[Zav]

Ming Thein has posted its thoughts about the 645Z: MF digital goes mainstream: early thoughts on the Pentax 645Z ? Ming Thein | Photographer
He is very positive about the release of the camera!

[normhead]

Yeah, but I would take a d800 over a 645d. I have shot both Plus the d800 is 2.5k used now.

As my signature says, I'm happy shooting a K-3, it has distinct advantages over a D800 for what I do. So I'd be looking at the camera as a companion to the K-3. IN that capacity, I'd rather have the K-3/645 combo than say a d800 645 combo or K-3 D800 combo. FF cameras have always been that orphan size in the middle for me. Not APS-c, not MF... just that odd format in the middle.

[Tanzer]

FF cameras have always been that orphan size in the middle for me. Not APS-c, not MF... just that odd format in the middle.

Yes this, LOL!

While I was raised on 135 film (and yes I do like to think in terms of 135 equivalent focal length as a result*), I've never felt there was anything magic about it. Some folks seem to treat so-called "FF" as the holy grail ... but I suspect those folks just want to take advantage of their old stash of M/K/A/FA lenses.

*Eventually sensors will get so big that a 100mm lens will be the new normal. Then that will make more numerical sense because it reads like 100%. (Either that, or someone will introduce a a new unit based on something other than millimeters for focal length, so that the number 1, or 10, or some other nice round number, will represent a normal human FOV.)

[D1N0]

Full Frame is better high iso, shallower DOF, more air in your pics (aps-c looks more compressed), Bigger brighter VF. Sharper pics. Some people don't see that and think I am an idiot and laugh at me That is exactly what I think of them. Willfull ignorance is idiocy.

[Parallax]

Enough is enough.
This is not the "FF beats APS-c no it doesn't yes it does no it doesn't yes it does my dad can beat up your dad" forum. This thread is about the announcement of the 645z, and for discussion of same. As it does not have a 24x36mm sensor, or an APS-c sensor, any further posts referencing those will be deleted and may include a thread ban for the poster.

[fretlessdavis]

Really excited about this! Everyone please trade in your 645D's so I can find an 'affordable' one used.

I think I picked the wrong 645 system... I didn't have too much faith in the future of the 645D line from Pentax, but I sure as hell do now. The modular systems of the other Digital MF systems is nice in the studio, but the 645Z is going to murder them all in price, ergonomics, and be probably the best digital camera for landscape work on the market.

Maybe it's time to snag a 645N and start future-proofing my MF setup =)

[Paul the Sunman]

"The future of the 645D line" -- yes, a good question. The 645Z is certainly very exciting, and somewhat reassuring of a future. However, there are a lot of voices asking why it is not mirrorless, and rumours that Sony are going to release their own mirrorless MF camera with the same sensor soon. If everything starts moving in that direction, the the 645Z could indeed be the end of its line (as the "Z" hints). Personally, I would rather have an optical viewfinder, but I'm not sure that's the future. Many seem to prefer a more compact body. The current 645 lenses would need a rather large adapter on such a body.

It is also not clear to me that the size of the 645Z sensor is going to be the new standard. Currently, all the 645 lenses cover the image circle of the "full" 645 film format, except that the DA 645 25mm vignettes due to its inbuilt hood. If a larger sensor became available (even 6x4.5) would Ricoh/Pentax jump?

[normhead]

"The future of the 645D line" -- yes, a good question. The 645Z is certainly very exciting, and somewhat reassuring of a future. However, there are a lot of voices asking why it is not mirrorless,

I don't know even one of them. Sony released a mirrorless FF. How did affect the Canon and Nikons out there, or even the Pentax users. 4 or 5 users on the forum bought them to use their Pentax FF glass, but the Pentax glass on FF is not a very vibrant thread, hardly full of eager enthusiasts. What are they waiting for?

[monochrome]

rumours that Sony are going to release their own mirrorless MF camera

Does Sony make any 645 lenses?

[Zav]

Does Sony make any 645 lenses?

They will release a couple of them, then move on with a new mount in a different format.

[Kunzite]

"The future of the 645D line" -- yes, a good question. The 645Z is certainly very exciting, and somewhat reassuring of a future. However, there are a lot of voices asking why it is not mirrorless, and rumours that Sony are going to release their own mirrorless MF camera with the same sensor soon. If everything starts moving in that direction, the the 645Z could indeed be the end of its line (as the "Z" hints). ?

Because mirrorless fans are very vocal in their demands, and because of an unsubstantiated rumor, PentaxIsDoomed.
Business as usual

[Paul the Sunman]

Because mirrorless fans are very vocal in their demands, and because of an unsubstantiated rumor, PentaxIsDoomed.
Business as usual

As I said, I prefer an optical viewfinder, certainly over liveview. But the shear size of the 645 ensures it will always be a small-volume seller. Nothing wrong with that if Ricoh can still make money on it and maintains its enthusiasm. However, if you could get a MF sensor in a mirrorless body not much larger than a current FF camera, and at a price of say $4k, how would that sell? And to whom?

[Aristophanes]

As I said, I prefer an optical viewfinder, certainly over liveview. But the shear size of the 645 ensures it will always be a small-volume seller. Nothing wrong with that if Ricoh can still make money on it and maintains its enthusiasm. However, if you could get a MF sensor in a mirrorless body not much larger than a current FF camera, and at a price of say $4k, how would that sell? And to whom?

Depends on what you meanly FF camera. The market for FF is effectively split into 4 camps now:

1) Pro size like the D4
2) Prosumer size like the D800/600
3) Mirrorless size like the A7
4) Compact size like the RX1

The volume difference between a 645 and a D4 isn't huge. I used to have a Mamiya kit and a D700 and the Mamiya (about the size of the 645z but much lighter) and the medium format was a bulky, tripod pig comparatively.

So what you are really describing is a Leica S without the mirrorbox.

Compare camera dimensions side by side

If you really want to make the most of a reduced size body to take on the prosumer D800 size, I think a mirrorless MF will have to make some compromises. I suggest (and I'll sound like a broken record here) that achieving smaller body size will also require a midst of smaller lenses; letting mirrorless really be mirrorless.

Collapsible lenses, like the Mamiya 6 kit would be the way to go. Problem is, as a "system" camera, you will maybe only ever have 5 lenses in the product line. If you've ever seen a Mamiya 6 collapsed you'll get what I mean:

[rangercarp]

Does Sony make any 645 lenses?

Sony always has room for one more mount!

[VoiceOfReason]

I could use the 645z, the FA 645 45-85 f/4.5, FA 645 80-160 f/4.5, FA 645 150-300 f/5.6, DA 645 25 f/4 AW, D-FA 645 55 f/2.8 AW, D-FA 645 90 f/2.8 Macro AW, FA 645 400 f/5.6, A* 645 600 f/5.6, and both the 1.4 and 2.0 teleconverters, though I do wonder if they will be making AF versions and any AF lenses longer than 400mm. Still, I've been good so far this year, and I think I deserve that kit. Now to win the lottery/find a sugarmomma and/or rich relative that I didn't know about who wants me to have it.