Originally posted by v5planet I don't think it's quite that clear cut, personally. I would be nice if it were a FF dslr, but I suspect they were talking about a variety of things. New lenses, improved AF, flash system, really anything that might have been hamstrung under the Hoya umbrella.
Well, I have a theory.
The film camera company called Pentax was dying in the SLR category having it's last gasp with the MZ-S. The MZ-S was the Pentax opus to the film era. There was the plastic *ist and other crappy/cheap film cameras, but the MZ-S was the child of the greats - the K1000/LX/MESuper and destined to pass the torch.
At the time, the lead into digital photography was littered with failed attempts. The early Optios were gaining traction as Point and Shoots, and were the stars at Pentax, so the MZ-S team needed to do a slam dunk to stay in the game and stay relevant in the company. The MZ-S team were the best engineers at Pentax - I have no doubt.
So much was tied to the success of the MZ-D that all associated and related lenses and road maps were tied to the MZ-D success. Careers were on the line as well as reputation.
In the last days of film, there were the Optios and the cheap *ist.
Anything serious for professionals? MZ-S and the promise of the MZ-D.
What happened next was the *ist-D became the chosen one, as the MZ-D died during birth. I use the birth metaphor in that the MZ-D went full term but never made it out into the real world.
Everything that came after the *ist-D to the present K5 was never supposed to be the flagship of what Pentax *could* do.
I think the children of the *ist-D have done a remarkable job, but I think it's time for the return of the King.
It's time for Pentax to come back as a serious professional choice and to finish what should have been.
My theory lies in the minds of the creative people at Pentax and a Japanese mind set. The Japanese do not like defeat and love the kind of story that has been played out over the last decade. It makes for good morale. It shows that Pentax never abandons good/great ideas. It shows that no matter the obstacles that need to be overcome, that Pentax - as a Japanese company - can return to greatness or at least fix something in the "honor" of a company.
My theory is that Pentax will release the FF DSLR for the market share, but also for the morale and honor of doing so.
I can bet that somewhere inside of Pentax other share this story, but will never admit to it.
Look at how other companies do similar things to reclaim greatness.
If a FF DSLR comes from Pentax, I will buy it tomorrow because I love a good story and great cameras!