Ricoh announcement
Ricoh announces GR LENS A12 28 mm F2.5
A new GXR camera unit featuring a GR Lens and an APS-C size CMOS sensor
Exhibited at photokina 2010
Tokyo, Japan, September 21, 2010-Ricoh Co., Ltd. (president and CEO: Shiro Kondo) today announced the development and release of GR LENS A12 28 mm F2.5, the fourth camera unit in the GXR interchangeable unit system. This product is being announced and exhibited at the photokina 2010 exhibition held in Cologne, Germany, beginning September 21, 2010.
Introduced in December 2009, the GXR is a revolutionary new interchangeable unit camera system in which lenses can be changed by mounting camera units that integrate lens, image sensor, and image processing engine into a single unit. In addition, to fully utilize this system’s unique ability to accommodate interchangeable units other than camera units, Ricoh is also investigating possibilities for development of a variety of other devices.
The new GR LENS A12 28 mm F2.5 brings together a newly developed 28 mm wide-angle fixed focal length GR Lens, an APS-C size CMOS sensor, and the proven GR Engine III image processing engine to create a unit with high flexibility, high image quality, high-speed shooting ability, and high power of expression.
＜Main features of GR LENS A12 28 mm F2.5＞
1. Newly developed GR Lens and APS-C size CMOS sensor for strong resolution and imaging power
・The new 28 mm equivalent GR Lens has a 6-group, 9-element configuration. Incorporating two aspherical lenses, one special low-dispersion lens, and multiple high-refraction-ratio lenses, this extravagant lens configuration achieves strong resolution and imaging power to the edge of the frame.
The lens thoroughly corrects for various types of aberrations while at the same time utilizing a floating lens structure to suppress performance changes caused by focusing. The result at all shooting distances is high image quality worthy of the GR Lens name.
*To be given the ìGR Lensî name by Ricoh, a lens must exceed a specified level of overall lens performance, with particular attention being given to MTF values, distortion, and color aberration.
・A 23.6 mm ◊ 15.7 mm (APS-C size) CMOS sensor is used. The combination of this sensor with the GR ENGINE III image processing engine enables the camera unit to shoot high-quality images with smooth tone gradations as well as high definition and low noise.
・The use of a configuration of nine rounded aperture blades enables the photographer to enjoy beautiful bokeh as well as precise aperture settings.
2. Rapid shooting capabilities help capture fleeting shutter chances
・Focusing speed has been accelerated through the addition of the new drive mode and the use of a high-speed CMOS sensor.
・The Pre-AF function also accelerates focusing speed by adjusting the focus to match subject movement.
・The full press snap function shoots at a preset distance for a one-push full-press of the shutter-release button.
3. High usability and quality feel
・The manual focus ring is available for precise focus adjustments. High-speed adjustment is also an option. The manual focus ring can even be used to seamlessly fine tune the focus after automatic focusing.
・The target position can be magnified on the screen during shooting, and it can also be moved using the direction keys. Select from 2x, 4x, and 8x magnification ratios for convenient and precise focus checking.
・The two options of normal and pinpoint can be selected for the AF area size used in spot AF.
・For the exterior, we utilized die cast magnesium, which has a strong track record in the GR series, and we covered the surface with a corrosion-resistant “pear-skin” coating. The end result is a body with durability, light weight, and a superior feel in hand.
4. GXR series power of expression takes full advantage of GR Lens capabilities
・Multi-pattern auto white balance makes it possible to recreate natural as-seen colors even in people-photography scenes that were difficult to shoot with past auto white balance functions, such as scenes with both shadow and sunlight and scenes mixing flash and natural light (or fluorescent light, etc.).
・ISO3200 facilitates shooting in low light conditions.
・The noise reduction level can be specified as Off, Weak, Strong, Max, or Auto. By specifying Max, it is possible to do sophisticated variance-estimation type noise reduction processing in which the sensor image data’s noise distribution is analyzed and the optimum processing is done for each region.
・The automatic exposure modes include program shift mode, shutter speed priority mode, and aperture priority mode.
・Picture settings can be customized with nine setting levels for easy creation of a diverse range of images.
5. Diverse functions of the GXR series
・An electronic level utilizing an acceleration sensor.
・Three grid guides useful for framing images while shooting.
・An image flag function to enable the quick display of specific images from among those in the camera. Up to 20 images can be flagged.
・The DIRECT screen enabling current shooting settings to be displayed and changed. Settings can be easily checked at a glance.
・It is possible to shoot 1280 ◊ 720 pixel HD movies.
* Note: When shooting movies of 1280◊720 size, the use of an SD/SDHC memory card with an SD speed class of Class 6 or higher is recommended.
＜GR LENS A12 28 mm F2.5 options＞
Product Model
Lens Hood LH-1
Soft Case B （lower portion and strap） SC-６５Ｂ
Soft Case T （upper portion only） SC-６５Ｔ
Soft Case SC-５５Ｌ
*All of the focal lengths in this release are converted to the equivalent values for a 35 mm film camera.
*SC-65T cannot be used as a case by itself. It must be used together with SC-65B.
*LH-1, SC-65B, SC-65T are new options being introduced at this time. SC-65B and SC-65T are to go on sale in the near future.
*Functions when mounted on the GXR body.
＜GR LENS A12 28 mm F2.5 Major Specifications＞
Effective pixels:
Approximately 12.30 million
Image sensor:
23.6 mm × 15.7 mm ＣMOS sensor (total pixels: approx. 12.90 million pixels)
Lens:
Focal length: 18.3mm (35 mm camera equivalent: 28 mm)
Aperture (f-number): f/2.5 – f/22 (ND filter used with apertures for exposure control when f/22 is displayed in auto shooting mode)
Focus range: Approx. 20 cm – infinity (from the front of the lens)
Construction: 9 elements in 6 groups (2 aspherical lens elements with 2 surfaces)
Filter diameter: 40.5mm
Zoom:
Digital zoom: 4.0x (3.6x for movies)
Auto resize zoom: Approx. 5.9x (ＶＧＡ)
Focus Modes:
Contrast AF-based multi and spot AF; MF; Snap; infinity (focus lock and AF-assist)
Shutter speed:
Photographs: 180 – 1/3200s (upper and lower limits vary according to shooting and flash mode)
Movies: 1/30 – 1/2000 s
Exposure control:
Metering: TTL-CCD metering in multi (256-segment), centre-weighted, and spot metering (TTL metering with auto exposure lock)
Mode: Program AE, aperture priority AE, manual exposure, shutter priority AE, move target function
Exposure compensation: Manual (+4.0 to -4.0 EV in increments 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV), auto bracketing (-2 EV to +2 EV in increments 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV)
ISO sensitivity (Standard Output Sensitivity):
Auto, Auto-Hi, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO 3200
White balance:
Auto / Multi-P AUTO / Outdoors / Cloudy / Incandescent Lamp 1 / Incandescent Lamp 2 / Fluorescent Lamp / Manual Settings / Detail; white balance Bracketing
Flash:
Range (built-in flash): Approx. 20 cm – 3.0 m (ISO auto) (from front of lens)
Shooting mode:
Auto / program shift / aperture priority / shutter priority / manual /scene (movie, portrait, sports, landscape, nightscape, skew correction) / ìMy Settingsî
Continuous mode:
Number of pictures shot in Continuous (Picture Size: RAW):
Noise Reduction on weak or off: 4 pictures
Noise Reduction on strong, or MAX: 3 pictures
Number of pictures shot in M-Cont Plus (1 set):
HI (1280 ◊ 856): 30 pictures (24 frames/sec.)
LO (4288 ◊ 2848): 15 pictures (3 frames/sec.)
Picture quality ※１:
FINE, NORMAL, RAW (DNG) ※2
Image size (pixels):
Photographs:
16:9 4288◊2416, 3456◊1944
4:3 3776◊2832, 3072◊2304, 2592◊1944, 2048◊1536, 1280◊960, 640◊480
3:2 4288◊2848, 3456◊2304
1:1 2848◊2848, 2304◊2304
Movies （24 frames/second）:
1280◊720, 640◊480, 320◊240
File size (approx.):
RAW:
16:9 NORMAL: 17,800 KB/frame, FINE: 19,515 KB/frame, VGA: 15,587 KB/frame
4:3 NORMAL: 18,387 KB/frame, FINE: 20,157 KB/frame, VGA: 16,124 KB/frame
3:2 NORMAL: 20,946 KB/frame, FINE: 22,967 KB/frame, VGA: 18,337 KB/frame
1:1 NORMAL: 13,991 KB/frame, FINE: 15,333 KB/frame, VGA: 12,273 KB/frame
L:
16:9 NORMAL: 2,222 KB/frame, FINE: 3,816 KB/frame
4:3 NORMAL: 2,315 KB/frame, FINE: 3,960 KB/frame
3:2 NORMAL: 2,615 KB/frame, FINE: 4,493 KB/frame
1:1 NORMAL: 1,761 KB/frame, FINE: 3,009 KB/frame
M:
16:9 NORMAL: 1,475 KB/frame, FINE: 2,509 KB/frame
4:3 NORMAL: 1,574 KB/frame, FINE: 2,662 KB/frame
3:2 NORMAL: 1,744 KB/frame, FINE: 2,968 KB/frame
1:1 NORMAL: 1,186 KB/frame, FINE: 2,003 KB/frame
5M:
4:3 FINE: 2,287 KB/frame
3M:
4:3 FINE: 1,474 KB/frame
1M:
4:3 FINE: 812 KB/frame
VGA:
4:3 FINE: 197 KB/frame
Battery life:
Based on CIPA standard DB-90: approx. 320 shots CIPA※3
Dimensions (W ◊ H ◊ D):
Camera unit only: 68.7 mm × 57.9 mm × 50.4 mm
(according to CIPA guidelines)
When mounted on the GXR body: 113.9 mm × 70.2 mm × 55.6 mm
（according to CIPA guidelines）
Weight (approx.):
Camera unit only： Approx. 210 g
When mounted on camera body: Approx. 410 g （battery and SD memory card included）
Operating temperature:
0 ∞C to 40 ∞C
Operating humidity:
90% or less
Storage temperature:
-20 ∞C to 60 ∞C
*1 The picture quality modes which can be set vary depending on the image size.
*2 A JPEG file is also recorded (the JPEG file may be a FINE- or NORMAL-quality file with the same dimensions as the RAW file or a VGA file 640 ◊ 480 pixels in size). RAW files use the standard DNG format promoted by Adobe Systems Incorporated.
*3 For reference only; actual number of shots varies greatly according to how camera is used. We recommend that you carry spare batteries when in use for extended periods.
(Shooting capacity was measured using CIPA-standard parameters. These are only estimates; performance may vary depending on usage conditions.)
Availability:
The GR LENS A12 28 mm F2.5 will be available from mid to end November 2010.
For more information:
www.ricohgxr.co.uk