[ElJamoquio]

When you have only ever had two models in your APS-C DSLR line up, the cheapest base model is the "entry level' model IMO. The K-x and K-r have always been considered entry level options and the K-30 is no different, if Pentax marketing don't want to call it entry level it's because of the implication of the competitors entry level machines. For example the K-30 is closer the the D5100 and not the D3200, so perhaps by Nikons standards it's not. The K-30 will eventually sell for $699, which is the same price as the K-x and K-r and so for all intents and purposes it's the entry level and the K-5 successor will be the premium or semi pro model.

But you are certainly entitled to disagree.

Sure, you have your entry level Leica, Hasselblad, Ferrari...

[Allison]

eh. we have seen it before. Pentax discontinues and then a new "top of the line" is announced a month later. Do I think this is a best practice? Probably not. I would rather them either leak the upcoming camera as the same time as the discontinue announcement or just keep the k5 as "officially" in production until the new camera is announced, but that is not what they do.

They are kind of screwed whatever they do. Announce a stellar camera with too much lead time and Canikon responds by tweaking the specs on their next releases that are most similar. This would be especially true if those rumors of entry level FF from Canikon and a FF body from Pentax are true. What they could do is make an announcement that another camera is coming, but not release any specs. At least we would know they were going somewhere. Don't say anything and there will always be the handful of people who believe that the sky is falling.

Nothing that happens at this point changes this wedding season. From Labor day on I have a wedding every weekend until Thanksgiving. Even if that FF is available next month I won't have time enough to learn it to actually shoot with it at a paid event. So spring release for a FF or an amazing K5 replacement is fine by me.

[LaurenOE]

Nothing that happens at this point changes this wedding season. From Labor day on I have a wedding every weekend until Thanksgiving. Even if that FF is available next month I won't have time enough to learn it to actually shoot with it at a paid event. So spring release for a FF or an amazing K5 replacement is fine by me.

I can relate to this concept, albeit slightly differently.

The "once-a-year" UK trip is coming on Sept 25. After a month shooting pictures and video, it will take at least 6 months for me to "use up" my inventory of material.

I would have liked to know before heading out what was in store, but truthfully, I won't uptake a new K5 replacement until the spring - unless there is a FF. Then I will buy it immediately upon availability.

[pxpaulx]

eh. we have seen it before. Pentax discontinues and then a new "top of the line" is announced a month later. Do I think this is a best practice? Probably not. I would rather them either leak the upcoming camera as the same time as the discontinue announcement or just keep the k5 as "officially" in production until the new camera is announced, but that is not what they do.

They are kind of screwed whatever they do. Announce a stellar camera with too much lead time and Canikon responds by tweaking the specs on their next releases that are most similar. This would be especially true if those rumors of entry level FF from Canikon and a FF body from Pentax are true. What they could do is make an announcement that another camera is coming, but not release any specs. At least we would know they were going somewhere. Don't say anything and there will always be the handful of people who believe that the sky is falling.

Nothing that happens at this point changes this wedding season. From Labor day on I have a wedding every weekend until Thanksgiving. Even if that FF is available next month I won't have time enough to learn it to actually shoot with it at a paid event. So spring release for a FF or an amazing K5 replacement is fine by me.

They've typically announced discontinuations at least several months following new model releases, from memory this is the first time a model has been discontinued prior to release of the successor. Even before when they would make the announcement later, production would have stopped well before that, with retailers supplied from warehouse stock. Perhaps they have changed how they announce the discontinuation, meaning the K-5 production has stopped, however retailers will continue to receive some new supply until the warehouse is emptied.

With competitors releasing new products on sometimes very short lifespans, I don't think Pentax can really sit back and worry about what might be done by the competition before or after their own announcements. If the K-5 successor is a big a leap as the K-5 was, there will be much interest, regardless of the competition. It would also be nice if they come out with a real winner of a camera and have the inventory waiting to supply the demand, unlike for instance Olympus - I was not amused having to wait 3 months after the release date to get my hands on the E-m5.

[Allison]

I would have liked to know before heading out what was in store, but truthfully, I won't uptake a new K5 replacement until the spring - unless there is a FF. Then I will buy it immediately upon availability.

You are right. Even if I don't think I will use it the first wedding out, I will be buying a FF as soon as I can...but truthfully I am hoping this is available int he spring because I want it on 2013 taxes.

[glanglois]

FWIW, I don't think it matters when Pentax makes one or more announcements, pre-announcements, leaks, hints, pre-production deliveries, review copy deliveries, retail store deliveries, firmware updates, etc. The applause here will be fast but quickly muted as the wrangling begins about too fast/slow/early/late/big/small/consumer-oriented/enthusiast-oriented/pro-oriented/Hello Kitty-oriented.

Not to mention the discussions of the features that are included/excluded/delayed/deferred/incomprehensible or only go to show that Pentax is not serious about photography or makes a Pentax user look silly-by-association owing to a Pentax model that appears in a color that Mathew Brady would find surprising and Matthew Brady would use to charm the ladies of Tasmania.

Now .... I feel much better.

[Allison]

FWIW, I don't think it matters when Pentax makes one or more announcements, pre-announcements, leaks, hints, pre-production deliveries, review copy deliveries, retail store deliveries, firmware updates, etc. The applause here will be fast but quickly muted as the wrangling begins about too fast/slow/early/late/big/small/consumer-oriented/enthusiast-oriented/pro-oriented/Hello Kitty-oriented.

Not to mention the discussions of the features that are included/excluded/delayed/deferred/incomprehensible or only go to show that Pentax is not serious about photography or makes a Pentax user look silly-by-association owing to a Pentax model that appears in a color that Mathew Brady would find surprising and Matthew Brady would use to charm the ladies of Tasmania.

Now .... I feel much better.

Personally, I am hoping that the k5 replacement will be both pro-oriented and Hello Kitty oriented at the same time.

[cfraz]

FWIW, I don't think it matters when Pentax makes one or more announcements, pre-announcements, leaks, hints, pre-production deliveries, review copy deliveries, retail store deliveries, firmware updates, etc. The applause here will be fast but quickly muted as the wrangling begins about too fast/slow/early/late/big/small/consumer-oriented/enthusiast-oriented/pro-oriented/Hello Kitty-oriented.

Not to mention the discussions of the features that are included/excluded/delayed/deferred/incomprehensible or only go to show that Pentax is not serious about photography or makes a Pentax user look silly-by-association owing to a Pentax model that appears in a color that Mathew Brady would find surprising and Matthew Brady would use to charm the ladies of Tasmania.

Now .... I feel much better.

Best post of the week, notwithstanding that I don't know who Matthew Brady is.

[Shanti]

Was planning to get the K5,but wonder if I should wait till the new model is released,as prices may go down even more? Probably the new model will be 2X the K5's price so that is over my budget...
Can the price of K5 actually go up again? never experienced that with discontinued models in other brands...

[mee]

Personally, I am hoping that the k5 replacement will be both pro-oriented and Hello Kitty oriented at the same time.

I can see the next trend.. cartoon character covers to go around camera bodies.. K5 with wittle kitty ears.

[sb in ak]

Was planning to get the K5,but wonder if I should wait till the new model is released,as prices may go down even more? Probably the new model will be 2X the K5's price so that is over my budget...
Can the price of K5 actually go up again? never experienced that with discontinued models in other brands...

I don't think the "new" K5 prices will go down much more. They are pretty much rock bottom if you consider where the K30 is priced. But I don't think it would be very wise of Pentax to release the successor for double the price considering the rumors of a "cheap" FF. Unless you think you need lots of megapixels (likely 24MP), an AF improvement, or focus peaking, etc the K5 really is a great camera. Plus, if you can get it new, for $20 you get the 2-year extended warranty rather than taking chances on the used market.

My K-3 Guess (Photokina): (Not really what I want, but what I think they'll do).

APS-C 24MP
Same form factor as K-5 w/ slight mod. for tiltscreen
Focus Peaking
Improvement in AF (similar to K-30?)
More video options
$1299 US

FF K-2 in April.

[ElJamoquio]

Unfortunately* I think you're right about the tilt screen.

*I don't want it, it adds weight+cost and subtracts durability from something I won't use.

[sb in ak]

Unfortunately* I think you're right about the tilt screen.

*I don't want it, it adds weight+cost and subtracts durability from something I won't use.

Yeah.... I don't like it either, but I think it's coming, especially if they increase the video options. I don't shoot much video, so to me it would mean a loss in durability / one more thing to break / another place for water to leak in.

[Alizarine]

What they could do is make an announcement that another camera is coming, but not release any specs. At least we would know they were going somewhere. Don't say anything and there will always be the handful of people who believe that the sky is falling.

As far as "sure" the interviews go the only thing officials mentioned was they need a 4-camera lineup.... still way too vague and broad.

[Allison]

As far as "sure" the interviews go the only thing officials mentioned was they need a 4-camera lineup.... still way too vague and broad.

But it is at least something, so now everyone on here will obsess for the next month on what a 4 camera line-up means...do we include the k-01 or not...what about the q? All aps-c or will there be a ff? Didn't they do a countdown page for the k5? How about we get one of those again so we try and decipher what the camera will feature from its silhouette! I swear, the August/September before photokina is the worst time for photographers.