CP+ 2015: Up close and personal with Ricoh's full-frame Pentax mockup

I am very excited to see Pentax stepping up to the plate. While they are not the most popular SLR's on the market, they are certainly some of the best.

If I rely solely on my latest experiments with the K-3, a formidable "APS-C" DSLR in my opinion (if not the ultimate!), this can only bode well for all Pentaxians or other open-minded photographers and enthusiasts.

I definitely want one, but only if it allows me to use the full un-cropped image circle of my APS-C DA lenses. I am a wide angle addict and don't mind if the edges are soft. (If it was good enough for Emmett Gowin, it's good enough for me)

A spanish website and forum is already accepting preorders at a 2000.00€ price. They have confirmed this. Tax included. Expecting product arrival by mid october.

I'm sure pentax will bring the best full frame to the market at a decent affordable price.

Big kudos to Richard Butler who mentioned the upcoming Pentax FF model at the "Gear Day" feature at CreativeLive!

Thanks, Richard, for supporting diversity, competition, and speaking of Pentax as a manufacturer of "photographer's cameras" with "well-positioned controls".

You made this Pentaxian's day. :)

i really really want to get a big, nice, bright viewfinder. much more important than to have lots of megapixels in my opinion. if you cant see the picture how can you take the picture?

Here is a picture comparing the FF prototype with existing K-S2: http://www.pentaxforums.com/content/uploads/files/1/p1522/_IGP6275.JPG
It is obvious the FF is bigger, but not by much and considering the K-S2 is one of the smallest APSC DSLRs it is clear the FF will be no beast (what is a good newws for me, since I have no interest in FF Behemoth like the D800).

Wow, Pentax really know how to make an ugly camera!

A really good feature to have is built-in GPS, because it saves space, and it is a very nice feature to have because it allows the shooting location to be pinpointed and revisited easily in the future.

The articulated LCD is a welcome sight. Other than that the camera looks rather conventional and similar to the APS-C models it is making. The green button means there will probably be no aperture coupling ring to use older lenses that do not have the electrical contacts. The pentaprism housing does not look like it is interchangeable, so there will be no digital version of the Pentax LX.

What I love to see is OTF TTL flash, which measures and controls flash output by reading light reflected off the sensor, a feature Pentax abandoned after the *ist D and DS. Now all Pentax cameras use P-TTL flash which has a preflash, just like all other camera makers (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus) do. The mockup also shows no evidence of a pop up flash. That would be a serious omission, because Canon has been severely criticized for omitting the same feature. Ultimately though the really important features will be image quality, pixel count and selling price.

Without a shadow of a doubt: IBIS.

Design and functionality go hand in had; one defines the other. So if FF design sports obviously huge pentaprism, no doubt it makes perfect sense from the functional point of view: that VF will have something unique. That is where the secret of this camera is hidden (from the first look of it). I do not complain about design at all; I think it is brilliant and unique (that is equally important for immediate recognition factor) and like all Pentax DSLRs, it will surely make lots of sense.

I think Pentax needs a new designer ... Full Frame is agreat idea ... I support you Pentax !

Could this be a 3.6cm x 3.6cm 1:1 aspect ratio sensor allowing a cropped 3:2 full-frame? The square "full-frame" format would disrupt the market.

As an old P67 user from way back, my heart fluttered when I saw that photo. Bring it on, Pentax. You can be great again.

As for features I want, are my eyes playing tricks or is that rear screen not 3:2? I would love Super 35 or something akin to the old 6x7 format proportions but bigger than 4/3rds. It would need to fit inside existing image circles.

Not sure whether old Pentax and Takumar lenses would be successful on such a hi-res beast. Maybe 645 lenses would work, and some of their old pro ED teles.

One thing left hanging by Canikon is the obvious - an electronic viewfinder as well as OVF, be it overlay, flip-out eyepiece or slip-on.

I already have enough cameras for several photographers, but if Pentax did something really bold and affordable...

Dear RICOH, my wish list:

1. Manual focussing aid, specifically a diagonal split image spot in a microprism band surrounded by a Fresnel field, like in RICOH film SLRs (e.g. XR-7) which I have really liked using.

The diagonal split is much better than the horizontal one in Pentax film SLRs.

2. Dedicated exposure compensation dial.

3. Aperture-stop coupler, so that non-A lenses can be used without the green button.

I have waited for a FF Pentax dSLR for what seems like a decade. My wide angle lenses are going to live again. Also bought a new 43mm Limited once I heard news of the announcement...

I think it looks great.

Looks like Pentax is going to try to break into the $1,800 - $2,400 market again, probably by offering a 36mp FF body in that price range. All I can say is, "I hope it works for them". :)

I'm surprised with all th negative comments about the looks. I'm imagining this with black lacquer and a brass top plate, slightly weathered. I think it will be gorgeous. The huge pentaprism looks like the one on the 67 (which i own) which is an integral part of Pentax's history. Ricoh has been generous in honoring Pentax history. This is also seen from the fact that the demo is shown with the 31 Limited, not with the just announced 70-200/2.8.
I'm really looking forward to this camera.

Marketing is already running away from Pentax after Ricoh puts hands on Pentax.

It looks great. The big bother of my K5iis. Saving money to get one:)

I'd like to see a battery grip with a button layout that exactly matches that of the camera (for the few buttons that are featured on the grip). There cannot be any differences as sadly is the case with the D-BG5 and the K-3.

I'd like to see an APS-C crop mode that still allows me to see the FF portion in the viewfinder (using frame lines for the APS-C part, for instance).

Tethering via USB3 would be great.

I'd also like to see the SR mechanism being used for a "Foveon"-simulator and to work in macro shooting situations (further acceleration sensors would be required to measure translational moves).

Finally, please Pentax, be out there and provide the first support for an apodisation simulator by moving the lens diaphragm during exposure.

P.S.: I'll buy the camera even if it does not have any of the above. With the exception of the first item, the above are my pipe dreams. :)

Very excited to see this and pleased to see DPReview covering it. As a pentax user for over thirty years I'm really excited to see this new FF camera emerging from one of the great camera marques.

It's good to see Pentax actually solicting feedback on what it's users would like to see and I am a sure fire customer for this to supplement my K3. Good also to see the large array of lenses being developed and already available for the system. I think pentax are going to make some serious impact with this and will begin to reclaim their rightful place at the top table of camera firms.

One thing is certain, this is a company who are masters at innovation, build quality, image quality and developing something really really special. They did it with the Spotmatic, the LX, the 645Z and I can't wait to see what they've got up their sleeve for this...

There's 25 million K mount lenses out there just begging to be used.

Birdseed

Reminiscent of the Pentax 67, no?

. FF Pentax body
. 36 Megapixel sensor (similar to D810) no AA filter + the K3 LPF technology
. 30 sec to 1/8000 shutter speed with 1/250 flash sync
silent mode, electronic first curtain shutter
. obviously APSC crop shooting mode
. -3 EV AF crosspoints
. good manual focusing options with interchangeable focusing screens and focus peaking in live view (lens compatibility for all K bajonett lenses)
. advanced live view options like live histogram zebra pattern and again focus peaking with and without magnification
. native ISO 50 or 64, ISO 51200 as maximum (enough is enough)
. 4K video with at least 30 fps max
. 100%, 0.8 magnification viewfinder with advanced data view like in 7d2
. weather sealing pro quality built body
. tilt screen (not very important)
. I would happily embrace a larger than 3.5 inch LCD screen.
. Several raw options
. Several user setup memory options
. programmable buttons

Although I have no business of using a FF, THIS THING is making me think otherwise.

So many good toys ... so little money ... Life's not fair!!!

Lets see what would we want...
- 36+ Megapixel
- 1/250th / sec flash sync or faster
- wifi
- focus peaking
- Dx lens compatibility
- Faster Focus speed and sensitivity
- 4K video/30+fps
- Touch screen with toggle to de-activate
- 7+FPS
- ISO Native 50-102400 or higher
- 100% viewfinder
- Weather sealed/magnesium body
- Digital focus crop. Like D7100 for maximizing focus coverage
- Better in camera HDR and live preview of filters
- No AA filter
- 1000 shot battery approx
- Swivel screen and articulating.

Feel free to add to this. but this would probably be the best selling camera ever..

Pentax/Ricoh: knock! knock!
Sony: Who's there?
Pentax/Ricoh: Pentax/Ricoh
Sony: Pentax/Ricoh who?
Pentax/Ricoh: The camera company that orders sensors from you and we would like to ask you to supply us again your sensors but this time the FF sensors.
Sony: No Way! but! we can make a deal, share us your trade secret on IBIS and we will supply you with FF sensors. deal?
Pentax/Ricoh: Yes sure! deal closed.

Just add radio inside of the camera, instead of a pop up flash. I'd trade any day a pop up flash for a big 0.8x magnification with 100%.

At least a 36mp sensor

Ricoh has a market valuation of about 1/5 that of Canon.
I wonder how the camera component compares to the copier component for these companies.

Nikon's valuation is slightly less than Ricoh's valuation.

Ricoh must see some potential competitive advantage in bringing out a FF camera. It would seem that more than legacy lenses are needed. Given the interesting cameras that Ricoh has produced in the past, I doubt the new Pentax FF will be just another Canikon type camera clone.

I am looking for something different and excellent.

I like that 31 on the demo.

Here is what I'd like to see:

At least 36MP FF Sony sensor with IBIS & pitch/roll stabilization
Selectable LPF – Off,Low,High
New AF systems with AF points well spread out over the frame
TaV mode
Option to select minimum shutter speed based on
200000 mtbf 1/8000 quiet shutter
All magnesium and stainless steel frame
Focus peaking on LCD with MF magnified focus assist
Tilting LCD screen
Physical IBIS available during video capture
Center 3 AF points focus to -3EV
All AF points will focus a f/8 lens
Control layout similar to K3
6.5 fps burst 30 36MP raw files buffer
9 fps in 16MP 'crop mode'
Crop mode outlines the crop area in the VF
Operating temp -10 to 45 C
1 CF card and 1 SDXC card slot
built in wifi & GPS
AF during video
Sensor shift astro-tracker with optional O-GPS
USB-3 & hdmi out
3.5 headphone jack
stereo micro phone with wind-cut
diffraction correction, HDR, lens correction
Auto PDAF fine tune operation / CDAF/PDAF comp stored
1/250 flash sync

Go RIcoh/Pentax

I want increased low light capability much more than a higher pixel count.

When the Nikon D700 was released it offered increased low light capability not more pixels. It was great for shooting bands in bars.

Sony flopped with their DSLR's and their fixed-mirror DSLR's. Pentax quite honestly should have gone mirrorless, because no one is going to crack Nikon and Canon's hammerlock on the sports, fashion and wildlife photography markets.