Not keen in the Pellacle mirror myself due to its inherent problem of only allowing 70% of the light through to the sensor. This means that you have to increase the time by 30%, reduce the shutter speed by 30% or raise the ISO by 30%. However the bonus is that Sony have to produce impressive performing sensors as a result, so us Pentaxians and indeed Nikonites have impressive low light sensors.

Now to that Ricoh. Long term it could be good generally, as you already have the "body", and all Ricoh have to do is to produce improved modules, thereby you only have to buy them long term, rather than keep buying all new cameras everytime.

Dont forget a 2x converter too.....

Sorry to hear it John. I never bought an *ist, but with hindsight I should have at the time, with its AF points. I will have to keep an eye on my MZ-5n and MZ-50 as a result.

RIP *ist

I only ask because of what has recently been announced and rumoured.

1. New and improved Optio range. – They need doing. And with Ricoh not exactly big in this area, it might happen. Not a big money maker, but who knows?

2. The Pentax Q system – Beautifully made and best performing 1/2.3” camera by a long way. A true Premium product. Could be Pentax’s masterstroke.

3. Un-named and unknown spec CSC camera – The entry into the fastest accelerating market sector. Micro 4/3rds, NX and Sony NEX watch out.

4. A true “third” DSLR above the K-r and K-5. With the likelihood of Sony making all of theirs SLT in the next 18months, it could prove another masterstroke. Ricoh really want Pentax to be the foremost alternative to CaNikon in the “proper” DSLR arena.

5. The 645D – The camera we ALL aspire to. The best studio and landscape camera for the price (and more). Still want that Hasselblad or PhaseONE?

The only areas missing are the Bridge camera (possibly a dying breed and yes there is the X series, but they are third party OEM models and not exactly cutting edge) the premium compact (leave that to the Ricoh GX/GR/GXR models), and the Full Frame DSLR (not in the short term – but who knows long term?)

Excited? I am!

Whilst we are speculating about the mount, here is an announcement from Sony about making the E-mount sort of open source for lens makers.

http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201102/11-018E/index.html

Whilst it does'nt make any mention about other makes using the mount for cameras, it does seem that they want to expand the mount further.

Maybe, secretly, Sony want to make it the big rival to micro 4/3rds.

It would make sense for a company like Pentax to buy into a mount, rather than develop a whole new mount for a larger mirrorless camera, I would fully understand if they make their own mount. (they did afterall with the Q system)

Very similar indeed. I think you have hit the nail on the head there Anvh

I did hear this rumour when the Q was about to be announced. It seems that it is probably a goer.

I also heard that Samsung and Pentax split not on the best of terms (not long after the Hoya takeover - perhaps Samsung themselves were looking at buying Pentax......) So the likelyhood of a Pentax badged NX seems unlikely.

As for this new mirrorless being a k-mount, that would be unlikely too as the k-lenses are configured for a camera for a mirror, and a mirrorless would defeat the object somewhat as you would still have to have the same distance between the back of the lens and the sensor, even if it had no mirror.

I will expect a new mount, with perhaps a converter for k-lenses and contacts for SDM lenses (no screw for normal AF lenses)

What odds of Pentax getting into bed with Sony and use the E-mount thereby providing a big rival to the micro 4/3rds system? It could happen.
Or, they could sign up to 4/3rds itself as it is a so called "universal" standard.....But then again maybe not.

My hunch is certainly an APS-C sensor, with either their own mount or a shared mount like the E-system.

I know what you mean, but I can see where he is coming from.

My wide DA's (18-55 and 16-45) both suffer from vignetting wide open on my film body. But, my 35mm DA and 50-135 DA* dont.
Like I said in my original post, I did mention the wides. Would be interesting if the DA14 DA15Ltd and DA21 do too. (my guess is the 21 will be fine, the 14 and 15 will suffer)

Needless to say, there will be no FF Pentax in the forseeable, that does'nt mean that they won't, just that it is not something they actually need at the moment - the priority for them is to increase sales and the existing range of cameras, lenses and accessories.

I take it you want something second-hand rather than new.

For good viewfinders, then the K10D/K20D range are great, Pentaprism as opposed to Pentamirror.

There is a third camera that is all but forgotten. The *istDS. Yes it's "only" 6Mp, yes it "only" takes AA batteries, but, it is well made, takes SDHC cards (with firmware upgrade) has the Pentaprism viewfinder, unlike it's 6MP successors like the *istDL, K100D, K110D, K200D etc.

Oh and yes, from personal experience with manual lenses, The DS is far better using manual lenses than the K10D/K20D. Don't know why, but the results and focussing with old lenses are better with my DS and K-5 over my K10D/K20D. You could also try and find a Samsung GX-1S, this is basically the *istDS with a larger LCD on the back (aka *istDS2 not sold in the UK)

The downside? Try and find an *istDS, or someone who is willing to part with theirs (don't bother asking me, I am keeping mine....LOL)

Hope this helps.

Yes they do, but normally just in front of the sensor. This is placed well away from the sensor, flush with the mount, and making a sealed unit. It might not be a bypass filter, just a protective window that is easy to clean, yet has no effect on the IQ, it even seemed to have some sort of coating on it.