K-mount mirrorless still in the works.

**7samurai** · 07-14-2011, 06:09 PM

If it's true, I would like it with SR, WR and SDM II/DC. Losing the screw drive wouldn't kill me knowing a new generation of SDM II/DC lens are coming.

The SR and WR would help it distinguish itself in the market.

glanglois · 07-14-2011, 07:50 PM

I look at my Sigma 17-70 everyday lens and try to imagine how a new body is going to make that lens any smaller.

K mount won't take us into a significantly smaller system.

Pancake prime users are excepted, of course.

Hide · 07-14-2011, 10:22 PM

Actually doesnt this sound more like a Ricoh GXR w/K mount?

Maybe they have just transferred and combine the two system together, and Ricoh had already got this GXR out for quite sometime.

Mistral75 · 07-15-2011, 12:46 AM

Originally posted by Hide

Actually doesn't this sound more like a Ricoh GXR w/K mount?

Maybe they have just transferred and combine the two system together, and Ricoh had already got this GXR out for quite sometime.

May be. Ricoh will launch a GXR module with M mount so they could do one with K mount and electronic body-lens connection.

Anyway I do not imagine Ricoh developing in parallel the GXR system and an APS-C, K mount compatible mirrorless system camera in addition to Q, K and 645 systems.

froeschle · 07-15-2011, 01:29 AM

Quote:

It will use the K-mount and somehow be only slightly thicker than the Sony NEX system.

Reviving old concepts...

Quote:

[...] ultra-compact 'Digital K' SLR from 1997 - a 'headless' K mount body with no viewfinder and a live view LCD [...]

http://a.img-dpreview.com/articles/photokina2006/Pentax/IMG_0409.jpg
Photokina 2006 DPReview

Did you know this about Pentax?

eurostar · 07-15-2011, 02:42 AM

That concept form 1997 is not slightly thicker than the sony NEX cameras. Is a lot more bulkier.

If what this rumors is about is true, I guess they will go with a classic reflex camera design, a very narrow body with a protruding box (or cylinder) that put the bayonet at the right working distance. New lenses created for the camera, that not need the clearance for the mirror, could be simply recessing lens, with most of the optics protruding inside the camera.

Like a L rear converter.

openyourap · 07-15-2011, 03:40 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

So there would be an extensiontube to use current lenses on that camera. Sounds great and keeps us warm true the coming winter.

. . .and likely not your current one - 11, 21, 31 or 36mm (or 100

).

Consider that the K mount Flange Focal Distance is 45.46 mm and that Sony probably did their optics homework to get the NEX E mount down to 18mm and still covering the APSC circle OK.

Expect a tube at around 28mm.

RonHendriks1966 · 07-15-2011, 06:22 AM

Originally posted by openyourap

. . .and likely not your current one - 11, 21, 31 or 36mm (or 100

).

Consider that the K mount Flange Focal Distance is 45.46 mm and that Sony probably did their optics homework to get the NEX E mount down to 18mm and still covering the APSC circle OK.

Expect a tube at around 28mm.

Well that is a nice tube since we can use it on out dslr as an extension tube for close-up and macro photography since it must have all the contacts and SDM and screwdrive support!

Biro · 07-15-2011, 08:57 AM

While I have no more insight than anyone else on this subject, it would strike me as very ironic if an APS-C mirrorless camera from Pentax would not support screw drive - and therefore not support DA Limited prime lenses. Given the diminutive size of these pancakes, the presence of a tube might not be a dealbreaker.

**Aristophanes** · 07-15-2011, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by openyourap

Consider that the K mount Flange Focal Distance is 45.46 mm and that Sony probably did their optics homework to get the NEX E mount down to 18mm and still covering the APSC circle OK.

Expect a tube at around 28mm.

But a 3cm tube integral to the design negates a design function of mirrorless, which is a smaller body.

The tube concept retains the mirror box space without the prism and OVF.

The only advantage is internally recessed lenses, so the body is bulkier but the lenses are much more compact. It's an interesting trade-off concept, if there is truth to the rumour.

Hard to tell. It will have to retain SR and screw drive or its reason for being disappears. The range of accommodation extends from F, FA and DA lens lines easing the transition cost to the new mount for many people.

openyourap · 07-15-2011, 03:43 PM

Originally posted by Aristophanes

But a 3cm tube integral to the design negates a design function of mirrorless, which is a smaller body.

The tube concept retains the mirror box space without the prism and OVF.

The only advantage is internally recessed lenses, so the body is bulkier but the lenses are much more compact. It's an interesting trade-off concept, if there is truth to the rumour.

Hard to tell. It will have to retain SR and screw drive or its reason for being disappears. The range of accommodation extends from F, FA and DA lens lines easing the transition cost to the new mount for many people.

I don't envisage an integral tube, I see it as an after-market accessory.

We're really talking about a new mount specification that happens to share the K flange and contacts. Call it KAF4, flat K, or whatever. Lenses for it would not have heavily recessed optics. Mounting on your legacy K camera would give you a longer focal length that would only close focus (though pentax could add legacy focus to infinity at the design stage).

ogl · 07-15-2011, 10:51 PM

I think it's insane rumors. Mirrorless and K-mount are no good combination.

Zygonyx · 07-16-2011, 02:45 AM

It would still make sense if it would be in the 24x36mm format... the first in the market with already plenty of working lenses still under production...
Then the relative bulkiness of the tube would be proportionnaly lessened, and le new SDM "KAF4" lenses line would be K-compatible, hence interesting even for reflex owners...

kristoffon · 07-16-2011, 11:05 AM

A SDM only mount would make perfect sense. Then add the optional adapter for Kaf lenses with a screw drive and motor. Presto! Thin camera, small wide angle lenses, and Kaf lenses work.

I'm trying to hold off buying a Fuji X100 in hopes this materializes.

Raffwal · 07-16-2011, 11:43 AM

Originally posted by kristoffon

A SDM only mount would make perfect sense.

A majority of the current SDM lenses aren't exactly compact.

07-15-2011, 03:40 AM	#22
openyourap Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 171	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 So there would be an extensiontube to use current lenses on that camera. Sounds great and keeps us warm true the coming winter. . . .and likely not your current one - 11, 21, 31 or 36mm (or 100). Consider that the K mount Flange Focal Distance is 45.46 mm and that Sony probably did their optics homework to get the NEX E mount down to 18mm and still covering the APSC circle OK. Expect a tube at around 28mm.

07-15-2011, 06:22 AM	#23
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by openyourap . . .and likely not your current one - 11, 21, 31 or 36mm (or 100). Consider that the K mount Flange Focal Distance is 45.46 mm and that Sony probably did their optics homework to get the NEX E mount down to 18mm and still covering the APSC circle OK. Expect a tube at around 28mm. Well that is a nice tube since we can use it on out dslr as an extension tube for close-up and macro photography since it must have all the contacts and SDM and screwdrive support!

07-16-2011, 02:45 AM	#28
Zygonyx Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ile de France Posts: 4,033	It would still make sense if it would be in the 24x36mm format... the first in the market with already plenty of working lenses still under production... Then the relative bulkiness of the tube would be proportionnaly lessened, and le new SDM "KAF4" lenses line would be K-compatible, hence interesting even for reflex owners... Last edited by Zygonyx; 07-16-2011 at 03:08 AM.

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07-14-2011, 06:09 PM	#16
7samurai Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 474	If it's true, I would like it with SR, WR and SDM II/DC. Losing the screw drive wouldn't kill me knowing a new generation of SDM II/DC lens are coming. The SR and WR would help it distinguish itself in the market.

07-14-2011, 07:50 PM	#17
glanglois Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Madison, Wis., USA Posts: 1,506	I look at my Sigma 17-70 everyday lens and try to imagine how a new body is going to make that lens any smaller. K mount won't take us into a significantly smaller system. Pancake prime users are excepted, of course.

07-14-2011, 10:22 PM	#18
Hide Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hong Kong/Singapore/Melbourne Posts: 54	Actually doesnt this sound more like a Ricoh GXR w/K mount? Maybe they have just transferred and combine the two system together, and Ricoh had already got this GXR out for quite sometime.

07-15-2011, 12:46 AM	#19
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Originally posted by Hide Actually doesn't this sound more like a Ricoh GXR w/K mount? Maybe they have just transferred and combine the two system together, and Ricoh had already got this GXR out for quite sometime. May be. Ricoh will launch a GXR module with M mount so they could do one with K mount and electronic body-lens connection. Anyway I do not imagine Ricoh developing in parallel the GXR system and an APS-C, K mount compatible mirrorless system camera in addition to Q, K and 645 systems.

07-15-2011, 01:29 AM	#20
froeschle Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 552	Quote: It will use the K-mount and somehow be only slightly thicker than the Sony NEX system. Reviving old concepts... Quote: [...] ultra-compact 'Digital K' SLR from 1997 - a 'headless' K mount body with no viewfinder and a live view LCD [...] http://a.img-dpreview.com/articles/photokina2006/Pentax/IMG_0409.jpg Photokina 2006 DPReview Did you know this about Pentax?

07-15-2011, 02:42 AM	#21
eurostar Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Albareto, Italy Photos: Gallery Posts: 819	That concept form 1997 is not slightly thicker than the sony NEX cameras. Is a lot more bulkier. If what this rumors is about is true, I guess they will go with a classic reflex camera design, a very narrow body with a protruding box (or cylinder) that put the bayonet at the right working distance. New lenses created for the camera, that not need the clearance for the mirror, could be simply recessing lens, with most of the optics protruding inside the camera. Like a L rear converter.

07-15-2011, 08:57 AM	#24
Biro Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,200	While I have no more insight than anyone else on this subject, it would strike me as very ironic if an APS-C mirrorless camera from Pentax would not support screw drive - and therefore not support DA Limited prime lenses. Given the diminutive size of these pancakes, the presence of a tube might not be a dealbreaker.

07-15-2011, 11:09 AM	#25
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	Originally posted by openyourap Consider that the K mount Flange Focal Distance is 45.46 mm and that Sony probably did their optics homework to get the NEX E mount down to 18mm and still covering the APSC circle OK. Expect a tube at around 28mm. But a 3cm tube integral to the design negates a design function of mirrorless, which is a smaller body. The tube concept retains the mirror box space without the prism and OVF. The only advantage is internally recessed lenses, so the body is bulkier but the lenses are much more compact. It's an interesting trade-off concept, if there is truth to the rumour. Hard to tell. It will have to retain SR and screw drive or its reason for being disappears. The range of accommodation extends from F, FA and DA lens lines easing the transition cost to the new mount for many people.

07-15-2011, 03:43 PM	#26
openyourap Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 171	Originally posted by Aristophanes But a 3cm tube integral to the design negates a design function of mirrorless, which is a smaller body. The tube concept retains the mirror box space without the prism and OVF. The only advantage is internally recessed lenses, so the body is bulkier but the lenses are much more compact. It's an interesting trade-off concept, if there is truth to the rumour. Hard to tell. It will have to retain SR and screw drive or its reason for being disappears. The range of accommodation extends from F, FA and DA lens lines easing the transition cost to the new mount for many people. I don't envisage an integral tube, I see it as an after-market accessory. We're really talking about a new mount specification that happens to share the K flange and contacts. Call it KAF4, flat K, or whatever. Lenses for it would not have heavily recessed optics. Mounting on your legacy K camera would give you a longer focal length that would only close focus (though pentax could add legacy focus to infinity at the design stage).

07-15-2011, 10:51 PM	#27
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	I think it's insane rumors. Mirrorless and K-mount are no good combination.

07-16-2011, 11:05 AM	#29
kristoffon Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brazil Posts: 532	A SDM only mount would make perfect sense. Then add the optional adapter for Kaf lenses with a screw drive and motor. Presto! Thin camera, small wide angle lenses, and Kaf lenses work. I'm trying to hold off buying a Fuji X100 in hopes this materializes.

07-16-2011, 11:43 AM	#30
Raffwal Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The North Posts: 879	Originally posted by kristoffon A SDM only mount would make perfect sense. A majority of the current SDM lenses aren't exactly compact.