Pentax announces official product updates!

dankoBanana · 09-10-2012, 03:35 PM - **1 Like**

I'm sorry, but new AF system + a new LCD on a k5 is not a huge leap for a flagship model and does not deserve the price of 1300 $ in my book.
add an articulating screen + prime M + focus peaking + more AF spots and then we are in business. for now, I'm sticking to my k5
still hoping for an k3

rawr · 09-10-2012, 03:36 PM

$7000 for the 560?

Ouch!!

twitch · 09-10-2012, 03:37 PM

AF system still uses same old 11 point system with its huge AF points.

Tom S. · 09-10-2012, 03:39 PM

Although there is nothing that interests me, I look at this overall as good news. IMHO, for Ricoh to take over Pentax less than a year ago yet come up with this amount of new products bodes well. I'm thinking, and admittedly hoping, that next year will bring much more.

ducdao · 09-10-2012, 03:40 PM - **1 Like**

So no K-3? Here comes my Cognac...

mee · 09-10-2012, 03:42 PM

K-3 and K-300 for Photokina, right?

**jpzk** · 09-10-2012, 03:42 PM

560/5.6 at $6999 !!! You have got to be kidding !

Pricing and Availability
The new smc PENTAX DA 18-270mm F3.5-5.6 ED SDM zoom lens will be available at retail outlets nationwide and online in November 2012 with a suggested retail price of $799.95. The new HD PENTAX DA 560mm F5.6 ED AW will be available at retail outlets nationwide and online in December 2012 with a suggested retail price of $6,999.95.

I am utterly shocked by this!

I have been anxiously waiting for this announcement for months and when I saw the annoucement, I nearly puked!
If this is going to be the going price for this lens, I'd better keep a GOOD eye on any forthcoming comparisons between that and the Sigma 500/4.5 at $1000 to $2000 less, depending where you can buy it.

I mean, there's got to be a mistake in the pricing ... tell me I am seeing an illusion here.

JP

Cannikin · 09-10-2012, 03:48 PM

2 years of R&D (a full 50% longer than their previous 16 month flagship release cycle, 8 months extra to handle the Ricoh transition), and what we get is a tweaked AF module (same old 11 points) shoehorned into a K-5, with no other practical changes. It doesn't even include any of the improvements of the much cheaper K-30 (notably video and presumably focus peaking). In contrast, consider the transition from the K-7 (which also used the same body) to the K-5. At the time everyone was asking for was a K-7 with a K-x sensor. What we got was: vastly improved sensor (better than K-x), improved AF, faster burst rate, improved buffer, improved video.

K-7 -> K-5 was a major improvement. K-r (or K200D) -> K-30 was a huge leap. This K-5 II is pure laziness.

What else...

- Tamron rebadge that doesn't even include weather sealing. Essentially 0 R&D involved.
- $4500 and $7000 lenses. Meaningless for 99.9% of people
- Q10... I don't think I need to add anything to the endless discussion that wasn't already mentioned about the original Q.

Sorry, but this does not look like 2 years worth of R&D to me.

I can only hope that Pentax has more to show at the start of Photokina itself. Remember that 2 years ago, the K-r was announced very close to this date (Sept 9), while the K-5 was announced just the day before Photokina (Sept 20).

MSM · 09-10-2012, 03:50 PM

"Thanks to the incorporation of the PENTAX-original SDM autofocus system driven by a built-in supersonic motor"

LOL, this (bolded) ought to instill a lot of confidence in the soon to be released super zoom. Perhaps another marketing misstep.

MetaD · 09-10-2012, 03:51 PM

Poor autofocus on my K5 hurt my usage under low-light situations, so for me improved AF on the new K5II is an important improvement. AF was driving me towards jumping brands.

16mpix is plenty for most of my needs, and it is more than plenty for screen & internet images! So, I'm not in the gotta-have-FF circle, despite my FF lenses. Plus, 16mpix on APS is the same as 32mpix on FF, so pixel resolution is already at the point where you need very high-quality glass (Zeiss or Leica?), and very demanding of photographic technique. One benefit, is that on APS we are using the sweet spot from the middle area of FF lenses. AND most important, FF sensor would add $1,000 to the price. $1,200 is a decent price point.

I'd probably prefer a 400mm f/4, but the 560mm telephoto would be useful for bird photography. That makes 800mm on APS sized sensors. I don't know how it stacks up for sports. A good reviewer will have to test the lens for those uses.

JohnBee · 09-10-2012, 03:56 PM

Originally posted by Cannikin

Remember that 2 years ago, the K-r was announced very close to this date (Sept 9), while the K-5 was announced just the day before Photokina (Sept 20).

You are right.
I forgot about that

/returns to hoping ...

Tanzer · 09-10-2012, 03:59 PM

Finally, the DA 560, plus the Q-to-K mount converter, both available at the same time .... With the new improved grip on the Q10, I'm ready to go shooting hand-held! I wonder if the stabilization menu on the Q10 can go to 3080mm?

aurele · 09-10-2012, 03:59 PM - **1 Like**

i really don't get why Pentax didn't put the Prime M engine instead of the Prime II into the K5mkII ...

I hope street price will go down soon, because at those price, i won't ever ever buy any of those new things, and probably wait for the next (re)cycle.

**arnold** · 09-10-2012, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by dankoBanana

I'm sorry, but new AF system + a new LCD on a k5 is not a huge leap for a flagship model and does not deserve the price of 1300 $ in my book.
add an articulating screen + prime M + focus peaking + more AF spots and then we are in business. for now, I'm sticking to my k5
still hoping for an k3

I only use one focusing spot. I'd give you the other ten if I could.

JohnBee · 09-10-2012, 04:05 PM

Originally posted by aurele

i really don't get why Pentax didn't put the Prime M engine instead of the Prime II into the K5mkII ...

I hope street price will go down soon, because at those price, i won't ever ever buy any of those new things, and probably wait for the next (re)cycle.

I agree.
Very confusing.
I'm thinking that perhaps the Pentax/Ricoh team sat down and worked really hard to come-up with a product strategy that would meet the available resources and deadline for the show.

09-10-2012, 03:48 PM	#23
Cannikin Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SW Washington Posts: 833	2 years of R&D (a full 50% longer than their previous 16 month flagship release cycle, 8 months extra to handle the Ricoh transition), and what we get is a tweaked AF module (same old 11 points) shoehorned into a K-5, with no other practical changes. It doesn't even include any of the improvements of the much cheaper K-30 (notably video and presumably focus peaking). In contrast, consider the transition from the K-7 (which also used the same body) to the K-5. At the time everyone was asking for was a K-7 with a K-x sensor. What we got was: vastly improved sensor (better than K-x), improved AF, faster burst rate, improved buffer, improved video. K-7 -> K-5 was a major improvement. K-r (or K200D) -> K-30 was a huge leap. This K-5 II is pure laziness. What else... - Tamron rebadge that doesn't even include weather sealing. Essentially 0 R&D involved. - $4500 and $7000 lenses. Meaningless for 99.9% of people - Q10... I don't think I need to add anything to the endless discussion that wasn't already mentioned about the original Q. Sorry, but this does not look like 2 years worth of R&D to me. I can only hope that Pentax has more to show at the start of Photokina itself. Remember that 2 years ago, the K-r was announced very close to this date (Sept 9), while the K-5 was announced just the day before Photokina (Sept 20). Last edited by Cannikin; 09-10-2012 at 03:58 PM.

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09-10-2012, 03:35 PM - 1 Like	#16
dankoBanana Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 533	I'm sorry, but new AF system + a new LCD on a k5 is not a huge leap for a flagship model and does not deserve the price of 1300 $ in my book. add an articulating screen + prime M + focus peaking + more AF spots and then we are in business. for now, I'm sticking to my k5 still hoping for an k3

09-10-2012, 03:36 PM	#17
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	$7000 for the 560? Ouch!!

09-10-2012, 03:37 PM	#18
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	AF system still uses same old 11 point system with its huge AF points.

09-10-2012, 03:39 PM	#19
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317	Although there is nothing that interests me, I look at this overall as good news. IMHO, for Ricoh to take over Pentax less than a year ago yet come up with this amount of new products bodes well. I'm thinking, and admittedly hoping, that next year will bring much more.

09-10-2012, 03:40 PM - 1 Like	#20
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	So no K-3? Here comes my Cognac...

09-10-2012, 03:42 PM	#21
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	K-3 and K-300 for Photokina, right?

09-10-2012, 03:42 PM	#22
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	560/5.6 at $6999 !!! You have got to be kidding ! Pricing and Availability The new smc PENTAX DA 18-270mm F3.5-5.6 ED SDM zoom lens will be available at retail outlets nationwide and online in November 2012 with a suggested retail price of $799.95. The new HD PENTAX DA 560mm F5.6 ED AW will be available at retail outlets nationwide and online in December 2012 with a suggested retail price of $6,999.95. I am utterly shocked by this! I have been anxiously waiting for this announcement for months and when I saw the annoucement, I nearly puked! If this is going to be the going price for this lens, I'd better keep a GOOD eye on any forthcoming comparisons between that and the Sigma 500/4.5 at $1000 to $2000 less, depending where you can buy it. I mean, there's got to be a mistake in the pricing ... tell me I am seeing an illusion here. JP

09-10-2012, 03:50 PM	#24
MSM Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 994	"Thanks to the incorporation of the PENTAX-original SDM autofocus system driven by a built-in supersonic motor" LOL, this (bolded) ought to instill a lot of confidence in the soon to be released super zoom. Perhaps another marketing misstep.

09-10-2012, 03:51 PM	#25
MetaD Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 105	Poor autofocus on my K5 hurt my usage under low-light situations, so for me improved AF on the new K5II is an important improvement. AF was driving me towards jumping brands. 16mpix is plenty for most of my needs, and it is more than plenty for screen & internet images! So, I'm not in the gotta-have-FF circle, despite my FF lenses. Plus, 16mpix on APS is the same as 32mpix on FF, so pixel resolution is already at the point where you need very high-quality glass (Zeiss or Leica?), and very demanding of photographic technique. One benefit, is that on APS we are using the sweet spot from the middle area of FF lenses. AND most important, FF sensor would add $1,000 to the price. $1,200 is a decent price point. I'd probably prefer a 400mm f/4, but the 560mm telephoto would be useful for bird photography. That makes 800mm on APS sized sensors. I don't know how it stacks up for sports. A good reviewer will have to test the lens for those uses.

09-10-2012, 03:56 PM	#26
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667 Original Poster	Originally posted by Cannikin Remember that 2 years ago, the K-r was announced very close to this date (Sept 9), while the K-5 was announced just the day before Photokina (Sept 20). You are right. I forgot about that /returns to hoping ...

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09-10-2012, 03:59 PM	#27
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	Finally, the DA 560, plus the Q-to-K mount converter, both available at the same time .... With the new improved grip on the Q10, I'm ready to go shooting hand-held! I wonder if the stabilization menu on the Q10 can go to 3080mm?

09-10-2012, 03:59 PM - 1 Like	#28
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	i really don't get why Pentax didn't put the Prime M engine instead of the Prime II into the K5mkII ... I hope street price will go down soon, because at those price, i won't ever ever buy any of those new things, and probably wait for the next (re)cycle.

09-10-2012, 04:00 PM	#29
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,293	Originally posted by dankoBanana I'm sorry, but new AF system + a new LCD on a k5 is not a huge leap for a flagship model and does not deserve the price of 1300 $ in my book. add an articulating screen + prime M + focus peaking + more AF spots and then we are in business. for now, I'm sticking to my k5 still hoping for an k3 I only use one focusing spot. I'd give you the other ten if I could.

09-10-2012, 04:05 PM	#30
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667 Original Poster	Originally posted by aurele i really don't get why Pentax didn't put the Prime M engine instead of the Prime II into the K5mkII ... I hope street price will go down soon, because at those price, i won't ever ever buy any of those new things, and probably wait for the next (re)cycle. I agree. Very confusing. I'm thinking that perhaps the Pentax/Ricoh team sat down and worked really hard to come-up with a product strategy that would meet the available resources and deadline for the show.