Pentax FF and new pro model on the way? Educated rumors-

The Popular Photgraphy staff has long had an ongoing relationship with top people

in the industry in Japan. Current Pop Photo website and issue features educated

expectations for upcoming developments among various brands. For Pentax, this

entails an upcoming new pro model, a continued relationship with Samsung, which

includes plans for a full frame model. Improved noise control is also mentioned.

Very interesting! Looks like FF Pentax is likely on the way after all. Glad I got all

my F and FA lenses!

 

Now, the K10 and K20D are VERY well built. The main aspects separating them

from other pro models are higher frame rate and flash sync, IMO. Pentax,

PLEASE retain your tradition of having a built-in flash in your pro models!!

Pentax has no successful tradition of pro models, film or digital, and pros don't use built-in flash....Hoya/Samsung would intro a miraculous wireless flash system like Canon or Nikon if they intended a system for pros.

 

I suspect the lack of new FA lenses suggests there won't be a ff version anytime soon, or that there will be a new lens mount..but IMO the smartest move would be to take another step past K20D..IMO there's a huge market out there for something without mirror system: a supercharged G9 or ruggedized and cheaper M8.

The K20D did little more than graft a Samsung processor to the K10D. But to use a full-frame sensor Pentax/Samsung need to offer a complement of high quality full-frame lenses, not merely bringing out 1980s-era designs, or else they'll stall out competitively. With the limited resources available to the company at this time I wonder how they'd be able to accomplish this.

.[.Z - can you give us more details regarding what you typed?

 

Explain in detail why you typed what you did please.I'm most curios about the 'samsung processor grafted to the k10d' and the "high quality full frame lenses" .. Also, maybe you can offer some insight to why you say - "with the limited resources available to Pentax" statement as well, particularly because you said, Samsung, a very large electronics company, partnered with Pentax... Your statement seems a bit contradictory. No?

Hi

 

Can you post the link to this article on PopPhoto website?

Hmm, the fill flash has always been love hate with me. Right now the housing interferes with my T&S lens rotation.

 

Also, the reason pro cameras don't have them is durability.

 

Instead I'd like to see a pro camera COME with a micro P-TTL hotshoe flash that fits fairly seemlessly to the camera and runs off a CR123 or similar lithium battery.

 

I too am wondering how they intend to swing to FF production after spending the last few years dropping FF baggage. However, with Hoya owning Tokina, perhaps they have enough production to produce FF and 1.5x.

 

I disagree with John. Pros would use a built in flash in a pinch if it was the difference between getting a shot and not.

 

Also, since the built in flash can control wireless flashes it serves additional use.

 

However, the K10D/K20D are solidly built but a bit heavy and plastic. While plastic is durable, I'd prefer to buy a pro camera made from metal. Just inspires more confidence in me for long term investment.

 

I'd agree that a miniaturized camera would sell well, and make the most of the Pentax DA limited pancakes.

 

Also, I'd like to see a K5D or K30D with Olympus E-3 specs. If you challenge Canon and Nikon head to head at the D300/40D Rebel/D80 level you will take market share. If you challenge them at the D3/1D level good luck making a profit.

 

As far as the flash system I have to disagree. Is the Pentax system great? No...is the Canon and Nikon wireless system used by the pros that shoot those brands?? No. Most serious strobing pros opt for RF transmitters which make the Nikon/Canon/Oly/Pentax systems nearly equal.

 

However, I do agree, I truly feel Pentax could be ground breaking by offering a K5D with an optional battery grip WITH a wireless transmitter in it. Basically a Pocket Wizard in a grip. Furthermore, this would come with receivers that would be able to wireless control flash output from the camera. Ground breaking? Yep. Perhaps they could integrate the Elinchon RX system into the Pentax grip. This would even allow you to program and save your lighting setups from a laptop.

 

Anyway, to make waves you need to do things no one else has. The K10D did that because no one else released a camera spec'd like that for under $1000. It was so well spec'd that while we debated it's existence people said there is no way to sell it that cheap with those specs. Do something no one else did and garner headlines.

Interesting post Michael. Thanks. Hey Tom, give "Z" the guns - way to go!

Anybody like "Z" who posts over 7,000 times and doesn't have the resolve or

fortitude to use their own name probably isn't worth paying attention to anyway.

Most likely another Canikon blowhard with no real conviction. He or she has

probably never even handled a Pentax, much less used one!

Thanks Duane. I figured if someone was so inclined to make such statements on a pro-Pentax forum, they either have full proof or, they're looking for a flame war. I suspected the post was loaded so, as you said, I handed the guns back to the poster. Fully expecting Z to have them go off in his pants.. ;)

 

I'd suggest that Douglas simply remove the thread and maybe that's the right thing to do but, maybe debunking the Z's theories for all to see would serve of value. Again though, it's probably a waste of 0's and 1's, he's nobody and literally, only a Z....

my k100d pop-up flash seldom gets it right.

Maher, you need to grow up a little ("Fully expecting Z to have them go off in his pants").

 

Duane, anyone who doesn't want to listen to reason, doesn't have to. :)

 

It's always interesting to see the wagons circling among the True Believers....

Remember, this business about Pentax FF in the works is not my speculation, but comes from those with some inside contacts who also predicted the coming of the K10D, when many were saying Pentax would only stick with the scene-mode amateur-oriented market, after the *ist-D was gone. The speculation of a "pro" model is also theirs.

 

The better 1980's and 1990's Pentax glass still is awfully darn good. All they'd need to do for a new FF line is upgrade the same optical design to have the new digital and anti-grime coatings, weather resistance, and SDM where practical. Deem it D-FA.

 

The statements that Pentax has no tradition of "professional" cameras, and that "pros" would not use a built-in flash are both overly broad and untrue. It was once true that many pros would not think of buying a camera with a built-in meter. Considered amateurish. For a long time, manufacturers shunned having it in their "pro" style bodies. "Pros" are a very diverse population of photographers making money in very different fields of interest. Anyone ever actually do research among these fields to see if any pros would use a built-in flash? It is obvious that one making money shooting auto races would have no use for such. But they do not use mirror lockup either, yet many think as I do, that a "pro" style camera should have it. In fact, I think all models should have it. I agree with Justin. In many instances the built-in flash can get a shot nailed that otherwise would be missed. Very handy. Great for fill at closer distances. Minolta made the first heavy-duty metal-body "pro" style camera that incorporated a built-in flash, the Maxxum 9. A very durable body. They proved it can be done. Pop magazine then examined this issue over the next 10 or more years, coming to the opinion that all SLR cameras should have one. Herbert Keppler stated this numerous times.

 

Pentax has long made "pro" style camera models. The highly regarded LX was marketed for many years. It was in similar league to Nikon's F3. Although Pentax was first ever with the concept of a built-in flash for SLR use, it was after Minolta's Maxxum 9 that Pentax offered its first metal body "pro" style model in the MZ-S. A "pro" camera is a somewhat vaguely defined term describing the style of design most likely appealing to a pro photographer. But again, that is a very diverse group. Some say a metal body, others use different criteria. Since the Nikon N90 and F100 gained "pro" status, even though not having mirror lockup, let alone a built-in flash, there is no viable reason the MZ-S cannot be considered in that category, as it has those features and a durable metal build. Pentax also marketed successful medium format models for many years, with pros as the primary customer base.

Regarding the lack of respect that 'Z' has shown towards myself, I suggest we simply ignore the poor chap... If others would like to indulge in the ignorance of such unfounded ramblings, by all means, walk in the stool of the scum of the earth... I would never hold it against you!

Oh, and I wish Pentax would bring back the offset dual- flash arrangement of the PZ-1p. I keep putting it off, but I could show cases, and there were many, where this readily-available combination could produce superior results.

To Z- "true believers" in what?? That which POP magazine staff says is likely, according to their info? Don't expect a link from me. Does not work on my old computer. Just go to popphoto.com to read. Says new things are coming from Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc. so are Canon users who take that seriously "true believers"?

"IMO there's a huge market out there for something without mirror system: a supercharged G9 or ruggedized and cheaper M8."

 

No pentaprism, pentamirror, or rangefinder; autofocus with correcting frameline; a range of zooms and a few pancake primes. And no bigger or heavier than a Leica IIIf.

 

The "pros" have Canon and Nikon.

@ Michael - give up, <i>.[. Z</i> is smarter than all of us...

I saw a link about samsung getting full frame cmos patents awarded and now that

link has vanished. Here's three links via a simple google search from first page. I'd

like to see K Mount full frame dslr. Will it issue at Canon 5D or Nikon D3 price

levels? Who all's all in at $3300 to $5,000 or more or less? I liked getting eos full

frame at 2k. I highly doubt Pentax would start at this price point.

 

I'd assume pentax will do like Nikon did with D3 and allow users the ability to use

both crop glass and full frame glass on same full frame platform. I'd guess its

years away and not months away but who knows.

 

Anyone else notice who owns the copyright to Pentax K20D firmware update?

 

"Hoya" alone,

 

Not Hoya Pentax HD or Pentax, just Hoya

 

Full frame K Mount Links:

 

 

http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/04/11/samsung.full.frame.dslr/

 

http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/is-samsung-

about-to-join-the-full-frame-dslr-club--316904

 

http://www.engadget.com/tag/DSLR/

"Z" it's wise to know one's audience before opening one's mouth. As a First Nations citizen of Canada - I have no practical experience circling wagons, but if you and all the other letters of the alphabet would like to circle Canon wagons....

Michael thanks for the history lesson.

 

You my friend are a true Kepplerian!!!!

Although I really don't need a FF I'd love to see pentax go ahead and make one. Going "Pro" would force them to make more sofisticated metering and AF. I don't need it, perfectly happy with my k10d, but since technology has a way of dripping down to lower models, such improvements would likely sell Pentax to new photographers more easily. Or maybe grab a share of the enormous "soccer-mom" market. Anyways, Specs sell, whether or not we need it.

 

Actually the only thing I'm missing in my k10d is 100% coverage in the VF. If getting rid of the flash could make this happen I'd chuck it overboards in a heartbeat.

 

As for Justin's battery grip, we're n'sync :-) Just remember to add an AF-button on the darn thing.

 

BTW: I actually have come to really like the High-quality reinforced plastic shell on the k10d. I really don't think it stands back for the generic description "magnesium alloy" used by others.

 

Cheers

 

Fredrik

"I suggest we simply ignore the poor chap... "

 

And you're doing such an EXCELLENT job of it....

 

"I have no practical experience circling wagons"

 

Maybe you don't have the 'fortitude or resolve.' ROFL.

Surely to have a useable 'pro' FF camera, you need a really good choice of 'pro' FF lenses? Where are they?

The good Lord knows I haven't laughed this hard in a very long time. "Z" you

have absolutely no idea who you're attempting to insult. Know your audience. My

practical experience does not involve wagons but more modern technology. I will

no longer entertain a battle of words with a faceless, nameless adversary. I

know I'm expressly qualified to use words like fortitude and resolve. Are you? I

suspect you've never experienced the crack-thump of small arms fire up close and

personal. Heck you're too cowardly to post your name with your comments.....<div></div>

Ok...wow, this makes the Lindy and Justin show seem like a huggathon.

 

Right now your lobbing RPGs if it escalates we could se ICBMs flying overhead.

 

Gotta love passionate photography debates.

 

And Lindy thanks for reminding us of your sub 2k FF purchase. I'd almost forgotten you had one as it had been 6 hours since you last mentioned it.

"Pros would use a built in flash in a pinch if it was the difference between getting a shot and not."

 

No they wouldn't. They're into anticipation (planning) and light, they don't have customers for grab shots.

 

Associated Press required Nikon (specifically) and Leica when covering Vietnam invasion...but if you look at what's carried in the Middle East, you'll mostly see Canon. Our CIA adventures in Latin America were covered mostly by amateurs with mixed bags...lots of Nikkormats, for example.

 

Konica made a good run at it for a brief period, but the brand was usually avoided due to quality control issues and the fact that most pros had accumulated Nikon equipment over the years.. Pentax never had the ruggedness or viewfinder accuracy of Canon or Nikon, and those alone were reasons to avoid them.

 

A friend used the full treasure trove of Konica equipment for a year-long high profile seaside resort project (bought a big home in Marin County with proceeds from the one job)...got everything-Konica for free in exchange for the publicity.

 

Done E, lots of pros do carry G9 today, as well as various other digicams...they're convenient and don't take up space in a kit. Others carry Leica Ms,mostly to make impressions or as security blankets (both reasons make sense professionally).

 

Do the survey : we'd find FAR more G9 or Leica M in pro kits than any sort of Pentax (ever in history) or any DSLR other than Nikon/Canon.

 

I hope Pentax builds on K20D and doesn't distract itself by struggling against Nikon and Canon in ff. It was brilliant for Hoya to kill the medium format idea in its cradle.

 

Me, I shoot K20D and yes, it does have at least three BIG advantages over K10D: PC plug, far higher ISO capability and excellent autofocus. The extra resolution is irrelevant-but-nice IMO.