[causey]

I don't see it being too hard to come up with a DIY viewfinder, though, especially for primes.

I'm going to suppose Adam is playing with us. At the end of the game we're going to be so hot, we'll all get at least a new K-01. As Adam said--the marketing that Pentax hasn't been able to do.
So, obviously, the K-01 has some kind of viewfinder.
(Without this supposition I'd go nuts checking this thread.)

[pinholecam]

Add to the news here :
PENTAX K-01 & smc PENTAX-DA 40mmF2.8 XS - Official Embargo Date: 2/2/2012

[jeffshaddix]

Add to the news here :
PENTAX K-01 & smc PENTAX-DA 40mmF2.8 XS - Official Embargo Date: 2/2/2012

Nice find! Looks promising, although it still doesn't say what XS stands for (eXtra Sushi ftw).

Edit: Looks like another confirmation of no viewfinder further down the page...just the LCD (credit to pinhole above for posting the question). Here's hoping they considerably improved the display lag from the K7/5.

[Adam]

For the record, info about the camera can't be posted prior to 13:00 CET, but I have a feeling some people will shave those hours off and just post the information as soon as it's Thursday somewhere in the world. Not us!

My guess is that XS stands for "eXtra Slim".

Adam
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[sjwaldron]

Add to the news here :
PENTAX K-01 & smc PENTAX-DA 40mmF2.8 XS - Official Embargo Date: 2/2/2012

The new 40mm say KAF mount and the person on there implies it will work with existing bodies.
Filter Diameter: 27mm... The existing 40mm lens has a 49mm filter thread.
I'm wondering if it will be lacking a focus ring...

They also say that the only viewfinder is the 3 inch LCD as the K-5 and that the body design should be rugged.
-The camera body is compact and trim whilst preserving all the functions of a professional camera.
-The materials convey quality and honesty.
-Machined aluminum and rubber provide user with a tactile and durable piece of technology.

I'll give it a +1 for mentioning professional camera and +1 for aluminum body. Maybe this will be to Pentax what the iPhone was to Apple?

I could see this as a decent sidekick to the K-5 considering I "dual wield" two camera bodies with prime lenses often at events. Assuming it does have more control in video mode (no I don't mean physical controls, I mean ISO and shutter speed manual control at least).

[K1D27H]

The new 40mm say KAF mount and the person on there implies it will work with existing bodies.
Filter Diameter: 27mm... The existing 40mm lens has a 49mm filter thread.
I'm wondering if it will be lacking a focus ring...

They also say that the only viewfinder is the 3 inch LCD as the K-5 and that the body design should be rugged.
-The camera body is compact and trim whilst preserving all the functions of a professional camera.
-The materials convey quality and honesty.
-Machined aluminum and rubber provide user with a tactile and durable piece of technology.

I'll give it a +1 for mentioning professional camera and +1 for aluminum body. Maybe this will be to Pentax what the iPhone was to Apple?

I could see this as a decent sidekick to the K-5 considering I "dual wield" two camera bodies with prime lenses often at events. Assuming it does have more control in video mode (no I don't mean physical controls, I mean ISO and shutter speed manual control at least).

It is going to be difficult finding a filter for this lens on this side of the world. I can hardly find 40.5mm filters for Q and X10 already.

[1shot]

I wonder (after trying to reconcile all the various rumors into one cohesive idea) if this K-01 might have some sort of wide converter/ telecompressor in the mirror box space that would restore FOV/DOF characteristics of FA lenses. My understanding is that what held this up before was a Kodak patent. As we all know, Kodak sold/is selling their patents so maybe that allowed Ricoh to buy or license that patent. Come to think of it maybe Kodak's problems and sale of patents were what really held up this camera after all rather than the merger, natural disasters ect.

[sjwaldron]

It is going to be difficult finding a filter for this lens on this side of the world. I can hardly find 40.5mm filters for Q and X10 already.

For sure, I'd have to look to see if they exist here as well. I do know it would be impossible to find locally.

I wonder (after trying to reconcile all the various rumors into one cohesive idea) if this K-01 might have some sort of wide converter/ telecompressor in the mirror box space that would restore FOV/DOF characteristics of FA lenses. My understanding is that what held this up before was a Kodak patent. As we all know, Kodak sold/is selling their patents so maybe that allowed Ricoh to buy or license that patent. Come to think of it maybe Kodak's problems and sale of patents were what really held up this camera after all rather than the merger, natural disasters ect.

I highly doubt they would pull something so strange out of their magic top hat. All signs point to standard APS-C.

My guess so far:
- Basically a semi-downgraded K-5. It seems smart on various levels. They have more volume on parts and use existing technical assets. The K-5 specs are still solid.
- Lacks a viewfinder and magnesium alloy casing, but uses Aluminum that is more appealing than plastic for sure.
- Might have weather sealing...
- Keeps SR, K-mount, great 16mp sensor, speed of the K-5 (buffer, etc).
- Improves live-view focus speed and adds focus options for quicker area selection. Also improves on other things like video mode. Various firmware improvements.

What worries me is the 1/4000th maximum shutter speed mentioned in the rumor. If it is a minimal K-5, then it should have 1/8000th.... and if it did have 1/8000 it's already better than ALL mirrorless I care to look at out there at the moment. NEX-7... 1/4000th... Fuji PRO 1/4000th... etc. 1/8000th IS important with fast lenses outdoors when I want to maximize background blur. I don't see any reason they couldn't use the K-5 shutter unless they wanted to go cheap or go completely electronic.

Adam, feel free to hint at the true maximum shutter speed.

[Adam]

.

No more hints!

[frank]

For the record, info about the camera can't be posted prior to 13:00 CET, but I have a feeling some people will shave those hours off and just post the information as soon as it's Thursday somewhere in the world. Not us!

My guess is that XS stands for "eXtra Slim".

CET? Here in SG we are quite a few hours earlier than that

[sjwaldron]

Hidden content may not be quoted.

No more hints!

Oh... so "always in focus" and assuming at hyperfocal distance. That's odd at such a long focal-length. Isn't the 40mm around 3 meters / 5 feet?

You can probably expect 24 hours of being pestered, can you hold out? It might be better if you take a short vacation from the forum, eh?

[Asahiflex]

No more hints!

Huh, the sensor does the focusing???

Because I cannot see how a 40mm f/2.8 lens (60mm eq. on FF) can be made panfocus without being stopped down a lot.

[Kunzite]

Panfocus lens?
Adam, come on... saying such jokes with a straight face!

[pinholecam]

Personally I'm a bit disappointed that it has no EVF or OVF.
Certainly falls off my "BUY NOW WITHOUT A DOUBT" list.
But I'm really trying to reconcile this in my mind, because when I used a GF1 which had no built-in OVF/EVF, its was a joy to use for its simplicity in approach to taking photos.
Now this K-01 is exactly that (GF1) with APS-C and an array of K-mount lenses I can use, topped with SR and lots more from a Pentax camera.
In fact it more like a EP3 but APS-C.
To me, focusing aids (eg. peaking) and the new lenses will help seal the deal for me.

[Adam]