[Allison]

If we think about it, aside from Landscape and Studio Pentax hasn't really pursued the major professional image selling markets (wedding/event/sports/wildlife) on a whole host of features ranging from flash sync through AF to shutter speed. I'm not surprised they haven't offered dual card slots either.

If they've been honest about offering a near professional level body some day (whether APSC or FF) they'll need to address a lot more than just dual cards.

You are right here - they are lacking in making a real bid for wedding, event, photojournalist, sports and wildlife pro photographers. You are spot on about where they are lacking (give me better AF - the IIs is better than the K5, but I am hungry for more!) - I also think they need to address fps for sports and wildlife (and that wouldn't hurt my weddings either) and the trends in the wedding industry for good low light performance with FF. But in my opinion it is going to take more than camera specs to make a real bid for those industries. The new flashes are a start, but it will take lenses too, such as the 60-250 would need to be updated to FF (and it wouldn't hurt to get it to 2.8). Given that so much needs to be done to really release a pro level FF dslr, it makes me wonder if they aren't just content to stay with prosumers....

[monochrome]

Given that so much needs to be done to really release a pro level FF dslr, it makes me wonder if they aren't just content to stay with prosumers..

From what I hear they do intend to make a competitive pro level FF dSLR - but they know how long it will take to get there. The idea is to slot between [EDIT: should have written what today would be] 600 and 800 on price with 90++% of 800 capabilities. From what I hear lenses needs are understood, as well. It is real, but not soon. There will be a difference - the idea is to be an alternative, not just another CaNikonY. Ricoh is smart, patient, quality-oriented and absolutely relentless pursuing its goals. They just plain outlast the other guy.

The intermediate steps will show up on enthusiast/prosumer APSc bodies over time

[Aristophanes]

they are lacking in making a real bid for wedding, event, photojournalist, sports and wildlife pro photographers.

Other than wedding photography the others are all mostly amateur pursuits now as photojournalism has lost well over half its employees in recent years. The entire market has shifted to prosumers as by far the dominant force in purchasing.

[Pål Jensen]

Other than wedding photography the others are all mostly amateur pursuits now as photojournalism has lost well over half its employees in recent years. The entire market has shifted to prosumers as by far the dominant force in purchasing.

Thats true but the truth is that professional 35mm cameras have never had a significant pro percentage among their users. I read somewhere that 95%of the Nikon F5 was sold to amateurs. I guess some of the odd and expensive professional DSLR's may have a significant pro percentages but cameras like the D800 have probably numbers similar to the F5 above....

[monochrome]

Thats true but the truth is that professional 35mm cameras have never had a significant pro percentage among their users. I read somewhere that 95%of the Nikon F5 was sold to amateurs. I guess some of the odd and expensive professional DSLR's may have a significant pro percentages but cameras like the D800 have probably numbers similar to the F5 above....

Isn't that the whole point, though? Make a camera that professionals will use, then sell 20x as many to amateurs.

[IchabodCrane]

From what I hear they do intend to make a competitive pro level FF dSLR - but they know how long it will take to get there. The idea is to slot between 600 and 800 on price with 90++% of 800 capabilities. From what I hear lenses needs are understood, as well. It is real, but not soon. There will be a difference - the idea is to be an alternative, not just another CaNikonY. Ricoh is smart, patient, quality-oriented and absolutely relentless pursuing its goals. They just plain outlast the other guy.

The intermediate steps will show up on enthusiast/prosumer APSc bodies over time

It's one thing to set goals based on what's out there but it's another to chase a moving target. When Pentax releases a FF digital camera, I doubt there will be a D600 and D800 on the market.

[monochrome]

It's one thing to set goals based on what's out there but it's another to chase a moving target. When Pentax releases a FF digital camera, I doubt there will be a D600 and D800 on the market.

Well that's the way I heard it. I edited above for clarity.

I also heard FF is real but not soon.

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Last edited by monochrome; 09-20-2013 at 06:26 PM.

[Rorschach]

Well that's the way I heard it. I edited above for clarity.

I also heard FF is real but not soon.

Personally I don't mind. I wouldn't have the finances for a full frame right now. Either the new APS-C model or a K5iis when the prices drop because of the new model.

[Cynog Ap Brychan]

it will take lenses too, such as the 60-250 would need to be updated to FF (and it wouldn't hurt to get it to 2.8).

Oh no! Spare me from f2.8 lenses of more than 150mm - they are too big and heavy! The 60-250 mm f4 is about as large a lens as I want to carry, but then, for what I do, I don't need anything faster.

[Barry Pearson]

Isn't that the whole point, though? Make a camera that professionals will use, then sell 20x as many to amateurs.

An interesting feature of that approach is that amateurs probably don't need the service back-up that professionals need.

[Barry Pearson]

Oh no! Spare me from f2.8 lenses of more than 150mm - they are too big and heavy! The 60-250 mm f4 is about as large a lens as I want to carry, but then, for what I do, I don't need anything faster.

I agree. Such a lens (60-250mm f/2.8) would weigh between 2 and 3 kilograms, and either take filters over 90mm at the front or have interior filters.

The DA* 60-250mm f/4 weighs just over a kilogram and takes a modest filter of 67mm. It is as much as I want to carry and hand-hold for a full day (for an airshow, say).

[Fogel70]

Tamron 70-200/2.8 have the same weigth as DA* 60-250/4.
But a real FF replacement for DA* 60-250/4 is a 100-400mm lens, and it will be 1.5-2kg if it's f/5.6

[Barry Pearson]

Tamron 70-200/2.8 have the same weigth as DA* 60-250/4.
But a real FF replacement for DA* 60-250/4 is a 100-400mm lens, and it will be 1.5-2kg if it's f/5.6

And the (FF) Canon 200-400mm f/4 with Tele-extender is 3.6 kilograms.

[Fogel70]

Yep, FF is not about lightweigth extreme tele glass.

[TenZ.NL]

I agree. Such a lens (60-250mm f/2.8) would weigh between 2 and 3 kilograms, and either take filters over 90mm at the front or have interior filters.

The DA* 60-250mm f/4 weighs just over a kilogram and takes a modest filter of 67mm. It is as much as I want to carry and hand-hold for a full day (for an airshow, say).

I`ll rather see a 400mm F5.6 WR prime with good wide open performance, something like the canon 400mm F5.6 L. Sort of a little brother to the DA560.
Good performance, not too heavy and reasonably affordable. The canon does €1400,-, I even wouldn`t mind paying more if Pentax would offer such a lens.