Digital Rangefinders....

[Scout Pro]

With all the hype over FF, HD Video Mode, Live view, etc. which is now expected in our DSLR cameras these days, I wonder what ever happened to just taking pictures of LIFE??? I spend some quality time on this forum and read mostly the "News & Rumors" section and decided that this forum was a better fit for this thread. I agree I can get lost & obsessed with all the new technology, but am also a realist and have a heart for all my Pentax film gear. After using my K10D for a while, I make myself pickup my K2 film camera and head out the door in search of something to shoot…all manually; this is what made photography….the fact that you had to use your head for a hobby/craft! So challenging and rewarding it is. New technology is great and it has its place, but sometimes it clouds the simplistic challenges that one got into photography for in the 1st place.
I could see Pentax going the route of implementing a new series of Digital Rangefinder Cameras and would love to see this. They could incorporate a new technology into an old faithful system. I predict we are somewhat at a plateau stage for DSLR's with MP's reaching almost medium format status, etc. I see a building trend already for the Rangefinder Cameras to make a comeback. With the advent of the new Leica M8, semi Rangefinder-like Canon G10, and the Panasonic DMC-LX3. If Pentax is slow to the game, for whatever reason, to jump on board with everyone else (Canon, Nikon, etc.) or have no interests in perusing "Pro" level DSLR's, the next logical move would be to advance their compact camera division and build up a series Rangefinder Systems. I would buy into that! The perfect combination of a "Big Daddy" DSLR for serious play and a "Run & Gun" Digital Rangefinder with pro-like features for everyday use would be a welcome song for Pro Photographers everywhere. It would also fit nicely with Pentax being a “niche” camera company, etc.
Pentax...Samsung....Hoya....are you reading???
I would like to pose the question to all faithful Pentaxians on what they think of this possibility, etc.???

[tybeck]

A digital rangefinder exactly the type of second camera I'm looking for. I love my K10D and lens kit, but sometimes I don't want to carry all of that around and don't necessarily need the flexibility of a DSLR kit. Sometimes you just want something in your pocket for the quick shot or as a back up while traveling. All the cameras you mention are a step in the direction, but they're not quite there yet. I'll add the Sigma DP-1 to your list. If they could put a zoom bit of zoom on that lens and made the processing faster it might be the camera I'm looking for. If I had to buy one now I'd go for the Panasonic DMC-LX3.

Right now the only true digital rangefinders are the Leica M8 and the Epson R-D1. The Leica M8 looks great, but from the picture quality I've seen I just can't see forking over the $$$. The Epson is similar, but the price was much lower. Still, both are priced too high for what they offer outside of build quality. If Pentax could come up with a body with integrated lens (or detachable like with the Leica, Epson, and new 4/3 Micro system) for <1000 USD I think think it would sell very well.

[pingflood]

I would be all over a digital RF under $1k. The M8 is too expensive and has too many faults. The R-D1 is great but from what I gather getting one fixed (and they break) is iffy at best.

A new mount, adapter for old Pentax lenses, and adapter for LTM/M... oh yeah.

[PaddyB]

Great thread! I feel the same way about photography and that's one of the main reasons that I recently picked the K10D for my first SLR. Anyway, I think this "DR" camera would be a smart niche for Pentax to go after but all indications are that they are moving all of their r&d focus to the DSLR market and spinning off the compact division entirely. It will be another bad marketing move if we start to see the Pentax name on distinctly low-end compacts (not that their compacts are entirely well-respected as it is). I would totally buy a high end Pentax compact, in fact I'm currently looking to buy one of the Panasonic, Sigma or Ricoh offerings in this segment. Too bad I can't add Pentax to that list. So is a digital rangefinder Pentax a good idea? I think so. Will it happen? Probably not.

[ryan s]

KDR1 has a nice ring to it

The Samsung M4/3 competition should bring some interesting possibilities, this hopefully being one.

[cromagnonrand]

Right now I am looking at the Canon G9. It would fulfill my needs quite nicely; however it would be nice to see one with better manual controls.

I would like to see Pentax make one. But I am only one person.

[IsaacEastgate]

How about a version of my MX with a digital FF sensor and a screen in it? no aperture or focus or exposure control, just a simple camera with nice lenses. It would be super super cheap and the emphasis would be on sensor quality and nothing else. Just a modern digital camera without all the gimmics...

[ftpaddict]

Try shooting macro or sports with a digital rangefinder.

The concept is, IMO, very limited and doomed to limited success.