The Unicorn is ready to be set free (FF)!
I'm really really pleased for Pentax and everyone out there who uses and loves them. The truth is that you cannot argue with their history of innovation and contribution to photography so I truly hope they are able to regain their former glory in the eyes of today's public:
1952 Asahiflex 1 First Japanese SLR camera and first to use 35mm film
1954 Asahiflex 2 World's first instant return mirror system eliminates mirror blackout when taking pictures this is probably the main innovation that led to the SLR becoming the dominant professional and serious enthusiast camera type.
1957 Asahi Pentax introduces the fixed Pentaprism to enable eye level shooting through the lens
1957 Pentax Auto-Takumar lenses are the first lenses in the world with automatic lens diaphragms controlled by internal signalling between body and lens to permit instantaneous stopdown and re-opening after shutter release
1960 Pentax Spotmatic Pentax pioneers world's first in pentaprism TTL metering system
1966 Pentax Nocta World's first infra-red focussing system enables focus confirmation in total darkness
1969 Pentax 6x7 world's first medium format camera with 35mm style handling and features
1971 Pentax ES World's first aperture priority mode camera with TTL metering
1971 Pentax invent multi-coating lens process for up to 9 layers of lens coating later licenced by Zeiss and everyone else. Even today Zeiss lenses use Pentax SMC coatings. Up to that point nobody had managed to put more than 4 layers of coating on a lens and many lenses still had no coatings or single layers.
1975 Pentax K mount launched and becomes the most famous and longest running lens mount in the world
1976 Pentax MX World's smallest and lightest SLR camera
1979 Pentax ME Super World's first SLR with push-button electronic control
1980 Pentax ME-F World's first autofocus SLR - a full 10 years before this became commonplace
1981 Pentax is the first manufacturer to produce 10 million SLR's
1985 Pentax D3000 First 35mm SLR camera with DX film sensing
1987 Pentax SF-7 World's first SLR with automatic pop up flash
1997 Pentax 645N World's first autofocus medium format camera
2003 Pentax Ist d, first digital Pentax SLR and smallest and lightest DSLR in the world
2006 Pentax Ist DL - First DSLR for less than £500
2006 K100D Pentax first body with in body stabilisation (no Nikon or Canon camera to date has ever had this feature because they build it into their lenses, but you pay extra for it everytime you buy a lens...)
2008 Pentax K20D First budget/prosumer DSLR with weather sealing
2010 Pentax 645 D first digital medium format camera with SLR like handling qualities
2011 Pentax Q Worlds smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera system launched
2011 Pentax 645D wins 'camera of the year' and voted best professional DSLR by TIPA
2013 Pentax K3 pioneer's world's first selectable anti-aliasing system, wins best DSLR of the year (TIPA)
2014 Pentax 645Z 51 megapixel medium format DSLR launched at a price point £7000 one third of its Hasselblad competitors. First medium format digital camera with on board video recording.
Stuart..
The FF won't sell in big numbers, but it could attract buyers to APS-C if they have any to sell.
Big mistake already with the FF bringing out a 'Me Too' 70-200mm f/2.8 the same as everyone else and also covered by old lenses and 3rd party.
A FF + say 55-210mm f/2.8 might have just have swayed it with buyers comparing Pentax to Canikon + 70-210mm.
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Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff
Algi
People would be more likely to wait until next year when the new K3iis is replaced so prices fall.
Personally Pentax having a FF offering shows me taht I ahve chosen a manufacturer that is commited to supplying a full range of kit for all photographers, so I feel it will be of greta benefit to them overall.
Bruce
If someone goes into a shop looking for a FF + std zoom they aren't going to be interested in Body Only.
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Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff
Algi
This is really simple, for those that don't want a Pentax FF DSLR or a Pentax 70-200mm f/2.8, don't buy them.
Time will tell and if a FF is announced at CP+ then it is no bad thing. Even better if a new "kit" lens is also announced with it (just to keep Algi happy).
Best regards
When the 645D finally came along, after years of lots of people insisting it never would, it of course arrived with a new standard lens. I'm sure if and when the Pentax Phoenix FF body arrives it will have a lens attached to it.
Even with a FF body thouogh they really need to address the AF speed, to attract traditional pro's. But they seem to be trying to promote the brand to a slightly different base.
I think the new mid range camera is potentially a strong step forward to address some its critics and the announcement of the high end lenses, kind of sticks two fingers up at some of the photo press who slag them off.
Looking forward to see if there is any news on a FF body.
A 70-200mm f/2.8 is a standard weapon of choice for thousands out there. It actually works very well on APS-C and even better on FF. I smiled at the "me too" comment.
This is really simple, for those that don't want a Pentax FF DSLR or a Pentax 70-200mm f/2.8, don't buy them.
Time will tell and if a FF is announced at CP+ then it is no bad thing. Even better if a new "kit" lens is also announced with it (just to keep Algi happy).
Best regards
Prefer the 70-200's on an APSC personally, makes a great 100-300, the newcomer camera is welcome as long as it does not end up diluting the K line, like Nikon seems to have done and indeed Canon let that ball slip for 4 years. If they do then it's about as welcome as a fart in a space suit, as far as I'm concerned.
The american forum should soon be flooded with el cheapo APSC Pentax and "FF" CaNikSon, win win...
My viewfinder is 576,000,000 pixels.
My other viewfinder is 5.76,000,000.
www.exaggeratedperspectives.com
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2342 posts
13 years
Storbritannia
"At CES it was a 90% ready lens.
The big zoom is ready like the 70-200.
The Fullframe SLR has a classic body,little bit like K-3 Style,but different.
Only a couple of people has seen the first pictures this week,Pentax will show more for public at CP+.
Camera could be available in Summer/little later,maybe autumn.
So,this year i get confirmed my last informations i given here,70-200,1x0-4x0 and fullframe body slr type!
It looks like that Pentax is using the CP+ for fullframe.
Like the last was made for 645Z
*lens is of course SDM.
Best regards"
So let the moaning commence! (Kidding!)
My viewfinder is 576,000,000 pixels.
My other viewfinder is 5.76,000,000.
www.exaggeratedperspectives.com