Pentax 645D - PMA announcement

According to the Tokyo show details (PIE) the launch price is expected to be one million yen/10,000 USD.......

.........at the PIE they had 2mtr x 3 mtr prints on show, made from the prototype models.

Images can be found here.

(Quite a change in design from the old 645D)

I suppose that's the ballpark area you'd expect. The Hassy H3D-II-31 with 80mm HC is around £12k. (50Mp version is £16k for body only :shock
Certainly competitive in the MF market...
...wonder how much the pricing might change nearer release time

Matt

This camera (and unlike the others it's ONLY a camera not a system) is entering a very serious market so it's going to have to offer something different to even be considered. Since it's of very conservative design, the only apparent way to be competitve is for th eprice to drrop considerably against the opposition.

I notice that at the PIE they were saying that they have not decided on either a sensor or even a maker for it!?!! They are also dithering about whether they will let th euser choose an anti-aliasing filter, or not.

See Mike Johnstons humerous comment on his column today;

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/blog_index.html

Also, see here (scroll down a bit ) to see the PIE pentax stand with prints and the various pentax models etc

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/pie09.shtml

Scroll down even further to see the much more serious mamiya system.....

LOL! Love Mike Johnston's comment
Well, yes, Mamiya + PhaseONE is a fairly formidable competitor indeed. It certainly looks more attractive than Hassy's "locked-in" approach.

Time will tell...

We've got to see one properly at last - a hands on review has been posted on ePHOTOzine: Pentax 645D

That looks very, very impressive.

It "looks" lighter than my D700....


My candle has just warmed, not lit yet, just warmed....


Now if I sell a painting or my youngest????

Looks good to me - still waiting for a hands on review of the production version though...

Have a look at what Damien Demoulder has to say on Amateur Photographer website. I can't remember him being so positive about Pentax since the K10D came out. This camera looks very exciting, even though most of us will have to bask in the reflected glory while we use our non MF gear!

I thought you weren't that excited about the 645D, what has changed?

These may end up like Morgan sports cars Stefan, get one and sell it on for more money.....

Regardless of my own views, it is a nice piece of kit. I'm sure those who invest will be well pleased with it.

I only wait to see what the Gulf prices will be. I am waiting to get a mail from my friendly dealer in Bahrain to see if they will be getting them before the UK.

Regards

Initial review also on photo answers and some nice pics of the 645D & 55mm lens...

link

I sooo badly want one - need to sell my GX617 outfit to fund it though!

We're expecting you to bring back a suitcase-full, Will.

G

Well I've got the lenses to go on it, covered from 33mm to 300mm... and I found them all ages before the recent price surge after the 645D became a reality! For once my speculate to accumulate idea has come off OK!

It would actually be refreshing to be able to carry a 645 film body at the same time and be 100% compatible!

617 anybody...?