Bump

I have never had the pleasure of using one myself, but many rate the 'A' 135mm F1.8 as one of the best lenses Pentax ever produced. 18 months ago I would have thought that it would have sold very quickly at twice the price offered.

As for the rest , well I have sold copies of the 'A' 50mm F1.4 and 'A' 24 F2.8 in the last year for approximately £100, which again is down on what they used to go for.

Regards - Steve

You have a pm

Regards - Steve

Agreed, me too!
Patent that one![/quote]The problem I have found is that a lens can front focus at one end of its range and back focus at the other. I have experienced this with DA* 16-50, DA*50-135 and DA 16-45. It is a lesser problem on the K5 compared with the K10, but it still exists and as a result the adjustments I make are always a compromise.
So to expand on this idea I would like the option to save at least three AF adjustments per lens.

Regards - Steve

I had this happen with the K10. In my case the screen had become slightly decentred in its frame. If you feel confident, you could try lowering the frame and then carefully relocate the screen.

Google Pentax screen replacement for how to do this.

Regards Steve

Nikon use Aptina for the Nikon 1 and I believe they may also have been talking to them about a FF sensor link

Regards - Steve

Hi Jules, well you can't blame them, its their IP , that they have spent time and money on developing. Providing they are not breaking any competition laws , which I am sure they are not, they are free to sell or not sell their products to whoever they want.

I think you are right about the sensor in question being the one used in the D800. From memory Nikon had exclusive rights to it for 12 months.

We know that Nikon chose the Toshiba sensor for the D7100, and I also read that Nikon were looking at alternatives for their next gen FF sensor, so maybe Sony are no longer prepared to grant exclusivity.

Slightly changing focus (pardon the pun), but I still believe that modularity is the way to go and it seems Nikon are thinking the same. They apparently filed a patent last year for a DSLR with an interchangeable sensor.

Now what if Pentax built a totally modular system, available on a pay for use, or lease to buy option? No more casting out perfectly good bodies, just upgrade to include the latest and greatest. True systems customisable with a wide range of add ons, such as interchangeable viewfinders; sports/action AF modules, WIFI/GPS modules ect

We are told that camera manufacturers make nothing on cameras and that it is the glass that makes the money. So Pentax differentiate by making the best handling most customisable camera on the market. Throw in an option to buy into free tech upgrades during the term of the agreement. There is definitely money to be made there.

Now that would be truly disruptive innovation and flip the market.

Regards - Steve

The point that I was trying to make is that the sensor manufacturer holds a great deal of power. The fact that Sony is both sensor supplier and competitor weakens Pentax's position. It stands to reason that Sony's camera division will always have first dibs on its technology.
I did read that in the recent past Nikon negotiated a time limited exclusivity deal on a sensor, but Pentax do not have the same buying power.
Yes there may will be continuity agreements, but I suggest very little influence. The rumoured new models seem to me to be appearing earlier than expected and I can't help but wonder if, Sony having made its decision, have not forced Pentax into an earlier than planned launch.

As I stated previously the Samsung-Pentax alliance to me made great sense. The implementation of the alliance and the manufacture of competing products did not. To my mind that was a missed opportunity on both sides.

I am confident that Pentax engineers will get the most out of any sensor they are given, but I am equally resigned to the fact that if it is a Sony sensor, then they will be playing catch-up.

Anyway this is all rumour and conjecture at the moment, so lets be optimistic and be enthused by the level of investment that Ricoh are pumping into the Pentax brand.

Regards - Steve

And therein lies the rub. When it comes to arguably the most important component of the system Pentax are at the whim of the sensor supplier. If that is Sony, then they are always going to be playing catch -up. It was for me, why the earlier tie-in with Samsung made sense, but I guess cultural differences played their part there.

From what I have read on DXO the 20Mp is nothing to get excited about and for most K5 users would represent a drop in overall IQ.

These are still only rumours, so I guess we will have to wait until mid February to see , what is actually announced. I was initially excited by the thought of a KL, but Pentax would have to sprinkle a liberal amount of pixie dust on that Sony sensor to get my interest.

Regards - Steve

The HD Pentax-DA 135-380mm f/4-5.6 ED [IF] DC WR is what I have been waiting for. I was hoping for 400mm at the long end, but you can't have everything. If the IQ is there then I will most probably sell the 55 - 300

DA 16-50,DA 50-135,DA 135-380, though not a lightweight combination would be my go to kit.

Regards - Steve