First images from FF (K-1?)

Photorumors seem to be on the ball as usual. Two images to view
although to be honest very uninspiring subject matter.

I'm speculating that the release of these now is intended to ensure that the early adopters who Ricoh will be hoping will buy the first FF, don't fritter away all their FF cash before the release date!

Don't exactly blow my socks off!

Frankly, don't think I have seen one sample image from Pentax directly that would blow anyone's socks off....so still hopeful

...first, you need to wear socks.

These guys simply don't have a marketing department.

Their example shots have always been relatively uninspiring. Still if it produces a picture file then one assumes it actually works.

Excellent news! The new Pentax camera can take Photographs, hooray, I'll put the bunting up. This new camera being made it all seems like such back shed stuff. I'm sure it will be a fine tool. I'm just worried how many they will sell.

The usual negative comments...even before the camera is released.
We all know Pentax marketing needs improving, let's at least wait until the camera is released before everyone jumps on the negativity bangwagon

To be honest I'd rather they did not focus on improving their marketing, else we'd see a price jump of circa 50%. Lets just say we enjoy being negative and paying little for a lot Hopefully Ricoh is way too busy to read forums too often

There's been around 100 Pentax 35mm SLR's and APS C DSLR's since the Asahiflex of the 1950's up to the K3 and it's latest variant of today and no matter how much moaning there is about the difficult birth of the FF we will all want one, if not own one, just like we did some of those past icons from Pentax

As Pentax users we all wanted a Spotmatic, or an ME Super, Super A, LX, K10D, K7, K5(s) and so on, to name but a few from the wonderful lineage of "Pentax milestone cameras"; the the FF will be another milestone, regardless of its difficult birth.

I have moaned and whined more than most on PU too, particularly about the marketing and aftersales by Pentax; but not anymore; reflecting on the very astute commentary from MAG07 above; would we indeed like to pay for the "razzmatazz and hype" that flows like treacle from Canon for example or let Pentax cameras and lenses do the talking, at half the price, "spec for spec" in many cases ..

Pentax make "Tools"; Canon make good cameras, but some (if not most) models are a bit like the "Expensive Chelsea Tractors" of the camera world, supported by a dearth of glossy marketing and sales bumph in the process, whilst Canon agressively prise display space from many of their appointed dealers, relentlessly displacing competing brands, to maintain what can appear to be a stranglehold on the market.

In doing so they have to charge a premium on most, if not all , their products across the range; I don't care anymore though, because I won't buy another Canon (again).

As a Pentax enthusiast, I am going to enjoy another milestone when the latest "tool"; the FF eventually enters the fray, in it's final form and in good shape, ready to make the "Canikon Disciples" scratch their heads a little more (as always).

Those two photos supposedly from the FF don't mean anything really and I can't wait to see some typically wonderful images produced by PU's, posted on this forum when the Pentax FF camera gets into the right hands.

Needless to say, I am not sure if I need an FF, but I just hope I can afford one, in case my desire gets the better of me.

I wasn't intending to sound like a moan, as I am looking forward to the new FF and put the consideration for a K3II on hold in anticipation. There are some stunning examples of what can be done with the brand on the Pentax Photo Gallery, but I don't understand this teaser strategy unless it is to make other brand users think twice before upgrading, and for that to work then the pictures need to be really special. Unless we are missing a trick here - no doubt the labs at Nikon and Canon will be able to glean a great deal from these images such as the number of megapixels or other trickery like pixel-shift, so it's a warning shot to them: look out, we did it with medium format and now we have our sights on your prime market.

I agree with a lot you said but this bit in particular

Rather than seeing a couple of pictures which in reality could have been taken with any camera, I'd much rather see some details of features and specifications which will set this camera above others. You don't need a big marketing department to issue a few lines of text..!!

Why would you want your competition to know what the camera is capable of before launch?

I would guess all will be revealed late February at CP+ link Personally I have what i need until the next (APSC) model is on special offer. Nice for the Pro's who find the 645 too big outside of the studio though and good for the continuation of the system/brand.

Fair point.