Pentax can keep producing Model T APS-C cameras, I'm going FullFrame and will take my business to Nikon. I still have a number of great Nikon AI-S lenses from my film days that I can use too.
For all the FullFrame critics, Pentax makes some great stuff but it's all APS-C. The reason I haven't switched is that the D700 is two years old and Nikon is prepping its replacement which is said to have video and other improvements. The chances of me getting my hands on that new camera this year are slim. It will probably be out of stock for awhile at Amazon and brick and mortar stores. I'll probably have to sign up for a waiting list like people did at the initial launch of the Canon 5D MKII or Nikon D700.
Look at Pentax's lineup, two APS-C DSLR's.
The black K-X can be purchased for around $500.
The K-7 can now be purchased for less than $1,000.
The 645D is now $10,995, roughly $11,000. I believe that is what its US price was announced at with the standard lens.
Where's the middle ground? There's a huge gap in Pentax's lineup that should be filled with a decent FullFrame. If you don't want to buy it then don't. Those of us that do can stay with Pentax instead of changing brands.
The Mirrorless camera doesn't really fit that niche; plus, I bet it will be APS-C. To me a Mirrorless is for portability. I can toss a great Mirrorless camera in my hiking bag or take it biking easier than a DSLR. With the price wars between Sony, Samsung, Panasonic and Olympus I don't see a Pentax Mirrorless selling for more than a $1,000 with a lens anyway.
I'm not against Pentax selling APS-C cameras, or even the upcoming Mirrorless. Just give us some real choices. The Pentax product spread is too wide. I'm not interested in medium format.
Regardless of how great a Pentax APS-C or FullFrame DSLR will be, Pentax does little to market their cameras! Pentax needs to develop sales channels and support their products with advertising. Good advertising always pays for itself with increased sales! What good is having a great product if nobody knows about it?
Originally posted by shuie What if the folks at pentax do what they have previously said and not announce a FF camera. What would you do if instead they concentrated in the same direction they have been heading all along in APS-C. What would you do if they released a camera with the latest sensor technology, not the last great thing, but the current next best thing. what if it had class leading AF. what if it had a stronger, more robust, weathersealed body than currently available from the other guys. what if the DR and high ISO specs where at the top of the class, rather than yesterdays news? Would you buy it? Would you say" yes, its the best that there is, but its not FF"?
Who is Pentax marketing to? Not studio Pros (sorry Benjikan). People who go outside with their DSLR's and shoot in tough conditions. Nature, wildlife, landscape, potentially sports, thats where I see Pentax going. The advantage of using smaller bodies, and smaller lenses to emulate the same results on a much larger FF system seems clear to me, in certain applications.
I know I would cheer a true cutting edge platform with the features Pentax has given us in the past. I imagine it would get a serious look from any photographer who has made their living carrying all they needed in a pack for a week to shoot in some remote area. If it apperaed the company was not going to release a one hit wonder, but would continue advancing, and staying at the head of the pack, I think many field Pros would adopt, FF or APS-C regardless. So to my original question, what if, what would you do?
Shu
I realize this may, or may not be news or rumors, but with all the speculation on the upcoming K-5? I wasn't sure where else to put it.