Is Ricoh’s Lens Patent for the Anticipated GR IV?
Ricoh launched the GR III back in 2019, with GR IIIx in 2023, the last APS-C compact camera from the company, before they went silent. With the boom of compact devices now, and Ricoh hinting at a new GR camera during the CP+ Show, our hopes of getting a new addition to the series are far higher. But now, it seems like our wish is finally being answered, especially since Ricoh filed a new patent for wide-angle lenses for APS-C cameras, which could be for the highly-awaited GR IV. What are the focal lengths like? Here is a quick look.In a report by Asobinet, Ricoh has reportedly filed patent P2025069515 on May 1, which showcases designs of focal lengths 16mm f2.8, 17mm f2.8, and 18mm f2.8. The lenses are aimed at providing compactness, but better autofocus systems, which could hint at lens advancements for the optical performance of the GR IV.Ricoh 18mm f2.8 patentThe patent also suggests that the first two lens groups are designed to “move” while focusing, while the third group is designed to stay in place. We aren’t sure what this exactly means, and how they could move, but our best guess would be that it has to do something with the autofocus motors, which may or may not move the lens elements while focusing. The report also adds that the lenses will be compact and will feature aspherical surfaces to control aberrations. The lens’s design will impact the camera, as the GR series is known for its compactness.Ricoh 15mm f2.8 patentThe angle of view at the moment ranges from 37.9° to 42.4°, while the image height is said to be 14.13mm. The back focus area will also be about 0.7mm. The timing of the patent only further highlights Ricoh’s commitment to a new GR series camera. The wide-angle focal range, with a bright aperture, is great for a camera of this nature. However, if they can further reduce the aperture to f1.2, then one can really get more light in darker areas, while getting far smoother bokeh. For instance, in our review of GR III, we noted, “It needs a faster lens or an APS-C sensor that is super clean beyond ISO 6400. By that, I mean that the output should be much cleaner than it is even when you embrace the noise.” And so, anything lower than f2.8 is significant. Ricoh 17mm f2.8 patentFurthermore, with a slightly wide-angle lens, it gives photographers more room to add to the scene, since the Ricoh GR series is famous amongst street photographers. You can always work around the additional space, and you can move physically if you need to crop some scenes. However, the GR IIIx featured a new lens, which was a 26mm, a 40mm equivalent on a full frame, that gave really sharp images. But we had a minor issue. As we said in our review: “Having a control ring around the lens is a personal preference — an aperture ring just makes sense on the lens, and it seems like there would have been room for it.” So, if the new lens features a control ring, some may really enjoy the experience. While there is no real indication that GR IV will happen anytime soon, the lens could just be patents for research and development purposes, and nothing else. It may also be the case that the patent never comes true, and we may see a whole different lens on the model when it launches. Either way, it is nice to see the direction Ricoh is taking for the future of its road map.
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