I doubt very much that such a specialised camera would be aimed just at the Japanese market. I think releasing it in Japan is just to test the reaction before taking the next move, like fixing problems, going ahead with global release, or shelving it. That last option IMHO would probably the most reassuring for anyone concerned with the health of Pentax. I would rather that it concentrate on the winning formula that was used in the K-x, which proved to be a successful and financially sound one. Capturing the growing and huge market of DSLRs for people graduating from P&S cameras.
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Can someone give me an update on Pentax's health as a company?
- Thread starter eyeonwinnipeg184457
- Start date
Britney Elvis
Veteran Member
I agree, and I think they should make the 645 available to the rest of the world asap, and combine that worldwide release with the thing that made the K-x such a success...
Until that day, I will be here waiting for my red and white 645D.
--
'Nothing is worse than active ignorance'
OPTMEKX7
Senior Member
Leo
Veteran Member
I they are making the Best they would not be dying
That is one of the reason for K-7 pro body to be below $1,000 street price while D300s ($2,000+) and 7D ($1,700+) and even 3 years old Sony A700 ($1,100) are holding the grounds.To be honest I do like Pentax especially the Pair Kx + K-7 even it is out my budget. The only miss there AA batteries vs Li-Ion. It is inconvenient to have two battery types
Leo
The by far largest part of the cost of that camera is in the sensor. Some have suggested that Pentax may have committed to buying a certain amount of sensors. So making the camera would be a way to get money back on that investment.
They may also have 645D lenses left to sell, another way to cash in on a previous investment.
Finally, it strengthens Pentax' brand value to have a high-end camera.
coleviolin
Veteran Member
The company is Hoya.
In the old days it was Asahi.
I think I'll sit this one out and watch it hit 150.
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Lipo
In the old days it was Asahi.
I think I'll sit this one out and watch it hit 150.
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Lipo
Yet Mamiya USA is charging about $22,000 for the DM40 with a 40MP, 44x33mm sensor similar to that of the 645D, and $15,000 for the DM28 with previous generation 28MP 44x33mm sensor.
Clearly sensor size is not everything, and it looks like the two generation old, low res. 22MP sensor of the DM22 ($10,000 at B&H) is being sold at end-of-life clearance pricing. Maybe because there are now sub-$2500 DSLRs offer as much resolution and lower noise.
--
Smaller lenses, better in low light, more telephoto reach:
you can have any two at one time.
RogerMexico
Leading Member
Couuld be, But, my point is that first, pcarfan misspoke about Pentax having the only sub 9000USD MF and secondly, Mr. King followed up by not taking the time to check the facts which clearly pointed out that it was not just a digital back. This is the very type of stuff that the Pentax faithful were calling ASA-5 on/ But, I give you the credit for at least acknowledging the facts; Something that pcarfan and King have as yet failed to do. But, I bet if I had been in error the lambasting would have started post haste.
C
cgarrard
Guest
summation: Pentax is doing very good, near broke even at the time of PMA and that's after a very tough economical year and a lot of product development.
They are definitely on the the right track.
Carl
http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1266899714.html
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http://www.AlphaMountWorld.com
They are definitely on the the right track.
Carl
http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1266899714.html
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http://www.AlphaMountWorld.com
Jim King
Veteran Member
Doesn't that chip on your shoulder get a bit heavy after a while? When have I ever "lambasted" you? That's not my style.
I didn't reply to you earlier simply because I haven't had the time to follow this thread. If my posting was in error I'm sorry; I just googled the subject and saw some info on the Mamiya back that I reported. In the event, I didn't call you any names; I simply reported what I found. Why are you so prickly about that?
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Jim King - Retired Colormonger - Suburban Detroit, Michigan, USA; GMT -4h (EDT)
Pentaxian for over 45 years.
* * * * *
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.
I didn't reply to you earlier simply because I haven't had the time to follow this thread. If my posting was in error I'm sorry; I just googled the subject and saw some info on the Mamiya back that I reported. In the event, I didn't call you any names; I simply reported what I found. Why are you so prickly about that?
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Jim King - Retired Colormonger - Suburban Detroit, Michigan, USA; GMT -4h (EDT)
Pentaxian for over 45 years.
* * * * *
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
- Sir Winston Churchill
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.
- Albert Einstein
bengibollen
Member
I'm guessing Hoya are planning that the 645D will sell outside the normal MF market and be somewhere in between 35mm and MF, pulling buyers from both markets.
Alex Sarbu
Forum Pro
masking this rudeness with an apparent impartiality.
We did show hard data - Hoya's financial reports. I'd say one can learn something from them. But you had to call us "fanboys"...
Alex S.
CANIKONTAXIAN
Leading Member
The idea that Pentax had many existing 645 lenses on the books, that never sold new old stock when Hoya bought out Pentax makes perfect sense to me.
So, Build a "cheap" $9400 camera to clear all the old made in japan 645 lenses from dating back to the take over. If 645D proves popular rebuild 645 lens production in VietNam, if not at least the new old stock glass inventories get sold off, finally.
"$9400" is nothing thesedays to alot of Pentaxians to consider spending, to me its an incredible amount of money to spend, and on just one camera, its insane amount to spend. You can get top tier Canon or Nikon pro bodies and still have a couple thousand left for lens purchase.
645D $9400: A great deal !
K-7 $919: Not low enough price to buy, yet
So, Build a "cheap" $9400 camera to clear all the old made in japan 645 lenses from dating back to the take over. If 645D proves popular rebuild 645 lens production in VietNam, if not at least the new old stock glass inventories get sold off, finally.
"$9400" is nothing thesedays to alot of Pentaxians to consider spending, to me its an incredible amount of money to spend, and on just one camera, its insane amount to spend. You can get top tier Canon or Nikon pro bodies and still have a couple thousand left for lens purchase.
645D $9400: A great deal !
K-7 $919: Not low enough price to buy, yet
tellem_esdreamin
Forum Enthusiast
Who knows when I bought mine.... (well not the first one in 1975). My istDS some years back they were going out of business then, hang on maybe they were going out of business in 1975 too !
I can also remember Apple going out of business for the last 2 decades as well.
If you like the K7 and can get what you want for it ie lens etc , does it matter? I mean if they go belly up next month, April 14th around 11.40pm for those that haven't got the memo yet you will still probably get the life of the camera use.
just a point of view
Ian
I can also remember Apple going out of business for the last 2 decades as well.
If you like the K7 and can get what you want for it ie lens etc , does it matter? I mean if they go belly up next month, April 14th around 11.40pm for those that haven't got the memo yet you will still probably get the life of the camera use.
just a point of view
Ian
Roland Mabo
Forum Pro
Pentax is clearly recovering from some turmoil. The intensive life support systems has been shut down and the patient can breath freely. The worst is over and there is no immedient risk that the previous illness comes back.
To help the recovery process and stabilize the health, the patient is set to undergo a special training program to built up the stability in the body, to gain more strength in the muscular and nerv system, both physical training and mental training to help on a multitude of levels.
The doctors has good hopes for the patient.
--
Take care
R
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raphaelmabo
To help the recovery process and stabilize the health, the patient is set to undergo a special training program to built up the stability in the body, to gain more strength in the muscular and nerv system, both physical training and mental training to help on a multitude of levels.
The doctors has good hopes for the patient.
--
Take care
R
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raphaelmabo
RogerMexico
Leading Member
Fair enough. No, you have never lambasted; in fact that has never been you style. My complaint, is simply that when people such as ASA-5 ( and I agree he was over the top) make an error in fact, there are those on this forum who jump on it like white on rice (I think you know who I am talking about.) What is worse they begin personal attacks. BJL's reply quickly went into spin mode by down grading the Mamiya DM22. The camera was just released in October of 2009; but BJL gets in his dig with "... end of life clearance price.." Short life, about 7 months. I never spoke to the quality of either the Pentax or Mamiya. My point remains that it is incorrect to maintain that only Pentax offers an "affordable" MF camera. I own Pentax gear, I enjoy using it, and I have posted my photographs using different Pentax lenses. What I am not is an apologist for all things Pentax. I agree with the substance of what ASA-5 was saying but not with his style. If Pentax owners let Hoya get away with less than the best QC, then we are soon to suffer a future of mediocrity. The response that Canon also has bad products is a copout.
Putting aside your dispute with others, the key fact that they were getting at is this:
The Pentax 645D is by far the cheapest option for a digital camera with this much sensor resolution.
As far as I can tell, higher resolution is the dominant reason for getting into a digital format larger than 35mm, and the market seems to agree: look at how low prices have dropped for older lower pixel count options like 31MP, 28MP and especially those Mamiya/Leaf 22MP options.
P.S. The prices I see are $10,000 for body+back, $8,000 back only, at both Adorama and B&H:
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=mamiya+DM22&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
The Pentax 645D is by far the cheapest option for a digital camera with this much sensor resolution.
As far as I can tell, higher resolution is the dominant reason for getting into a digital format larger than 35mm, and the market seems to agree: look at how low prices have dropped for older lower pixel count options like 31MP, 28MP and especially those Mamiya/Leaf 22MP options.
P.S. The prices I see are $10,000 for body+back, $8,000 back only, at both Adorama and B&H:
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=mamiya+DM22&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
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