Full Frame Pentax!!!!!!!

I would love that, but it would come at quite a price. The camera would be larger and more expensive, and I'd have to replace all my APS-C-specific lenses (as well as getting longer lenses if I wanted best quality for telephoto).

I disagree. There are physical issues to deal with and - well, Canon's already backing down on MPs in compacts. I read an interesting article the other day, talking about "why FF?" and they were promising the above - i.e. APS-C will soon be so good, noone will want FF.

Thing is, the article's from 2004.

I don't see it happening. Nikon took it so far with the D700 and Canon's playing catchup with the 7d - it allows so much flexibility that the pros want it. I understand where they're coming from - I find the K10D to be very, very noisy above ISO400 unless you're being extremely careful and recently spent the better part of 6 hours "saving" an indoor set from an event that I shot at 1/15, f4, ISO 640. Yes, I know better now and should have shot it differently, but I didn't really have a choice at the time.

I don't see any real improvement - in IQ - in the K7 over the K10D and when you compare like for like, the K7 simply sucks. I want / need the weather sealing, and I have the lenses to justify staying, but I expect to be up there with the big boys when it comes to sensor performance.
I was thinking today about helicopters - I'll be in Frankfurt in July - and there's a company that does tours round the skyline. It would be magnificent for the photobook. But there, I really don't have the option of long shutter speeds and I want quality pics. Can my K10 do it? Not really. Could a K7? I have my doubts....

Bret

At the moment Pentax offers 28 lenses. 22 of them APS-C lenses, only 6 for FF (3 macros and 3 limiteds, no zoom at all !). FF lenses were launched long time ago. In the recent years Pentax released only APS-C lenses. Does it make sense to launch an FF body with 6 fix focals and without zooms? Also paralel with the intro of 645? It is just a rumour, no more.

To compare the K-7 and K10D like for like, you have to reduce the size of the K-7's image to the K10D's. The K-7 doesn't suck then.

The K-7 only sucks at ISO 800 when pixel peeping or when blowing up large.

How many APS C lenses were available for the istD when it launched? I can't remeber.

No problem with Pentax staying with APS C, just need low noise, hi ISO, 300 and 400mm f/2.8 and a new 600mm f/4. At least match the competitions offering of glass.

I wonder what the market size is for the 645D? How many existing DMF users will switch? If they intend to attract new users, will similar issues be raised as with the SLR's?

Regards

The K7 and K10 are both APS C so I'm lost on this one.

7.... don't forget the FA*600 f/4
And I've said that quite some time now about the lens lines they need to support, I don't see them do that.

Here is a good read about APS-C vs FF
http://pentaxdslrs.blogspot.com/2008/09/does-pentax-need-full-frame-camera.html

I'm talking there about the number of pixels rather than the physical size of the images. The K-7 has greater resolution, so to compare like for like fairly, you need to reduce the K-7's resolution to the K10D's. Then you'll see an effective reduction in the K-7's noise.

I guess by "suck", BK was referring to the K-7's noise when pixel peeping. I don't see how else it sucks.

Yes, but the situation is now totally different. All existing FF lens was OK for istD, but APS-C lenses are practically useless now for FF. I agree in the rest.

I didn't mean to use cropped glass on FF. For me it's probably too late if Pentax did launch a FF body. My FF money has and will continue to support Nikon. The D700 is already discontinued in the Middle East so I intend to get a second body at a discount rate.

Regards

The 600mm has been (or is being very soon) discontinued.

That is generally a sign on Nikon's part of one of two things, it did not work out the way they liked or they have other models (hopefully improved but more expensive) in the pike that are about to debut. We will know in a short time.

The Photomonk

Sorry, you are right. 7 vs. 22.

Will probably be a D700 with video and a couple more tweeks ( a bit like the D300/D300s). I think it worked out exactly how Nikon wanted, a LOT of Canon users jumped ship for the D700.

New models and new glass. Their patent registrations give the clues.

The D700 is my answer for low noise and hi iso, the lenses are similar prices abroad to Pentax UK lens prices. So are pretty good value and the VR works better.

That all said, my travelling kit consists of two Pentax bodies and four lenses.

Regards