K7D

[john_shriver]

<p>That long snooty prism looks like it could also house an EVF. But that would be rather of a change of direction for Pentax.</p>

 

[miserere_mei]

<blockquote>

<p>Huh, are you trying to put this back on topic?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Damn, you caught me :-)</p>

[noah_maier]

<p>I thought it was a noble goal Miserere</p>

[mc2imaging]

<p>IMHO: EVF=Trash <br /> That's why I left the Lumix series behind.</p>

<p>However, it could be room for a 2nd sensor that allows mirror down live view - that might be groovy.</p>

<p>PLEASE make that finder/flash removable! Justin and I beg you!</p>

[jim_b9]

<p>There are some rumors floating around that Pentax is experimenting with an EVF overlay on a traditional optical viewfinder, or other "heads up display" enhancements, which could account for the long pentaprism housing.</p>

<p>Of course one could also argue that the oversized pentaprism housing is necessary to accomodate a sensor that is larger in the vertical axis, e.g. a squarish sensor. :)</p>

<p>I think that Pentax would be more inclined to pursue the former rather than the latter. The square sensor doesn't make sense to me as an advanced amateur format, while the addition a digital overlay to a traditional optical viewfinder is much more keeping in Pentax's long tradition of being a leader in viewfinder technology. After all, Pentax was the first to really commercialize the pentaprism finder and the built-in viewable meter. </p>

[mountainvisions]

<p>The HUD would be a good thing.</p>

<p>Nikon already has grid overlays but that along with more VF coverage with overlayed shooting info that can be turned off with the press of a button (or lack of press) would be a good thing.</p>

<p>Alternatively, a on demand EVF could be a good thing as well. Something that allowed both a mirror and an EVF. The advtantage would be you could raise the mirror and use the EVF or lower the mirror and use the optical. This would be the best of both worlds. EVF for full time MLU and critical focus or low light focus, mirror for general shooting and using filters.</p>

<p>I have no issues with a square sensor, I just don't think it's ground breaking, I'd rather see them invest in other aspects of the camera.</p>

<p> </p>

[les_lammers]

<p>You can go broke and crazy trying to keep up with the latest and greatest digital toys. I am going to suffer with a K20 until the wished for weather sealed DLX appears. The 'new' camera is going to have a high street price due to the exchange rates. 1500 Euros is almost $2000.</p>

[ken_yee]

<p>"IMO K20D already comes within a hair of equaling the old 5D so 5DII should be easy to whup with a square sensor"<br>

In high ISO performance? FF gives you roughly 1.7stops better performance (D300 vs D700 comparison) over APS-C because of photosite size.<br>

"As far as the 645D sensor, my understanding, and I might be wrong was that it was 1.25X"<br>

Someone on Pentaxforums calculated it as the same size as 35mm film (1.5x crop). I did a quick survey of medium format digital sensors and the crops ranged from 1x (only the horridly expensive PhaseOne backs) to 1.3x to 1.5x. All the low end MF sensors (reasonably priced under $10K) were 1.5x IIRC.</p>

 

[xpiotiavos]

<p>I'm not gonna lie... That prism housing is just plain ugly...</p>

<p>Also, judging in relation to size of what I'm assuming is the DA 35, the prism housing actually looks <i>smaller</i> than the one on my K10D. </p>

[michael_kuhne]

<p>Ugly becomes beautiful with superior functions, features, and feel. Maybe the flash pops up far enough from the hot shoe to allow dual-flash with a flash unit?? So many talk of having a really great VF- maybe this will be it!</p>

<p>I hope the new model will be a compact bombshell, super-tough mostly metal build, with super AF speed and accuracy, extremely accurate exposure metering, super-sharp images, and with low noise at high ISO, advanced imaging control, and other performance that kick butt!!</p>

[miserere_mei]

<p>Michael, your optimism is contagious :-)</p>

[mountainvisions]

<blockquote>

<p>almost $2000</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>When products are released in europe they don't come to the US at the same price.</p>

<p>E1500 is like $1250 US. Maybe $1500 if they really want to start it high.</p>

<p> </p>

[hinman]

<p>I find this link the quite complete with the spec<br>

<a href="http://43rumors.com/ok-k7d-the-may-21th/">http://43rumors.com/ok-k7d-the-may-21th/</a><br>

I am as thrilled as anyone on K7D, I actually don't want anything fancy that makes my tele lens shorter. I am most interested in the AF improvement that will go a long way from Pentax uping the AF speed that is long due.</p>

[jgredline]

<p>It sounds pretty good actually. Shame I just bought into another system so I will have to pass on this one. Too little to late.</p>

[miserere_mei]

<blockquote>

<p>It sounds pretty good actually. Shame I just bought into another system so I will have to pass on this one.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Did you finally get that D700 you were craving for? Is the viewfinder smaller and darker than you thought it would be?</p>

[miserere_mei]

<p>Another photo I found on Hin's link <a href="http://43rumors.com/ok-k7d-the-may-21th/">here</a> . This time it's the whole camera, although I'm not sure whether the bottom part is photoshopped in or not. In fact, it might all be a Photoshop job. There's no name on it, and I cannot see the AF switch on the camera's left side, next to the mount, and the strap lugs are the same type as on the other Pentax DSLRs. Apart from the prism, it looks about the same size as a K200D to me (based on the mount). This could very well be a photo of an early mock-up.</p>

 

<p align="center"><img src="http://www.bildercache.de/bild/20090422-200732-393.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[jgredline]

<p>Mis, I did end up buying myself that D700. So far I have only taken it out once. Love the view finder. That was the main reason I bought it. I have only one lens right now. The 70-200VR F/2.8 that is too big and a tad to long. It behaves more like a 50-135 lens. Full frame. I also have no intentions on leaving or selling my Pentax gear..It will still be my wildlife and long lens kit. For the nikon, I really only want one lens. the nikkor 12-24 F/4 and that be it. Maybe something in the 28-75 range as well....</p>

<p>In truth had I known about the K7D, I still would not have bought it. The view finder to me was crucial in my decision. When i use the K20D, much of the time I am not sure what I shoot, until I see it on the computer. I tried glasses, no go....I tried contacts, same, can't stand them. I have went for lasic eye surgery, but I chickened out.</p>

<p>But I also did buy me a Pentax 31ltd..What an amazing lens. Perfect for street shooting...I am starting to dislike zooms... ;-)</p>

[14mm 2.8l]

<p>D700 got the 2009 Camera of the Year award from TOP:</p>

<p><a href="http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2009/04/top-ten-recommended-cameras-1.html#comments">http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2009/04/top-ten-recommended-cameras-1.html#comments</a></p>

<p> </p>

[rogerdaltx]

<p>Javier, I completely get the better viewfinder thing and buying the D700 to get it, I've considered it myself. Last September I spent a week at a pro photo school and got to shoot with the D3, 1D and play with the just released Sony A900. These all have wonderful build quality, better FPS, bla, bla ect... but it was the view finders that made me go wow, this is worth the upgrade. Our k20d / k10d are among the better view finders in APSC, but the pro camera were clearly a significant step up in to my 42 year old eyeglass wearing eyes. <br /> <br /> I really don't care much about FPS boosts, 3fps or so is enough for most anything I do. And the physical size of the sensor it totally irrelavant in my book, though I would like a bit less noise at higher ISO. I won't shoot my k20 over ISO 800 unless I absolutely have to. While my 5D and 1D friends will regularly shoot events / location portraits at 1600. And yes there are times where faster AF would be nice to have, especially action tracking. But those are few and far apart as my subjects are typically static and I usually lock on the center point, spot meter and recompose for most shots. But if Pentax can get the viewfinder on an APSC camera to match the 1d, d3, and a900 and assuming a reasonable price point; I'll be upgrading just for the view finder and unlike the other nice to have features that is an improvement i'll appreciate every time I pick up the camera. And if they give us an electronic shutter so the flash sync for manual strobes can be pretty much unlimted I will be a very, very happy Pentax customer for several more years.</p>

[miserere_mei]

<blockquote>

<p>but it was the view finders that made me go wow, this is worth the upgrade.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I think it sucks that you have to pay thousands of dollars more than a K20D costs (or a Canon 50D or a Nikon D90, or a...) just so you can get something as basic as a large viewfinder. I use the term 'basic' because Photography is a visual art, so you would think that one of the <em>basic</em> things you'd be able to do with a camera is <em>see</em> what you're shooting.</p>

<p>Like Roger, I don't care too much about FPS or AF speed, but I'd <strong><em>LOVE</em> </strong> to have a 1.5 magnification viewfinder on an APS-C Pentax DSLR.</p>

[jgredline]

<p>Roger, you nailed it!. As I said in another thread. The only reason I bought the D700 was the view finder. I love being able to see what I shoot. It is the coolest thing. I feel like I am shooting my ME SUPER.... The extra FPS, AUTOFOCUS SPEED, NOISE CONTROL, while all that is cool, I never had an issue with my K20D. In fact I am quite happy in that regard with my K20D. I only wish I could see through the view finder and I would be happy as a clam...</p>

<p>By the way, in comparing the Jpegs from the D700 and the K20D, I see NO difference bwteen them. In fact the K20D puts out more pleasing colors. This of course could also be because I have not tweaked any settings on the Nikon. But still the image quality is about even.</p>

[jgredline]

<p>Lindy, Thanks for the article. The lens choice at the bottom is what captured my attention the most.</p>

[jgredline]

<p>Oh, Also the price I could not pass on $2200.00 after a $300.00 rebate.</p>

[14mm 2.8l]

<p>That beat my admission price by $119 Javier.</p>

<p>Yours is not all time record for D700. I know a guy who bought his for $1854 from a military base exchange and one time discount using a new credit card.</p>

<p>Anyways the idea one must pay thousands of dollars more for a full frame over aps-c is flawed. You paid full price for one K20D once so D700 was $900 more 14 months later. My handy calculator tells me 1500 euros at 1.34 per euro is $2,010. Your D700 may have been a simple $190 premium for biggie viewfinder in D700 versus K7D. When I bought my 5D for $1750 the K20D was still stuck at $1299. So I spent $451 more for biggie viewfinder.</p>

<p>Me, I tend to think 1500 euros means $1,500 launch in usa. K20D was $1299. K10D was $919. The idea that K7D will cost less than K20D did 1-23-08 doesn't seem right to me. The wild card here is Nikon D400. Long rumoured with specs and pix, its launch price is said to be $1,999. So they'll be one company trying to get $2,000 for aps-c dslr in later 2009. Pentax could be company #2 at $2,000. Seems reasonable to me. Well not reasonable to buy in at 2k but it wouldn't surprise me.</p>

[leo_papandreou1]

<blockquote>

<p>The lens choice at the bottom is what captured my attention the most.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Personally, if I were you, I'd look at the superb 17-35 to go with the 70-200 and a 50mm to cover the gap. Just three lenses but they compromise nothing compared to a collection of primes and unless you're into macro or wildlife you may never have to buy another lens again.</p>

<p>The zooms are big though. For street you might look at the 35 f2 AF-D which is cheap but wonderful.</p>