Pentax 645D images

The 645D has arrived. I know many people want to see what kind of images the camera can produce. I'll do my best to keep everyone up to date about the experiences I'm having with the camera via my blog and upload full size JPEGS to Flickr so you can see the images.

The blog is here:
link









So the first image taken with the camera, almost straight out of the box was of Bear (my dog).




See the larger image on Flickr here link

And later this afternoon I went out to the coast for a better test of the camera's abilities.



Full size JPEG on Flickr here
link

Will hopefully get some more images tomorrow, and even test out using 67 lenses on the 645D body.

Chris

Congratulations Chris
Could you give a small insight of your thoughts about the camera?

Just looked at your full size photos and I'm amazed about the resolution and how much details it can hold.

Looking good, it will be fascinating to see how this is accepted and how long it takes to get to the UK.

If it goes well, this could lead to many other exciting things from Pentax.

looking forward to seeing more of this one

just out of interest did the camera come with a kit lens ??

James

Amazing detail!
Andy

Great photograph, particularly when you consider it was essentially a test shot! What a wonderful camera. I do hope Pentax export them to these shores. Until then it would be nice to receive a regular supply of images, Chrs.

Pentax will roll them out in due course. I suspect their reason for not doing so immediately is that they are finding it difficult to estimate the level of demand, and don't want to disappoint people if production can't keep pace with sales.

If they appear here in under six months, you can probably reckon that sales in Japan have been disappointing.

G

Love the pictures, and I too would be interested in hearing your thoughts on how the camera handles once you've had a chance to use it in anger.

From what I hear the whole production was sold out on day 1 and there's now a 6 week waiting list - I reckon that indicates a fairly healthy demand for a "niche" product.

Well, we shall see. This must have been one of the longest-trailled products in the history of photography. It is surely possible that almost every potential purchaser had placed an order with his supplier, and once this initial demand has been met, there won't be much more.

Unless of course they decide to sell multi-coloured ones.

G

Multicoloured ones, that's really funny!

I think the reason I heard for the Japan-only release is because Pentax want a proper customer support system in place. But I wonder if anyone has imported one into the UK yet?

Possibly possible but probably not. I don't think the Japanese work quite that much in unison. Then there's the rest of the world.

I suspect Pentax will be looking for more factory space soon.

I was only talking about Japan. And if any nation tends to work in unison, it's the Japanese.

In my view, it's going to be highly sought after by a fairly small number of people. It'll mainly be the same people as owned a film 645, less those who have defected and won't change back, plus those who for some reason (price?) haven't replaced their film Hassie or Mamiya with a digital one.

Compared to the 135 format and its derivatives (APS-C and 4/3), it's a very small market.

Thinking about it, there is actually another market, of unknown size, and that is keen 135ers who always wanted a medium format camera but were put off by the cost and hassle of processing. I used to own a Bronica but seldom used it for that reason. If a maiden aunt were to shuffle off and leave me a small legacy I could be very tempted.

Sadly, I have no maiden aunts left.

G

ETA: I'll just have to get Thoramay to up his offer on my 300mm.

:

A perceptive answer George.

Your choice of a Bronica was logical in that it works the "same way round" in terms of focus and aperture scales as Pentax and Nikon, unlike say the Mamiya MF cameras.

At the price it's bound to be a small market, relatively speaking, but it has the possibility of earning some good money in it and won't do any harm. Like yourself, I have no maiden aunts to provide funding, but if some cash turned up and it were to be available, I just might go for it.

It is just so desireable....

Even in Japan that is highly unlikely. Once people actually get to see the cameras, put their hands on units in stores, see how excited their friends are, read the blog reviews, etc. there will be much increased demand. (Unless the product is rubbish... but I don't think so.)

The professional market is relatively small, but many other people have money to spend on products because a) they can, b) they have an abiding interest, c) it's a status symbol. Just look at Leica, who know how to cultivate this effect. IMO Pentax should take a leaf from their book. Because I don't really care why people buy the 645D... the fact that they do will drive future R&D and improvements.

Not to mention driving the price down.