Pentax FF DSLR - confirmed

Yes, sure, the profits from FF DSLR is significant if coupled to additional premium lens sales also. I guess I was (in the back of my mind) thinking that this is not a sure bet for Pentax. As I wrote above, I'm sure they will release new lenses (maybe updates to existing FA types) and offer kits for the shops, as well as reissuing the LTDs.

But to generate these significant profits they are going to have to therefore attract good numbers of system switchers or new starters to their FF offer. Those current Pentax users (like us all here) mostly already have a mixture of APS-C type DAs and older P-K mounts - after parting with the cash for the camera for most there won't be a lot of spare dosh for a lovely new FF zoom etc.??

I feel that by offering FF then Pentax are staking their claim to continuing to be a serious wide ranging contender to the other 3 brands in the market - but the real money will still be made in more consumer / popular areas of the market.

Shaky, you may have answered my question above about how to tell which DA lens will work on FF - are you saying that all the Limiteds have a full frame image circle?

Nope. Strictly speaking the newer ones with 'DA' somewhere in the name are intended for APS C. You might nevertheless find individuals asserting that these will also cover a full frame sensor, but the question is whether the IQ is any good, and I certainly haven't seen any formal tests on that.

Bingo. Otherwise they are merely to a large extent cannibalising APS C sales.
Depends on what you mean by popular. At the bottom end/mass market price competition is fierce and profitability poor. Interchangeable lenses combined with market share is key, to generate profitable lens sales from a largely captive market.

FA (and D-FA) lenses are full frame. DA lenses are intended for APS-C.

The last two DA(L) primes were based on FA primes, so could be expected to work on FF (as many people have testified, in the case of the 35mm). I am more skeptical about the DA ltds. Some seem 'usable' but clearly aren't optimized for FF.

APS-C is under threat from cameras such as the K-01 and the 4/3rds market.

FF is where the differential will remain for a longer time, before improve technology catches up with that.

Just nailing my colours to the mast, I don't currently have plans to buy into FF, but I can only see it as good for the brand.

But as others have stated I would expect at least a couple of zooms to be available on launch, along the lines of a 24-70 and 70-200 or similar. If Pentax launch an FF with only the primes that are currently in production they will have almost no chance of attracting anyone but existing Pentax users, which rather defeats the point of one of their stated aims of trying to increase their user base by expanding their product range.

May I be so bold to ask why people worry about Pentax and their ff lenses?

There are a great many Pentax ff lenses and assuming that they have not lost all of the design data and technical information etc I suspect that Pentax could either tweak what has gone before and provide some extremeley capable glass or redesign (probably the same thing) what went before with a similar result:

Let's face it - very little in lens design appears to be actually 'brand new' - new focus motors come along, new coatings and even new types of glass but the pricipals and engineering are fairly well set with advancements being improvements that are not revolutionary as such maybe with the exception of 'superzooms' - I suppose it is only the marketing people who need to spin enough 'natrual rose fertiliser courtesy of male bovine's' in order to sell us all something different and 'new'

My point is that Pentax have in the past, can at present and do produce excellent glass so for me at least any concerns appear ill founded but this is only my opinion and I may prove to be wrong.

I am also encouraged that Pentax seem committed to development which can only be good

Let's drop the doom mongering - viva Pentax - again just my opinion

p.s. any doom mongers out there who dislike there Pentax ff lenses, limited's, '*' lenses etc please pm me as I am open to taking such items off your hands for a nominal fee plus postage of course

Ditto Stuey, I think you are talking sense, although I don't know whether Pentax would revive old designs and if they did they would probaby charge an arm and a leg for them. If I ever get a FF Pentax I will revel in using my old manual focus lenses on it, as I suspect you would also!

Regards
David

I hope they don't bring out any zooms with the FF, then my FA 18-35 might be worth something

Me talking sense - I'm off to mark the calendar to record the fact that someone else thought so

Thanks david

Yes please!
I have been wanting a Pentax FF for a while.
I am fortunate that the day the FF Pentax comes out, I already have a range of lenses that will work with FF already

However, Pentax will need to produce a number of lenses - especially zooms - that will meet the needs of the enthusiast, and the pro photographer, especially from day one.
Namely (if we use N***n as an example) a 14-24, 24-70, and 70-200mm. The latter two in particular are "must have zooms" in the pro community.
As for primes, well apart from a fast 135mm, I can see the FA Limiteds and my very own F-28mm and FA-50mm lenses being rather pleasent to use on FF

Bring it on!

Which is only part of the story: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31629-da-lens-full...

Copy from 6/2012 ( http://forum.digitalfotonetz.de/viewtopic.php?p=1196894#1196894 ):

In the then actual Japanese catalogue ( http://www.pentax.jp/japan/products/catalog/pdf/lenses_accessories.pdf ) 13 lenses were FF capable, 2 additional ones were likely to be FF capable (50/1.8 + 560/5.6) and 4 others were in a limited focal range or stopped down usable on FF. Most (if not all) DA lenses would be usable on APS-H (wihout SR). If this lens selection would not be sufficient, how could Q, Nikon 1, m43, NEX, NX, and X ever succeed?

Nothing wrong with expectations. What we see as common sense is not always mirrored by a manufacturer. Initially, I would expect the existing world wide Pentax user group to be the main sales target.

However, I do not see other FF brand users jumping ship, yet I do think that a few Cannon users who already have Ltd's on their 5D's may just buy a body to benefit their Ltd's.

Best regards