[Richard Day]

Richard,
In no way do I mean to imply Pentax should stop manufacturing or developing the type of special lenses they are famous for. The exact opposite is true. Why should they waste there time developing pedestrian lenses that have already been done well by other manufacturers. Adding these lenses will in no way dilute the line, just expand it. It would also free up R & D to concentrate on the Pentax "Special" type lenses.

In regards to Hoya, they are selling glass to all of the OEM's also. It would stand to reason they could care less if someone buys a Tamron lens, a Tamron OEM Pentax lens, or a Pentax made lens for their Pentax camera as long as there is Hoya glass in it. When selling OEM like Hoya is you make the same amount of profit regardless of who is buying it.

Ken

I never took your statement that they should not develop their own lenses, I'm sure they (Hoya) would like to do both!

But I do think that Pentax/Hoya should concentrate on developing the specialist lenses that I outlined, some of which are (I believe) already in the pipeline, namely the 11-16 SDM and a 18-200 SDM. With the others I suggested, it's only another 4 zooms over a 2 year period which is not a huge road-map even for Pentax.

At this time they have 1 more zoom, 3 primes and 1 (?) TC on the existing map to deliver, I'm sure they are fairly close (3 to 9 months maybe?).

Since that map was first published some 18 months ago and subsequently updated, there have been 5 zooms (+ 1 about to arrive) and 6 primes brought to market and that was during a period fraught with a protracted takeover and new factory challenges. That's 12 new optics, or 10 if you concede that one is a re-badge and the other a mkII.

With the one's left to come, plus the 4 zooms and 2 primes I've suggested, I don't see how that's such a big challenge, i.e. 10 lenses in total. Even a 3 year program would not be totally unacceptable considering that there will be more pressure on new body development than glass, even if they have a FF development program in the wings.

More importantly, the lenses I've suggested are not currently available from any other OEM, so I cannot see how any other "me too" lens is desirable or required.

Apart from some very exotic big fast long primes (i.e. very expensive) I cannot envisage much else that is really needed, can you?

The Pentax we have today is a far cry from the Pentax of 2 years ago, even considering the advances made by other marques. I think Pentax have actually improved further than any other brand, they certainly have increased their market share, and kudos must also go to Oly and Sony as well, but we must remember that despite some peoples faith being shaken by recent QC issues, the name Pentax is synonymous with good glass and that does not mean having a raft of re-badged lenses.

I believe it's better to have less (but good) lenses, than a host of "me too's" to fill the holes as perceived by customers. I can see why you suggest what you do, but I don't share your enthusiasm about your suggestions, that's all.

Historically Pentax have used Tamron and Cosina as OEM suppliers with cosmetic re-badges. AFAIK they have never used Sigma, nor has any other major camera maker.


Naturally there will be TC's and also more super primes as well, but we are ahead of the competition and doing pretty well with those already! Not being a major prime shooter I will leave the wishes for those to others. Maybe an 85 f1.4 and 135 f2.0, am I warm?!

I also believe that a new roadmap introduced either by Photokina or by PMA will get the LBA adrenalin coursing once again!

There you have my crystal ball!

Hi, Richard!

First of all I just want to say that IMO you are one of the most respected, knowledgeable member of this forum and I know you have some insight from Pentax . I also think it's natural for Hoya to sell their glass with higher margins using Ltd and * series so they must develop new lenses much faster than in the past.

My crystal ball is broken right now so I can rely only on my whishes. I wish for the new roadmap to see the beginning of a new series DFA* and what potential members could be more suited than a DFA* 85 (1.2-1.4) which will bring the fire to the Canon 85/1.2 L and (a less likely) match in heaven between a Voightlander 125/2.5 (Cosina connection) but with SMC coatings, SDM and weather seals. Imagine DFA* 125/2.5 Macro SDM

I also think the next roadmap will bring at least a DA* FF zoom (like 24-1xx) and something like a DA 85/2 Ltd and a DA 135/3.5 Ltd and maybe a longer macro (150-180 mm).

Radu

[jgredline]

In case someone is wondering what the road map is.

[ogl]

K2000D is close to reality. Trust me.

K2000D is close to reality. Trust me.

Sorry, ogl, I wish I could trust you but on this forum the only person I really trust in WendyB. Of course in medical issues

Radu

P.S. If you know more, pls say more ...

[ogl]

Sorry, ogl, I wish I could trust you but on this forum the only person I really trust in WendyB. Of course in medical issues

Radu

P.S. If you know more, pls say more ...

let's trust in Wendy B

let's trust in Wendy B

Ok, man you asked for it!

So, I proudly presents K2000D (WB version):

- 45 Mp resolution MF sensor;
- 300 grams;
- kit lens is a 10-500 f1.4 usable on any Pentax from Optio to 645;
- titanium body with swarowski crystals (women edition only);
- 2 x watch type batteries;
- 5" foldable LCD (also cover for the rain and with solar panel on the other side to save the world from GW;
- kit price 300 USD and a FF Pentax for free to the first one milion buyers;
- and of course a WB favourite - the magical siringe to extract the noise from any photo from the ISO 12800 up.

Radu

[WendyB]

My prediction is that Pentax will try to emulate something like D40. So without further ado:

- under 500 grams;
- smallest of all Pentax DSLR ever made (not necessary a bad thing btw);
- the same sensor as K200D, same buffer (obviously it cannot be any smaller );
- plastic body, no steel chasis, no weather seals;
- 2,5" LCD;
- no LV;
- pentamirror;
- LiIon accu;
- scenes mode;
- 500 USD/ Euro body only or 100 more for the kit.

This is the worst case scenario but unfortunatelly the most plausible right now.
The better scenario (much better) would be that Pentax / Samsung will debut a new CMOS sensor with K2000D - around 10-12 Mp, LV done right and with improvements in many areas vs the 10,2 CCD Sony. And after that (very fast) launch a K250D or K300D with the same sensor and bring the fight to the Rebel 450D. But I guess it's not going to happen

Radu

Not anything seen of this yet here, it's hogwash

[ogl]

Dear Wendy, I thought about your "secret text" here
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/30289-speculation-what...acturer-5.html

Maybe we will see 24 Mp SONY sensor in 645D body -with 645 bayonet?

[WendyB]

Dear Wendy, I thought about your "secret text" here
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/30289-speculation-what...acturer-5.html

Maybe we will see 24 Mp SONY sensor in 645D body -with 645 bayonet?

Do you beta test? When one Betas they are very limited by NDA . Read between the lines.

One could reasonably say that one catches much more flack outside of this forum than she does within it.

Back to vacation at the cottage, just came home to pick up the new toys at the Fed Ex office.

[ogl]

Do you beta test? When one Betas they are very limited by NDA . Read between the lines.

One could reasonably say that one catches much more flack outside of this forum than she does within it.

Back to vacation at the cottage, just came home to pick up the new toys at the Fed Ex office.

Maybe something like this
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/31369-pentax-hybrid-ff...ould-real.html

[WendyB]

You just do not get it. Having had to fly back down to Detroit for emergency surgery that I was required to be in attendance for I have very sparse spare time to respond. Pentax is not going to give the chips away on a light hearted post they are going to bet them on a very solid hand.

"GET WITH THE PROGRAM" trust me it is a good one.

C&N and even good old slow OLY is in the worried boat about what we have in hand, extremely worried.

The algorithms have been finally worked out and on a sunrise at 6:45 in September the full view in 24P will arise over the horizon.

Figure the rest out.


Wendy

[thePiRaTE!!]

Another reference to a 'full view' and September. I think its safe to say the hints, hunchs and hype are rising in vigor. It felt like this before the K20 - except we knew it was coming. I love the thought that a company could keep a big secret until launch. I hope its true.

...and even if its not now, it will be someday

[Asahiflex]

"At 6:45 in September". So the 645D is finally coming

[ftpaddict]

Pentax doesn't need a 645D!

They need a flagship model that can go head-to-head with the big guns.