Because it's not about ultimate IQ for me, it's the other benefits you get from a larger format - smoother tonal graduation, shallower DoF if you want it, and depending on the sensor more dynamic range or lower noise. If Pentax release a D-FA 24-100/4 or similar I'd look at that, but I'll continue to shoot film and need an FF lens with an aperture ring for my LX. I'm looking at FA* lenses but waiting to see what happens and thinking the FA31 & FA77 might be my preferred option.

I'd buy an FF body just to use my FA43 on it.

Hi John, I'm pretty sure that spot-metering works with older lenses, matrix defaults to centre-weighted though.

IIRC the Z-1 matrix metering had a 'highlight compensation' algorithm - basically if it was reading higher than 'sunny 16' would suggest - it would increase exposure assuming the subject was lighter than 18%. White-washed buildings in full sun were exposed as white on Kodachrome 25.

The FA*16-50/2.8 is optimised for the APS-C image circle, it's not possible to achieve this focal range/aperture/IQ/price in a 'FF' lens - the FF equivalent is an FA28-70/2.8 which was probably more than £1000 in 1991 (extrapolate this for 2015 prices if you wish). Today a Nikon 24-70/2.8 is over £1200 and the Canon equivalent is over £1400.

Some Pentax shooters have predicted an FF body and have suitable lenses lined up and ready. An FA28-80 f/3.5-4.7 costs about £20 from ebay (if it sells at all) - whilst it may not get the best out of an FF body*, the soon to be released digital equivalent is likely to be at least 15-20x this price.

* Mine works fine on my K-5 and was very good on film too (Kodachrome 25).

Hi Gary, I'm sure the new sensor will probably out resolve some FA lenses - this isn't my concern - I'd be happy if the FA lenses maintain their edge/corner performance on a FF sensor (lpmm compared to film). The FF body will give my FF lenses their true focal lengths back which is more important than absolute IQ. I haven't used my FA43, FA20-35 or FA50 on my K-5 simply because the equivalent focal lengths don't float my boat.

You mean you haven't - I think it needs to be confiscated!

Stop it!

It depends on the film, for mono or colour print I wouldn't worry about it, for slide film maybe do some tests and adjust accordingly. The meters in these old cameras (Spotmatics) were crude anyway and the metering cells have probably lost some sensitivity by now as well.

It's important to put things into perspective. The usual wide-angle on FF is 28mm (24mm at a push) - anything wider than this is exotic and expensive. DA lenses are (quite rightly) optimised for the APS-C sensor - some that were derived from FA lenses probably cover an FF frame OK (the 35/2.4 & 50/1.8 might be examples of this).

I've always shot film with manual cameras, as such I have a bunch of FF lenses (K, M, F & FA series) that will provide the coverage for an FF frame - I have specifically bought these (sometimes at high prices) for compatibility with my film cameras (I need the coverage & aperture rings). There are users who have used these lenses on non-native FF sensors with adapters who report good results - a Pentax FF should equal or better these results as there are no 3rd party adapters to get in the way.

Pentax will no doubt offer a reasonable range of FF lenses (note the modern preference to zooms over primes), so they will be available. The obvious super-wide-angle zoom is the FA20-35/4 - can't wait to try mine out... doesn't matter if it's not as good on digital* - I'll still need it for film.

* Note: I've seen reports this works fine on FF sensors with adapters.

john.

That's not helping helping very much! BTW, I could see the original fine in the forum.

I have the Standard 1700 System (but wished I'd bought the Major 2300 when I moved into medium format), that said I'd be happy to put the P67 on top of it. I did compare the two at the time - the 2300 was a serious piece of metal.

If you haven't used a Uni-Loc/Benbo before - be very careful when setting it up. Don't let go of the camera until you've tightened the bolt properly and made sure the setup is balanced before letting go (you can set them up in unstable configurations without really thinking about it) - it can feel like wrestling with an octopus in a soap factory sometimes!

John.

Beautiful image of a seemingly ordinary object and excellent use of light & shadow. Sadly few 'labels' are embossed on objects made today.