Originally posted by derekkite Look on youtube for a project where someone did a short movie with the 645z. It wasn't speed or hardware power, it was bad codecs that made it disappointing. It is worth watching, I'm sure Ricoh has watched it. Then they told their engineers to fix it. That free firmware upgrade will if successful open a new market to the existing body. People who own it already will get it for nothing; but those who couldn't use it right now because it isn't adequate could, and will possibly buy one.
3. Yes indeed. Right now for me, what I shoot, how I shoot, I'll list the alternatives and rough price. I use the resolution of the K3 for cropping, so a less dense sensor would be a downgrade. If I want a stop improvement in noise I would have to go to something like the D810 or equivalent. Not counting lenses, that is close to $3k. In lenses, I shoot a 500 f4.5 I could get half a stop and go 500 f4, taking the better part of $10k. I probably could get an effective stop of better noise with software technique for substantially less. Mastering wildlife flash technique is less money as well with more potential gain.
I may very well pass on the next iteration of the aps-c, and look carefully at what FF offering shows up. I am not alone.
The possibility of a new market segment, medium format video, will drive Pentax until they satisfy the needs of that market. The unique spot they have in the market with an affordable medium format stills body will also drive them. There is a potential that increased volumes will start showing up in lower prices due to production efficiencies. Their 645 lenses are extremely expensive probably due to the very small production runs. They could start squeezing into the high end of the 35mm market. They have a window of time where they could have the revenues to build out a service offering as well.
Down market will be characterized by filling the holes in their offerings. And implementing the technologies developed for their high end offerings.
Ahasiman says a firmware update for the 645 and K in the spring. That makes perfect sense to me. Make a very nice box, then do what is needed to sell more of them.
I saw the video on youtube as well (posted below), and had exactly the same thoughts as you. Pentax have a unique opportunity with the 645z: to beat the big two at the top end.
I hate to say it, but if I was advising Pentax on short-term strategy I'd be saying "get some leaf-shutter lenses and improve video for the 645z....forget the FF for now....and seize this all-too-brief opportunity you have with the 645 to be the go to top-end camera". Apparently leaf-shutter lenses are in the works right now, so they aren't standing still. Firmware updates to significantly improve video would be a great and obvious next step to make more people (with the money) sit up and take notice.
Unfortunately for us FF hopefuls, I'm not sure Pentax has the resources to further develop the 645z,
and develop a new FF offering simultaneously. I
really hope I'm wrong, but this time I could understand if FF gets delayed at the expense of capitalising on the opprtunity the 645z represents.
The youtube video you referred to: