[the swede]

Henry: Are you willing to give up your really great set of Pentax lenses for going FF.

Will you be able to (afford to) replace them in another brand? Are there equivalent lenses in the Nikon mount?
(the Limiteds for example)

So, will you be happy with "just" FF, without the fantastic set of lenses you got that already has great cameras to fit them to (K-r/K-5)?

[Staffan]

Pentax will make a full frame camera when they can at the price point that the K-5 sells at (more or less) because there is not a demand for FF that Pentax can support. FF is not in the forseeable future because no camera maker can make a FF that is in demand amongst enthusiasts.

FF is a possibility in the long run but don't hold your breath. Cameras like the K5 show that FF is only really needed if you require super thin DOF or billboard sized prints. It's becoming more and more a specialist need as sensor quality improves. I think Pentax (Hoya) is wise to focus on compact SLRs / ergonomics instead of making a beastly camera like the D3.

Select the tool you need. I doubt most Pentax users need or desire a 5000 dollar body with FF.

I also doubt the Ltds will be discontinued for a while, as they fill a nice niche in the top-of-the line area and are really unique lenses amongst all most makers.

Good answer, paperbag846! What you say is common sense. Why would most users need FF now when the quality of smaller cameras is getting better and better? I want a semi-pro camera but FF beasts are not interesting for me. K-7 disappointed me regarding high ISO and AF, but K-5 seems to achieve what still was missing. I am happy to say!

[Ash]

There's a lot of common sense here after a sensational claim from the OP who is hell bent on switching systems anyway, milking the grudge on Pentax for all it's worth. Neither assertion has merit nor importance as has been said, and it appears Henry that you just want to see Pentaxians defect to other systems in disgust. Poor form, sir.

Enjoy Nikon.

[henryjing]

No. I am not. So I hate Hoya. Pentax should be great, but not with Hoya...

Henry: Are you willing to give up your really great set of Pentax lenses for going FF.

Will you be able to (afford to) replace them in another brand? Are there equivalent lenses in the Nikon mount?
(the Limiteds for example)

So, will you be happy with "just" FF, without the fantastic set of lenses you got that already has great cameras to fit them to (K-r/K-5)?

[Blue]

No. I am not. So I hate Hoya. Pentax should be great, but not with Hoya...

What does your "hatred" of Hoya have to do with an unsubstantiated rumor about the FA ltd lenses?

[henryjing]

Actually Hoya has no ability to "manufacture" the FA ltd, all they can do is to "assemble"...so it is clear that FA ltd will be discontinued when the lens glass in stock have been used up...And since Hoya has no cash flow to carry on a FF plan, they have no reason to release FF lens at all.

Moreover, the "EVIL" is now controlling the market, NEX series and A55 are actually good idea. If the tech could be perfect, EVIL will be the future, so why will Hoya put money on FF d-slr? A FF EVIL is more convincing, however, could Pentax give up SLR, which he created?

What does your "hatred" of Hoya have to do with an unsubstantiated rumor about the FA ltd lenses?

[deadwolfbones]

Actually Hoya has no ability to "manufacture" the FA ltd, all they can do is to "assemble"...so it is clear that FA ltd will be discontinued when the lens glass in stock have been used up...And since Hoya has no cash flow to carry on a FF plan, they have no reason to release FF lens at all.

Where do you get this from? They have factories that make all of their other glass... why would those factories be incapable of making FA Ltd glass? It's nonsense.

[Blue]

Actually Hoya has no ability to "manufacture" the FA ltd, all they can do is to "assemble"...so it is clear that FA ltd will be discontinued when the lens glass in stock have been used up...And since Hoya has no cash flow to carry on a FF plan, they have no reason to release FF lens at all.

Moreover, the "EVIL" is now controlling the market, NEX series and A55 actually is good idea. If the tech could be perfect, EVIL will be future, so why will Hoya put money on FF d-slr? A FF EVIL is more convincing, however, could Pentax give up SLR, which he created?

Its only Monday, but that is the funniest thing I have heard all week.

1. What makes you think they can no longer make the FA ltd lenses? If that's the case, wouldn't they also be discontinuing ALL lenses?

2. What does EVIL have to do with the FA lenses? In fact that is a market segment that is very diverse and rapidly changing and is in a large part a different market segment.

3. It is mythology that an EVF will replace optical view finders. Those cameras still have limitations in certain kinds of photography. However, what does that have to do with FA lenses?

I don't see Canon, Nikon or Pentax discontinuing dSLR cameras anytime soon given the sales.