Pentax stop 645D project, but continue medium-format digital project

WendyB · 03-08-2008, 09:25 PM

Originally posted by bobrapp

From what may be implied, Pentax will still continue on the medium format path but not necessarily fully compatible with the 645 or 67. It would be far more logical to develop a camera based on a sensor size (read mirror box) than adapt a smaller sensor in a larger format camera (APS in 35mm box).

Bob

Hi Bob,

You are exactly spot on, at least that is what the beta bodies are suggesting.

**Pål Jensen** · 03-09-2008, 07:47 AM

Originally posted by WendyB

Hi Bob,

You are exactly spot on, at least that is what the beta bodies are suggesting.

...but I fully expect them to use the 645 lens mount and, hence, lenses....
Otherwise, they have to introduce and whole new system including lenses....come to think of it, why not?

bobrapp · 03-09-2008, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

...but I fully expect them to use the 645 lens mount and, hence, lenses....
Otherwise, they have to introduce and whole new system including lenses....come to think of it, why not?

I would like to think so but that would depend on the design. While the 645 glass is good, I think Pentax would be well advised to re-design the lenses for digital sensors. The over all body design should change as the space required for the film insert is no longer required.

The last thing I would like to see is a brick with a lens mounted on it like the present high end Canons.

Bob

Peacekeeper · 03-09-2008, 08:07 PM

According to the Pentax Website Pentax Imaging

They are still selling the FA lenses, the line up is quite limited, but they are still selling them.

I like the wait and see approach. Doesn't affect me either way. All my lenses are suitable for FF sensor anyway.

PK

**monochrome** · 03-09-2008, 08:52 PM

They're making (listing, anyway) "DFA" Macro lenses, with coatings on the rear elements for sensor flare suppression, but retaining backward compatability with 35mm bodies.

Macro DFA Series

wiyum · 03-11-2008, 06:38 AM

Originally posted by Tom M

I think the obvious answer is that the 645 is a fine camera and design as well as format HOWEVER, the 67 (6x7) covers the 645 (6x4.5) format while providing more area of coverage for those who want it. Those who don't can simply crop to 6x4.5... So, if you're going to produce a MF digital camera it makes no sense to develop the smaller of your two formats as all things being equal, you'll pay slightly more for the larger sensor but gain far more versatility.. My money is on a 67D to replace the 67II...

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but this just isn't going to happen. At present, the largest "digital 645" chips around, those from PhaseOne and Hasselblad, come in around 37mmx49mm. That's short of the actual 645 negative, which is 41.5mmx56mm. The traditional 56mmx56mm square format has been reduced significantly to around 37mmx37mm for backs with square sensors. There's a limit to the size you can make a chip, and full 645 (41.5x56) would be achievement enough. A full 6x7 chip (at 56mmx69.5mm) is just impossible at the moment.

If/when Pentax makes a digital MF camera, it will have a chip smaller than 645, and thus be compatible with 645 lenses (as well as 67 lenses, as all 645 bodies have been). The last prototype was using a chip that measured 33x44mm. That's a crop factor of 1.27, in case anyone's counting, and not nearly as good as the 1.14 that others are getting at present.

Will

ogl · 03-11-2008, 10:28 AM

I can understand from this interview that 645D is too expensive to sell and project is dead.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/22510-interview-pentax-s-john-carlson.htm

I think Pentax will choose another way to offer pro-camera.

ogl · 03-11-2008, 10:30 AM

Maybe Pentax will offer 35 mm camera with masking for DA lenses like D3 can. In 2-3 years.

eurostar · 03-12-2008, 02:21 AM

In two-three years the megapixel race will have cancelled any advantage FF has over APS-C. Even the approaching 24megapixel Sony sensor will have photosite dimension just marginally larger than 10mp APS-C sensor ones. Aside pure enlarrgement capability, there will be no advantages regarding noise and dinamic range.

Going for a larger than 24x36 sensor is the right way... IMO.

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03-08-2008, 09:25 PM	#31
WendyB Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan Posts: 189	Originally posted by bobrapp From what may be implied, Pentax will still continue on the medium format path but not necessarily fully compatible with the 645 or 67. It would be far more logical to develop a camera based on a sensor size (read mirror box) than adapt a smaller sensor in a larger format camera (APS in 35mm box). Bob Hi Bob, You are exactly spot on, at least that is what the beta bodies are suggesting.

03-09-2008, 07:47 AM	#32
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by WendyB Hi Bob, You are exactly spot on, at least that is what the beta bodies are suggesting. ...but I fully expect them to use the 645 lens mount and, hence, lenses.... Otherwise, they have to introduce and whole new system including lenses....come to think of it, why not?

03-09-2008, 06:07 PM	#33
bobrapp Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Grand Junction Colorado Posts: 209	Originally posted by Pål Jensen ...but I fully expect them to use the 645 lens mount and, hence, lenses.... Otherwise, they have to introduce and whole new system including lenses....come to think of it, why not? I would like to think so but that would depend on the design. While the 645 glass is good, I think Pentax would be well advised to re-design the lenses for digital sensors. The over all body design should change as the space required for the film insert is no longer required. The last thing I would like to see is a brick with a lens mounted on it like the present high end Canons. Bob

03-09-2008, 08:07 PM	#34
Peacekeeper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Back at work :( Photos: Gallery Posts: 168	According to the Pentax Website Pentax Imaging They are still selling the FA lenses, the line up is quite limited, but they are still selling them. I like the wait and see approach. Doesn't affect me either way. All my lenses are suitable for FF sensor anyway. PK

03-09-2008, 08:52 PM	#35
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	They're making (listing, anyway) "DFA" Macro lenses, with coatings on the rear elements for sensor flare suppression, but retaining backward compatability with 35mm bodies. Macro DFA Series

03-11-2008, 06:38 AM	#36
wiyum Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LA Posts: 74	Originally posted by Tom M I think the obvious answer is that the 645 is a fine camera and design as well as format HOWEVER, the 67 (6x7) covers the 645 (6x4.5) format while providing more area of coverage for those who want it. Those who don't can simply crop to 6x4.5... So, if you're going to produce a MF digital camera it makes no sense to develop the smaller of your two formats as all things being equal, you'll pay slightly more for the larger sensor but gain far more versatility.. My money is on a 67D to replace the 67II... I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but this just isn't going to happen. At present, the largest "digital 645" chips around, those from PhaseOne and Hasselblad, come in around 37mmx49mm. That's short of the actual 645 negative, which is 41.5mmx56mm. The traditional 56mmx56mm square format has been reduced significantly to around 37mmx37mm for backs with square sensors. There's a limit to the size you can make a chip, and full 645 (41.5x56) would be achievement enough. A full 6x7 chip (at 56mmx69.5mm) is just impossible at the moment. If/when Pentax makes a digital MF camera, it will have a chip smaller than 645, and thus be compatible with 645 lenses (as well as 67 lenses, as all 645 bodies have been). The last prototype was using a chip that measured 33x44mm. That's a crop factor of 1.27, in case anyone's counting, and not nearly as good as the 1.14 that others are getting at present. Will

03-11-2008, 10:28 AM	#37
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382 Original Poster	I can understand from this interview that 645D is too expensive to sell and project is dead. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/22510-interview-pentax-s-john-carlson.htm I think Pentax will choose another way to offer pro-camera.

03-11-2008, 10:30 AM	#38
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382 Original Poster	Maybe Pentax will offer 35 mm camera with masking for DA lenses like D3 can. In 2-3 years.

03-12-2008, 02:21 AM	#39
eurostar Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Albareto, Italy Photos: Gallery Posts: 819	In two-three years the megapixel race will have cancelled any advantage FF has over APS-C. Even the approaching 24megapixel Sony sensor will have photosite dimension just marginally larger than 10mp APS-C sensor ones. Aside pure enlarrgement capability, there will be no advantages regarding noise and dinamic range. Going for a larger than 24x36 sensor is the right way... IMO.