Jonas B wrote:
I think this is a nice reward for those having kept their Pentax MF lenses waiting for the 645D since 2005 or so.
Congrats!
/Jonas
I guess those people will be the only potential customers for this camera out of the starting gate, since Pentax stopped manufacturing 645 lenses a few years ago.
I wonder if Hoya kept the dies and tooling, or if they will have to start over with new designs? At a minimum they will need to come up with a wide-angle lens, since the old 35mm lens won't be all that wide given the hefty crop factor.
Find then here: http://www.camera-pentax.jp/645d/top.html
click "impression", then click the feather box to the right of each photographer.
Not too bad. Wish they were full size, but this will have to do for now.
molson wrote:
I guess those people will be the only potential customers for this camera out of the starting gate, since Pentax stopped manufacturing 645 lenses a few years ago.
I wonder if Hoya kept the dies and tooling, or if they will have to start over with new designs? At a minimum they will need to come up with a wide-angle lens, since the old 35mm lens won't be all that wide given the hefty crop factor.
I'm pretty sure they kept the tooling, they just didn't put it back into service after the move (note the halting of manufacturing was concurrent with Pentax's move away from Japan for all lens production).
HawaiianOnline wrote:
Interesting. Many of the specs are similar to the K7's. Makes me wonder if they share quite a bit of the same "guts" other than the larger sensor and the necessary systems to cope with the larger files. Also, I noticed that it is SDM compatible. Since all of Pentax's SDM lenses are designed around their APS-C sensor cameras, then this implies that new medium format SDM lenses will be forthcoming. Their lens roadmap indicated a new 55mm MF lens, but I don't remember anything about it being SDM.
Pending the hands on reviews, I'd have to say bravo Pentax. Quite a feature set at $9,400. Now, bring on those new lenses. I have a feeling that the new lenses will be priced to offset the low price of the 645D. If the reviews pan out, there's going to be quite a demand for this camera....Show more →
The 55mm MF lens announced at the same time is SDM. Check dpreview.
They've done away with the aperture ring, just like they did on aps-c format lenses and gone with SDM, a problem riddled "improvement". A "SDM failure" google search will yield many results, more so if you drill down on a specific lens like 16-50mm SDM for those interested in researching SDM 's pluses & minuses. Here's an online Petition from Pentax enthusiasts concerning the ongoing & ignored SDM Failures:
Please correct me if I am wrong but isn't there a EU ban on sale on brand new old stock 645 and 6x7 glass due to lead oxide content in the glass elements ? If so wouldn't these existing old designs have to be changed when using lead free glass ?
Also, I find extreme purple fringing when using older Pentax made lenses when I use my old 6mp CCD K-Mount Digital, and less with my K20D CMOS sensor. I wonder if the old 645 glass and 6x7 glass will also exhibit extreme purple fringing on 645D's CCD sensor ?
Spyro P. wrote:
So what better specs does the S2 have over this to justify the double+ price? framerate? It looks like the Pentax has a bigger sensor, better LCD, better ISO, better viewfinder and more lenses to choose from.
Edit: Oh and probably better AF.
well, there's flash sync for one thing, and how do you know the ISO, viewfinder and AF are better? The AF in the S2 doesn't need micro-adjustment, and you don't have to 'touch-up' the focus; it hits and sticks. Is the number of focus points your metric?
More lenses to choose from, check. The question is, what optical flaws will be revealed on this sensor? I have to say it's tempting - if there are any decent long lenses.
I can pretty much guarantee the S lenses will run circles around the existing Pentax 645 lenses. Having used the Leica 280mm f/4 APO for several years, the number of long lenses from any manufacturer I'd consider 'decent' is very very few, and Leica considers the S lenses their best to date.
i have more Limiteds than most people ever see in one place even at a camera dealers because i have more than one of each. i used to have more FA* lenses than most people ever see in one place too but i found them lousy on the digital bodies and i have sold off most of them. when they make a body that is remotely close to the quality of their high end lenses and isn't more than 5 years behind the competition in basic performance features then maybe i will stop complaining.
do a K7 portrait shoot with someone and have 1/3 of them ruined because of misfocus and almost that many with questionable exposure while shooting with any of my Nikon bodies and instead trying to decide which eyelash in focus looks better is the kind of difference i am talking about. randomly half an inch front or back focus with the same lens is not a calibration issue. moving or standing still doesn't make any difference. good light or bad doesn't either. it took only 7 years for Pentax to upgrade their exposure metering system from what was originally announced with the *istD to a system that is not as good as my Nikon D70s. the D70s AF is still better than the K7's. when the K7 actually gets it right with the DA* 55 or FA 77 and i get results that simply are not available with other lenses. the frustration of dealing with the constant almost rights leaves me cold. luckily, the portrait shoots are for friends and relations and they don't mind. my gallery work gets done with my D3 or D3X because i don't have time to deal with almost right when people are paying money.
Herb...
tsjanik wrote:
Yes, Pentax has a history of producing a good camera at a good price; apparently, Hoya plans to honor that tradition.
Herb has some valid criticisms of Pentax, but he is so negative you wonder why he pays attention to anything Pentax produces.
those components and the R&D can't cost a lot or they would not be in the K-x.
Herb...
Daniel Heineck wrote:
It makes total sense to share electronics with the smaller dslr brethren--much cheaper, way larger installment base, simplified engineering, etc.
many of those lens designs require lead or arsenic glass. they'll never be made again.
Herb...
molson wrote:
I wonder if Hoya kept the dies and tooling, or if they will have to start over with new designs? At a minimum they will need to come up with a wide-angle lens, since the old 35mm lens won't be all that wide given the hefty crop factor.
Herb, I wonder if you sold all your remaining existing pentax gear you could then buy the Leica S2 ?
Nice thing about Pentax is the lenses hold their value well, if bought right in first place.
Their dslrs become about worthless in 3 years time, so thats always a loss.
HerbChong wrote:
i have more Limiteds than most people ever see in one place even at a camera dealers because i have more than one of each. i used to have more FA* lenses than most people ever see in one place too but i found them lousy on the digital bodies and i have sold off most of them. when they make a body that is remotely close to the quality of their high end lenses and isn't more than 5 years behind the competition in basic performance features then maybe i will stop complaining.
do a K7 portrait shoot with someone and have 1/3 of them ruined because of misfocus and almost that many with questionable exposure while shooting with any of my Nikon bodies and instead trying to decide which eyelash in focus looks better is the kind of difference i am talking about. randomly half an inch front or back focus with the same lens is not a calibration issue. moving or standing still doesn't make any difference. good light or bad doesn't either. it took only 7 years for Pentax to upgrade their exposure metering system from what was originally announced with the *istD to a system that is not as good as my Nikon D70s. the D70s AF is still better than the K7's. when the K7 actually gets it right with the DA* 55 or FA 77 and i get results that simply are not available with other lenses. the frustration of dealing with the constant almost rights leaves me cold. luckily, the portrait shoots are for friends and relations and they don't mind. my gallery work gets done with my D3 or D3X because i don't have time to deal with almost right when people are paying money.
