[y0chang]

Why does everyone assume it is a DA* quality lens? It is listed as a DA on the roadmap and it is variable aperture.

DA* and variable aperture is not mutually exclusive. For reason mentioned up thread, a 135-380 F4 is going to be massive and cost a fortune. My guess it will be equivalent to the Nikon 80-400mm f4.5-f5.6 in perfomance and price. The Nikon is $2700 and Sony 70-400mm is around $2000. Canon is gearing up for a replacement of its 100-400 f4-5.6. That lens came out in 1998. I didn't realize how old it was until I saw Nat Geo photogs using it with film bodies in "Through the Lens".

Patent: Canon EF 70-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS

I highly doubt that any first party 300mm+ lens will be under 1k. There is a reason why sigma, tamron, and tokina have carved their niche. The unfortunate part is other than sigma's older designs, Pentax which has the greatest need for 300mm+ has the least choice to choose among them.

[JimmyDranox]

Photo Rumors post the WR 1.4 TC and 3 new compact cameras as the news from Ricoh at CP+

http://photorumors.com/2014/02/04/new-ricoh-wg-20-and-wg-4-compact-cameras-l...ne/#more-54296

[bobmaxja]

already discuss here
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/16-pentax-news-rumors/250565-rumor-rear-c...s-cameras.html

[ogl]

New Ricoh WG-20 and WG-4 compact cameras leaked, Pentax name is gone | Photo Rumors

645DII will be announced tomorrow (February 6th)

[thibs]

645DII will be announced tomorrow (February 6th)

Now, that is a lot more interesting than the stupid moaning about Ricoh tag on WG cams.

[Cynog Ap Brychan]

645DII will be announced tomorrow (February 6th)

Ah, but will it be a Pentax 645DII or the Ricoh 645DII? Just kidding..... I hope.

[thibs]

Rather:
* mirrored or mirrorless ?
* CCD or CMOS ?
* 645D still available for 'cheap' ?
* price (of course) ?

[Zygonyx]

Mirrored of course.
No idea and don't care for sensor tech.
Cost no cheaper than 645D (i see it rather bucking 2 to 3 Ks more).
No interest for me if same sensor size...

[thibs]

Mirrored of course.
No idea and don't care for sensor tech.
Cost no cheaper than 645D (i see it rather bucking 2 to 3 Ks more).
No interest for me if same sensor size...

I mostly agree with you but for sensor tech, CMOS certainly has a big influence on ISO capabilities although some users prefer CCD output.
I'd like to have a take on this but I have no 645D to try...

[mikemike]

Rather:
* mirrored or mirrorless ?
* CCD or CMOS ?
* 645D still available for 'cheap' ?
* price (of course) ?

If they released the 645D mk II and kept the 645D on the market at an "entry level MF price," say $4000, that might be a game changer.

[wed7]

Make it down to 3k to really forget the FF! B-)

[gazonk]

If they released the 645D mk II and kept the 645D on the market at an "entry level MF price," say $4000, that might be a game changer.

The question is whether that is possible - if the 40mp CCD sensor is still expensive to acquire? I wouldn't be surprised if the production costs for the new model is lower than for the current one.

[Wired]

If they released the 645D mk II and kept the 645D on the market at an "entry level MF price," say $4000, that might be a game changer.

oh my.... that would be incredibly dangerous for my pocket book....but I would love that! mmmm medium format.

[thibs]

If they released the 645D mk II and kept the 645D on the market at an "entry level MF price," say $4000, that might be a game changer.

Agreed. I couldn't get one but that would be interesting in the digitl MF market

[Blacknight659]

While the net is overwhelmed by Fujifilm's X-T1 release, someone on China's xitek.com posted these two Pentax rumors:

1) Ricoh Pentax K-60 (credibility: 37%)
24MP APS-C CMOS sensor without LPF
11 AF points, three of which support -3EV AF capability
29K-pixel RGB metering
100K shutter lifecycle
PRIME III processor (Same as K-3)
100% pentaprism optical view finder
Light-weight and weather-sealed design
Body available in multiple colors
Support NFC and Wifi
MSRP: USD$699.00
Original post: 2014 CP+，Ricoh Pentax K-60


2) HD Pentax-DA135-380mm f/4-5.6 ED [IF] DC WR (credibility: 65%)
Original post: 2014 CP+，HD Pentax-DA135-380mm f/4-5.6 ED [IF] DC WR

3) HD Pentax-DA18-70mm f/2.8-4.5 AL [IF] DC WR (credibility: 51%)
Original post: 2014 CP+，HD Pentax-DA18-70mm f/2.8-4.5 AL [IF] DC WR

The guy posted the rumors claimed that these came from some pentax rumors website, but as fas as I know no such rumors exist
yet on the net. Given the fact that K-50 is barely one-year old (released in 6/12/2013, according to dpreview.com), I don't think these
are plausible rumors though.

I am stoked about the 135-380 WR lens. This will be my next purchase. I have often wondered if Pentax would start building its longer zoom range. Should this lens be developed It will greatly improve the Pentax line up.

As for the 18-70 wr... WOW... I want it. I am not very impressed with the 16-50 2.8 for its weight and its lack of reach. Otherwise it is a fantastic lens. I currently use the 18-55wr but sometimes notice the lack of sharpness. If the 18-70 WR is real I will certainly start saving my pennies for this lens!