[falconeye]

Sounds interesting but I still have my doubts about Pentax know-how on AF predicitve tracking algorithms.

You're right. Judging from their amateur trials with contrast AF I am almost sure they lack a capable engineer in the field. One single engineer, bright and open to search for the existing and new ideas, is all what is needed though. For $300k/a ($1 per camera!), this guy should be for hire. Japan has a good enough education system.

[mikemike]

Pentax K-5 photo leaked - Lenstip.com

[falconeye]

I don't really understand expanded and base ISO entirely. Can you please explain for me.

I'm confused how a camera that say has a base ISO of 100 could then be expanded as low as 50 and possibly perform worse.

AFAIK, a sensor has a given and constant effiency when collecting electrons from photons and after a certain number of them are collected (like 50,000 electrons) the pixel flows over. Called the full well capacity. This results in a defined ISO value where 18% gray, when exposed correctly, fills the well to 18% (simplifying things).

Normally, the base ISO is a tad higher rounded to the next normal value like 100 or 200. Also, to give a bit of extra headroom for highlights. Kodak has different recommendations for computing ISO based on the type of photography the camera or film is made for (studio, landscape etc.).

Extended low ISO then is nothing but overexposure by less than a full stop. If the dynamic range isn't large, it may make sense to use it. As it can make sense to underexpose 1 stop with high contrast. The lower ISO does also use a smaller gain when reading out the pixel charges. So, the read-out noise is a tad lower. But that's normally almost unmeasurable.

[lithos]

Or it could be for people who don't need a crutch to take pictures like auto focus, aperture/shutter prioity automatic modes, and ISO 6400.


I know it must be amazing for teenagers to realize that you can take pictures wihout the camera doing all the work for you.

Explain my MX then, and then get back to the nursing home. They must be worried about you.

[shadmanaj]

is there any rumour floating around about an "upcoming FF camera", as Asahiflex said?

[AngryCorgi]

If that is the case, I really need to save my pennies to buy it. I'd buy it for the $1600 too. (Just thought I'd get ahead of those that tend to gripe about Pentax Prices). If it was a Canon or Nikon it'd be more than that.

Really? The 60D and upcoming D7000 are very comparable (both 1080P, both pentaprisms, both 16MP+, both semi-pro), yet the 60D is available for $1099 (msrp) and the D7000 is rumored to be in the $1100-1200 price range (launching next wednesday). So if we already know this, then how can you say that $1600 is what Canon or Nikon would charge?

[AngryCorgi]

In playing with a K-7, I loved the feel/build. Let's hope that the K-5 comes down $200-300 and features IQ comparable to the K-X rather than the K-7. There's a lot to like about the form-factor of this camera.

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Last edited by AngryCorgi; 09-10-2010 at 08:03 AM.

[Belnan]

Really? The 60D and upcoming D7000 are very comparable (both 1080P, both pentaprisms, both 16MP+, both semi-pro), yet the 60D is available for $1099 (msrp) and the D7000 is rumored to be in the $1100-1200 price range (launching next wednesday). So if we already know this, then how can you say that $1600 is what Canon or Nikon would charge?

If the specs are true I may buy one, but the $1699 US price tag seems much to high for Canada. If Pentax stays true to there pricing of camera bodies, I would estimate about $1899 CAD, WTF. This would be more than the 7D, the d300s and getting close to the d700(within $400 on sale) prices. The only people that would pay this price would be exsisting pentax owners. Is Pentax out to gouge its exsisting customers? 1599 CAD would be a resonable price IMO. I hope the price is incorrect or pentax canada prices this camera on dollar with the US price.

[deadwolfbones]

Guys, MSRP != street price. Calm down until you see how it actually shakes out at retailers.

[deejjjaaaa]

Is Pentax out to gouge its exsisting customers?

nothing wrong w/ that, they are not charity... and they calculated that whoever wanted to leave within the group that affords around $2K dSLRs already mostly left... the rest are primed to be milked.

[milarmon]

Pentax K-5 photo leaked - Lenstip.com

Nice fake photo... the only problem is the inclination of the reflection :P

[deejjjaaaa]

But if you can sync with new flash at 1/250 why wouldn't I be able to sync with other flashes at the same speed or with Cybersyncs using my Alien Bees which I can't do now?

because they want you to buy new flashes, so it might be an intentionally crippled K-5 firmware which simply does not allow 1/250 sync w/ old flashes even if the shutter is fully capable ?

[jmbradd]

wow photo was removed from my post a few pages ago.

My inclination is thats a legit photo...mode selector dial is one row of bumps taller, the AF selector switch is beveled and the inside of the lens looks like pentax's PR photos for other cameras.

[mattdm]

In playing with a K-7, I loved the feel/build. Let's hope that the K-5 comes down $200-300 and features IQ comparable to the K-X rather than the K-7. There's a lot to like about the form-factor of this camera.

You're using "IQ" as shorthand for "low-noise high ISO". The differences are marginal below ISO 3200, even if you're placing your faith in DxoMark scores rather than actual results. If you look at actual results, clearly the K-7 has astoundingly good IQ. I like great high ISO as much as the next person, but this repeated story gets tiresome.

[solar1]

imo is a fake-price-reverse-psych teaser... the collective sigh of relief will sell a lot of cameras when they announce the lower msrp, I'm jus' sayin'.

If the specs are true I may buy one, but the $1699 US price tag seems much to high for Canada. If Pentax stays true to there pricing of camera bodies, I would estimate about $1899 CAD, WTF. This would be more than the 7D, the d300s and getting close to the d700(within $400 on sale) prices. The only people that would pay this price would be exsisting pentax owners. Is Pentax out to gouge its exsisting customers? 1599 CAD would be a resonable price IMO. I hope the price is incorrect or pentax canada prices this camera on dollar with the US price.