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Interview with Hiroshi Onoda, manager of Pentax Europe.

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Very informative and interesting :) ...Thanks for posting this Lance :D

Cheers,

Jack
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Gazooma said:
The optimism and imagination are truly amazing. All of a sudden the dead Pentax FF is alive again. Dream on, but to me a pro camera above k-7 is just that and only that, a K-8 or whatever it is called. I do not know anyone inside or have any better information, but it has to make sense. A FF camera would not be described as just a "camera above K-7", as it is a totally new category, a different and higher class. So, calm down. There is no case for a FF camera, as analysed numerous time before. Boy, this is so cruel.
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So, let me get this straight. Not that I think you know what you're talking about, but what you are saying is that no matter what the cost of FF sensors, you believe that Pentax will never go the FF route and regardless of what Canon, Nikon and Sony etc do? Hmmm.

--
Lance B
http://www.pbase.com/lance_b

 
The user base ( at least third of it ) has been beating on FF drum for years now. Some of us even got tired of waiting and made their switch.

I really hope that the time is right and we'll live to see it happen soon.

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Thanks, Ilya.
 
Amen. This vagueness and a culture of secrecy is not the attitude I'd like to see, too.

So please, document all fixes in your firmware updates, and let us see your lens roadmap which is loooong due for an update.
 
I would like to see the K7 replacement with...
  • Better high ISO performance (K-x equivalent performance will be okay)
  • Better DR (but as good as the D700 is probably dreaming)
  • A brand new AF system that is at least comparable with Nikon's
  • A upgraded flash system with at least 1/250th flash sync
  • FF? - I doubt it will happen any time soon.
I'm happy with the build quality and ergonomics of the K7 so I hope they don't alter that too much.

I'm guessing at a minimum the K-7 replacement will be an APS-C sensor equipped camera of around 18MP with high ISO performance of the K-x.

As for those who think the K-8(?) will be fitted with the K-x sensor dream on.
Like it or not Pentax will have to at least match the 7D's 18mp.

That will be plenty for me!
 
You make a good point Lance, but though I can see some advantages in 135format, I fear for the size of the camera and the lenses. Of course I will be able to keep using most of my prime lenses (except for the DA15 and DA21, it's FA and older), but I would need a new 24mm at least (the old Vivitar I haven't used in a long time is probably not up to the job). And of course I would need two f/2.8 weather sealed zooms to replace the 16-50 / 50-135. To be honest that looks like too much of an investment in relatively short term. Perhaps a temporary dual system (135format with primes, and (old) APC-S with zooms) could be a solution...

I cannot honestly say that I need 135format, but I will probably follow if Pentax went that way. I just hope the FA glass won't disappoint after performing so admirably on APS-C.

Still... I'm in the camp that believes the camera above the K-7 will still be APS-C. In that case I'm sure to go for it. I'm just hoping it will be K-7 compatible (because of the size but also the KatzEye investment you know ;-) )...

cya!

Wim

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Belgium, GMT+1

 
Ishpuini said:
You make a good point Lance, but though I can see some advantages in 135format, I fear for the size of the camera and the lenses.
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This is my fear, also. However, I feel it would be pointless for Pentax to make a FF DSLR the same size as those from Nikon, Canon and Sony as their size certainly frightens me away from them! Pentax need to differentiate themselves from the big three otherwise they will lose their niche and people will not be attracted to them for any reason other than a hopeful price advantage, which there may be none. Why would people be swayed to Pentax if all they get is another large sized camera just like the others?
Ishpuini said:
Of course I will be able to keep using most of my prime lenses (except for the DA15 and DA21, it's FA and older), but I would need a new 24mm at least (the old Vivitar I haven't used in a long time is probably not up to the job). And of course I would need two f/2.8 weather sealed zooms to replace the 16-50 / 50-135. To be honest that looks like too much of an investment in relatively short term. Perhaps a temporary dual system (135format with primes, and (old) APC-S with zooms) could be a solution...
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Agreed. But thsi depends on the investement infput from Hoya and Hoya's desire for Pentax's future.
Ishpuini said:
I cannot honestly say that I need 135format, but I will probably follow if Pentax went that way. I just hope the FA glass won't disappoint after performing so admirably on APS-C.
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I am the same. I really only want FF for the big bright VF, the other advantages are just icing on the cake. ;-)
Ishpuini said:
Still... I'm in the camp that believes the camera above the K-7 will still be APS-C. In that case I'm sure to go for it. I'm just hoping it will be K-7 compatible (because of the size but also the KatzEye investment you know ;-) )...
Click to expand...
The Katz Eye is less of a requirement when you have a FF VF to look through. ;-)
Ishpuini said:
cya!

Wim

--
Belgium, GMT+1

Click to expand...
--
Lance B
http://www.pbase.com/lance_b

 
i wonder how many grips were sold with k10/20d's

As any FF offering would I imagine come in around that size.

Now for me that would be perfect, With my dumpy fingers the k-7 feels to small and the battery grip is a permament attachment to my k20d.

Now if Pentax were to produce a FF or even uprated aps-c. with in built vertical grip in the same size as the k20d then I think they would have all bases covered.

1 entry level new Kx (just a tech refresh, maybe fix AF indicators)
2 Uprated k-7d (new sensor to answer critics, maybe predictive AF)
3 New top model big bad upgrade for die hard K10/20d size fans.

this would cover their existing users and attract new users IMO

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Hello Lance

I completely disagree with your statement. I think it would be suicidal for Pentax to develop a 35mm sensor camera for many reasons

One of the most obvious is that it would force them to develop simultaneously two lens lines and in a shrinking market , that is almost impossible task , especially when you think of the position in this field hold by Pentax and Nikon

Pentax has made its reputation in the DSLR market by having compact bodies and compact lenses. and despite all the wishful thinking , developing a DSLR with a 35mm sensor and the size of a K7 or a little bigger is NOT going to happen

Another thing to keep in mind is that the current Pentax aps catalog does not have many weather sealed lenses when the weather sealing seems a big selling point

so they need to focus -pun intended- on developing more single focal lenses and re-introducing some existing ones with weather seals

Also , the trend in dslr is towards smaller sensors. the technological progress of the sensor makes the 35mm sensor less desirable

you and others may like the idea of a 35mm sensor but there is NOT a market big enough for Pentax and I hope they know it

the next body should be a K7 with a double card slot ( I would hope CF+SD but based on the 645d I am not optimistic) and the sony sensor of the K-x

Harold
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Oh, I am confident that Pentax do thinks about these.

Pentax made medium format because the market is there, it is not that they entry in a new market for them - they have an installed userbase already for the 645 system, especially in Japan. It may not be a big market, but I do believe the 645D will be profitable - simply because Pentax shares so much technology with the APS-C DSLR's which makes much of the development of the 645D already paid.

--
Take care
R
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raphaelmabo
 
So the little player Pentax will support 4 systems on the market - medium format, 24x36, APS-C and micro APS-C. This means three new lens mount (24x36 and APS-C can share the same lens mount, the others have their own mount) and 4 series of lenses. More so than any other maker on the market.
And Pentax is the little one with less money than the others.

How on earth would they accomplish that?

--
Take care
R
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raphaelmabo
 
Roland Mabo said:
It is hard to explain to market why the updated K-7 has fewer Mp's...
Click to expand...
I agree but if they have a K7x intended to exist along with the K7 and not replace it ( at least not right away) it might be happening if Pentax is courageous enough

( and I have no doubt about which would sell better)

So that won't happen. But Samsung is working on a new version of their 14.6Mp sensor, rumoured to come in a new Samsung NX above the current 10, later this year. Could also be used by Pentax.

let's hope that the next Pentax won't have a Samsung sensor...

Harold

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Harold66 said:
ilya80 said:
The user base ( at least third of it ) has been beating on FF drum for years now. Some of us even got tired of waiting and made their switch.
Click to expand...
Yeah right,

I bet there is not even 10% of pentax current dslr ownwers who would actually buy a dslr with a 35mm sensor given the lens choices and size constraints
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Pentax WILL build a FF camera, period. And it will be the smallest one on the market, period.

I don't regard the required new D-FA's a a separate lens line, they will just be new lenses that can be used equally well on APS-C as they will be on FF. A D-FA 24-75/2.8 is perfectly usable on APS-C, especially for weddings. They just won't be that wide-angle on APS-C, that's all. I know lots of people using Tamron 28-75/2.8's on APS-C, so the same will happen with an equivalent Pentax zoom.

As for the DA's: these can still be mounted in crop mode on a FF camera. I don't see the problem here. Maybe the pixel count in crop mode is almost the same as on a APS-C camera. A win-win situation if you ask me.

Let's not make a big fuss about it... A FF Pentax is perfectly viable. Just release it with a few new zooms (hardly rocket science for a company like Pentax, they even made the first Japanese 35mm SLR lenses in 1951!), that's all. New lenses, if needed, can always be designed in the future.
 
There is not even a WHIFF of a HINT that Pentax would consider FF in that interview. How do you come away with these FF fantasies from reading it?

Pentax has been asked, asked, and asked again if they plan to go into FF and the answer has always been a resounding NO. Now they have a solution for the resolution fanatics in the form of the 645D.

And you STILL want them to commit industrial sepuku by chasing after FF?!?

I really don't get it.
 
sjgcit said:
Pentax ought to be making use of it's limited lens designed. Licence them to > other manufacturers. It's about making money. They are not, contrary to > Pentaxian belief, religious icons. These lenses are about the only Pentax kt that > Canon and Nikon owners covet.
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Pentax already lets Tokina uses some of Pentax lens designs.

The DA 35 f/2.8 Macro Limited is sold by Tokina also, and the DA Star 16-50, 50-135 too. The Tokina fisheye zoom and 100 f/2.8 Macro are all Pentax designs so Pentax already does this.

But I don't think they should let Tokina make the whole Limiteds. Many buys into the Pentax system because of the Limiteds. Why buy Pentax if you can buy a Nikon with a Limited (marketed under Tokina name)?

I like the Pentax bodies, but many has choosen Pentax because of the lenses.
Deleted1929 said:
Pentax seem to think they should "wait and see" with everything. No rush getting > the 645D onto the world market. That's pure dumb.
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Pentax needs a pro distribution and service network and Pentax does not have this outside Japan. A pro camera like the 645D needs support, the customers demands it and Pentax can not yet provide this support. They need to build it up and this takes time. It is only good that what they learn on the Japense market regarding the 645D helps them building up a pro distribution and service network outside Japan.

--
Take care
R
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raphaelmabo
 
Peter Jonkman said:
Pentax WILL build a FF camera, period. And it will be the smallest one on the market, period.
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Yeah go ahead, dream on . You can include as many "period" as you want , the odds of this happening are against it and I would add fortunately
Peter Jonkman said:
As for the DA's: these can still be mounted in crop mode on a FF camera. I don't see the problem here.
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You are probably the only one not seeing the problem , then
Peter Jonkman said:
Let's not make a big fuss about it... A FF Pentax is perfectly viable. Just release it with a few new zooms (hardly rocket science for a company like Pentax,
Click to expand...
you are missing the point . it is not a matter of science or feasibility , it is a matter of available investments and of having a coherent product line
in the current state of things , Pentax has NO need for a 35mm sensor camera
Harold

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http://www.harold-glit.com
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Roland Mabo said:
So the little player Pentax will support 4 systems on the market - medium format, 24x36, APS-C and micro APS-C. This means three new lens mount (24x36 and APS-C can share the same lens mount, the others have their own mount) and 4 series of lenses. More so than any other maker on the market.
And Pentax is the little one with less money than the others.

How on earth would they accomplish that?
Click to expand...
Looking back into the 80's Pentax had exactly that.
  • 6x7
  • 645
  • 35mm
  • 110
It's as if you don't want to succeed Pentax. Do you have an inferiority complex, Roland? Pentax can't do this, can't do that, blah blah blah. If Hoya thinks it's viable, they'll do it, regardless of what Roland Mabo thinks. Pentax has done it before so they can do it if they want.

(Yes, I really hate this sort of talk, like Pentax is the little player, the 'ugly duckling' that does not deserve to be successful in the long run. If you reiterate it long enough you may even believe it yourself ;)).
 
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