[RMabo]

Unless we know, we don't know; and if we know, we can't say we know; so we should know we know nothing.

How do you know that?

---------- Post added 05-12-2014 at 06:17 PM ----------

About the K-mount, well a 24x36 could very well be a mirrorless having it's own mount (but compatible with K-mount with an adapter). And the K-mount continues for APS-C. I interpret it as dedication to K-mount is not a hindrance to develop new mounts, but K-mount will still be supported.

[Kunzite]

And the discussion quickly degenerated with the introduction of those things called "stinkin' adapters"

[Quicksand]

Could be K-L (L for "large" meaning 24x36 format).

After this many years, how about JK-LOL?

[monochrome]

I interpret it as dedication to K-mount is not a hindrance to develop new mounts, but K-mount will still be supported.

Thus making every existing FA, D-FA and those DA lenses that cover the FF image circle - meaningless.

Nice business decision.

[Kunzite]

As well as future K-mount lenses covering the 135 format.

[calsan]

Pentax has an excellent idea to celebrate 50 years of Spotmatic. In Roman numerals that it is: L.
Remember that letter. Stay tuned.

L = Lenses? Here's hoping...

[RMabo]

The market goes towards mirrorless, and I can understand why - it makes small, compact and more lightweight cameras possible when the optical viewfinder isn't there anymore. But mirrorless also means new lens mounts, if the camera is designed to take advantage of the possibilities that mirrorless offers. The K-01 was Pentax attempt to make a mirrorless camera with support for the K-mount without adapter. And it was a failure and disaster, we all know that. It is time for Pentax to move on. Pentax succeeded in moving from screwmount to K, and screwmount lenses was used with an adapter and the lenses was fully operational and functional. The 4/3 camp succeeded in moving from 4/3 to mirrorless micro 4/3, and 4/3 was used with adapters and the lenses was fully operational and functional.

So, a mirrorless 24x36 with adapter could make full use of Pentax K-mount lenses - with fully working autofocus, metering, automatic functions etc. etc. And a mirrorless 24x36 with adapter would not be larger than a 24x36 DSLR. The adapter only extends the distance between the sensor and the lens so it becomes the same as the SLR and DSLR-lenses are designed for. Without the adapter, the distance is much shorter because the mirror isn't there.

I see no drawbacks from using an adapter, all functions of the lenses would be retained.

[Uluru]

The market goes towards mirrorless, and I can understand why - it makes small, compact and more lightweight cameras possible when the optical viewfinder isn't there anymore.

No, it is not. Market moves strongly towards mobile phones as primary snap and share tools. And as for the OVF cameras, they are wildly popular; apart from DSLRs which outsell any mirrorless by 4:1 ratio, even one of the most popular range of mirrorless cameras has an OVF — Fujifilm X100 and X100s, and X-Pro1. Despite numerous software faults and sticky aperture syndrome, etc., it is the OVF that saves the day for that line of cameras.

But mirrorless also means new lens mounts, if the camera is designed to take advantage of the possibilities that mirrorless offers. The K-01 was Pentax attempt to make a mirrorless camera with support for the K-mount without adapter. And it was a failure and disaster, we all know that. ,,.

It was a disaster not because it supported the K-mount, but because Pentax K-01 was not supported with any common sense in the product planning. It was NOT designed to be a serious attempt. Only a February to February carnival joke. Designed with an expiry date, it was dead before it was released.

[gaweidert]

Okay, I hope it is a digital Spotmatic. With the typical Spotmatic body that is strong enough to drive nails with. Manual DOF preview.. Needle exposure meter too. That would be an L of a camera for us old timers. It would also have an option for customer swappable interchangeable lens mounts. No need for the K-mount to screw mount adapter. No auto focus either. It is a thing of beauty to watch an image snap into focus on those old Spotmatics. And to know that if it was in focus in the viewfinder it was in focus on the film.

[totsmuyco]

It has to be auto focus capable, 24 megapixels, with weather sealing maybe to a level of going under typhoons and other forms of storms. With battery grip that can host 2 batteries. And yes all should be in chrome as in the 70s and 80s.

[ElJamoquio]

mirrorless also means new lens mounts, if the camera is designed to take advantage of the possibilities that mirrorless offers

I think the lens-design-advantages are a bit overblown in many circumstances. There are some great mirrorless lenses. There are small mirrorless lenses. Those two categories don't seem to overlap too much.

[Fl_Gulfer]

K . . L . . M

N..O..P..Micky Mouse..Donald Duck........

[Sorver]

Posted it before but had to do it again my dads Pentax that captured when he was in Vietnam being a soldier and my new one.

http://flic.kr/p/nZS8wB

[mee]

How to celebrate the 50 years since the Spotmatic was introduced?

Pentax? If they take a page from Yamaha, during their 125th Anniversary Celebration last year, they will celebrate with water bottles, bags, and hats.



...yeah.

[totsmuyco]

Well it will be July soon. I hope to see something that will excite us all.