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Where is the istD?


ray_hafen

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Pentax says the istD will be available in September. Has anyone heard if there will be

any delays in meeting that commitment? I'm hoping that Pentax is committed to the

digital landscape and will offer professional digital products. I'd hate to do away with

my arsenal of fine Pentax optics due to possibility that Pentax will focus on the

consumer market rather than the professional market.

 

Also, is there any word on whether Pentax is planning to produce digital backs for the

645 and 67 formats?

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As far as I know the *istD is more like the Canon10D which I agree with previous posters is more of a "consumer" camera. I was also told it should be in the ~1600$CDN; pretty close to the 10D here in Montreal. Local store here told me they were supposed to get it this month but no official word on pricing.

 

I think Pentax is committed to digital, just not professional level. I mean seriously, look at their 35mm body-lineup. ..

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*ist d stupid*ist camera name ever. But, I can't wait to get my hands on one, although I might wait until next year before buying to see if the rumored �professional� level digital body makes an appearance. In a year from now prices should be lower and more models should be out. Yes, Pentax makes professional level equipment, MZ-S; it just doesn�t compete in all professional categories. Like the penis envy category.:-) Plus, if you are that serious about your picture quality shouldn�t you be using medium format equipment, oh look, Pentax has a full line-up of medium format �professional� equipment. Anyway if you make a living from photography then you are a professional, and it does not matter what camera you use. All that matters is that you get paid!

 

My local dealer in Ontario, Canada say the *istD should be on the self sometime in October. No guarantees though.

 

Gord

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Gordon, I do shoot Pentax's medium format and that is my format of choice for

most things. I find it difficult to return to the smaller formats but the power of editing

on the spot and the peace of mind that comes from knowing you nailed the shot is

too good to pass up. I really, really hope that Pentax makes digital backs for medium

format. That would be dreamland. Ray

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Ray,

 

Wouldn't a medium format sensor be EXTRAORDINARILY expensive? If Pentax went with the smaller sensor on the *istD to save on costs one would image that a sensor for a 645 or, heaven forbid, 6X7 would put the cost of the camera in the same ballpark as the price of a car (and we're not talking Yugo here).

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Ray,

 

I too hope that Pentax comes out with a medium format digital back because it does not look as though third party manufacturers are providing them yet. See http://www.luminous-landscape.com/new/index.shtml for some review on medium format digital backs.

As for me I only shoot 35mm right now and plan to scan the film at high resolution for digital work. I'm looking into the Minolta 5400 film scanner. A nice scanner for your medium format work might be the Minolta Dimage Scan Multi PRO. It's suposed to be very good. This method leaves out one of the bigest advantages of digital and that seems to be the instant feedback and the availlability of the histogram.

 

We will just have to wait and see.

 

Gord

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