Adobe DNG is an "open standard" and should be supported for a very long time to come.
Pentax PEF files are smaller - they are compressed (losslessly) - whereas DNGs from the camera are larger.
If you want the portability of DNG, and a better compression too you can run the PEFs through Adobe's stand alone DNG converter - this will produce very compact DNG files.

Before you do this, check what your current RAW conversion software supports (most supports DNG).

EDIT: No difference in quality at all. All compression on Pentax PEF files is lossless (ie nothing thrown away).

Matt

Just found some interesting stuff on Tilt & Shift... and thought I'd Google for any DIY versions

Looks fun stuff!

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Step-into-the-world-of-miniature-with-David-Cl...

http://www.zoerk.com/pages/p_mfs.htm (available in P-K... but it's expensive)

DIY:
http://www.creativepro.com/article/build-a-tilt-shift-camera-lens-peanuts
http://www.make-digital.com/make/vol09/?pg=146

http://www.foundphotography.com/PhotoThoughts/archives/2008/02/build_a_tiltshift...


The Zork thingamy looks very nice... I'll have to see what I can rustle up
Matt

I already started a thread in the Medium Format forum - "PMA Announcement"


Matt

Not sure what happened to the original inline image, but the image is here - http://bp2.blogger.com/_JysVcL3YkM0/Rn6RRuWAbFI/AAAAAAAAAVM/5gGILIfTT24/s1600-h/...



Where's the belly button
This link makes interesting reading...

Matt

Agree on the PR/Website etc. But in general I do like the Pentax design philosophy.

Nathan,
I had a good look at the D300, and considered the same as you. This is what I gleaned:

1. RAW IQ is actually more or less the same as far as I can tell
2. Metering is probably better on the Nikon. But then in studio situations this is not relevant.
3. Nikon AF is faster, but possibly less accurate
4. Nikon is about 50% more expensive compared to equivalent Pentax gear
5. Nikon low end gear has fewer features compared to Pentax low end (I wanted compatibility of lenses etc for wife & son who have lower spec dSLRs).
6. Pentax is lighter
7. Pentax glass is legendary, but perhaps limited in lens choice
8. Nikon flash has more control, especially remotely. However, I reckon I've pretty much mastered the "undocumented" stuff of the Pentax flash system and made available via my e-book. Again, for studio work this is largely not relevant.
9. Don't compare K10D against D300. Rather compare K20D against D300
10. Pentax allow a LOT of customisation of controls. Nikon does not offer buttonless adjustment of ISO that Pentax does (I'd miss that!)

For me I ended upgrading to the K20D. Wow! Incredible difference - at least for me with low light level stuff. Focus seems a bit quicker too. Micro AF adjustment is very helpful.

I pin-pointed the cause of my "niggles" - it had more to do with my composition, technique and exhaustion rather than anything technical in the camera

Overall I am very pleased with the K20D over the K10D. Add to that that I haven't actually used or handled the D300. Didn't particular "gel" with the D200 though when I tried it... but if someone wants to lend me some Nikon gear for a few weeks then I'll give a comparative review

Matt

It will also depend on whether the magnification is describing a linear (ie magnification on one side) or an area... that would make a big difference.
I'm really curious now... and will have to work out a way of calculating it reliably...
Matt

Other announcements (in Japanese only at the mo'):

67II and 645NII production to cease. Last runs of 250 & 450 during April 2009.
http://www.pentax.jp/japan/news/announce/20090324.html

This quote from Babelfish was particularly interesting:


Matt

Just seen this on Pentax Japan:
http://www.pentax.jp/english/news/2009/200905.html

645 Digital & smc PENTAX-D FA645 55mm F2.8
http://www.pentax.jp/japan/news/2009/200907.html

Expected release 2010
Matt



If you're wondering about the time.... insomnia

Av and M for me
Matt

I did read that 11x on the K20D was 1:1, but looking at Terry's calcs I'm now unsure...
Matt