Originally posted by texandrews Yes, I'm new here, so I understand if you blast me. I'm on the medium format forum and for sale forum now---hope to be getting my new 645Z on Monday. Unfortunately I need to be discreet about this, but I heard last Thursday from an old friend(solid source) who heard from a direct source (U.S.) that the work on the 645Z did indeed divert resources away from work on a Pentax FF camera. No word on when or if that process might re-start, although the source did not say that project was cancelled, nor also that now it was re-started. Not a lot of help, I know, but it looks like there was some work being done.
Just a tidbit, nothing may come of it. OTOH, now that Pentax is officially using Sony sensors......I have an A7R, and am selling (tears) my beloved A850 to help finance my 645Z purchase. My experience with Sony sensors is very good. The A850 was ideally neutral, and the A7R is also, with what I think is added "panache" in terms of tonality, and certainly very good higher iso capabilities (although my use of high iso's is modest...). Pentax lenses have always been fine, and used to be great values----I had an MX back in the day and a 645N (also selling) more recently. Another thing we have been discussing on Sony forums is how FF is potentially a growth area now----much more so than a few years ago. It would be good to have Pentax in the arena.
So, wishing all of you the best of luck. On another matter, Japan/Asia still seems to be a major vacuum sucking up a lot of available Pentax products of all types: My source tells me it's tough to get product for dealers, lots backordered.....
I agree that the DSLR crowd/users are warming up to FF upgrades now as more of my Canikony friends are picking up low end 6D, D610 and the likes. It seems to me that a FF Pentax should be rolling out soon as 645Z and K-3 are already out, and all the chips are falling in places where they can release a decent FF without compromises. Let's hope that we will see it sooner rather than later.
OTOH, regarding the comments about Pentax products in Japan/Asia, as it seems the market is quite different from North America. The last time I was at Map camera in Shinjuku, I saw at least six or seven used DA* 200/f2.8 lenses on the shelf that I was so tempted to buy one. I thought I can wait a little longer (taming my LBA) or at least think it over as I have already purchased a new version-II flash and another new DA* lens on that day. I was shocked to see them ALL gone when I returned a few days later. The guys later confirm that most of the 'current' new or used stuff move quickly and usually do not stay on the shelf for too long.