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Pentax continues full frame DSLR tease with sample photos

Published Jan 28, 2016 | Brittany Hillen

See more of Ricoh's first samples with the Pentax full-frame camera

In September 2015, Ricoh published a teaser website for a Pentax full-frame DSLR set to launch in spring 2016. Additional teasers have been released on occasion since the website went live, including a new one today. In this latest post, Ricoh has released a pair of sample photos alongside details about the HD PENTAX-D FA 24-70mm F2.8 ED SDM WR lens and how it functions with the upcoming full-frame camera.

We got a look at an early mockup of the elusive Pentax full-frame DSLR at CP+ in February 2015. The post below is Ricoh's latest update on the camera; the new sample photos can be viewed on the Pentax teaser website.

D FA 24-70mm F2.8ED SDM WR: for well-depicted, fine-detailed images

The HD PENTAX-D FA 24-70mm F2.8ED SDM WR lens has a 17-element, 12-group optical construction featuring three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements, one anomalous-dispersion glass element, and three aspherical elements. It delivers high-contrast, high-resolution images with extra-fine details across the image field — from the center to the edges — while effectively compensating for a variety of aberrations.

When mounted on a PENTAX 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera body, this lens can be used as a standard zoom lens, with a zoom ratio of approximately 2.9-times, covering focal-length ranges from ultra-wide angle to standard. It captures unique, eye-catching images with an exaggerated perspective and a wide depth of field, making it ideal not only for sweeping landscapes, but also for confined indoor scenes with limited depth. Its weather-resistant structure prevents the intrusion of water into the interior. When coupled with a weather-resistant PENTAX 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera body, it creates a dependable, durable imaging system that performs superbly even in the rain or mist, or at locations prone to splashing water.

Via: PentaxRumors

Tags: camera-news, full-frame, pentax, ricoh

Comments

Total comments: 344

Pentax showed actual mockups of the camera at a couple of trade shows. Lots of photos of the mockups at http://www.ogunturkay.com/blog/?tag=ff

0 upvotes

The keyword here is "mock".

0 upvotes

The one shown in February last year was a plastic prototype probably without internal parts, just a lens mount. The one in Paris in October 2015 was according to many people a working prototype.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 3 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

I'm quite sure the camera they made (last year?) the sample images at http://www.pentax.com/en/pentaxff/ was a bit more advanced than a 3D-printed mockup. Some say it was even capable of taking pictures.

0 upvotes

This camera looks amazing, a real beast! My next camera for sure. My beautiful FA Limiteds can hardly stand the wait!

3 upvotes

Olympus will be the only camera brand without a full frame DSLR from the original big 6 Japanese camera makers (Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Minolta and Konica) of the 1970s. Konica of course never made it to the digital age, and even Contax/Yashica marketed a full frame before withdrawing from the photo equipment market.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

1 upvote

"Olympus will be the only camera brand without a full frame DSLR from the original big 6 Japanese camera makers (Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Minolta and Konica) of the 1970s."

Olympus was the first of them to exit the DSLR market. :)

1 upvote

If you count camera makers using their own mounts.
Otherwise, Kodak was first, followed by Fujifilm.

0 upvotes

The big reward for me is;Finally there is a Pentax FF camera.
there is no bad camera now even mobiles camera produce decent pics.
a pentax full frame means that the company is alive!!

2 upvotes

FUGLY photos for sampling, imho

0 upvotes

Pentax headquarters have been compromised: the guy who picked these photos works for Nikon!

But Nikon's headquarters are also under attack: the guy who raised Nikon prices by 18% works for Pentax!

8 upvotes

And the guy who holds back usefull features in firmware updates for the Nikon 1 series cameras works for Olympus.

5 upvotes

Sounds like Ken Follett has a good subject for his next trilogy.

- - Shutter of The Gods

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

We had good giggles and pointing of fingers at the Pentax pics but after all that I appreciate the effort and I look forward to seeing what comes out.

1 upvote

These seem to be teasing anyone with any remaining faith in the company.

Everyone else just gets a good old laugh out of it.

1 upvote

He who laugh last, laugh best. Only a few days to go...

12 upvotes

Wouldl you laugh if you got a Nikon D810 1000 dollars cheaper? Because K-1 will compete directly against D810, with the same sensor, more features for much less money.

7 upvotes

I'll be laughing for as long as Pentax sticks to their antiquated K mount system. Doesn't matter if it's free. But I'll be laughing even harder when they'll put a price for this stuff. Too bad the Pentaxians won't be able to laugh as well.

0 upvotes

The K mount is a very long lasting love. It lasts because its loved.

I'm sure buyers will be thrilled by their new camera and think it was well worth it. Pentax will be thrilled by the reception in the market. What you think is irrelevant since you obviously wont be a part of the thrill.

1 upvote

Haters gonna hate.

0 upvotes

Pentax K was introduced in 1975, Nikon F in 1959, so why does nikon stick to his even older mount?
if it works, dont change it...

1 upvote

By the time the Pentax is available Nikon will have a D900 and D810 be around 1800USD.

Pentax are just too slow to market.

0 upvotes

scrup: have you noticed the delay of D500? ;-)
Nikon introduces its cameras quickly, but then either delays them or solves problems on the fly.

1 upvote

Are those from New Zealand?

Third one looks very much like Queenstown.

First photo, clouds in sky, moss covered rocks/grass in front, looks like s hit?!

1 upvote

Yes it does, and is DPReview's doing - a botched resize.
The original looks like this:
http://www.pentax.com/en/pentaxff/images/img_160114_1.jpg
Not exactly awe inspiring, but at least it's sharp.

2 upvotes

Um I'm sorry man, but even that original you've linked to looks like a cell phone photo from several years ago.

Pentax need a solid kick up the a$$ for their p1ss poor marketing. Always great products, with crap marketing.

0 upvotes

That's your opinion, and I disagree.

0 upvotes

Like wise.

Seriously man, what is there to get excited about from that bland as picture? Other than it works, as in appears to be physically capable of taking a photo.

What has Pentax gained by releasing that shot? It doesn't show anything of interest or wow factor.

1 upvote

When did I ever expressed excitement about those images? Yes, they're quite bland. They're low res, but that's to be expected of any images made with prototype cameras.

That it works, you see, it's an important point. For example, that the DA 560 (which was designated an APS-C only lens by some silly "review") actually covers the FF image circle. That the DA* 55mm covers the format as well. Even that the D FA 24-70 works for star tracing.
It could have been executed better, but what they're doing makes sense.

As I said, if they hired an actor and only posted some well-made videos showing parts of the camera - like Nikon did with the Df - all would be fine. And we'd still not know if we can use those DAs ;-)

2 upvotes

yes I thought also Queenstown.

1 upvote

Got it. Intersection of Wakatipu Heights and Edinburgh Dr and Hensman Rd, Queenstown.

If you google map this, you can see the Pentax testers at work ;)

https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-45.0316656,168.6777033,3a,75y,184.24h,81.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sKnbS4C-yplk-Xdp4pMOeSg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1?hl=en

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 5 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Finally there is a Pentax FF camera!!! I'm getting one for sure as i have a bunch of K-mount lenses. It seems like it's going to be a nice camera, probably with a Sony 36mpx sensor (?) and a bunch of Pentax niceties from the K3ii, including weather-sealed magnesium body, IBIS, pixel-shift resolution, gps, astrotracer (...) then add wi-fi and an articulated screen and a couple of "shortcut" knobs on the top. Maybe even a new AF system, we shall see.

Pity they botched the K1's marketing debut with such uninteresting and low-rez pictures....

8 upvotes

Why being so acerbic and bitter, Yxa !
If you read carefully, I mentioned in my previous post, the Nikon D300, which was annonced in August 2007 ; not the D300s !!!
( I still have my D300...)
I do not know if Pentaxians are good in maths, you seems to know better, however, reading classes could be beneficial to you !
Since , in the past , I had 3 different Pentax bodies, I see the coming
Pentax FF, as a real option... you seems to differ , which is fine...

1 upvote

We know this camera will probably produce better images than that.

But I have to agree with many people who commented about Pentax's choice of images to promote the new FF camera... What a disappointment.

Give 5 pre-production cameras to decent Pentax photographers and let them come back with the best images possible to promote this product!

Despite the drab images, I am still looking forward to seeing what Ricoh has produced with this new camera.

1 upvote

lk 1 is my next buy even with those negative comments!

13 upvotes

I've been waiting to purchase a FF until the K1 and causally after its release because of one thing - lenses. I'm not interested in old lenses because I shot with the FA77ltd on a K-01 and was not impressed. I'm not really interested in zooms unless they are like the SIGMA 18-35 1.8 zoom - an equivalent to a range of fast primes. So, I will continue to wait until I see some lenses on the roadmap. For me, it's not an investment because I don't make money of of the expense. I need to be wise with my money. So I need a system with the right lenses. I prefer Ricoh - Pentax. But so far the lense lineup doesn't motivate me.

0 upvotes

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - I plan to get the FF, and would want some modern primes to replace my APS-C DA Limiteds.
Sure, covering a large focal range with zooms was necessary, but the next step should be a nice set of primes. There are rumors that's exactly what they'll be doing... we'll see in a few weeks.

4 upvotes

Pentax too late to the FF party ! I disagree ! Competition is good ! It took 8 years to Nikon to bring a D300' replacement ! And, the new D500, is a ''beast', ! Who knows what Pentax will bring us, with the K1 !
Too big ? If the dimensions provided are accurate, the new FF is not as wide
as the K3 ! However, lets hope that Pentax brings better AF components and a stronger mechanism, for their new coming lenses ...

8 upvotes

They said that Pentax was too late with digital. They said that Pentax was too late with digital medium format. They say Pentax is too late with the FF DSLR.
People keep saying all sort of nonsense.

27 upvotes

8 years are you positively certain of that?
D300s was launched the 2009-07-30 and the D500 was launched 2016-01-05

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 10 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Pentax is too late to the FF party. What possible advantages in photo quality of every metric can it offer over the K3? I can already shoot in the lowest light. I can already make huge enlargements if I need to. Why would I or most of the world, which clearly now favors smaller sized cameras, want to spend more money on a larger and heavier camera with fewer updated lenses for what can only be a marginal increase in visible quality. Pentax would have been better off producing faster and more durable AF mechanism, or even lenses with built-in SR as an option (I've always found the built-in SR in their cameras to be rather mediocre and not competitive with Canon or Nikon).

1 upvote

Why would people get cameras with APS-C or 4/3 sensors when its just marginally visibly better then 1" sensors. Why would people buy cameras with 1" sensors if ... The question is recursive. You just have to realize that some people have marginally higher demands then you and accept marginally larger cameras with marginally higher prices to get there.

3 upvotes

By that logic, the 645Z was the worst mistake ever - nobody needs one, nobody bought one. We know it was a resounding success, with the demand double the estimate.

What's more, if we look at how Canon and Nikon got their advanced AF systems - those were developed in higher end cameras, and tricked down to lower models. A FF camera will allow Pentax to develop more advanced (thus expensive) technologies as well.
Sure, Samsung did just with APS-C. I rest my case.

4 upvotes

Not worried about megapixels but low light performance yes.
I can shoot in the lowest of light with my K3 also, but it's garbage compared to a D750 or similar.
I value the extra stop or two, but other than that nothing more I need. However, talk to those who made the jump and many have told me the images from the FF are noticeably enough better.
K3 is a very good cam, but as a retailer told me the other day, Pentax don't have a proper range to push out there. He believes that the K1 will improve things.

1 upvote

ISO performance and better dynamic range.......i guess that's enough.

0 upvotes

too late may be but the game is not over.
fuji and sony are building a new system from scratch.
there is always a place on the party!

1 upvote

It's not over until the fat lady sings!

2 upvotes

Yup, but IMHO i don't see price leap from APSC to FF as 'marginal' tough with canikon..

0 upvotes

with that line of thinking... why another company would build a car if other has already done, why build a different car, nobody almost never needs airbags... and so on. And by the way I think SR in Pentax cameras are quite impressive. And durable AF? you mean it breaks? I have no issues with AF on K50 nor on K3II ( which is magnificent piece of equipment for the price by the way )

3 upvotes

There is a lot of negative criticism I see here... But guess what- it does not bother me- this is my next camera! These "flat and uninspiring photos" show a good dynamic range and iso which is all one requires to create his own fantastic shot. Further, i think any publicity is a good publicity... Imagine, near the day of the launch they can pump out some excellent artistic images and videos and suddenly change the playing field!

7 upvotes

If this camera is going to have a Sony sensor, is there any chance it will be the sony FF BSI as found now in the A7RII?
Pentax might be bringing a Sony sensor (of any size) to the market in this camera but hopefully they will bring it in a more photographer-friendly minimum-fiddle durable body. They can sell a lot of Sony sensors this way so why not sell it with the best available sensor at the moment?

1 upvote

There is a chance, but IMO a slim one; the 42MP might simply be too expensive (the A7R II is $3200).

Pentax cameras are photographer-friendly, and their top of the line K-series are pretty durable, too. The FF should be better built than the similarly priced competition's models.

6 upvotes

Why settle for what is currently best? I would rather have one that is based on the Nikon D810 sensor and BSI treated. Its going to be a long three weeks to find out.

0 upvotes

I thought I read somewhere that it uses the same 36MP Sony sensor found in the D810

0 upvotes

Me too, but its clearly wild speculations, wishes, hopes and guesses. So is the "rumors" about 24 Mp, 42 Mp and so on.

People tend to just compare to existing cameras and assume or hope for the same, rather then hoping for some improvement over the competition. I'm sure Pentax wont embarrass themselves by selecting a sub par sensor in the much anticipated flagship.

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Subpar as the Sony 36 Mpix?

0 upvotes

D810 has a good sensor, but It should meet and does meet good competition by two years newer and further developed sensors. I don't think Pentax will be satisfied by just matching a two year old sensor. K-1 are suppose to be a jawdropping flagship.

If K-1 gets 36 Mp, I feel quite sure it will be better then the D810 sensor. For instance with BSI technology or stacking for faster readout or lower read noise for high ISOs, lower thermal noise for long exposures or other improvements.

0 upvotes

SimenO1
Do you think it's likely that Pentax K1 will be the camera where a new Sony sensor is used for the first time?
And the K1 will be launched in the spring of 2016?

Comment edited 5 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

As someone who shoots a lot of low ISO landscape, I'd really prefer the ISO 64-native D810 sensor over the 42MP A7RII sensor which has a little less DR.

0 upvotes

Maybe this is sample coming from an assistant tasked to find interesting location to shoot, shoot with it's camera-phone?!?

Not only are they uninspired, but they also haven't be processed carefully, they clearly don't deserve it, but a new Full Frame system deserve much more attention to details.

Should I have been Pentax, I would have find young (or old) new photographers that do inspired and original work, and let them play with it a week or two, to have an original and inexpensive portfolio that surprise.

These photos are great to sell a 2010 smartphone!

6 upvotes

What one expects from a Pentax camera with a Sony sensor is..A wonderful machine. No hesitation!!!

5 upvotes

I've always been a big Pentax fan and supporter...but these sample images are horrible! What the heck is Pentax thinking? I tend to believe that the camera will be really good...but this is no way to market a product and advance the bottom line! A 90-yr old grandma taking a photo for the first time with an iPhone could produce better images than the ones on display!

3 upvotes

Once again, this is DPReview screwing up the images provided by Pentax. Check http://www.pentax.com/en/pentaxff/ for the originals - they're much sharper. If I were Ricoh, I would ask DPReview to immediately fix, or remove the images. Or else.

FTR, those original images - made with preproduction cameras - are only meant to illustrate specific points made in the articles. That you can use certain lenses, angle of view differences between APS-C and FF, that Astrotracer works - stuff like that. They're not meant to show what the camera can really do.
But I do hope Pentax will provide some excellent, full-res images after the official announcement.

In the end, these complaints regarding "image quality" - based on some screwed up images - will be irrelevant. Soon, people will start shooting with this camera, and we'll find out it's up there - like every Pentax DSLR.

Comment edited 3 times, last edit 6 minutes after posting

6 upvotes

Are you Pentax Police? The images are a way of presenting the Pentax FF camera to the world. No matter how you spinn this, these images are never doing a Job the way they should have. Ricoh is cheaping out on these images........Well then you get a burn on the but for doing so.

1 upvote

Ron, I won't apologize for stating the truth; but should you, for attempting to hide it?
As for what the images are presenting, that too is described on pentax.com.

0 upvotes

The problem isn't only the low quality of the shots posted here (not that it is much higher on pentax's page), but also the overall colours and actual composition/context of the shots. Other than the low-grass bridge one, none makes me "want to try" -let alone buy- their system.

1 upvote

Making some image just at a better level ksn't a Secret known to just a few people, there are maybe a million peoplek who could do a better job. You have to want to!

0 upvotes

The images are as sharp as they can be on the Pentax' page. They're just snapshots taken to illustrate some specific points. For example, that certain DA lenses do cover the full frame format (despite "reviews" claiming the contrary).

Things would have been much "better" - no complaining, but no information either - if they would simply hire an actor, and make some videos with said actor shooting (parts of the cameras being visible). Slap on a Nikon badge, and everyone would be happy ;-)

2 upvotes

I have to agree with you...I was expecting to be wowed somehow and instead I thought "this is the crap they are getting out of this camera?" Folks can defend it all day...but even sharper they are uninspiring. They could have let a few photographers use them if they wanted to show what they can do.

1 upvote

I love and use Pentax, but these are some of the worst sample images I've ever seen coming from a camera manufacturer. Not only are they low res coming from a (most likely) 36MP FF DSLR, making them useless for estimating IQ, but they're also uninspired and boring snapshots.
Worst of all, however, is the thousands of clueless people out there who will now judge the new FF based on these pics, which is ludicrous, and could have easily been avoided.

So, all in all, it's business as usual for Pentax; They make a remarkable camera, screw up the launch and marketing side of things as much as possible, and are then saved by the actual product, which is sold in spite of everything only because of it's undeniable quality...

Looking forward to the Pentax K-1.

6 upvotes

If people base their decision to buy this camera on the quality of pre-production shots, this is probably not the camera for them.

1 upvote

Even worse with pre production shots heavily downsized and compressed to jpeg then upsized and recompressed.

1 upvote

Yep, I'm sure the camera with good lenses is fantastic, but a steaming pile is still a steaming pile, no matter how many people rush to defend it.

1 upvote

nice

0 upvotes

Negativity on here is astounding. It is a teaser site, mainly highlighting lens compatibility (FA*s 24 & 85), FA Limiteds 31, 43 & 77 and DA* 55 & 300 in FF and APSC mode + lastly the DFA24-70/2.8 while at the same time close ups of the body and dial / button layout.
Pentax are not showing or releasing full raw files as of yet, these shots are showing off proof of concept, i.e. a K mount with digital FF sensor and various AF lens, screw driven (FA's) , old SDM (DA*s) and new SDM (DFA).
Opinions on marketing, sales volume, market share are a complete moot point as it already has a very loyal captive market already waiting for it - the majority of whom have a lens arsenal to throw at this camera. The teaser shots are probably just wetting the appetites of some purely because they will want to see how well their particular example of said lens will do in their own hands. For me the first lens will be the 43/1.9 followed by the A50/1.2 then probably the 77/1.8. See its 'when' not 'if'

14 upvotes

I fully agree. But for me it's first the 31, then A* 200 macro, 77, 43, and A50/1.2. My first new DFA will probably be the 15-30/2.8
:)

1 upvote

Thats just showing off :) - Would love to know just how many 4/200 Macro's are out in the wild. Its on my list of 'Wanted'!

0 upvotes

It's a superb macro lens! Highly, very highly recommended! Manual focus with the A* is a breeze, as we have CIF and a coupled aperture, and there is no focus shift, not even a hint of it. :)

1 upvote

This will slightly stimulate interest in Pentax.

What's needed as per anu l said below is lenses. A huge consideration after the 24-70 and 70-210 is a 24-120 like Nikon's. That's a deal breaker for me .... not sure my old FA 28-105 will cut the mustard.
Perhaps Sigma's 24-105 will come out in a Pentax mount ....that would make sense.

0 upvotes

There is a DFA24-105 on the Lens Roadmap :)

2 upvotes

A lot depends upon the price of this camera.

Pentax knows it has some shortcomings when it comes to lenses and 3rd party support, not for faithful pentaxian but for someone who is new and choosing his system for long term or comes from CaNikonY background.

I hope the release of the new Pentax FF acts as a stimulus to motivate 3rd party manufacturers like Tamron and Sigma to make more lenses foe Pentax and release them like they do with Canon and Nikon.

2 upvotes

This looks like a potential camera of the year!

6 upvotes

The force is strong with this one. This is the camera for me.

4 upvotes

Ok so the photos hint at good DR and possible nice ISO which is granted if they are using a Sony sensor... but it better be really good or cheap because the FF market is currently crowded.

Comment edited 15 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Can't see it being dirt cheap, not at first. It will be competitive as the Pentax crowd will fall for it to put their old lenses on.
It will have good DR and ISO cos it's a Pentax with a Sony sensor, so that's a no brainer.
Really good .... depends on what your after ... think a D810 sensor tweaked with a D750 screen, apsc crop function, likely a very good stills photo oriented system, high life shutter and what sounds like a new Ricoh tech based AF system which should lift it closer to or same as Nikons. The latest flash is good, I have it and used it for paid work.
Also think 'not crippled' in terms of shutter speeds like D750.
Lets see though if theyve lifted the game on tethered shooting and flash sync speeds ??
One would think the time and effort gone into this should make it a damn fine first effort, other wise they are scr#$@d

2 upvotes

K1 camera of the year that will have to compete with D5, D500, 1DXII, 5D IV and possibly the D900

0 upvotes

The D5 and 1DXii are sports cameras, extremely fast and low-rez. Completely different cameras.

The 5Diii, 5Dsr, D750 and D810 will have some competition for sure.

0 upvotes

Never Said anything about same class
We where talking about camera of the year
Your view on the K1 is similar to what Kayne West Said when he released his latest record
This album is the record of LIFE not just the record of 2016

0 upvotes

I get screenshots from my Samsung NX1 4K videos that look much sharper than that.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/435/19486683259_58b6f99daa_o.png

1 upvote

Too bad, Samsung don't survive any longer.

8 upvotes

Are they done with a prototype NX1, resized to 1000pxs wide, then completely destroyed by some gallery software?
If not, the comparison is unfair ;-)

1 upvote

Ricoh / Pentax makes the 645Z with 50mp Sony sensor so we know they could make some great cameras. I also have the A7r so I wonder if the K-1 has the 36mp like the A7r or 42mp like the A7r II.

2 upvotes

The purpose of these weak samples is to avoid knowing the sensor kind .
What this camera has inside is the big reward that Ricoh want to keep it secret until the release time
. I m h o.

5 upvotes

Not publishing any sample photos at all would have accomplished the same thing, and avoided all the negative comments at the same time.

4 upvotes

If you are talking about DPReview sabotaging Pentax, I agree; they completely destroyed those images.
However, the images as posted pentax.com are there to make a point, and in that they succeed (they don't reveal what the camera can do though).

1 upvote

Revenant: There is 266 comments on this article so far and who knows how many views. It did create a lot of publicity and attention, exactly what a teaser are suppose to. With image quality well hidden it makes lots of mystique and speculation on what to expect.

1 upvote

I have always had a fondness for Pentax my first "real camera" when I was a teenager was the ME. My first "serious camera" the LX. Pentax with their sensor shift IS, the high res mode and record of building very good high end gear makes me think that they will deliver a very good camera.

7 upvotes

If these sample photos are made to tease people not to buy the camera it's definitely working.

2 upvotes

I think the photos are deliberately low res and amateur-ish to spark controversy and get people talking.

3 upvotes

Ricoh using the "Trump" strategy?

Comment edited 28 seconds after posting

4 upvotes

Those are terrible images. Is this for real?

2 upvotes

I wonder if it will include an adapter to mount Pentax Q lenses.

0 upvotes

Just as everyone is looking to FF mirrorless, Pentax releases a FF DSL. /facepalm

0 upvotes

If you are a gadget hound who has to have whatever is new, the above is probably true for yourself. Not for me.

3 upvotes

Contrary to what many mirrorless fans imagine the fact remains that DSLR’s still make up 74.5% of all interchangeable lens cameras. Remember that the first mFT mirrorless camera the Panasonic G1 came out in 2008. The competition in mirrorless is also much greater than in the DSLR market which is hugely dominated by Canon and Nikon. The mirrorless market which makes up 25.5% is shared between Olympus Panasonic Sony Canon Fuji Nikon Pentax
http://www.cipa.jp/stats/documents/e/d-201511_e.pdf

As a side note though I still use FF DSLR's I have been a keen mFT user since 2009

1 upvote

Everyone? Who's that, and why should we care about him?

3 upvotes

If I wanted a FF camera it sure wouldn't be a Sony FF E-mount. Because of the lens size no real advantages over dSLR. What does the body size matters if the lenses are not smaller and lighter? I think it's a good move for Pentax.

1 upvote

DLSR have been outselling mirrorless by a factor of 3 stably for the past 3 years.

My wild guess is that FF DSLR are currently outselling FF mirrorless by a factor of 10. Sure there is place for one more FF DSLR brand. Especially when the current two both miss important features like built in stabilization, high resolution mode, tiltable screens, astro tracer etc. Only a single camera from the competition have a tiltable screen.

1 upvote

We must remember that most of the negative comments are from young people who can't face life if it is not via an electronic screen.

1 upvote

Wait and see. Thé 24-70 is Tamron and cannot be that bad. it is useless to discuss about image quality starting from those pictures. The new FF pentax will probably have a 24 megapixel Sony sensor. Considering what pentax achieves already with apsc , the FF body should perform well. The only fear is the Lens Line up. We all know about chromatic aberrations and poor lens performance wide open. So wait and see the pentax Lens map...
Anyway, I feel thé battle will be rude because the big ones havé already been in danger with all the other alternatives that have more solid arguments than pentax.

0 upvotes

I really don't get this product. It is totally "me too" in an already crowded market. Pentax (Ricoh) had something unique in the gr. Why not try a ff version of that bad boy? Love it/hate it - at least it would be different.

2 upvotes

yes defiantly unique, no evf in 2016 even Panasonic has small compacts with an evf.

1 upvote

An EVF would probably be a bad idea when a TTL optical finder is possible in that form factor anyways. With an EVF, you'd deal with latency, poor battery life, and poor dynamic range, not to mention the lack of real time preview when burst shooting. Pentax makes pretty good OVFs anyways, so playing to their strengths is better here.

5 upvotes

It is a loyalty payment to Pentaxian's who want a FF version of the K-3 :) - Market is not crowded, it is captive, waiting with baited breath.

3 upvotes

i was referring to the above comment on the GR

0 upvotes

No other FF camera has Pixel Shift and Astrotracer functions built in. Plus it looks like the tilting screen is a bit different than other cameras.
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/9606774224/life-in-a-glass-case-we-examine-new-pentax-full-frame-dslr?slide=4

These major features totally invalidate the statement of "totally me too".

I do find this hostility toward a camera that offers unique features very odd. I also find it odd that people don't wish Pentax users to have a FF camera, that everyone should buy a Canikon.

If you don't want to buy it fine, that is your choice, but for a lot of people, this camera will serve a need and offer unique features that they can't find anywhere else.

If anything, instead of being hostile people should be happy that individuals that have been waiting for a FF camera to use their K mount lenses with will soon have this option.

Comment edited 3 times, last edit 15 minutes after posting

5 upvotes

I don't mind Ricoh building a FF GR III, but that is absolutely no reason to not make a FF DSLR.

1 upvote

All these negative, and probably unhappy, people. I'm happy about every new product that hits the shelves. It makes the choice that much better for us consumers, and competition makes for better products in general.

1 upvote

A FF pentax gives me no joy. Why would it? Is it going to be better than any other FF DSLR out there right now? Unlikely.
Now if someone other than Leica were to step into the market with a lower cost true rangefinder (like Cosina and a few others did in the film days) I would be truly interested.

0 upvotes

Why a rangefinder though? Rangefinders don't work well with long telephotos and don't offer the framing accuracy of TTL solutions. I feel like it wouldn't have too much market share

0 upvotes

I am not telling you to buy a Pentax- I just pointed out that your statement of "totally me too" is incorrect.

While Sony does have IBIS it is a mirrorless camera. Therefore, the Pentax will be the only FF DSLR with:

IBIS
PIxel shift
Astrotracer
Composition adjustment
The largest selection of native stabilized lens
Unique tilting screen
Typically lower lens prices than Canon and Nikon for stabilized lenses
And because it is IBIS based, when you upgrade to a better body sometime, there is the potential for the image stabilization of the lenses to improve without upgrading the lenses.

Now if you don't want to buy a system like that, you absolutely do not have too. I don't want your choice to be taken away.

But it is not "totally me too" and there are certainly many compelling arguments that these features make it better than other cameras for the user that wants these features.

Now for users that don't want these features, they should buy something else.

0 upvotes

This is reminding me of Sony though. They had DSLRs with sensor shift stabilization, and later on more unique things like automatic image stacking to reduce noise. They also had a mechanism to allow quick switching between AF/MF for screw drive lenses. But that didn't move Sony from a distant third behind Canon and Nikon.

I think one of the biggest problems is that AF performance is ridiculously important with high end DSLRs, and Sony lagged behind in that regard.

0 upvotes

Hey guys I am a Pentaxian but I have to admit that I love your conversations here. You made my day.
I am sure about the capabilities of this camera. I know that Pentax products are fine since the film era. Please make your autofocus more competitive and you will have the total package.

3 upvotes

If they were to tease you guys with a "brand new and awesome full frame camera" showing pictures from National Geographic from ten years ago captured with a Canon 5D, you people would all go crazy about how you need said camera and blah, blah, blah...

4 upvotes

These aren't samples. These are postage stamp images.

No one would need to buy the camera in question to create these images.

2 upvotes

I use some time PENTAX 645 Z, love this camera. I look into the web to se the orginal pictures. Still boring!

1 upvote

Teasing just gets me mad. :-)

0 upvotes

I don´t like this pictures for one second!? How can you like them???
Do no hate me! Show me good pictures!!!!

Comment edited 42 seconds after posting

1 upvote

A) This camera has some impressive dynamic range
B) The suckers at Pentax marketing should have been fired long time ago...do it now - the choice of images to display is simply terrible. Not terrible like they are not artistic, but terrible like you loose huge part of the possible income from prospective customers repulsed by the choice of images. And if you are not sure about this check the 200 negative comments and several forum threads provoked by these images...

7 upvotes

Show me an official prelaunch TEASER from Canon, Nikon, Olympus or others that show fantastic high resolution images.

What you ask for always comes at or after launch.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

1 upvote

@Yanko: "The suckers at Pentax marketing should have been fired (a) long time ago."

Yep. Pentax's fault has always been marketing. In its heyday, Pentax outsourced wholesale distribution to Heiland and then Honeywell in the USA and to other firms in Europe; when Asahi took over this function internally, dealers fled, leading to lost sales and falling market share.

Maybe Ricoh is better in this regard, or, perhaps online sales will moot the point.

Neither Walmart nor Best Buy will ever sell Pentaxes, I believe.

Comment edited 3 times, last edit 7 minutes after posting

1 upvote

@SimenO1 I am not talking about the resolution, but about the choice of the photos generally, but thanks for the info ;)

1 upvote

Looks like Pentax attached a FA 24-70mm F2.8 ED SDM WR to a A7II to get those images.

Unless the FF really outdo or undercut D750, I don't see much chance Pentax is going to reverse its decline.

0 upvotes

...decline?

5 upvotes

Alright, that's too optimistic. Fall into oblivion is more accurate.

2 upvotes

Pentax market share in Japan increased by 48% from 2014 to 2015. Time will show how that develops in 2016.

Comment edited 36 seconds after posting

3 upvotes

It's an interesting choice in timing to try carving out a market share in the ff dslr market..

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

1 upvote

Now there's an understatement.

1 upvote

I'm not worried: I know the lenses are sharp.

7 upvotes

It's funny that a lot of people get anxious about whether their film-era Pentax lenses like the FA limiteds will look good on a full frame, but from a per-pixel perspective they will seem sharper on 36 MP FF than 24 MP APSC. That's as long as the corner falloff isn't atrocious.

0 upvotes

Some 'interesting' comments expressed here by people who I suppose know a lot about photography.
I would think the only way to really judge the capacity of this FF photobox would be to have access to a RAW image shot. But perhaps Pentax don't want to let the cat out of the bag yet about the real possibilities of the sensor.
If you really want to believe that what you see is what you get, here, then so be it.
I don't so that's why I'm not worried. A company that can produce the 645Z which produces imo some wonderful images are not going to fall short here.

14 upvotes

Well said

1 upvote

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