Pentax do it again!

[vitalsax]

Pentax do it again
Back in the 50's Pentax introduced the first SLR viewfinder as we know it today (Zeiss had earlier produced a similar mechanism but with a non returning miror). The pentaprism was so successful they changed the brand name from Ashai Optical to Pentax.

According to the rumors flying around, it looks like they are about to do it again. The new K is rumoured to have an EL display mechanism incorporated in the pentaprism so that it is possible to switch between classic SLR type operation or live view EVF, a sort of OPTOEVIL viefinder if you like

I wonder if they will, once again, set the trend for things to come?

Source: worth1000.com

[er1kksen]

That would certainly be useful for video.

[kenyee]

They patented this roughly 1.5 yrs ago, so it's highly probable...

[Hannican]

What is "live view EVF"?

And what is "EVIL"?

[schmik]

You mean live view through the viewfinder? not on the LCD?

mike

[mattedm]

It would essentially be a preview picture instead of a blackout. Hold the shutter fire button down and get a preview before the mirror slap. Utterly brilliant if true. The fusion of technology is perfect, a fast LED backlite on the reverse of the mirror and a LCD on top of the focusing screen.

[HawaiianOnline]

It might be either a optical viewfinder with an electronic display superimposed on the viewscreen (like the heads up display on fighters), or it might be an optical viewfinder with the ability to switch to a live-view overlay in the viewfinder. If it's the latter, then it solves the problem of the lcd washing out in bright light. Either option would be very interesting.

[schmik]

and no one would see you chimp.....

[robgo2]

Pentax do it again
Back in the 50's Pentax introduced the first SLR viewfinder as we know it today (Zeiss had earlier produced a similar mechanism but with a non returning miror). The pentaprism was so successful they changed the brand name from Ashai Optical to Pentax.

According to the rumors flying around, it looks like they are about to do it again. The new K is rumoured to have an EL display mechanism incorporated in the pentaprism so that it is possible to switch between classic SLR type operation or live view EVF, a sort of OPTOEVIL viefinder if you like

I wonder if they will, once again, set the trend for things to come?

If this rumor turns out to be true, and the concept is well executed, do you think it is such a significant breakthrough that people will start to take Pentax seriously?

Rob

[smc]

If this rumor turns out to be true, and the concept is well executed, do you think it is such a significant breakthrough that people will start to take Pentax seriously?

Rob

Marketing can only do so much....word of mouth.....

[danny09]

If this rumor turns out to be true, and the concept is well executed, do you think it is such a significant breakthrough that people will start to take Pentax seriously?

Rob

I used to own an Lumix FZ8 and remember shooting videos form the EVF....but it also has a high brightness mode in the LCD. This mode is useful if you hold the camera over your head and still want to shoot...something as simple as that would've been quite useful...on a KXXD you can still bump up the brightness but it stays that way until YOU reduce it...instead of that a swivel LCD (even if small 2.5") would have been a killer feature compared to this rumored LV in an OVF!!
My $0.02

[StephenG]

If this rumor turns out to be true, and the concept is well executed, do you think it is such a significant breakthrough that people will start to take Pentax seriously?

Rob

i doubt too many people will run off and start buying the K-7 just because of what they can see thru the viewfinder.....

at the end of the day, its IQ that really matters.

[nosnoop]

According to the rumors flying around...

But we got the same old rumor every time before a new Pentax model, simply because of the patent. We had the same rumor before K20D. So my advice is not to get too excited.

[Kunzite]

Stop dreaming, it won't happen.

[Caat]

Stop dreaming, it won't happen.

I agree.

This isn't a rumour. This is based purely on that patent which sparked a load of speculation about the K20D's viewfinder as well, but there is no indication that the viewfinder is special in anyway other than having larger coverage and/or magnification than the K20D's