5mm lens on a 35mm full-frame sensor. The lens focuses down to .3 meters and has a maximum magnification of .25, which means it can get really close to subjects. It’s not a true macro, but it will give you very close-up images without needing filters or rails.

Inside, it has all the fancy element types you expect to find in high-end modern lenses, like low-dispersion glass and molded aspherical elements. To further improve image quality, Ricoh has also applied the HD coating to fight flare and ghosting.

The lens is available now for $1,599.

It’s really great to see Ricoh supporting the 645 system with more affordable bodies and expanded lens options. The 645 system has also been seeing a bit of a resurgence lately with film shooters as well, so this lens has some appeal even beyond the digital crowd.