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10-18-2010, 08:47 AM   #1
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FA Ltd will be discontinued and FF never comes

This is what I've heard.
It is a rummor from Photokina, some guy released it after he talked to the official from Pentax.
Considering Hoya never invests money in research and cut down the staff of Pentax by 30%(famous optical master 平川纯 has been “fired” by Hoya), I am planning to switch my system to Nikon, at least, a lot of old designer from Pentax went to Nikon.

10-18-2010, 08:51 AM   #2
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You guys have got to simmer down with this topic. There are threads on it already- and I think everything that there is to say has already be said. Of course the FA limiteds will be discontinued at some point, but it doesn't sound like that's going to be any time soon. And if Pentax doesn't go down the FF route, they'll surely come up with something else that's exciting for their target audience. Nuff said.
10-18-2010, 08:52 AM   #3
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There's already been lots of discussion on this, and the FA Ltd part was apparently refuted by Pentax employees in Japan.
10-18-2010, 08:52 AM   #4
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平川纯 is who designed FA 43, 77 ltd, DA 40ltd, FA*85/1.4, and DA* 55 was his last master piece in Pentax. He is only more or less than 40 years old now.

10-18-2010, 08:54 AM   #5
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I think Hoya is going to take everything he can from Pentax, and then sell it. And it was just what they said before.


QuoteOriginally posted by Adam Quote
You guys have got to simmer down with this topic. There are threads on it already- and I think everything that there is to say has already be said. Of course the FA limiteds will be discontinued at some point, but it doesn't sound like that's going to be any time soon. And if Pentax doesn't go down the FF route, they'll surely come up with something else that's exciting for their target audience. Nuff said.
10-18-2010, 09:33 AM - 1 Like   #6
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stop posting bullshit

lurk more
10-18-2010, 09:41 AM   #7
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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.

10-18-2010, 09:46 AM   #8
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Adam-

I think you are right on the money. Pentax has a target market. They are not Nikon or Canon. They don't have the resources to compete across as broad a sprectrum of customers as those two. However, in their target market the make superb products.

Now if you bought into Pentax without realizing they are not Canon or Nikon, then you didn't do your research and that's not Pentax's fault. If you bought into Pentax thinking they would somehow become a company the size of Nikon and Canon then I wouldn't want to call your delusional, but I sure could say you were probably wildly overly optimistic. And if you bought into Pentax thinking that somehow Full Frame would become the industry standard and as a result Pentax would have to build a Full Frame DSLR then you just probably over estimated the market for Full Frame cameras for the near term (as in the next say about 3 or so years).

I've been watching this Full Frame thing with Pentax go on ad infinitum on this forum for almost two years now. I would have thought some of you would have thrown the towel in by now, but I guess hope springs eternal in Pentax land.

Personally I'm pretty excited about the K5. The new zoom not so much. But just because I don't like zooms doesn't mean I'm going to go bonkers over Pentax. They make some excellent products and I've learned to enjoy what they have as to opposed to what they don't. I guess I'm just a glass half full person. Heck, I've even started shooting a Sigma DP-2.
10-18-2010, 09:49 AM   #9
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Deadwolfbones-

The 43 is great. I can't wait to get the 31 and 77. Should be around the first of the year. I think they will make a great kit with the K5.
10-18-2010, 10:09 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by deadwolfbones Quote
There's already been lots of discussion on this, and the FA Ltd part was apparently refuted by Pentax employees in Japan.
Not saying the rumor is true or not, but it was refuted by Customer Service reps. Not to knock on Customer Service reps, but they're not usually the holders of roadmap and/or privileged information.

I know that people think that just because it was answered by Customer Service reps in Japan that it means something more...but well, Customer service is still Customer service whichever country it is.
10-18-2010, 10:11 AM   #11
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For me, there's less of a demand for Full Frame since the K5 was introduced. Some people are saying that K5 noise and image quality rivals full frame but in an apsc format.

So now, the only thing attractive about full frame is the angle of view. But hey, my FA lenses have better performance on an APSC sensor as it'll be sharper in an APSC image circle.
10-18-2010, 10:22 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by uchinakuri Quote
Not saying the rumor is true or not, but it was refuted by Customer Service reps. Not to knock on Customer Service reps, but they're not usually the holders of roadmap and/or privileged information.

I know that people think that just because it was answered by Customer Service reps in Japan that it means something more...but well, Customer service is still Customer service whichever country it is.
Yeah, I know. I have my doubts as well.

But it doesn't matter for me (I've already got the trio) and it doesn't matter for most people (because the DA Limiteds are stellar as well, and there's no Pentax FF body at the moment). All lenses are retired eventually, it's just the natural course of the market. It's sad if it happens, but there's no use getting upset about it or leaving Pentax because of it.
10-18-2010, 10:55 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by henryjing Quote
... I am planning to switch my system to Nikon ...
Great, 2 FA Ltd on the second hand market And some other nice glass.
10-18-2010, 11:10 AM - 1 Like   #14
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Come on, don't you guys know? If Pentax discontinues a lens, then THEY ALL STOP WORKING. The magic pixie dust just evaporates, and all the lenses already in the field become nothing more than paperweights!

It's tragic, really.
10-18-2010, 11:16 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by henryjing Quote
This is what I've heard.
It is a rummor from Photokina, some guy released it after he talked to the official from Pentax.
Considering Hoya never invests money in research and cut down the staff of Pentax by 30%(famous optical master 平川纯 has been “fired” by Hoya), I am planning to switch my system to Nikon, at least, a lot of old designer from Pentax went to Nikon.
If you want full frame camera system it stands to reason that you should buy it from someone who makes it now. Nikon is supposedly a good choice, so good luck with them.

All the other stuff you mentioned is either unconfirmed rumors or old news.
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