Pentax 18mm f/2.8 Macro lens patented for mirrorless cameras

A patent for a Pentax 18mm f/2.8 Macro lens for mirrorless cameras with 1/1.7-inch-type sensors has been discovered and it could be the “telephoto macro” model added by Ricoh onto the updated Q-mount lens roadmap for 2015 or later.

Ricoh updated all the Pentax lens roadmaps at the CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show 2015. The company has shown what is next for Pentax fans using K-mount, 645-mount, or Q-mount cameras.

The latter mount is concerning mirrorless cameras with smaller sensors, such as 1/1.7-inch-type units. Only one new model has been added to the 2015 or later roadmap and it is referred to as a “telephoto macro” unit.

It appears that Ricoh has just patented this lens in Japan, albeit it is not what people would normally expect from telephoto optics. The patent is describing a lens with a wide-angle focal length of 18mm. However, since it is designed for 1/1.7-inch-type sensors, it would offer a 35mm equivalent of about 84mm and it would fall into the “telephoto” realm.

The internal design of the Pentax 18mm f/2.8 macro lens, according to its patent application. The lens is aimed at Q-mount cameras and it would offer a 35mm equivalent of 84mm.

Ricoh patents Pentax 18mm f/1.8 Macro lens for Q-mount mirrorless cameras

As usual, patents can show a company’s direction, even more so when it is coupled with official information found in its roadmap. Such is the case of Ricoh, which has confirmed that it planning to launch a telephoto macro lens for Pentax Q-mount cameras in the future.

The Ricoh 18mm f/1.8 macro lens has been patented in Japan for Pentax Q-mount mirrorless cameras with 1/1.7-inch-type image sensors.

Usually, an 18mm focal length is describing a wide-angle optic. However, this lens will provide a 35mm focal length equivalent of approximately 84mm when mounted on Q-mount cameras. This is a hint that we are looking at the internal design of the Pentax-branded telephoto macro optics.

In the patent application, the lens is described as a macro prime unit with a bright aperture. It will offer a high magnification rate, so it will be perfect for macro photography, as expected.

Although this optic’s focal length corresponds to the medium telephoto range (when taking the 35mm equivalent into account), it is possible that it does not describe the telephoto macro lens found on the official Pentax Q-mount 2015 roadmap.

All the information must be taken with a grain of salt, which means that you should not draw a conclusion for now. Stick with us for more details!