Hi all...

The DPReview Pentax talk forum is starting to buzzzz....
And there's a review from Bojidar: http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/ (follow the link at the bottom of the page) It looks liek more details will follow.

Looking at the image sizes, it looks as though Pentax have opted for three levels of JPG compression, as opposed to Canon's two (that's per image size). It looks like Pentax have chosen a different set of JPG compression values (you'll remember from PS that it ranges from 0 to 12, and in PSP from 1 to 99) Maybe the higher-quality JPG mode may satisfy some of the RAW image issues. Personally, I would most likely use the higest quality JPG setting - I would rather have a small degradation in quality but a faster write-to-card time (according to the DPReview forum the RAW mode can take quite a time per image.)

All looks positive.
(BTW, Park Cameras are a very nice company to deal with, and great if you can visit their Burgess Hill store too - packed with goodies )

Matt

Peter,

Thanks for getting the review so quickly

Actually, the ISO3200 image looks better than I expected... a quick run through NeatImage produced a really good image - most definitely usable (actually a lot better than my aging Canon S30 at ISO800).

I can see from the image numbers that you've been through a few frames Please keep the sample images coming...

It's also worth noting that write speeds to compact flash are also largely dependent on the manufacturer of the card. The interface into the card is very similar to the hard-disk interface found in most computers. However, the CF card itself has a controller that has to manage things internally. It is also possible that a virgin card can perform better than a used card, since the blocks of flash must be carefully managed (wear-levelling techniques etc). In addition, some cards provide ECC (Error Correction and Control) so that rogue bit changes can be automatically corrected. It's a complex subject... and even more so with the Lexar high speed format that the *istD supports.

That said, I don't worry too much about it (just deal with the electronics for work)

Thanks again,

Matt

Peter,

Are you inspiring jealousy "I will be getting one in the next few weeks"...?

Seriously, though, I take your point that it's more in the league of the 10D - and I should hope so too given the wait

I'll be looking forward to more reviews and more wonderful images (the Pentax ones were superb).

Matt

Just seen the news on DPReview...
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0308/03082903pentaxukistdprice.asp

Oh dear. What a pain. The "under £1000" that Peter mentioned is obviously not to be £1400 is significantly higher than that intention. I know that the "street price" is often lower, but this is a real shame given the placing of the competitor products...

It's going to have to prove itself to warrant that outlay.

Time for careful thought, and probably more of a wait.
Matt

Just to add some more thoughts...

It was good to see the announcement in the PU mag that arrived yesterday The price seems to have a large variance, but still, that sounds reasonable.

It would be nice if Pentax could provide for upgradable CCD chip/module for all those who are picky about the sensor size. Obviously tonnes more money, but then there are some that need it. For me, I don't mind, I'd rather have an excuse to get a super wide angle.

The reader's letter in the mag (sorry, can't remember the name and I don't have the mag with me here) seemed a bit extreme: to sell their MZ5N & MZS just because the new digi-SLR won't have full frame! Having had a Canon S30 for some time with not-very-wide angle lense but being able to stitch 180 and 360 degree panoramas together seemlessly has been better than I'd hoped.

Consider these price and lense multiplier facts: Canon D60 £2200srp (£1800) = 1.6x, Canon 1D £5500srp (£4000) = 1.3x, Canon 1DS £7000srp = 1.0 (full frame). If you don't believe me, take a look here: http://www.steves-digicams.com/cameras_digpro.html

Now the Pentax having a multiplier of 1.2 (for APS) and at the prices Pentax suggest seems very, very attractive. Don't knock it

Regarding imaging noise - that's not such a big problem. Even my S30 can produce usable images at 800ASA when filtered with www.neatimage.com. (It works really nicely with scanned images too - takes the grain out of my Nikon Coolscan IV scanned Fuji Provia.)

One of my main concerns is AF response speed and shutter lag which becomes important for action (not such a problem for landscapes, macro, and studio work).

Just wonder what the feature list is.... Still, not long to wait now.

Matt.
...and if Pentax would like me to do a review, please contact me

Pentcontax,

Canon thumb wheel - urghurgh! Makes me go all shivery at the thought!

If you look carefully, the "wheel" is appears to be the focus selector (around the OK button), to choose between auto, spot, and selected.

The aperture wheel is on the top right corner of the back - in the same place the Z1/Z1p have it. The shutter wheel is horizontally aligned, in front of and below the shutter release.

IMHO, that's a really comfortable arrangement... just want to try it out for real

And just to clarify a couple of things I've said earlier in this thread (so there are no misunderstandings):

* The focal length is always the same, it is just the angle of view, and hence the "effective focal length" that is 1.5x that of a 35mm camera.
* If you want to see how Fuji/Olympus/Kodak view this: http://www.four-thirds.com - there are some other technical aspects to having a smaller sensor.
* Regarding Canon AF - yes, I know it's fast in the real world and the timings look good, but it just seems sluggish in comparison to the Pentax AF. Maybe it's something to do with the algorithm that zeroes in on the correct focus.

Looking at the price war between the Canon 10D and the Sigma, I wonder quite where the Pentax will arrive? And also whether Pentax support and firmware updates will be responsive to the consumers' comments

There - said it...
Matt

Well, the new digi looks very cool (though quite how you're meant to say the name is a mystery "asterisk-ist D"?? )

Thought the first press release had an interesting point that made me chuckle:
Looks like I'll have to start saving... unless (uh-hem) Pentax want to loan me a preproduction one to do beta testing and debugging (my line of work - hint, hint).

Matt

Ooops! :0

Should have read it more carefully... there is the *ist ,and the *ist D. Found some bigger pictures of the *ist (35mm film that obviously needs rewinding - see my previous post): http://www.dpreview.com/news/0302/03021807pentax-ist.asp

Regarding the *ist D:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0302/03022602pentaxistd.asp
Which mentions a 1.5x lense multiplier. Pretty excellent stuff. So that means my newly acquired 20-35mm would serve me well as a 30mm-52mm.

Matt

Thanks clover - that's some interesting news. I was just beginning to give up on the digital SLR front. It is just not worth the cost to switch brands (as much as I like the Fuji S2 and Nikon D100), well for me at least.

If Pentax are listening... some features that would be great:

* Record priority. i.e. when your previewing an image you just half press the shutter to switch straight to record. My little Canon S30 does this very nicely - no mode changing.

* Optional live LCD preview. Most digi-SLRs seem to miss this out. Just flick the mirror up and provide a preview. It's useful for over-the-head photography in a crowd. Add to that live histogram too for getting the exposure just right.

* Microdrive support. Well, that goes without saying.

* Options for disabling sharpening, noise adjustment etc. For snap shots, dare I say it , I just shoot in JPG mode, and like no sharpening in-camera. I always, always, always edit the images in Photoshop before printing.

* Colour space choice plus some kind of RAW mode.

* Anti glare, anti scratch covering over the LCD. Obvious but not always done.

* Rubber eye cup/surround for those of us who have to wear specs all the time.

* All the same fittings as standard Pentax SLRs (flash guns, flash leads, remote shutter release, lens). Though I half expect them to use the new MZS style shutter release.

* Firewire, not USB. But then, Pentax already went that route with the first aborted attempt. (Saw the image of it in the Pentax User magazine. Very nice)

* Oh yes, and the usual massive battery life, and near zero shutter release time!! The AF speed on the Z1 I have not beaten. I've tried the Canon EOS3 and EOS50e and both are way behind... If Pentax want me to try the new camera on my run-very-fast kiddies then I'm available

For me the weight of the Z1 is superb - I prefer it to my MZ5 that weighs hardly anything. The Z1, egonomically, is fantastic, the best thing I've used so far. The weight is good too, especially when you have a hunky f2.8 lens on the front.

Having said that, I have not dared try an MZ-S just in case I like it too much...

FYI, APS film size is 30mm x 17mm as opposed to 36mm x 24mm. That gives you a les multiplier of just 1.24, so a 50mm lens will appear as a 62mm, and a 28mm lens will appear like a 35mm lens. Now in my mind that's pretty excellent compared to the Fuji S2 multiplier of 1.53, the Canon D30 multiplier of 1.60, and the Nikon D100 multiplier of 1.50. (Please correct me if I am wrong here...)

Oh yes, anyone know what happened to the pre-production models?

Matt.

Peter,

Ghuhgh, cough, choke! Zoweee :O
How can I get in the queue??!

Fantastic news indeed! Hope they pull it off without compromising quality and features!

Thanks for that info, Peter!
Matt