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New Camera

oldhat
Posted 22/07/2020 - 17:10 Link
Interesting article on the direction Pentax are taking.
Not the usual naysayers view.!!
https://petapixel.com/2020/07/18/why-pentax-is-making-the-right-call-in-sticking... link
danofmk
Posted 22/07/2020 - 17:52 Link
Oh a new Pentax 35mm SLR..... Now there's an idea

A boy can but dream.
johnriley
Posted 22/07/2020 - 23:06 Link
It's an interesting article. I'm not sure I personally want a new film camera, but there may be quite a few people who would, so not a bad idea there either.
Best regards, John
JAK
Posted 23/07/2020 - 01:55 Link
Good positive thoughts in the article (for a change.)
John K
Jonathan-Mac
Posted 23/07/2020 - 09:46 Link
I agree entirely that it would not be to Pentax's advantage to produce a new mirrorless system just to keep up with the Joneses. The only possibility I can imagine for Pentax in the FF mirrorless world would be to produce unique optics for the L mount, something along the lines of the FA Limiteds: top-of-the-line but without being massive and super-fast.

Having said that, while I'd like to move to FF mirrorless in principle, there is no system currently that meets what I'd want from such a system. Pentax could provide that, but it'd be a niche even smaller than the one they have now, and for people who want what Pentax offers in a smaller, lighter, mirrorless system there is already a system that fits very well: Fujifilm. They're doing very well and I can't see Pentax pulling customers from them.

Hopefully this commitment to DSLRs will result in even better cameras and I have high hopes for the new flagship APS-C model. I think when the K-1 came out Pentax gave up on producing a flagship APS-C and settled on something lower-specified (KP) but changed their minds when people weren't entirely happy with having to choose between the KP and the K-1 II. That's why it's taken so long to develop, because they started late.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
JAK
Posted 23/07/2020 - 10:42 Link
Honestly, we don't want a new model every year. Development money down the drain. A decent camera lasts many years so why would one change it for the sake of it? There's Pentax's half a century old still doing sterling service.
John K
Edited by JAK: 23/07/2020 - 10:48
pschlute
Posted 23/07/2020 - 11:06 Link
JAK wrote:
Honestly, we don't want a new model every year. Development money down the drain. A decent camera lasts many years so why would one change it for the sake of it? There's Pentax's half a century old still doing sterling service.

Agree. I used my K10D for 8 years and it was still going strong. I have been using a K1 since 2016 and still havn't used all the features. No requirement for me to get a new camera anytime soon
RobL
Posted 23/07/2020 - 14:07 Link
Pentax needs to attract new buyers, not just serve existing customers as they will be a diminishing market, so new cameras are necessary to keep up with developments and offer alternative options. This means that new models/upgrades are needed at least every couple of years as new buyers are unlikely to want a four year old or older design.

I do wish though they would spend a little time on the accessories like full frame teleconverters and extension tubes, they cannot involve much development and would make the marque more rounded.
womble
Posted 24/07/2020 - 21:38 Link
RobL wrote:
Pentax needs to attract new buyers, not just serve existing customers as they will be a diminishing market, so new cameras are necessary to keep up with developments and offer alternative options. This means that new models/upgrades are needed at least every couple of years as new buyers are unlikely to want a four year old or older design.

I do wish though they would spend a little time on the accessories like full frame teleconverters and extension tubes, they cannot involve much development and would make the marque more rounded.

When you look at older catalogues and they had tubes, bellows, full range of filters, copystands, ref convertor, diopter correction, bags, cases, and so on. The range was quite amazing.
Kris Lockyear
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
Gwyn
Posted 25/07/2020 - 14:59 Link
All I know is that if I can afford it I will buy one to replace my ancient (in digital photography terms) K5ii.
If I can afford it...

Who knows it may even inspire me to get out there and use it!
Lubbyman
Posted 25/07/2020 - 15:46 Link
womble wrote:
When you look at older catalogues and they had tubes, bellows, full range of filters, copystands, ref convertor, diopter correction, bags, cases, and so on. The range was quite amazing.

Be honest, folks, how many people would buy tubes, bellows etc. etc.? When current makers of such things don't find it makes financial sense to provide them for K-mount when they do for others, it would surely not make financial sense for Pentax to do it. Reasonably priced macro lenses have replaced tubes + non-macro prime for most people, copystands were for when documents weren't digital and scanners didn't exist, etc. etc. And don't forget that every camera now comes with a full range of films (sorry, should have said 'sensor' rather than 'film') suitable for all lighting conditions which I can't remember Pentax supplying in the pre-digital era. Life has changed!
Gwyn wrote:
All I know is that if I can afford it I will buy one to replace my ancient (in digital photography terms) K5ii.
If I can afford it...

Who knows it may even inspire me to get out there and use it!

Gwyn - Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration (according to Thomas Edison). So put that camera strap round your neck, go on a walk determined to take some photos, have a look at them when you get home, decide how you could do better next time, go on another walk etc. etc. Inspiration will come. Then when you're inspired but frustrated because the K5ii can't quite get what you want, you'll find it much easier to justify buying the new Pentax!

Steve
Mike-P
Posted 25/07/2020 - 17:40 Link
I know I would buy a full frame 1.4x teleconverter. To be honest I have no idea why 3 years after the K-1 it is still missing from the system.
JAK
Posted 26/07/2020 - 11:22 Link
Mike-P wrote:
I know I would buy a full frame 1.4x teleconverter. To be honest I have no idea why 3 years after the K-1 it is still missing from the system.

It's not as if their lens parters, Tamron, don't make full frame converters already for other brands. so it truly is odd there isn't one yet.
John K
womble
Posted 26/07/2020 - 14:54 Link
Copystands are for more than just documents and at work (in usual precovid days) they get used everyday. Sometimes one even has to queue to use one!

All of which actually misses my point, which was the range of things. The things themselves may have changed, however.
Kris Lockyear
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
Wizhunter
Posted 21/08/2020 - 16:28 Link
I was talking to an old friend a couple of months ago and we got onto the subject of Camera's, he is pretty old school and uses a Zenith 35mm, i forget the model but anyway i told him i had a Pentax and he nearly had a fit when i told him. He thought the Pentax brand was dead and buried years ago. So a bit of advertising from them would do them the world of good.

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