Rumour of the Week: Pentax Full-Frame and New DFA Lenses

[miserere_mei]

<p>It would be nice if it did have an interchangeable chip; maybe the technology would trickle down to the APS-C line.</p>

<p>For those who want some official words from Pentax, read <a href="http://www.pentax.jp/english/news/2009/200905.html">here</a> . For those who want images of the camera and lens, see below (click on images to see them huge):<br>

<a href="http://www.pentax.jp/japan/news/2009/press-image/200907-01b.jpg"><img src="http://www.pentax.jp/japan/news/2009/press-image/200907-01.jpg" alt="" /> </a> <a href="http://www.pentax.jp/japan/news/2009/press-image/200907-02b.jpg"><img src="http://www.pentax.jp/japan/news/2009/press-image/200907-02.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="148" /> </a></p>

<p>There is a clear K-7 vibe to the 645D (or vice versa), which makes me believe Pentax has managed to work on both of them at the same time. Impressive.</p>

<p>Sorry Justin—no scene modes :-p</p>

[andrewg_ny]

<blockquote>

<p>31 and 77 limited are just stupid as well</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Blasphemy!</p>

<p>The three existing production Pentax 645 system cameras are weak in terms of modularity compared to their rivals. However, this is what keeps them smaller, cheaper, and more rugged. (would make weather-sealing easier, for example). The current systems with interchangeable backs often have some rather lousy and surprising usability/integration compromises, but the target market has found working around these acceptable, especially since they're usually working in studios, and have many other fiddly and kludgy things they deal with not just with camera but lighting, as well etc. For digital, I would think that it might not need to be modular from a end-user standpoint--we don't really need to swap digital backs like one might change film backs...but more of a future-proofing upgradability. </p>

<p>Of course, some might say that they'd like as an end user to be able to swap backs that specialize in black & white, or between a low res/high ISO/high throughput vs. high res/slow speed or something like that but this is really starting to indulge in fantasy in such a relatively small market from a company that seems somewhat unlikely to do such a thing.</p>

<p>Agree Mis that their latest mockup has a lot of design elements shared with K-7. Not surprising...I think the 645N shares a lot of MZ-5n DNA. Earlier mockups have shared some design philosophy with other outstanding small bodies like MZ-S.</p>

[mountainvisions]

<p>BTW, Pentax might not produce the backs, but if the 645NII digital back floating around china is real, than it shows others might make a digital back for the 645D. Don't forget a lot of speculation was that the 645NII was released because Pentax had plans for a digital back.</p>

<p>As far as the 645/N there were pros and cons. THe Pentax lacks interchangable backs, but the inserts are smaller, cost and cost less. The camera also lacks a removable viewfinder, but it is better sealed and more durable than a modular finder MF. It is also cheaper to produce. These can also be turned into cons by someone who prefers the converse of these features.</p>

<p>Overall though it just depends on if you need to change mid roll (a nice feature) or you want compact (another nice feature). <br /> Dollar for dollar the P645 system was pretty much as good as you can get with it's limitations included. Plus, the camera is dumb easy (one of those new fangled terms) to shoot. If you can shoot an SLR, once you load the first roll, using the 645N/NII should be very natural!</p>

<p>The 645D actually looks like it borrowed from the PZ-1P, MZ-5 and MZ-S looking at the layout. I believe they put a lot of effort into this camera and IF it comes out, it has a legit chance to be a success if everything else is on par.</p>

[14mm 2.8l]

<p>"Just a better route to go for a near $10,000 camera (Canon/Nikon vs. Pentax)."</p>

<p>I suppose, but thesedays neither canon or nikon sell near $10,000 cameras:</p>

<p>$6999.99 free delivery usa on Canon flagship</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=518204&is=REG">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=518204&is=REG</a></p>

<p>$7249.99 plus delivery on Nikon D3x</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=592951&is=REG">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=592951&is=REG</a></p>

<p>One last observation, if 645 pentax system is so hot how would you explain this?<br />FIVE 645 Pentax lenses & body & assessories hammer'd for $636 total plus delivery. Yes, that included the 35mm too.</p>

<p><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190309378920">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190309378920</a></p>

<p>Me? I kinda doubt we'll ever see $8,000 launch flagship dslrs again. And I'll add the 645D for rumoured $10,000 price point isn't available anywhere today or tomorrow, or next week. When's it due again? Is there a specific date, you know month and year set in stone? Does it include a lens? Where are the specs? This 645D product offer seems vaguely familiar</p>

[joe_jackson4]

<p>"The thing is everyone has different needs, if your's are purely web, this will work"</p>

<p>Justin, yes, indeedy... The best thing about posting pics on the web is that you can often get away with murder, IQ-wise, and no-one cares... Check this out... From a pub last Thursday night, with my pocket-sized Ixus... ISO 1600, f/3.2 (which was wide open...), and 1/8s:</p>

<p><img src="http://koti.welho.com/pwilkins/band.jpg" alt="" /><br /></p>

<p>For this kind of crappy snap, no-one cares about DOF, motion blur or IQ... And hey, for live band shots, sometimes focus isn't an issue either... :)</p>

<p><a href="http://www.amiright.com/album-covers/images/album-The-Clash-London-Calling.jpg">http://www.amiright.com/album-covers/images/album-The-Clash-London-Calling.jpg</a></p>

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[mountainvisions]

<p>Ah Lindy, I love the positive attitude.</p>

<p>No, the D3X isn't selling at $8000 anymore, but it sold a boat load of cameras on release at $8000. Then inevitably supply and demand dropped the price, now that Canon and Nikon have to battle it out you are correct, no more $8000 cameras. Of course as I've been noting once Canon had competition to the 5D and 1Ds it had no choice but to innovate and drop the price. That is why you see the 5DII selling for less than the 5D. If Nikon hadn't come to play, Canon would have kept the 5D going for a bit longer. Competition is a really good thing for everyone!</p>

<p>However, a $10,000 (assuming it's even close to that) 645 would be an impressive price. The camera is supposed to come out ONLY in Japan on first run, makes sense since I'm sure it will be a limited run, and a sort of "beta" test market. If it has problems in Japan where has a higher share of the market it can rebound, in the US it will seriously damage the brand name. It's still on the Pentax Japan site, and was only reannounced a few weeks ago when the 645NII was discontinued.</p>

<p>It was announced to be avail in 2010 which is 6 months away calendar wise. I'll start panicking around June 2010 if we don't see it on you tube getting sprayed with rain, and being hand held at 1/8th second while the user applies sensor shift to fine tune framing ;-)! Don't forget it did take Nikon about 5 years to catch up to Canon with the release of a FF camera, I don't think the 645D has been in mockup for more than about 4 years! The only mistake they made was publicly showing the mockups, had Nikon started doing that in 2003 they'd have been totally screwed by now!</p>

<p>Pentax is sort of like your socially retarded brother-in-law. Nice guy, well intentioned, but just doesn't do well at the family gathering. They seem to not understand that sometimes any information is to much information (road map, and jumping the 645D gun WAAAY to early) when dealing with the media and buying public, and they just seem unable to properly market themselves.</p>

[14mm 2.8l]

<p>I didn't mention it, but in January 2009 flagship canon was selling for $6499, flagship nikon was at $7099. They nudged up a bit. I do think the $8,000 sales canon enjoyed for years via the 3 different flagships are in past now with competetion from Nikon.</p>

<p>Every month nikon or canon sells more of these top of the line dslrs, and slightly lessor spec'd ,but still full frame, wanna-be flagships for under $3,000 a pop. Once most people buy into one brand they are hooked for life. I wonder what the target month and year is for 645D in global marketplace? 2013? Give or take a year.</p>

<p>Anyways, what did you think about the $636 645 Five lens, camera & assessory package deal on ebay? I think we're at the point where most pros who owned and made a living with 645 systems have long since sold off, cashed out & gone elsewhere to meet their needs.</p>

<p>Will 645D be so great that Nikon & Canon owners will cash out and buy a camera thats only availble for sale in Japan in next 7 months to 19 months? 2010 is not over till Dec 2010 so 645D has a big window and single country target market.</p>

<p>Comparing 645D which does not exist to " Near $10,000" Flagships from Canon and Nikon isn't based in fact as of May 2009. There are no 645D for sale, spec'd, or even have a firm and specific day of release to global marketplace. And in todays market no one pays even $7,300 for a flagship from either unless they foolishly buy it for full msrp from their local camerashop. I suppose some non internet savy digital shooters buy locally still at full msrp of $8,000. $10,000 though? thats 20% more than msrp. Thesedays Near $10,000 is 30% more coin for value shoppers. I could buy alot of gear with this $3,000 difference.</p>

<p> </p>

[mountainvisions]

<p>Lindy,</p>

<p>My policy over the last few weeks has been not to argue nonsense.</p>

<p>If that means you are correct, go buy a beer, and have a meal on me. Toast to the victory and enjoy the food. You got me!</p>

<p>Apparently it took me a while to realize arguing nonsense over the internet is only slightly less useful than arguing nonsense in real life, but better late than never.</p>

[yuri_huta]

<p>So is Ilford Delta 3200 a true 3200? or is it like the original TMAX P3200 (starts out as an 800 ISO and you push it)?</p>

[miserere_mei]

<p>Aha! I found the photo Justing was talking about.</p>

<p><img src="http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/jogiba/Pentax%20K-7/Pentax%20645D/a67f00e8.jpg" alt="" /></p>